Best DSCR Lenders for Short-Term Rental Investors in 2026. Rates, LTV, and Which Ones Actually Close

DSCR loan rates for short-term rental investors sit between 5.875% and 7.375% in March 2026, and AirDNA’s latest report calls this the best year to invest in STRs since 2021. That combination of relatively stabilized rates and improving revenue fundamentals means the lender you choose actually matters right now. Not every DSCR lender counts Airbnb income the same way, and the difference between a lender that uses projected STR revenue versus one that insists on trailing 12-month lease comps can be tens of thousands of dollars in borrowing power.

I have spent the past several weeks pulling rate sheets, reading program guides, and comparing the fine print on ten of the most active DSCR lenders in the country. Think of this as the spreadsheet I would build for myself if I were shopping a loan today, except I have already done the comparing so you do not have to. (Pour yourself some coffee. This one goes deep.)

If you are new to the concept, our DSCR loan guide for STR investors covers the basics of how these loans work and who they are designed for. This article assumes you already know the “what” and focuses entirely on the “who.”

Best DSCR Lenders for Short-Term Rental Investors: Comparison Table

Before we get into individual reviews, here is the side-by-side view. I have organized these by the data points that matter most when you are comparing term sheets.

A few things jump out of that table. The DSCR minimum requirement is where these lenders diverge the most. If your property’s rental income barely covers the mortgage payment (a DSCR near 1.0), several of these lenders will still work with you. If you are buying in a market where the numbers are tighter, Easy Street Capital and New Silver give you the most room.

Individual Lender Reviews

1. Easy Street Capital

Easy Street Capital has built its entire brand around real estate investors, and their EasyRent DSCR program is specifically designed for rental property financing. They are one of the few lenders with no minimum DSCR requirement, which means they will finance properties that other lenders reject for not generating enough income relative to the mortgage payment.

What stands out: Rates start at 5.75%. The 30-year fixed option includes partial interest-only for the first 10 years, which improves your cash-on-cash return during the early hold period. The minimum credit score is 640, which is among the lowest in this group. They also close fast, often within 2-3 weeks.

STR income approach: Easy Street Capital accepts projected STR income, not just trailing lease data. For investors buying in high-performing STR markets like Nashville or Scottsdale, this can dramatically increase borrowing power.

Watch out for: Borrowers with credit scores below 680 or DSCR ratios below 1.0 will pay higher origination points (2.0-2.5 points is common in that range). The rate floor of 5.75% is for the most qualified profiles.

Best for: STR-focused investors who need flexible underwriting and fast closing. Especially strong for properties in markets where STR income significantly exceeds long-term rental comps.

2. Visio Lending

Visio has been in the rental loan space longer than most of these lenders. They describe themselves as the nation’s leader in rental loans, and their volume backs that up. Visio operates in 48 states (Alaska and Hawaii excluded) and offers a range of term structures beyond the standard 30-year fixed.

What stands out: Rates in the 6.5% to 7.5% range for well-qualified borrowers (720+ credit, 1.25+ DSCR). Multiple ARM options (5/6, 7/6, 10/6) give you lower initial rates if you plan to refinance or sell within the first decade. Loan amounts up to $5 million, with executive approval available up to $7.5 million for larger portfolios.

STR income approach: Visio uses market rent analysis for DSCR calculations. They are more conservative than some competitors on STR income projections, which can limit your borrowing power in markets where the STR premium over long-term rent is significant.

Watch out for: The 1.0 minimum DSCR is firm. If your property does not clear that threshold using their rent analysis method, you will not qualify. Closing timelines run 15-20 business days, which is competitive but not the fastest.

Best for: Experienced investors who want a lender with institutional-grade underwriting and the ability to handle large loan amounts. Good for scaling a portfolio with multiple closings.

3. Lima One Capital

Lima One stands out because they offer the full lifecycle of investor loans: fix-and-flip, bridge, new construction, and DSCR. If you are buying a property that needs renovation before it becomes an STR, Lima One can handle both the rehab loan and the permanent DSCR refinance, which saves you the hassle of switching lenders mid-project.

What stands out: The low-DSCR program accepts ratios down to 0.90 (with 25% down and 680+ credit). Purchase LTV up to 80%. Rate examples from recent closings show 7.50% at 80% LTV for a 740-credit borrower on a 30-year fixed, and 7.125% for a 780-credit borrower on a 7/1 ARM.

STR income approach: Lima One uses both market rent analysis and STR-specific analysis, depending on the property and market. They are willing to look at STR revenue data when it supports the deal.

Watch out for: Rates skew slightly higher than some competitors for standard profiles. The low-DSCR program (0.90-0.99) comes with a rate premium of 0.50-0.75%. Cash-out refinance LTV drops to 70-75%.

Best for: Investors doing BRRRR (Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat) who want one lender for the full cycle. The bridge-to-DSCR transition is seamless at Lima One.

4. New Silver

New Silver has one of the lowest DSCR minimums in the industry at 0.75, and they do not apply a vacancy factor in their DSCR calculation. That second detail matters more than it sounds. Most lenders reduce the gross rent by 5-10% for vacancy when calculating DSCR. New Silver skips that step, which means your effective DSCR is higher with them than with a lender that applies the haircut.

What stands out: Rates from 5.75% for top-tier profiles. Loan amounts up to $3 million. Available in 40+ states. Credit score minimum of 640 (sometimes 620 with compensating factors). The 30-year fixed product competes well on rate, and the ARM options give you flexibility.

STR income approach: New Silver is relatively flexible on income documentation, but their primary calculation uses market rent data. The no-vacancy-factor approach benefits STR investors because it does not penalize you for a property type that naturally has some turnover between guests.

Watch out for: Properties with DSCR below 1.0 require 25% down instead of 20%. The rate range is wide (5.75% to 12%), and real-world rates for average profiles land in the 7.75-8.25% range. The advertised floor is aspirational for most borrowers.

Best for: Investors whose properties have tight cash flow margins. The low DSCR minimum and no-vacancy-factor calculation make New Silver one of the most forgiving lenders for properties that are profitable but not throwing off huge cash flow.

5. Kiavi

Kiavi is the tech-forward option. Their entire application and underwriting process is built around an online platform, and they have invested heavily in automation to speed up closings. If you have ever been frustrated by slow communication and lost paperwork from a traditional lender, Kiavi is trying to solve that problem.

What stands out: The online platform provides real-time updates on loan status. Rates start at 7.25% for top-tier profiles (740+ credit, 1.25+ DSCR, 65% LTV). The 30-year fixed, ARM, and interest-only options give you plenty of structuring flexibility. They lend nationwide.

STR income approach: Kiavi primarily uses market rent-based calculations. Their approach is more conservative for STR properties, and they may not give you full credit for projected Airbnb income.

Watch out for: The 1.1 minimum DSCR is the highest in this group. That extra 0.1 above the more common 1.0 minimum can disqualify properties that would pass at other lenders. Real-world rates for typical profiles (700 credit, 1.10 DSCR, 75% LTV) land between 7.75% and 8.25%.

Best for: Tech-savvy investors who value a smooth digital experience and do not mind the higher DSCR floor. Good for properties with strong cash flow in proven rental markets.

6. RCN Capital

RCN Capital has been lending to real estate investors since 2010, and they operate both retail and wholesale channels. Their long-term rental (DSCR) program offers 30-year terms with competitive rates starting at 5.00%, though that floor comes with significant caveats about borrower qualifications.

What stands out: Established track record (15+ years). Purchase and refinance LTV up to 80%. Cash-out LTV up to 75%. The wholesale channel means mortgage brokers can originate RCN loans, which gives you access through your existing broker relationships.

STR income approach: RCN uses market rent analysis for DSCR calculations. Their documentation on STR-specific underwriting is less detailed than some competitors, so you will want to confirm how they handle projected STR income before applying.

Watch out for: The advertised 5.00% starting rate requires exceptional qualifications. Most borrowers will land in the 7-8% range. The wholesale-heavy model means your experience may vary depending on which broker originates your loan.

Best for: Investors who already work with a mortgage broker and want access to competitive DSCR terms through that relationship. Also strong for investors who need both short-term (fix-and-flip) and long-term (DSCR) financing from one platform.

7. CoreVest Finance

CoreVest is the portfolio lender on this list. While every lender here can handle a single property, CoreVest specializes in investors who own (or are building) portfolios of five or more rental properties. Their DSCR product covers single-family, condos, and townhouses with loan sizes starting at $75,000.

What stands out: Portfolio-level underwriting means they can evaluate your entire holdings rather than just one property at a time. DSCR threshold of 1.0. LTV up to 80%. They accept mid-600s credit scores. Origination fees run 1-2%.

STR income approach: CoreVest uses market rent analysis. Their focus is on stabilized rental income rather than projected STR revenue, which can be a limitation for pure STR investors.

Watch out for: Closing timelines of 30-45 days are slower than some competitors. The portfolio focus means single-property investors may not get the same attention or pricing.

Best for: Investors with 5+ properties who want a lender that understands portfolio-level economics. CoreVest can also handle blanket loans across multiple properties, which simplifies management.

8. Griffin Funding

Griffin Funding pushes the boundaries on leverage. They offer up to 85% LTV (15% down) for borrowers with 740+ credit on loan amounts up to $1 million, which is the highest LTV in this group. They also have a no-ratio DSCR option for borrowers with 700+ credit at 75% LTV, meaning they will lend without requiring any minimum DSCR at all.

What stands out: Rates between 5.875% and 7.375% for qualified borrowers in March 2026. The 85% LTV option is rare in the DSCR space and significantly reduces your cash-to-close. No limit on the number of investment properties you can finance. Nationwide lending.

STR income approach: Griffin Funding accepts projected STR income via AirDNA reports, which is a major advantage for short-term rental investors. This means your property’s DSCR can be calculated based on what it could earn as an Airbnb, not what a long-term tenant would pay.

Watch out for: The 85% LTV requires 740+ credit and comes with higher rates. Loan-level price adjustments (LLPAs) can add up quickly for borrowers with lower credit scores, higher LTV, or sub-1.0 DSCR ratios.

Best for: First-time STR investors who want to minimize their down payment, and experienced investors who need maximum leverage to scale quickly.

9. Angel Oak Mortgage Solutions

Angel Oak’s Investor Cash Flow program is their DSCR product, and it has one of the more flexible qualification structures in this group. They accept DSCR ratios below 1.0, and they offer a no-DSCR option for borrowers with 700+ credit at 75% LTV. Loan amounts go up to $1.5 million.

What stands out: LTV up to 85% on purchases for borrowers with 720+ credit. Minimum credit score of 680. They accept AirDNA reports for STR income verification, which gives you the projected-income advantage. No personal income documentation required.

STR income approach: Angel Oak explicitly allows AirDNA reports for short-term rental DSCR calculations. This puts them in the STR-friendly camp alongside Easy Street Capital and Griffin Funding.

Watch out for: The $1.5 million loan cap is lower than several competitors. Rates for sub-1.0 DSCR or lower credit scores will be at the higher end of the market range.

Best for: Investors with strong credit (700+) who want the flexibility of a no-DSCR option combined with high LTV. Good for STR properties in expensive markets where you need every bit of leverage.

10. Deephaven Mortgage

Deephaven operates primarily through the wholesale and correspondent channels, meaning you will typically access their products through a mortgage broker rather than directly. They offer DSCR loans up to $3.5 million, with a tiered structure that adjusts the minimum DSCR based on loan size.

What stands out: Up to $2 million with a 1.0 DSCR minimum. Up to $1.5 million with a 0.75 DSCR minimum. No limit on the number of financed properties. The wholesale model often produces competitive rates because brokers can shop across multiple investors.

STR income approach: Deephaven uses market rent analysis for DSCR calculations. Their approach is standard rather than STR-specific, so projected Airbnb income may not receive full credit.

Watch out for: You need to work through a broker. Rate transparency is lower than direct lenders because pricing depends on the broker’s margin. Closing timelines can be longer than direct lenders.

Best for: Investors who already work with a mortgage broker and want access to high loan amounts with flexible DSCR requirements.

How to Choose the Right DSCR Lender for Your STR Investment

Ten lenders is a lot to sort through. From my desk in Santa Fe, I have spent forty years watching how people make financial decisions, and the ones who get tripped up almost always skip the same three questions. So let me simplify the decision.

What is your property’s projected DSCR? If it is below 1.0, your shortlist narrows to Easy Street Capital, New Silver, Griffin Funding, and Angel Oak. If it is above 1.25, almost any lender on this list will compete for your business, and you should shop aggressively on rate.

How does the lender calculate STR income? This is the single biggest variable for short-term rental investors. Lenders that accept projected STR income (Easy Street Capital, Griffin Funding, Angel Oak) will typically give you a higher DSCR than lenders that use long-term market rent comps. Run the numbers both ways before you commit.

How much cash do you have for closing? If you want to minimize your down payment, Griffin Funding’s 85% LTV and Angel Oak’s 85% LTV options let you close with 15% down instead of 20-25%. That difference on a $500,000 property is $25,000 to $50,000 in cash you can deploy elsewhere.

One more thing worth mentioning. DSCR loans typically close in 2-4 weeks, compared to 45-60 days for conventional investment property loans. If you are competing for a property in a hot STR market, the faster closing timeline can be the difference between winning and losing the deal. Run your numbers through our analyzer to see what a property could actually earn before you start shopping for financing.

What DSCR Loan Rates Look Like in 2026

Rates have come down from the 8-9% range that dominated much of 2024. As of March 2026, well-qualified borrowers (740+ FICO, 75% LTV, 1.25+ DSCR) are seeing rates between 5.875% and 7.375%. The typical STR investor with good-but-not-perfect credit (700-720 FICO) and a solid property (1.0-1.2 DSCR, 75-80% LTV) will land in the 7.0% to 7.75% range.

Several factors push your rate higher or lower:

• Credit score: Every 20-point band matters. A 740 gets meaningfully better pricing than a 700.
• LTV: Lower LTV (more down payment) means lower rates. The jump from 80% to 75% LTV often saves 0.25-0.50%.
• DSCR ratio: Properties with DSCR above 1.25 get the best rates. Below 1.0, expect rate premiums and origination point increases.
• Property type: Single-family homes get better pricing than condos or multi-unit properties at most lenders.
• Loan purpose: Purchase and rate-term refinances price better than cash-out refinances.

The broader context matters here too. AirDNA’s 2026 outlook report projects average daily rates increasing 1.5% this year, with supply growth slowing to 4.6% (well below the 20% surge in 2021-2022). The STR premium, which measures earnings relative to investment costs, has reached its highest level since 2022. That means properties are generating better returns relative to their purchase prices, which directly improves DSCR ratios and makes qualifying easier.

Disclosure: StaySTRA has a referral relationship with Easy Street Capital. If you use our link to contact them, we may receive a referral fee at no additional cost to you. All lender evaluations in this article reflect our independent research.

We do our best to keep our data accurate and up to date, but markets move fast and we are only human. Always verify current figures directly with local sources before making investment decisions.

Ready to Run the Numbers?

Knowing which DSCR lender to use is only half the equation. The other half is knowing whether the property actually pencils. Use the StaySTRA analyzer to see projected STR revenue, occupancy rates, and cash-on-cash returns for any market in the country. The best time to run the numbers is before you call the lender, not after.