
Many investors face a quandary when they are buying real estate. If they already owned the rental property they want to buy, it would generate enough income to easily afford it. But they do not own it yet, so they have less income to report—making it harder to qualify.
DSCR loans were created to solve this problem. They allow you to use the projected income from the rental property when applying for the loan.
What is a DSCR Loan?
DSCR stands for “debt service coverage ratio.” A DSCR loan is a type of non-QM loan that considers your anticipated rental revenue when evaluating your mortgage application.
The DSCR is calculated as:
DSCR = Net Operating Income ÷ Debt Service
Debt service includes:
- Principal repayment
- Lease payments
- Interest payments
Who Uses DSCR Loans in Indiana?
Real estate investors who plan to rent out their properties use DSCR loans to qualify based on the income potential of the property, not just their personal income.
If an investor already has strong income and a low debt-to-income (DTI) ratio, they might not need a DSCR loan. But for those who need the projected rent factored in to qualify, DSCR loans can be the key to approval.
How DSCR Loans Work
- Apply for the DSCR loan. The lender will evaluate the estimated rental income for the property you want to purchase.
- DSCR calculation. The lender determines the DSCR ratio based on your projected net income and debt payments.
- Many lenders require a minimum DSCR of 1.0, which means the rental income breaks even with your loan payments.
- Some programs allow DSCR below 1.0, though this may come with a higher down payment requirement. Even if you’re not breaking even, you may still be able to qualify.
- A DSCR of 1.25 or higher is considered strong, indicating the property’s income exceeds the debt obligation by 25%.
- Finalize your purchase. Once approved and the offer is accepted, you can close on the property using your DSCR loan.
Benefits of Indiana DSCR Loans
- Easier qualification thanks to inclusion of projected rental income
- Possible lower interest rates due to stronger loan profile
- No need to provide personal income or employment documentation
- Fast, streamlined approval process with minimal paperwork
- No limit to how many properties you can purchase—great for growing your portfolio
Apply for a DSCR Loan in Indiana
Grandview Lending can help you invest in real estate in Indianapolis or anywhere in Indiana. Call us today at (317) 255-0062 to schedule your DSCR loan consultation. We’ll calculate your DSCR and help you find the best loan program—even if your ratio is below 1.0.