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 95111
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
Can I use short-term rental income to qualify for a DSCR loan?
A DSCR loan can qualify you on the projected Airbnb or Vrbo income a property produces rather than your personal income, but only with a lender who accepts short-term rental income.
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What does a VA renovation loan really involve?
A VA renovation loan lets an eligible veteran buy or refinance a home and finance non-structural repairs into the same VA loan with no down payment. The main hurdle is finding a lender who offers it.
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How do investors qualify for a DSCR loan on rental income?
You qualify for a DSCR loan on the rental property income rather than your personal income, as long as that income covers the mortgage payment by the required ratio, with no tax returns or personal debt-to-income limits.
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Can I buy a house after a recent late payment, collection, or charge-off?
Yes, you can often buy a home soon after a late payment, a collection, or a charge-off, as long as the rest of your file is strong and you can explain the event, because none of these carry a fixed waiting period the way a bankruptcy or foreclosure does.
Read more
Down Payment Assistance Programs by State
Most states offer some form of down payment assistance, and many buyers qualify without realizing it.
Read more
Down Payment Reality Check: How Much You Actually Need
You don't need 20% down to buy a house.
Read more