Tennessee Mortgage Loans
Tennessee offers homebuyers strong options across every loan type: conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, and jumbo, with no state income tax stretching your buying power. As a mortgage broker licensed in Tennessee with access to 240+ wholesale lenders, I help buyers across Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga, and rural Tennessee find the right loan and the best rate.
Discover Tennessee's Iconic Landmarks & Local Mortgage Markets
From the Smoky Mountains to Music City, explore Tennessee's most recognized destinations and learn about home financing opportunities in each region.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, America's most visited national park with over 12 million annual visitors, defines East Tennessee's natural grandeur. The park's ancient mountains, cascading waterfalls, and diverse wildlife create a world-renowned tourism corridor from Gatlinburg to Pigeon Forge, driving the region's thriving vacation rental and second-home market.
Market Focus
Tourism & Vacation Rental Market
Median Home Price: $425,000 (Gatlinburg/Sevierville)
Popular Loans: Conventional, Investment Property, Second Home
Rental ROI: 10-15% annual returns on STRs
Market Advantage: Sevier County vacation rentals generate $35K-$75K annually with Smoky Mountain proximity premium
Regional Insight
Sevier County (Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville) median $425K serves tourism/vacation rental market. Gatlinburg cabins $350K-$650K command premium for national park access and ski resort proximity. Pigeon Forge new construction $375K-$525K targets Dollywood visitors and families. Investment property loans require 15-25% down with rental income considered for qualification. THDA FirstHome DPA grants available for primary residences. Conventional loans dominate second-home purchases.
← Swipe to explore Tennessee landmarks →
What loan options are available in Tennessee?
Every buyer's situation is different. Tennessee has competitive programs for first-time buyers, veterans, rural homebuyers, and move-up purchasers alike. Here are the programs I originate:
Tennessee Mortgage Broker
240+ lenders, $1,000 Best Price Guarantee
Learn moreMortgage Pre-Approval
Get pre-approved in 24 hours
Learn moreFHA Loans
3.5% down, flexible credit
Learn moreVA Loans
Zero down for veterans
Learn moreConventional Loans
Competitive rates, PMI removal
Learn moreUSDA Loans
Zero down, rural areas
Learn moreJumbo Loans
Above conforming limits
Learn more“We were renting in Nashville and thought we'd never afford to buy. Emmett showed us that just 30 minutes outside the city in Fairview, we could get a USDA loan with zero down payment. Our mortgage is now less than our old rent, we have a half-acre lot, and we didn't need to save $40,000 for a down payment. This program changed our lives.”
James & Lisa W.
Fairview, Williamson County
What are today's mortgage rates in Tennessee?
Below are today's published 30-year fixed conventional rates. Rates update throughout the day and vary by credit, down payment, and loan size.
Today’s 30-Year Fixed (Conventional) Rate
Conventional – Primary Residence
Rate Assumptions
30 year fixed, $300k loan amount, $400k value, purchase, FICO Credit Score 759, Zipcode 92867
APR & Disclosures
The Annual Percentage Rate (APR) shown reflects the cost of credit over the loan term, including applicable fees, and is based on the assumptions above. Your actual rate and APR depend on your credit profile, loan amount, property, occupancy, and other factors. For information purposes only and does not constitute a loan approval or commitment to lend. Rates are subject to change without notice.
Why buy a home in Tennessee?
Tennessee is one of the most buyer-friendly states in the country, combining affordability with quality of life.
No State Income Tax
Tennessee has no state income tax on wages, which means more of your paycheck goes toward your mortgage and savings compared to neighboring states.
Affordable Markets
From Nashville suburbs to East Tennessee mountain communities, many areas offer home prices well below the national median with strong appreciation potential.
Diverse Regions
Urban energy in Nashville and Memphis, mountain living in East Tennessee, and USDA-eligible rural communities throughout the state offer something for every lifestyle.
Strong Job Growth
Major employers and new corporate relocations keep Tennessee's economy strong, especially in Nashville, Chattanooga's tech corridor, and the manufacturing hubs across Middle Tennessee.
Military-Friendly
Fort Campbell and multiple military installations make Tennessee a top state for VA loan buyers, with zero-down financing and strong community support for veterans.
USDA Eligibility
Roughly 97% of Tennessee's land area qualifies for USDA zero-down financing, making rural homeownership accessible even near major metros.
Ready to Buy Your Tennessee Home?
Whether you're buying near Nashville, in the Smoky Mountains, or anywhere across the Volunteer State, I'll find you the best rate from 240+ lenders.
From the blog & learning center
Tennessee Home Buying Guides
USDA Guarantee Fees Explained: The 1% and 0.35% That Replace PMI
USDA loans don't have PMI, but they have two guarantee fees that function similarly: a 1% upfront fee and a 0.35% annual fee — both cheaper than FHA's mortgage insurance.
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What Is a DSCR Loan? How Investors Qualify Without Tax Returns
A DSCR loan is a mortgage for real estate investors that qualifies you based on the property's rental income, not your personal income — no tax returns, no W-2s, no personal DTI.
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What DSCR Ratio Do You Need? (And How to Improve It)
Most DSCR lenders want a ratio of 1.0 or higher, meaning the property's rent covers its full mortgage payment. The higher your ratio, the better your rate and terms.
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Can You Use an LLC for a DSCR Loan?
Yes — you can typically close a DSCR loan in the name of an LLC, keeping the property separate from your personal name for liability and portfolio-management purposes.
Read moreDSCR Loan vs Conventional Investment Loan: Which Is Better?
A DSCR loan qualifies you on the property's rental income with no personal income documentation; a conventional investment loan qualifies you on your personal income, DTI, and tax returns.
Read more
FHA Loans Plus a Down Payment Grant: How Little You Can Actually Bring to Closing
Combining an FHA loan with a down payment assistance grant can reduce what you bring to closing to as little as 0% to 1% of the purchase price, nationwide, not just in select states.
Read more