DSCR Loan without any current properties

Hinton, WV · Member since 2026 · 131 posts · 40 votes

1mo

it sounds like you might be overthinking the "no current properties" or "time off" part when it comes to dscr loans. the great thing about them is they really just care about the property's expected rental income covering the debt, not your personal tax returns or w2s. your personal income history or whether you own other rentals usually isn't a deal-breaker for these types of loans, especially with your prior experience.

the biggest things are having a strong down payment and finding a property with clear cash flow potential. your experience with fix/flips and long-term holds is actually a big plus for lenders, as it shows you know how to operate rentals.

just focus on finding a solid deal and lining up your cash for the down payment. have you started looking at specific property types or neighborhoods yet for your first new acquisition?

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Christian Smith
OP
Member since 2026 · 3 posts · 5 votes
1mo
Quote from @Jacob Camhi:

it sounds like you might be overthinking the "no current properties" or "time off" part when it comes to dscr loans. the great thing about them is they really just care about the property's expected rental income covering the debt, not your personal tax returns or w2s. your personal income history or whether you own other rentals usually isn't a deal-breaker for these types of loans, especially with your prior experience.
the biggest things are having a strong down payment and finding a property with clear cash flow potential. your experience with fix/flips and long-term holds is actually a big plus for lenders, as it shows you know how to operate rentals.
just focus on finding a solid deal and lining up your cash for the down payment. have you started looking at specific property types or neighborhoods yet for your first new acquisition?

Hey Jacob! Thanks for the reply.
for once it's not the overthinking that's been the issue. I've applied to 20+ lenders in the past few weeks for DSCR on multiple off market deals with numbers any lender I feel would jump at, and they did, but each one has came back with the same reply that their underwriters won't lend to someone who currently does not own real estate. Makes sense, I'm sure a lot investors/ first time home buyers would get the DSCR to "house hack" and move right in after closing. Wouldn't be the case for me but underwriters have their rules
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Jenna Fawley

Lender · Pickerington, OH · Member since 2026 · 49 posts · 39 votes

1mo

Hi Christian! You’ve already done way more digging than the average borrower if you’ve been through 20+ lenders and keep hitting the same current-ownership overlay.

What stands out to me is that you’re not really a first-time investor, you have experience with five prior properties, you just don’t happen to own one today. That’s an important distinction.

I’m a broker and have access to multiple DSCR lenders, so rather than have you submit another application just to get the same answer, I’d be happy to check specifically for a program that doesn’t require you to currently own real estate and run your scenario by the lender first.

With an 800 score, strong reserves, and documented prior investment experience, I think it’s at least worth digging into. If you want to message me the state, property type, approximate purchase price/rent and how much you’re looking to put down, I can see what I have :)

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Gregory AcsPro Member

Lender · MD · Member since 2025 · 133 posts · 51 votes

1mo

Based on what you shared, I wouldn't assume you're automatically disqualified just because you don't currently own investment property. A lot of DSCR programs focus primarily on the property's ability to support the debt, but eligibility and guidelines can still vary from lender to lender.

I'd also compare more than just whether a lender will approve the loan. Things like prepayment penalties, reserve requirements, maximum leverage, and how they calculate DSCR can differ enough to make one program a much better fit than another. Since you already have experience with flips and rentals, it sounds like the bigger question is finding the right loan structure rather than proving you can manage an investment property.

Have you already identified the property you're planning to buy, or are you looking to get prequalified before you start making offers?

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Jason Taken

Member since 2024 · 1 post · 1 vote

1mo

Quote from @Christian Smith:

Hi, looking for lenders to get prequalified with for a DSCR loan, here's the catch, currently, I don't own any properties

I have a network of lenders who I'm qualified for bridge or fix/flip loans but would like to find options for DSCR. I'm not using traditional banking because I've taken this past year off and decided to enjoy my life and travel a bit before my new baby came into this world and also time to enjoy those precious moments after she was born before I got back to the grind (banks don't like that) I sold my primary about 1 year ago and rented a place to come home to when I'm done with my travels (DSCR lenders don't like that) current property I'm renting doesn't make sense for me to move, beautiful neighborhood, extremely affordable rent, 1 block from the beach, need I say more. Would love to start building my portfolio again while staying in my current rental.

Info & Background:

800 credit score, plenty of cash reserves, I have real estate experience including: fix/flip & long term holds with 5 separate properties

would be appreciative of any assistance

Thank you!!

Who told you you need rentals for a DSCR loan?

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Jacob CamhiBusiness Member

Hinton, WV · Member since 2026 · 131 posts · 40 votes

1mo

hey @christiansmith, appreciate the correction. thanks for the call out, you're totally right. i must have been looking at something older. but you're on top of it, appreciate the push back. it sounds like you're really dialed into the current dscr landscape, which is excellent to hear.

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Shiloh LundahlPro Member

Rental Property Investor · Gilbert, AZ · Member since 2016 · 3k+ posts · 4k+ votes

1mo

@Christian Smith I get most of my DSCR loans done with Certain Lending. They are probably the easiest to work with and their rates are the same as everyone else's. So I use them because they are easy. Send me a DM and I can give you the name and number of the guy I work with there if you want.

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Robin SimonBusiness Member

Lender · Austin, TX · Member since 2022 · 5k+ posts · 4k+ votes

1mo

Quote from @Christian Smith:

Hi, looking for lenders to get prequalified with for a DSCR loan, here's the catch, currently, I don't own any properties

I have a network of lenders who I'm qualified for bridge or fix/flip loans but would like to find options for DSCR. I'm not using traditional banking because I've taken this past year off and decided to enjoy my life and travel a bit before my new baby came into this world and also time to enjoy those precious moments after she was born before I got back to the grind (banks don't like that) I sold my primary about 1 year ago and rented a place to come home to when I'm done with my travels (DSCR lenders don't like that) current property I'm renting doesn't make sense for me to move, beautiful neighborhood, extremely affordable rent, 1 block from the beach, need I say more. Would love to start building my portfolio again while staying in my current rental.

Info & Background:

800 credit score, plenty of cash reserves, I have real estate experience including: fix/flip & long term holds with 5 separate properties

would be appreciative of any assistance

Thank you!!

This is a common point of issues - the distinction between First Time Investor and First Time Homebuyer. Most DSCR Lenders these days do in fact that those 1st time investor options - even near or at full program eligibility but it is still very rare to have options for "First Time Homebuyer" (a lot of this is due to anti-fraud measures as Lenders are more worried about lending to people living in the property they say is for a rental than necessarily not wanting to lend to someone who doesn't own a primary).

The good news is that there are DSCR options available for "First Time Homebuyer" and your situation, you just have to know where to look

[email protected]

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Christian Smith

OP

Member since 2026 · 3 posts · 5 votes

1mo

Thank you all for your replies! I understand what type of numbers qualify and also how DSCR loans work, I guess the more important question I was asking is, is there any lenders out there who will qualify me with my current living situation for this type of loan? If so, which ones?

Thank you all!

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Alex BekezaBusiness Member

Lender · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2018 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes

1mo

@Christian Smith Based on your prior experience, you should have zero issue qualifying for a DSCR loan. Happy to get you pre approved anytime.

[email protected]818-606-8823

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Stacy RaskinBusiness Member

Lender · Member since 2022 · 1k+ posts · 494 votes

1mo

Happy to connect to discuss further. I specialize in DSCR loans. You don't have to have any current properties.

[email protected]818-770-0340

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Erik EstradaBusiness Member

Lender · Member since 2022 · 6k+ posts · 1k+ votes

1mo

Quote from @Christian Smith:

Hi, looking for lenders to get prequalified with for a DSCR loan, here's the catch, currently, I don't own any properties

I have a network of lenders who I'm qualified for bridge or fix/flip loans but would like to find options for DSCR. I'm not using traditional banking because I've taken this past year off and decided to enjoy my life and travel a bit before my new baby came into this world and also time to enjoy those precious moments after she was born before I got back to the grind (banks don't like that) I sold my primary about 1 year ago and rented a place to come home to when I'm done with my travels (DSCR lenders don't like that) current property I'm renting doesn't make sense for me to move, beautiful neighborhood, extremely affordable rent, 1 block from the beach, need I say more. Would love to start building my portfolio again while staying in my current rental.

Info & Background:

800 credit score, plenty of cash reserves, I have real estate experience including: fix/flip & long term holds with 5 separate properties

would be appreciative of any assistance

Thank you!!

It is very common for investors to buy a rental and still rent their primary. Many lenders are OK with first-time buyer & first-time investor. You should be able to get up to 80 LTV as well.

[email protected]818-269-7983

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Jenna Fawley

Lender · Pickerington, OH · Member since 2026 · 49 posts · 39 votes

1mo

Hi Christian! Just checking back in, did you find a lender that works with this?

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Scott WolfPro Member

Lender · Boca Raton, FL · Member since 2014 · 1k+ posts · 956 votes

1mo

Quote from @Christian Smith:

Hi, looking for lenders to get prequalified with for a DSCR loan, here's the catch, currently, I don't own any properties

I have a network of lenders who I'm qualified for bridge or fix/flip loans but would like to find options for DSCR. I'm not using traditional banking because I've taken this past year off and decided to enjoy my life and travel a bit before my new baby came into this world and also time to enjoy those precious moments after she was born before I got back to the grind (banks don't like that) I sold my primary about 1 year ago and rented a place to come home to when I'm done with my travels (DSCR lenders don't like that) current property I'm renting doesn't make sense for me to move, beautiful neighborhood, extremely affordable rent, 1 block from the beach, need I say more. Would love to start building my portfolio again while staying in my current rental.

Info & Background:

800 credit score, plenty of cash reserves, I have real estate experience including: fix/flip & long term holds with 5 separate properties

would be appreciative of any assistance

Thank you!!

We can do a DSCR for you. No experience needed.

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Vijay FriedmanBusiness Member

Miami, FL · Member since 2026 · 766 posts · 122 votes

1mo

Quote from @Christian Smith:

Hi, looking for lenders to get prequalified with for a DSCR loan, here's the catch, currently, I don't own any properties

I have a network of lenders who I'm qualified for bridge or fix/flip loans but would like to find options for DSCR. I'm not using traditional banking because I've taken this past year off and decided to enjoy my life and travel a bit before my new baby came into this world and also time to enjoy those precious moments after she was born before I got back to the grind (banks don't like that) I sold my primary about 1 year ago and rented a place to come home to when I'm done with my travels (DSCR lenders don't like that) current property I'm renting doesn't make sense for me to move, beautiful neighborhood, extremely affordable rent, 1 block from the beach, need I say more. Would love to start building my portfolio again while staying in my current rental.

Info & Background:

800 credit score, plenty of cash reserves, I have real estate experience including: fix/flip & long term holds with 5 separate properties

would be appreciative of any assistance

Thank you!!

@Christian Smith
Not currently owning another property doesn't automatically rule out DSCR financing. With your prior investment experience, strong credit and reserves, I'd focus on getting the borrower profile reviewed first, then structure the DSCR once you have a subject property and projected rent. There are definitely lender-specific nuances around first-time/current ownership, so it's worth matching the program before you start making offers.

786-656-0387

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DSCR Loan without any current properties

DSCR Loan without any current properties

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