DSCR Loan Requirements
DSCR loan requirements for rental property investors and income-based qualification
LLC & Entity Ownership Allowed
What Is a DSCR Loan?
A DSCR (Debt Service Coverage Ratio) loan is an investment property mortgage that qualifies borrowers based on the cash flow of the property, not personal income.
Instead of personal income documents, DSCR loans qualify based on rental income covering the property’s mortgage and expenses—making them ideal for investors seeking streamlined financing without traditional documentation.
Most DSCR programs require the property to meet a minimum DSCR threshold, typically between 1.00 and 1.20 or higher, depending on the lender, property type, and overall risk profile.
How DSCR Work
Rental Income
Monthly PITIA
=
DSCR
PITIA Includes:
Principle, Interest, Taxes, Insurance and HOA
Why Investors Choose DSCR Loans
No Tax
Returns
- No Tax Returns Required
No Pay stubs
or W-2s
- No Employment Verification
Qualify Using Rental Income
- Not Your Personal Income
Built for
Investors
- Non-Owner Occupied
Typical DSCR Loan Requirements
Programs vary by lender and market— the guidelines below provide a baseline for most DSCR loans.
DSCR Requirement
Some lenders allow lower DSCR with stronger credit, lower LTV, or reserves
Credit Score
Higher scores unlock better rates and leverage
Loan-to-Value (LTV)
Up to 75% on cash-out refinances
Loan Amounts
Portfolio and large-balance DSCR programs available
Eligible Properties
Required Documentation
Common DSCR Documents:
- Lease agreement(s) or market rent schedule
- Rent roll (for multifamily / portfolio loans)
- Appraisal
- Operating statements (for multifamily or higher-balance loans)
- Insurance and entity documentation (if applicable)
DSCR Loans vs. Traditional Mortgages
Traditional residential lenders are built for owner-occupied borrowers and often struggle with investor scenarios. DSCR loans are purpose-built for real estate investors who prioritize speed, scalability, and cash flow.
DSCR loans aren’t a side product at Crestmark Lending. They’re our core focus.
Why Crestmark Lending for DSCR Loans?
Crestmark Lending is a DSCR-focused mortgage broker with access to 20+ top DSCR lenders nationwide. Instead of forcing your deal into a single lender’s box, we shop your loan across multiple programs to find the best structure, rate, and terms for your investment strategy.
What Sets Us Apart:
- True DSCR specialists — not generalist loan officers
- Access to low-DSCR, STR, and portfolio programs
- Faster approvals with investor-friendly underwriting
- Competitive pricing through lender comparison
- Expertise in complex and scaled investor deals
Whether you’re buying your first rental or scaling a national portfolio, we help you finance smarter — and close faster. Use the free DSCR calculator to calculate your DSCR ratio or visit the DSCR guidelines page to view all loan programs and lending guidelines.