Loan Options • DSCR & Investor Loans

DSCR & investor loans · Let the property’s income qualify

DSCR & investor loans built for real estate portfolios.

Debt service coverage ratio (DSCR) loans look at the property’s cash flow instead of your tax returns. That means less friction around write-offs and more focus on whether the property can comfortably cover the payment.

DSCR loans are typically designed for investment properties only. If you like to read first, the DSCR & Investor Loans Guide walks through how DSCR is calculated, common guidelines, and how these loans compare with conventional investor financing.

NMLS #277954 • Success Mortgage Partners • DSCR and investor programs are typically for non-owner-occupied properties. Eligibility, reserves, and documentation requirements vary by investor, lender, and location.

Coaching insight

When a DSCR or investor loan makes the most sense.

DSCR loans tend to work best when the property’s income is strong and your goal is to grow a portfolio without wrestling every write-off on your tax returns.

Self-employed & high write-off investors

Investors whose tax returns don’t tell the whole story because of depreciation or business expenses, but whose properties can carry the payment.

Portfolio builders & repeat buyers

People adding doors over time who want streamlined underwriting, repeatable structures, and flexibility on how they hold title.

Short-term & long-term rentals

Investors purchasing Airbnb/VRBO or traditional rentals, where projected or market rent supports the payment under DSCR guidelines.

How it works

Qualify by DSCR: the property’s income vs. the payment.

With DSCR lending, the focus is on whether the rent covers the mortgage. We look at the ratio between net rental income and the PITIA payment (principal, interest, taxes, insurance, and any HOA).

  • DSCR formula: Net rent ÷ PITIA. Many investors look for ratios around 1.0–1.25 or higher.
  • Less personal income focus: Often no tax returns or personal DTI calculations.
  • Property-driven decisions: Market rent, appraisal, and DSCR drive the structure.
  • Flexible terms: 30-year fixed, interest-only options, and prepayment penalty choices are common.

We’ll help you model cash flow, reserves, and exit plans so the financing fits how you actually run your real estate business—not just how it looks on paper.

Good fit signals

  • Buying or refinancing a non-owner-occupied property
  • Strong or improving market rent compared with the projected payment
  • Comfort with investor-style terms, including possible prepayment penalties
  • Comfortable with having cash reserves and a plan for vacancies or repairs

Not sure if your deal “pencils out”? That’s exactly what a strategy call is for. We’ll look at rent, payment, and DSCR together and outline realistic options.

Choosing your structure

Interest-only vs. fully amortizing: how do you want the cash flow to look?

With investor loans, the “right” structure is about cash flow, hold period, and risk tolerance. We’ll look at which setup supports your broader portfolio strategy.

Maximize monthly cash flow

Interest-only period

  • Lower payment during the interest-only phase to boost cash flow.
  • No scheduled principal reduction until amortization kicks in.
  • Can pair well with shorter hold periods or value-add strategies.
  • May come with different DSCR or reserve requirements than full P&I.

Best when you prioritize cash flow and flexibility over paying the loan down aggressively in the early years.

Steady paydown

30-year fixed principal & interest

  • Predictable 30-year amortization with steady principal reduction.
  • May show a stronger DSCR over time as rents rise and balance falls.
  • Gives a clear path to long-term equity build.
  • You can still choose to make extra principal payments any month.

Best when you’re building longer-term holds and want a blend of cash flow and consistent equity growth.

Investor purchase checklist (DSCR-style)

  • Executed purchase contract and any amendments
  • Estimated market rent (lease, rent schedule, or appraisal-based projections)
  • Property details: address, year built, beds/baths, photos if available
  • Recent mortgage statement if this is a refinance
  • Proof of funds for down payment and closing costs
  • Government-issued ID and entity docs if buying in an LLC (operating agreement, EIN, etc.)

Helpful “nice-to-have” items

  • Basic pro forma showing rent, expenses, and cash flow goals
  • Any current leases or rental history on the property
  • Rough budget for rehab or value-add work, if applicable
  • Outline of your hold vs. exit strategy for the property
  • Simple summary of your current portfolio (properties, loans, and rents)
DSCR & Investor Loans Guide

Want a plain-English walkthrough of DSCR lending?

The DSCR & Investor Loans Guide breaks down how DSCR is calculated, typical ratio targets, reserve expectations, and how these programs stack up against conventional investment loans and HELOCs.

Helpful if you’re building a portfolio, using an LLC, or have a lot of tax write-offs that make traditional qualifying harder.

Read the DSCR & Investor Loans Guide

Run a quick cash flow & payment scenario.

Use the mortgage calculator to explore potential payments, then we’ll help you translate that into a rough DSCR estimate based on expected market rent and expenses for your specific property.

Open the mortgage calculator

Calculator results are estimates only and are not a commitment to lend. Final terms, DSCR calculations, and eligibility will depend on the actual property, market rent, investor guidelines, and your full profile.

Quick answers

DSCR & investor loan FAQs.

A quick snapshot of the questions that come up most often when we talk about DSCR loans, investor guidelines, and how these programs compare to traditional full-doc options.

DSCR is typically calculated as net rental income divided by the full mortgage payment (principal, interest, taxes, insurance, and HOA if applicable). For example, if the monthly PITIA payment is $2,000 and the accepted net rental income is $2,200, the DSCR would be 1.10.

Many DSCR programs focus primarily on the property’s cash flow rather than your personal income or tax returns. You should still expect a basic review of your credit, assets, and overall profile, but underwriting is generally less focused on traditional debt-to-income ratios.

Many DSCR investors allow purchases or refinances in the name of an LLC or other entity, often with a personal guarantee. Others may prefer or require borrowing in your personal name. We’ll walk through the options and what they mean for your structure and long-term plans.

Many DSCR programs will consider short-term rentals, but guidelines can vary by investor, market, and property type. Some use market rent; others may look at documented STR income or a combination. We’ll review your specific property and match it to investors who are comfortable with it.

It depends on the program. Some investors look for DSCR of around 1.0–1.25 or higher. Others may allow lower DSCR levels in exchange for a different rate, fee, or structure. We’ll show you where your scenario lands and what options that opens up or closes off.

Ready to map out financing for your next investment?

We’ll compare DSCR and traditional investor options, look at your projected cash flow, and build a financing plan that fits how you actually invest—not just a generic template.

Programs, rates, and terms are subject to change without notice. Eligibility, underwriting, and documentation requirements vary by lender, investor, and location. This page is for informational purposes only and is not a commitment to lend. All loans subject to credit and collateral approval. All loans subject to approval. Equal Housing Lender.