DSCR Loans

Qualify on your property's rental income, not your personal income. No tax returns, no W-2s, no pay stubs.

Built for real estate investors who want to grow their portfolio without letting their personal tax situation slow them down. If the property cash flows, you can likely qualify.

1.0+
Minimum DSCR ratio
to qualify
No
Tax returns or personal
income required
20%
Typical minimum
down payment
1.0+
Min DSCR to qualify
620+
Credit score
20-25%
Down payment
No
Personal income docs
Investor Financing

What Is a DSCR Loan?

A DSCR loan (Debt Service Coverage Ratio loan) is a mortgage designed specifically for real estate investors. Instead of qualifying based on your personal income, the loan is underwritten based on the income the property generates relative to its debt payments.

The DSCR formula is simple: divide the property's gross monthly rent by its monthly mortgage payment (principal, interest, taxes, insurance, and HOA if applicable). A ratio of 1.0 means the property breaks even. A ratio above 1.0 means it generates positive cash flow. Most lenders require a minimum of 1.0, with better terms available for higher ratios.

This structure makes DSCR loans ideal for self-employed investors, high-write-off business owners, and anyone building a rental portfolio where traditional income documentation does not reflect actual buying power.

Check My Eligibility →
No Personal Income VerificationNo W-2s, no tax returns, no pay stubs. Qualification is based entirely on the property's rental income and debt obligations.
Portfolio-FriendlyNo limit on the number of properties you can finance. DSCR loans are designed to scale with your investment strategy.
Short-Term Rentals EligibleAirbnb and VRBO properties qualify using market rent or documented STR income. We identify lenders who accept short-term rental income.
LLC Vesting AvailableMany DSCR lenders allow the property to be titled in an LLC, protecting personal assets while keeping the investment in your business structure.
Fixed and ARM Options30-year fixed, 15-year fixed, and 5/1 or 7/1 ARM programs available depending on your hold strategy and cash flow goals.
How It Works

The DSCR Formula Explained

Understanding your ratio determines whether you qualify and at what terms.

DSCR Calculation

Gross Monthly Rent
Market rent or actual lease amount
/
PITIA
Principal, interest, taxes, insurance, HOA
=
DSCR Ratio
1.0 or above to qualify

Example: $2,800 monthly rent / $2,400 PITIA = 1.17 DSCR. This property qualifies, and the higher ratio may unlock better rate pricing.

DSCR Below 1.0

Negative Cash Flow

The property's rent does not cover the full mortgage payment. Some lenders will still lend at 0.75+ DSCR for strong borrowers, but rates will be higher and down payment requirements increase. Talk to us about your options before assuming you do not qualify.

DSCR of 1.0

Break-Even Coverage

Rent exactly covers the mortgage payment. This is the minimum threshold for most DSCR programs. Qualification is possible, but lenders at this ratio are more selective on credit score and down payment requirements.

DSCR Above 1.25

Strong Coverage

The property generates meaningful positive cash flow above its debt obligations. At this level you typically access the most competitive rates, lower down payment requirements on some programs, and broader lender options. This is the sweet spot for most investors.

Qualification Guidelines

DSCR Loan Requirements

Requirements vary by lender and program. These are typical guidelines across most DSCR products we access through our hybrid platform.

DSCR Ratio

1.0+

Minimum 1.0 DSCR to qualify on most programs. Some lenders go as low as 0.75 for strong credit profiles. Higher ratios unlock better rates and terms.

Credit Score

620+

Most DSCR lenders require a minimum 620 credit score. A 680 or higher unlocks better rate tiers. Some programs require 700+ for LLC vesting or higher loan amounts.

Down Payment

20-25%

Typical minimum is 20-25% for single-family rentals. Multi-family and short-term rental properties may require 25% or more depending on the lender program.

Property Types

1-4 Units

Single-family rentals, condos, 2-4 unit properties, and in some cases short-term rentals. Commercial or 5+ unit properties require a different loan structure.

Loan Amounts

Up to $3M+

DSCR loans are available from around $100,000 up to $3 million or more depending on the program and lender. Loan amounts vary by property type and location.

Reserves

3-12 Mo.

Most lenders require 3-12 months of reserves (PITIA) in liquid accounts after closing. Higher loan amounts and lower DSCR ratios typically require more reserves.

Why Investors Choose DSCR

Built for Portfolio Growth

DSCR loans remove the personal income bottleneck that limits most conventional financing strategies.

No Income Documentation

No tax returns, W-2s, or pay stubs required. Your write-offs and business structure do not work against you. The property's cash flow is what matters.

Scale Without Limits

No cap on the number of financed properties. DSCR loans are purpose-built for investors adding properties systematically over time without hitting conventional loan count limits.

Close in an LLC

Many DSCR programs allow vesting in an LLC or other legal entity. This is a major advantage for investors who want to separate personal liability from their investment portfolio.

Short-Term Rental Eligible

Airbnb and VRBO properties qualify on select programs using documented STR income or market-rate projections. We identify lenders with the most investor-friendly STR policies.

Competitive Hybrid Pricing

Through our hybrid platform, we compare DSCR programs across multiple lending partners to find the most competitive rate for your property type, DSCR ratio, and investment goals.

Cash-Out Available

DSCR cash-out refinances let you pull equity from existing investment properties to fund additional acquisitions, renovations, or portfolio expansion without liquidating.

Getting Started

How to Get a DSCR Loan

Faster and simpler than conventional financing because we are qualifying the property, not your personal income.

1

Property Analysis

We review the property's rental income, projected DSCR, and your credit profile to identify the right lender and program match from our hybrid platform.

2

Application and Docs

We collect property information, lease agreements or market rent analysis, and basic personal information. No tax returns or income verification required.

3

Appraisal and Underwriting

The lender orders an appraisal and reviews the rental income analysis. Underwriting is focused on the property's financials, not yours, which streamlines the process.

4

Close and Cash Flow

DSCR loans typically close in 21 to 30 days. Once closed, your rental income covers the debt service and any surplus is your return. We coordinate everything through closing.

Common Questions

DSCR Loan FAQs

Do I need to show any personal income at all?
No. DSCR loans are designed to require zero personal income documentation. There are no W-2s, tax returns, or pay stubs. The underwriting is entirely property-based. This makes them ideal for self-employed investors, business owners with significant write-offs, and anyone whose tax returns understate their real financial position.
Can I use projected rent if the property is vacant?
Yes. If a property does not have an active lease, most DSCR lenders will use a market rent appraisal to determine the qualifying income. A licensed appraiser completes a rent schedule as part of the appraisal, and that market rate figure is used to calculate your DSCR. This allows investors to finance properties that need tenant placement after closing.
Can I finance an Airbnb or short-term rental with a DSCR loan?
Yes, on select programs. Short-term rental eligibility varies by lender. Some lenders accept documented STR income from platforms like Airbnb, while others use market long-term rent to qualify the property. We identify lenders with the most favorable short-term rental policies for your specific property and location.
Can I title the property in my LLC?
Many DSCR programs allow vesting in an LLC or other legal entity at closing. This is one of the most common requests from investors, and it is a significant advantage over conventional investment property financing, which typically requires personal vesting. Requirements vary by lender, so we verify LLC eligibility early in the process.
How are DSCR rates compared to conventional investment property rates?
DSCR rates are typically 0.5% to 1.0% higher than conventional investment property rates for the same borrower profile. The premium reflects the documentation flexibility and portfolio-scaling features. For investors who cannot qualify conventionally due to income documentation, or who want to scale beyond conventional loan count limits, the rate difference is a worthwhile trade-off. We compare both options when both are available so you can make an informed decision.
Is there a limit on how many DSCR loans I can have?
Unlike conventional financing, DSCR loans do not have a standard cap on the number of financed properties. Each loan stands on the property's own income. That said, individual lenders may have portfolio exposure limits or concentration restrictions. We work across multiple lending partners, so if one lender is maxed, we identify others that can continue financing your portfolio growth.

Ready to Finance Your Next Investment Property?

Let us run the DSCR analysis on your target property and show you exactly what you qualify for.