Are you seeking financing to purchase a residential rental property and want to know how much cash you’ll need to close the deal? In this guide, I’ll provide the down payment requirements for long-term rental loans, also known as DSCR loans or term loans. I’ll also explain how the rental income affects the down payment amount, and one strategy that many investors use to minimize the down payment amount for long-term rental investments.
When financing the purchase of a rental property, lenders will not fund more than 80% of the purchase price. So the minimum down payment you’ll need is 20% percent. The down payment needs to be liquid funds in your bank account. No lender will consider seller financing, gap funding or other creative financing strategies for term rental loans.
What if the purchase is below market value?
Lenders consider your purchase price to be the value, so you can’t get 100% financing, or anything higher than 80% loan-to-purchase price.
Your Credit Score May Affect the Down Payment
While 20% is the minimum down payment, many investors will have to contribute more than that to the purchase. Some lenders adjust the maximum loan-to-purchase price according to the borrower’s credit score. For example, a credit score of 720 could mean the lender won’t fund more than 75% percent of the purchase price, and the investor’s minimum down payment would be 25%. A credit score of 650 could put the maximum at 70% which means a 30% down payment would be required.
An investor with a credit score less than 620 will have a very difficult time finding a lender to fund their long-term rental loan. With short-term bridge or rehab loans, the FICO score is not a deciding factor for many lenders. But in long-term rental financing, the credit score is extremely important, and lenders cannot make exceptions.
DSCR is What Really Determines the Down Payment
While the location and credit score are significant elements in determining the maximum leverage for a long-term rental loan, the most important factor is the DSCR, which stands for debt service coverage ratio. It’s a calculation of the subject property’s monthly rental income against the total of the monthly expenses, which includes the mortgage payment, taxes, insurance AND homeowner association dues if applicable.
I’ll write a separate guide to explain the calculation in detail, but focusing on the down payment requirement, just realize that if the calculation result is less than 1.0, 1.25, or whatever the lender’s minimum ratio is, the lender will lower the loan amount which means you’d have to increase the down payment.
How to Reduce the Down Payment for Rental Investments
If you’re looking to acquire a residential rental property with a lower down payment of only 10% or 15%, the only way that’s possible is if the property needs to be renovated, and the value increases significantly after the work is completed.
It would have to be two separate loans. One for the purchase and renovation for a term up to 12 months, then the DSCR rental loan can refinance the short-term loan when the property is ready to be occupied by a tenant. Many of the private lending companies listed on our website offer both short-term and long-term financing to real estate investors.
Common Traits for DSCR Long-Term Rental Loans
- Loan terms range from 5 to 30 years
- All lenders charge a prepayment penalty, at least 18 months
- No rural areas
- Rental can be leased annually, or a nightly vacation rental
- Seasoning not typically required
- Meaning the property does not need to have been rented for a certain number of months
- Property can be vacant, but it must be move-in ready when you apply for the loan
- Lenders can estimate the rental income
How to Find Direct Lenders for Long-Term Rental Loans
There are two options for using our platform.
Option 1: Browse Lenders
Search on our site for direct lenders. All lenders have a very detailed profile with information about their lending guidelines, rates, fees and much more. Make contact with each out directly by email, phone call, or visit their websites. First select a loan type, then enter the state where the property is located.
Option 2: Create a Loan Request
Fill out a questionnaire with information about your financing needs. You can then browse lenders and invite a few of them to view your deal. Or ask us for recommendations; we’ll review it and invite a few select lenders that we feel may be a good fit.