Minimum down payment
Typically 20% to 25% of the purchase price. Some lenders offer 15% down DSCR programs, and a few go lower for strong files. The exact minimum depends on the lender and the property.
Loan Program · DSCR · NMLS #278947
DSCR loans: let the rental income do the qualifying.
A DSCR loan, short for debt service coverage ratio, is an investor loan underwritten on the property's projected rental income instead of your W-2. If the rent covers the payment with room to spare, the property qualifies, even when your personal income is hard to document.
I work with investors across Vancouver, Portland, and the whole metro on DSCR financing. The numbers are the strategy: I run the rent, the payment, and the ratio before you ever make an offer.
DSCR ratio
0.75/1
Typical down payment
20-25%
Income documents
None needed
2026 Loan Limits
The 2026 numbers, county by county.
DSCR loans are non-QM products, so there is no government loan limit. Lenders set their own maximums, and the 2026 conforming limit is the reference point for pricing:
County 2026 Limit
Clark County, WA $832,750
Multnomah County, OR $832,750
Washington County, OR $832,750
Clackamas County, OR $832,750
DSCR programs are priced in two bands: conforming-size loans at or below $832,750, and jumbo DSCR loans above it. Each lender sets its own maximum loan amount, and with 170+ lenders I can match the loan size to the program that writes it.
Minimum Credit Score & Down Payment
What it takes to qualify.
Minimum credit score
Most DSCR lenders look for a 620 credit score or higher. The score matters, but the rental income and the ratio matter more, which is what makes this program work for investors with hard-to-document income.
DSCR ratio
Most programs want a 1:1 ratio, meaning the projected rent covers the full mortgage payment. The programs I write can go as low as 0.75:1, and some DSCR programs have no ratio required at all.
No personal income docs
W-2s and tax returns are not the qualifier. The property rent is, which keeps the file clean and the timeline fast.
Rates and terms
DSCR rates run higher than owner-occupied loans, and the spread varies a lot by lender. I shop the full market to keep yours as sharp as possible.
FAQ · DSCR
Questions buyers ask.
The questions people type into Google and AI before they call. If yours is not here, that is what the first call is for.
01 What DSCR ratio do I need for a Vancouver rental?
What DSCR ratio do I need for a Vancouver rental?
Most DSCR programs want a 1:1 ratio, meaning the projected rent covers the full mortgage payment. Ratios can go as low as 0.75:1 on the programs I write, and some DSCR programs have no ratio requirement at all. I can match your property to the right one.
02 Do I need to show my personal income for a DSCR loan?
Do I need to show my personal income for a DSCR loan?
No. That is the point of the program. The property rental income drives the approval, which makes DSCR a fit for self-employed investors and portfolio buyers.
03 What credit score do I need for a DSCR loan?
What credit score do I need for a DSCR loan?
Most DSCR lenders look for 620 or higher. The score is part of the file, but the rental income and the ratio carry the loan.
04 How much down payment does a DSCR loan need?
How much down payment does a DSCR loan need?
Typically 20% to 25%. Some programs accept 15% down, and the exact minimum depends on the lender and the property.
05 Can I use a DSCR loan for a short-term rental?
Can I use a DSCR loan for a short-term rental?
Some lenders allow DSCR programs on short-term rentals like Airbnb properties, using projected nightly income. Guidelines vary by lender, so I verify the property type before we commit.
Let's check your numbers.
Rent rolls, cash flow, and the ratio that makes the deal work. Book a call and we will run your DSCR numbers.
Loan limits, credit requirements, and program guidelines are set by the agencies and by each lender, and they change every year. The numbers on this page are the 2026 figures as published. Jeff verifies the current limits and requirements against your exact situation before you build a plan.