DSCR guides
Straight answers, worked with real numbers.
Every guide here opens with the answer, then shows the math behind it. No preamble about how exciting real estate investing is — just how the ratio is calculated, what it takes to qualify, and where files actually go wrong.
Property types
Can you use a DSCR loan on a duplex or fourplex?
Yes — and combined unit rent frequently produces stronger coverage than a single-family rental at the same price. Includes a side-by-side where the fourplex qualifies at 1.11 and the single-family fails at 0.75.
Read the guide →Qualification
What is the minimum down payment for a DSCR loan?
Commonly 20–25%, sometimes 15% with strong credit and coverage. Includes a table showing exactly how each 5% increment moves the ratio on a $400,000 property.
Read the guide →Loan comparison
DSCR loan vs. conventional investment property loan
One qualifies on the property, the other on your tax returns. A full side-by-side plus the worked payment difference — and why $112 a month is often the gap between an approval and a decline.
Read the guide →Short-term rental
How Airbnb income is calculated on a DSCR loan
Trailing 12-month gross revenue divided by twelve — not a lease. Includes the same property scored three ways, where STR income qualifies at 1.49 and a long-term lease lands at 0.84.
Read the guide →Free download
The DSCR Investor Checklist
The documents, property details, and numbers to have ready before you apply — so the file moves instead of stalling. One page.
Next step
Run your property through the calculator
Reading about the ratio is useful. Seeing your own property's number is more useful — it takes about thirty seconds.