A firefighter-owned mortgage brokerage in Boca Raton, serving Tennessee EMTs and paramedics across every metro in the state. THDA Homeownership for Heroes specialists. $0 lender fees for first responders. The income-structuring expertise national lenders skip on EMT or paramedic files.
Tennessee runs a true hero-specific DPA program — THDA Homeownership for Heroes — built around firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, K-12 educators, and veterans. Up to $15,000 toward down payment and closing costs, layered on a Great Choice first mortgage. Most national lenders skip it because the wholesale access is limited.
⚠️ Homebuyer education/counseling required for Great Choice, Great Choice Plus, and Heroes loans.
This page is for Tennessee EMTs and paramedics specifically — buying or refinancing anywhere in the state.
Tennessee Housing Development Agency's hero-specific variant of the Great Choice Loan. DPA up to 5% of the loan amount, maximum $15,000, through Great Choice Plus / Homeownership for Heroes Plus. Eligible: veterans, active military, firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, K-12 educators.
Standard 30-year fixed for moderate-income Tennesseans. Pairs with Great Choice Plus DPA up to 5%.
Down payment + closing-cost assistance up to 5% / $15,000 of the loan amount, available with the Great Choice first mortgage.
Zero down, no PMI, reduced funding fee for disability-rated veterans. For EMTs and paramedics who served before joining their current field, we structure dual-eligible files that often clear closing with $0 out of pocket.
HUD federal program — 50% off the list price on HUD-owned properties in designated revitalization areas. Tennessee EMTs & Paramedics qualify (program also covers police, EMTs, paramedics, and K-12 teachers). 36-month occupancy commitment. Pairs with FHA financing.
For files that don't fit a DPA program — 3.5% down FHA, 3-5% down conventional, or non-QM bank-statement loans for EMTs and paramedics with 1099 side income. Every Tennessee station has one.
EMS work is built on irregular shifts and mandatory OT. A 24-month trailing average — not just base salary — is what counts. Most national lenders skip the mandatory OT entirely.
Paramedic certification, critical care, flight medic, instructor, FTO — each one adds to base pay. We attach the certification matrix to the file so underwriting reads it correctly.
Many EMTs and paramedics work at a primary agency PLUS a hospital ER, a private transport service, or a per-diem ambulance contract. Each W-2 counts. We structure the file to show stable total income across all sources.
Per-diem and PRN ambulance shifts count as qualifying income with a 24-month history and continuity letter from the employer. National lenders sometimes treat this as 'temporary' — it isn't.
New EMT-Bs, new paramedics, and academy-to-field transitions often face pushback. We document the licensure + employment + prior medical/military background to satisfy continuity rules.
We close mortgages in every Tennessee county. The cities and metros where Tennessee EMTs and paramedics most commonly buy:
Yes. With a 24-month history, shift pay, overtime, and certification differentials all count toward qualifying income. We've placed Tennessee EMS files where the variable components moved the qualifying loan amount by $50,000–$110,000.
Common in EMS. Both W-2s count when each shows stable 24-month income. We document the schedules so underwriting can confirm continuity for both — and we make sure the total income picture is presented in one cohesive narrative.
Yes. GNND eligibility includes EMTs and paramedics for HUD-owned properties in designated revitalization areas — 50% off list price with a 36-month occupancy commitment. We screen GNND inventory weekly for our EMS files.
If you're a Tennessee EMT or paramedic — active, retired, or family of — we know how to structure your file. No documents required to start. No commitment.