Looking for trustworthy DSCR / private lenders – real experiences appreciated

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Looking for trustworthy DSCR / private lenders – real experiences appreciated

Brandon Yanssens
Member since 2024 · 6 posts · 9 votes

Hey everyone,

I’m actively investing in Ohio (primarily NE / Eastern Ohio) and looking to build long-term relationships with trustworthy DSCR, portfolio, or private lenders.

My focus is on:

  • Buy & hold rentals (SFH and small multifamily)
  • Occasional light-to-moderate rehab
  • Clean numbers, conservative leverage, long-term holds

What I’m really looking for:

  • Transparent terms (no surprise fees)
  • Lenders who actually close and fund on time
  • Fair DSCR requirements and clear underwriting
  • Good communication throughout the process

I’m not looking for ads — I’d really appreciate first-hand experiences:

  • Who have you personally used?
  • What were the pros/cons?
  • Anything you wish you knew before working with them?

If you’d rather not post publicly, feel free to DM me.

Thanks in advance — appreciate the insight from this community.

4Reply
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Most Popular Reply

Stacy RaskinBusiness Member
Lender · Member since 2022 · 1k+ posts · 512 votes
9mo

It's pretty common that DSCR lenders interpret Ohio rules that the prepayment period has to bought out which leads to a higher rate for a property compared to the same property value and borrower profile in another state. Lenders are licensed state by state which is why guidelines vary.

That being said there are a range of DSCR lenders and since DSCR lenders are not regulated in the same way as owner occupy conventional, it's a good idea to do your research and/or get referrals. Happy to connect to discuss further.

[email protected]818-770-0340
Bright Skyline518 Reviews
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1Reply
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  • Chris SeveneyBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Investor · VA · Member since 2015 · 21k+ posts · 19k+ votes
    9mo

    So many herre on BP you can talk to

    7e investments53 Reviews
    WebsiteView Page
    0Reply
  • Andrew PostellPro Member
    Lender · Fort Worth, TX · Member since 2016 · 8k+ posts · 6k+ votes
    9mo

    @Brandon Yanssens this is a super important question and it doesn't just apply to lenders. How do you know that a contractor is any good? An electrician? A title company? Anything? Even if they do have 20 years experience...how do you know really? And while nothing is foolproof the most consistent method of finding good vendors is relying on OTHER real estate investors that have worked with those vendors. This is why we network with other real estate investors - kind of like what you are doing here!

    So, let's try some local real estate meetup groups. Meetup.com is a good resource for those but some of the groups will also post here on Bigger Pockets Marketplace too. Even facebook might have some good local groups for you. Some of those facebook groups have thousands of members. The priority is consistent recommendations from active investors. Oh, eventbrite too. But post locally for this. That’s the best bet.

    0Reply
  • Nick DiSanza
    Investor · Orlando, FL · Member since 2025 · 30 posts · 8 votes
    9mo

    Hey Brandon. Sent you a request

    0Reply
  • Brittany MinocchiBusiness Member
    Lender · Massillon, OH · Member since 2022 · 1k+ posts · 486 votes
    9mo

    Hey Brandon - 

    Have you used a DSCR loan before? If not, it's worth pointing out that Ohio is one of the states with weird PPP rules. Some lenders prohibit them and will make you buy out the prepayment penalty, which in turn will increase your interest rate. Some go off of loan amount or unit count, and some will allow you to go all the way up to a 5-year penalty without meeting other requirements, which will give you the most favorable rate. Something to keep in mind....good luck in your search!

    [email protected]330-354-6590
    Brittany Minocchi - Barrett Financial Group, LLC522 Reviews
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    0Reply
  • Andrew Zamboroski
    Lender · Member since 2021 · 495 posts · 130 votes
    9mo
    Quote from @Brandon Yanssens:

    Hey everyone,

    I'm actively investing in Ohio (primarily NE / Eastern Ohio) and looking to build long-term relationships with trustworthy DSCR, portfolio, or private lenders.

    My focus is on:

    • Buy & hold rentals (SFH and small multifamily)
    • Occasional light-to-moderate rehab
    • Clean numbers, conservative leverage, long-term holds

    What I’m really looking for:

    • Transparent terms (no surprise fees)
    • Lenders who actually close and fund on time
    • Fair DSCR requirements and clear underwriting
    • Good communication throughout the process

    I’m not looking for ads — I’d really appreciate first-hand experiences:

    • Who have you personally used?
    • What were the pros/cons?
    • Anything you wish you knew before working with them?

    If you’d rather not post publicly, feel free to DM me.

    Thanks in advance — appreciate the insight from this community.

    Lots of great lenders on here to connect with! 

    Brittany had some great points. Another thing about OH is finding someone who can be flexible on values. With many properties at reasonable prices, the mainstream lenders than want 150k+ loan sizes may not be the best fit.
    0Reply
  • Stacy RaskinBusiness Member
    Lender · Member since 2022 · 1k+ posts · 512 votes
    9mo

    It's pretty common that DSCR lenders interpret Ohio rules that the prepayment period has to bought out which leads to a higher rate for a property compared to the same property value and borrower profile in another state. Lenders are licensed state by state which is why guidelines vary.

    That being said there are a range of DSCR lenders and since DSCR lenders are not regulated in the same way as owner occupy conventional, it's a good idea to do your research and/or get referrals. Happy to connect to discuss further.

    [email protected]818-770-0340
    Bright Skyline518 Reviews
    WebsiteView Page
    1Reply
  • Julien Hill
    Lender · Newark, NJ · Member since 2026 · 13 posts · 1 vote
    9mo

    Hey Brandon, Ohio is one of those markets that we're seeing incredibly strong debt service in, as prices haven't been inflated by market saturation and the cash-flow post-refinance is typically strong.

    Sent you a connection request

    One of the value adds a lot of investors have been appreciating is the ability to close on unoccupied units, minimum 1.0 debt service requirements, and 90 full value refinances (sub 90 days for full cost basis). Combine the 3 above with an open line of communication and transparency, and there's usually a good fit.

    0Reply
  • Joseph TadresPro Member
    Real Estate Agent · Columbus, OH · Member since 2025 · 184 posts · 179 votes
    9mo

    Hey Brandon! 

    I would love to put you in touch with some loan officers that I work with that offer some great DSCR programs!

    0Reply
  • Matthew Bernal
    Investor · Austin, TX · Member since 2021 · 497 posts · 127 votes
    9mo

    Hi Brandon,

    I would love to know more about your requirement. Happy to help you lets connect.

    0Reply
  • Erik EstradaBusiness Member
    Lender · Member since 2022 · 6k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    8mo
    Quote from @Brandon Yanssens:

    Hey everyone,

    I’m actively investing in Ohio (primarily NE / Eastern Ohio) and looking to build long-term relationships with trustworthy DSCR, portfolio, or private lenders.

    My focus is on:

    • Buy & hold rentals (SFH and small multifamily)
    • Occasional light-to-moderate rehab
    • Clean numbers, conservative leverage, long-term holds

    What I’m really looking for:

    • Transparent terms (no surprise fees)
    • Lenders who actually close and fund on time
    • Fair DSCR requirements and clear underwriting
    • Good communication throughout the process

    I’m not looking for ads — I’d really appreciate first-hand experiences:

    • Who have you personally used?
    • What were the pros/cons?
    • Anything you wish you knew before working with them?

    If you’d rather not post publicly, feel free to DM me.

    Thanks in advance — appreciate the insight from this community.


     Happy to connect 

    [email protected]818-269-7983
    LuxePrivate Investments LLC 572 Reviews
    WebsiteView Page
    0Reply
  • Arman AhmedPro Member
    Real Estate Agent · Columbus Cleveland Dayton, OH · Member since 2024 · 2k+ posts · 954 votes
    8mo
    Quote from @Brandon Yanssens:

    Hey everyone,

    I'm actively investing in Ohio (primarily NE / Eastern Ohio) and looking to build long-term relationships with trustworthy DSCR, portfolio, or private lenders.

    My focus is on:

    • Buy & hold rentals (SFH and small multifamily)
    • Occasional light-to-moderate rehab
    • Clean numbers, conservative leverage, long-term holds

    What I’m really looking for:

    • Transparent terms (no surprise fees)
    • Lenders who actually close and fund on time
    • Fair DSCR requirements and clear underwriting
    • Good communication throughout the process

    I’m not looking for ads — I’d really appreciate first-hand experiences:

    • Who have you personally used?
    • What were the pros/cons?
    • Anything you wish you knew before working with them?

    If you’d rather not post publicly, feel free to DM me.

    Thanks in advance — appreciate the insight from this community.




    Brandon, you’re asking the right questions, most people don’t find out who’s “trustworthy” until after a bad experience.


    A few things I've learned firsthand working with DSCR lenders:


    • Midwest DSCR rules and prepayment penalties really do matter. Some lenders force a PPP buyout, some don't. That difference alone can move your rate 75–150 bps. Always ask up front how PPP is handled in Midwest specifically.

    • Smaller loan balances ($60k–$120k) often get treated poorly by large national lenders. You’re usually better off with a lender or broker who regularly works in Midwest markets and is comfortable with low-balance loans.

    • The lenders worth keeping long-term relationships with usually share three traits:

    – Clear term sheet before appraisal

    – No “junk fees” added at closing

    – Same underwriter from file open to clear-to-close



    [email protected]614-418-6081
    0Reply
  • Alex BekezaBusiness Member
    Lender · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2018 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    8mo

    @Brandon Yanssens

    • Transparent terms (no surprise fees) - My online calculator has fully transparent live pricing 24/7 - https://dscr.investorpropertyloan.com/
    • Lenders who actually close and fund on time - Average for DSCR loans is 21 days plus or minus from the time the appraisal is paid for
    • Fair DSCR requirements and clear underwriting - Fully public facing guidelines at https://investorpropertyloan.com/terms-and-conditions/
    • Good communication throughout the process - I highly recommend you check out our google reviews and bigger pockets references (link in my signature below)

    I'm also a BRRRR investor in the midwest myself (Missouri) so my deals probably have a lot in common with yours

    [email protected]818-606-8823
    Investor Property Loan5306 Reviews
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    0Reply
  • Raymond J. RodriguesBusiness Member
    Lender · Miami, FL · Member since 2017 · 1k+ posts · 797 votes
    8mo

    @Brandon Yanssens feel free to reach out. I am a trusted professional in the space that fits this criteria. 

    [email protected]619-456-8311
    Helm Mortgage Corp.5126 Reviews
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