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DSCR & Investor Loans

Financing built for real estate investors. Instead of qualifying on your personal income and tax returns, a DSCR loan qualifies on the property itself, does the rent cover the payment? If it does, you can keep building your portfolio without the paperwork headaches of a conventional file.

No W-2
Qualify on property cash flow
1.0+
Target DSCR ratio
20–25%
Typical down payment
LLC OK
Close in an entity

What is a DSCR loan?

DSCR stands for Debt Service Coverage Ratio, and it's the whole idea behind the loan. Rather than asking for your pay stubs, W-2s, and tax returns, a DSCR lender asks a simpler question: does the property's rental income cover its mortgage payment? If the rent comfortably covers principal, interest, taxes, insurance, and any HOA dues, the property qualifies, largely regardless of your personal income.

For active investors, self-employed borrowers, and anyone whose tax returns don't reflect their true buying power, that's a game-changer. It's also why DSCR has become the go-to program for scaling a rental portfolio.

How the ratio works

The DSCR is the property's monthly rent divided by its total monthly housing cost. A ratio of 1.0 means the rent exactly covers the payment; above 1.0 means it produces surplus cash flow. Most lenders look for a DSCR of 1.0 or higher for the best terms, and some allow lower ratios with a larger down payment or offsetting strengths.

Who a DSCR loan fits best

Portfolio builders

Buying your next rental without your DTI capping how many doors you can own.

Self-employed investors

Your tax returns show write-offs, not buying power. DSCR looks past that to the property.

Short & long-term rentals

Long-term leases and, with the right program, short-term rental income can support qualification.

DSCR vs. a conventional investment loan

A conventional loan can also finance an investment property, and when your income documents easily support it, conventional often prices better. DSCR earns its keep when your personal income won't stretch to cover the new payment on paper, when you've hit the conventional limit on financed properties, or when you simply want to keep your portfolio's financing separate from your personal file. We'll compare the two honestly for each deal.

Good to know

DSCR loan FAQ

Do I need to show my income for a DSCR loan?
No. That's the point. DSCR loans qualify on the property's rental cash flow rather than your personal income, so there's no traditional DTI or employment income calculation.
What DSCR ratio do I need?
Most lenders look for a ratio of 1.0 or higher, meaning the rent covers the full housing payment. Some programs allow lower ratios with a larger down payment.
How much do I put down?
Typically 20% to 25%, since investor loans carry more risk than owner-occupied financing. Your credit and the property's cash flow influence the exact figure.
Can I close in an LLC?
Usually yes. Many DSCR programs allow you to take title in an entity, which is common for investors managing liability and taxes.
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