February 3, 2026

Match Day feels a little like opening an envelope on a roller coaster. One second you’re dreaming, the next you’re relocating across the country with a stethoscope in one hand and a moving box in the other.

Between celebrating your placement and starting residency, there’s a narrow window to figure out housing. And while many residents default to renting, buying a home can be a smart move when done correctly and calmly.

At Curbside Real Estate, we specialize in helping medical residents go from Match Day to move-in day with clarity instead of chaos. Think of this guide as your timeline-style roadmap from March to summer.

Why Residents Buy Differently

Medical residents aren’t typical buyers:

  • You have a signed contract, but limited savings.
  • Your income is strong, but your student loans loom large.
  • Your schedule is packed before it even starts.
  • You may be buying in a city you barely know yet.

That’s why the process needs to be customized. Curbside connects residents with mortgage brokers and realtors who understand physician loans, fast timelines, and remote buying so you’re not learning everything the hard way.

 

March: Match Day → Make a Smart Game Plan

Once your location is locked in, your first step isn’t touring houses. It’s assembling your team.

Step 1: Get Matched With the Right Lender

Many residents qualify for physician loan programs, which often allow:

  • Little to no down payment
  • No private mortgage insurance
  • Flexible debt-to-income ratios

But not every lender offers them well. Curbside helps match you with a mortgage broker who works specifically with residents, not just a random bank branch.

Before house hunting, your lender will review:

✔ Your residency contract

✔ Credit profile

✔ Student loan structure

✔ Budget comfort zone

This gives you a real, usable pre-approval instead of guesswork.

Step 2: Meet Your Local Realtor (Before You Move)

Buying in a new city is intimidating. Curbside pairs you with a realtor who understands resident schedules, hospital neighborhoods, commute patterns, and resale potential.

Your realtor helps you answer:

  • Where do residents actually live?
  • Which areas fit your call schedule?
  • What’s realistic in your price range?

This saves you from Zillow spirals at midnight.

 

April: Financing + Remote Touring

April is where things start feeling real.

Lock In Financing Early

With your pre-approval ready, your lender will fine-tune:

  • Monthly payment targets
  • Closing cost estimates
  • Loan structure options

Residents often benefit from physician loans, but sometimes conventional financing wins depending on your goals. Curbside ensures you’re comparing options, not just accepting the first quote.

Tour Homes Without Boarding a Plane

Most residents can’t drop everything to fly out three times.

Your Curbside-connected realtor can offer:

  • Live video walk-throughs
  • Neighborhood drive-through videos
  • Honest commentary about pros and cons
  • Off-market opportunities

You’re not just seeing homes. You’re understanding lifestyle fit.

 

May: Offer Strategy + Quick Closings

By May, many residents are ready to move fast.

Write a Smart Offer

In competitive markets, your realtor helps you:

  • Structure a clean offer
  • Choose realistic contingencies
  • Avoid emotional overbidding
  • Protect your deposit

Residents don’t need risky offers. They need strategic ones.

Prepare for a Faster Close

Residency timelines are tight, and sellers like certainty.

Curbside lenders help streamline:

  • Document collection
  • Appraisal scheduling
  • Employment verification using contracts
  • Closing coordination across state lines

This keeps your deal moving instead of stalling in paperwork purgatory.

 

June: Inspections, Appraisals & Avoiding Traps

This is where smart buyers protect their future selves.

Don’t Skip the Inspection

Even in hot markets, inspections matter. Your realtor will guide you through:

  • Red flags vs cosmetic issues
  • Negotiation strategies
  • Repair credits vs seller fixes

Skipping due diligence can turn your dream home into a residency-side stress machine.

Watch for Common Resident Traps

Residents often get caught by:

🚫 Buying too big too fast

🚫 Underestimating commute time

🚫 Ignoring resale potential

🚫 Draining savings before starting work

Curbside helps you buy for both today’s lifestyle and tomorrow’s flexibility.

 

July: Closing + Move-In

By summer, your focus shifts to logistics.

Your team helps coordinate:

  • Final loan approval
  • Utility setup
  • Closing schedules
  • Remote signings when needed

Instead of scrambling, you’re stepping into residency with housing handled.

Why Curbside Makes the Process Easier

Curbside Real Estate isn’t just about finding a house. We specialize in matching medical residents with the right mortgage broker and realtor for their exact situation.

We help you:

✔ Find physician-loan-friendly lenders

✔ Work with realtors who know hospital markets

✔ Buy remotely with confidence

✔ Close quickly without cutting corners

Your job is saving lives. Ours is making sure housing doesn’t become your hardest rotation.

This blog post is for informational purposes only and is not intended as financial or real estate advice. Consult with a professional advisor before making any significant financial decisions.