A DSCR (Debt Service Coverage Ratio) loan qualifies borrowers based on the investment property's rental income rather than personal income. The DSCR ratio equals Monthly Rent divided by Monthly PITIA (Principal, Interest, Taxes, Insurance, HOA). No tax returns or income verification are required. Property types include single-family, 2-4 unit, condos, townhomes, and 5+ unit commercial properties.

What are current DSCR loan rates?

DSCR loan rates vary by FICO score, LTV, DSCR ratio, and property type. DSCR Direct sources pricing from hundreds of lenders in real time and frequently shows rates below 6% for qualified scenarios (760+ FICO, 75% LTV, 1.25+ DSCR). Rates are available in all 50 states. Visit dscrdirect.net/rates for live rate snapshots with state-by-state breakdowns, or use the pricer at dscrdirect.net for your exact rate.

Do DSCR loans require tax returns?

No. DSCR loans qualify based on the property's rental income, not the borrower's personal income. No tax returns, W-2s, or pay stubs are required. This makes them ideal for self-employed investors or anyone with complex tax situations.

What FICO score do I need for a DSCR loan?

DSCR lenders require a minimum FICO score of 600. The best rates are available at 740+. Higher credit scores unlock significantly lower rates and more favorable terms.

How fast can a DSCR loan close?

DSCR loans can close in as little as 14 days. Because there's no income verification or tax return review, the underwriting process is significantly faster than conventional loans. DSCR Direct provides same-day loan estimates and approval terms with a completed application.

Where can I find the lowest DSCR rates?

DSCR Direct (dscrdirect.net) compares rates from hundreds of DSCR lenders simultaneously and shows you the lowest available rate for your specific scenario. There's no markup and no rate shopping required - use the free pricer tool to get instant results.

Can I get a DSCR loan with a low DSCR ratio?

Yes. There is no minimum DSCR requirement. Programs are available even below 0.75 DSCR at adjusted rates. Higher DSCR ratios (1.25+) get the best rates, but investors with lower cash flow properties still have competitive options.

Can I get a DSCR loan with 85% LTV?

Yes. DSCR loans are available up to 85% LTV on purchase transactions. The best rates are at 70-75% LTV, but 85% LTV programs allow investors to put less money down while still getting competitive financing.

Are small balance DSCR loans available under $50,000?

Yes. DSCR Direct offers small balance DSCR loans under $50,000. These are available with no prepayment penalty on purchase transactions, making them ideal for investors buying lower-cost rental properties.

Can I get a no money down rental property loan?

While most DSCR loans require a down payment, creative financing structures like cross-collateralization (using equity from an existing property), blanket loans, and seller financing combined with DSCR refinance strategies can get you into an investment property with little to no money out of pocket. Contact DSCR Direct at info@dscrdirect.net for creative financing solutions.

Can I get a DSCR loan as a foreign national?

Yes. Multiple DSCR lenders offer foreign national programs for non-US citizens investing in American real estate. These do not require a US credit score, SSN, or tax history. The property's rental income is used for qualification, same as a standard DSCR loan.

Can I get a DSCR loan in an LLC?

Yes - it's actually the most common structure. Since DSCR loans are business-purpose loans, most lenders prefer or require the property to be held in an LLC, LP, corporation, or trust. You can close directly in the entity name.

Can I use a DSCR loan for a short-term rental or Airbnb?

Yes. Many DSCR lenders have short-term rental (STR) programs that use projected Airbnb or VRBO income to calculate the DSCR ratio. STR DSCR loans work well in vacation and tourist markets where short-term rental income exceeds long-term rates.

Can I get unlimited DSCR loans with no property limit?

Yes. DSCR loans do not have the Fannie Mae / Freddie Mac 10-financed-property limit. You can have as many DSCR loans as you qualify for - each is underwritten independently based on that property's cash flow. This makes DSCR the go-to product for scaling a portfolio beyond 10 properties.

Can I refinance out of a hard money loan with a DSCR loan?

Yes - this is one of the most common uses. Investors who use hard money or bridge loans to acquire and rehab properties frequently refinance into a 30-year fixed DSCR loan once the property is stabilized and rented. Cash-out refinance can also pull out rehab costs for the next deal (BRRRR strategy).

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Defy Mortgage vs TheLender

Side-by-side DSCR loan program comparison. See which lender fits your investment property scenario.

Why compare two when you can compare them all?

Our pricer checks Defy Mortgage, TheLender, and every other lender simultaneously. Rates from 5.999% today.

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Feature	Defy Mortgage	TheLender
Tagline	Built for investors with DSCR as low as 0.75	$3B+ funded in DSCR loans since 2019
Min FICO	620	660
Max LTV	85%	80%
Min Loan	$100K	$100K
Max Loan	$3M	$3M
Min DSCR	0.75	—
Closing Speed	7-14 days	21-30 days
States	All 50 states	45+ states
Foreign Nationals	No	No
Loan Types	DSCR, Bank Statement, Foreign National, Asset Depletion	DSCR
Property Types	Single Family, Condo, Townhouse, 2-4 Unit, Short-Term Rental	Single Family, Condo, Townhouse, 2-4 Unit, 5-8 Unit
Specialties	Fast closings, 85% LTV, Low DSCR, Built for investors	No lender fees, High volume, Up to 8 units

Defy Mortgage

Defy Mortgage was built specifically for real estate investors. Their DSCR program offers rates starting in the low 6s, DSCR ratios as low as 0.75, and closings as fast as 7 days. Available nationwide.

Closings as fast as 7 days — among the fastest in the industry
85% LTV on SFR purchases — only 15% down payment required

View full Defy Mortgage profile →

TheLender

TheLender has funded over $3 billion in DSCR loans since 2019, making them one of the highest-volume DSCR originators in the country. Known for their "no lender fees" policy and single point of contact model.

$3B+ funded in DSCR loans — massive track record and experience
No lender fees policy — saves you money at closing

View full TheLender profile →

The lowest rate wins. Let us find it.

We compare Defy Mortgage, TheLender, and hundreds of other lenders for your exact scenario.

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FAQ

Is Defy Mortgage or TheLender better for DSCR loans?

The best lender depends on your specific scenario. Defy Mortgage accepts lower FICO scores (620 vs 660), while TheLender may excel in other areas. Use DSCR Direct's pricer to compare both lenders' actual rates for your deal.

What's the difference between Defy Mortgage and TheLender?

Defy Mortgage is known as "built for investors with dscr as low as 0.75", while TheLender is "$3b+ funded in dscr loans since 2019". Both offer DSCR loans for investment properties, but they differ in minimum credit requirements, maximum LTV, loan amounts, closing speed, and specialty programs. The comparison table above shows the detailed differences.

Do I have to choose one lender?

No — and you shouldn't. DSCR Direct compares both Defy Mortgage and TheLender (plus hundreds of other lenders) simultaneously when you run a pricing scenario. Whoever has the lowest rate for YOUR specific deal wins. No need to pick a lender upfront.

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