Save My DSCR Loan

Last Updated: January 2026

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Free DSCR Loan Calculator

Calculate your Debt Service Coverage Ratio instantly. Find out if your investment property qualifies for a DSCR loan — no login required.

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Free DSCR Calculator

Calculate Your DSCR

DSCR = Monthly Rent / Monthly PITIA. Find out if your investment property qualifies.

Property Details

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Your Results

Enter your property details and click calculate to see your DSCR ratio.

What is DSCR? Debt Service Coverage Ratio measures if rental income covers loan payments. Most lenders require 1.0+, but we have programs for 0.75+ DSCR.

Step-by-Step Guide

How to Calculate DSCR

1

Determine Monthly Gross Rental Income

Use the actual or projected monthly rent for the property. For short-term rentals, lenders may use AirDNA projections or 12 months of actual income. For long-term rentals, use the lease amount or an appraisal-based market rent.

2

Calculate Monthly PITIA

Add up your total monthly housing expense: Principal + Interest (your loan payment) + property Taxes (annual / 12) + Insurance (annual / 12) + Association/HOA dues. This total is your PITIA.

3

Divide Rent by PITIA

DSCR = Monthly Rent / Monthly PITIA. For example: $3,000 rent / $2,400 PITIA = 1.25 DSCR. This means the property generates 25% more income than its mortgage costs.

4

Compare to Lender Requirements

Most lenders require a DSCR of 1.0 or higher. A ratio of 1.25+ gets the best rates. We offer programs down to 0.75 DSCR for qualified borrowers with strong credit and reserves.

What is DSCR?

DSCR (Debt Service Coverage Ratio) measures whether a rental property generates enough income to cover its mortgage payment. It's the primary qualification metric for DSCR loans, which allow real estate investors to finance properties based on cash flow rather than personal income or tax returns.

The DSCR Formula

Rent÷PITIA=DSCR

PITIA = Principal + Interest + Taxes + Insurance + Association Dues

DSCR Ranges Explained

Understanding what your DSCR ratio means for loan qualification and pricing.

DSCR RangeRatingWhat It MeansRate Impact
1.25+ExcellentStrong cash flow. Rent exceeds PITIA by 25%+.Best available rates
1.0 – 1.24GoodRent covers PITIA. Meets most lender minimums.Standard rates
0.75 – 0.99WorkableRent falls short of PITIA. Specialized programs needed.Slightly higher rates
Below 0.75ChallengingSignificant shortfall. May require creative structuring.Premium pricing or alternative products

Rate impacts vary by lender, credit score, down payment, and other factors. Contact us for a personalized rate quote.

Pro Tips

Tips to Improve Your DSCR

Increase Rental Income

  • Furnish the property and list as a short-term rental for higher nightly rates
  • Add an ADU (accessory dwelling unit) or convert a garage to increase rent
  • Improve the property to justify higher rents (updated kitchen, new flooring)
  • Rent by the room instead of the full unit for higher total income
  • Research comparable rents — you may be undercharging

Decrease PITIA

  • Increase your down payment to lower the loan amount and monthly P&I
  • Buy down your interest rate with discount points
  • Shop insurance providers — premiums vary significantly by carrier
  • Appeal your property tax assessment if the valuation seems high
  • Choose properties without HOA fees or with lower association dues

DSCR Calculator FAQ

A DSCR of 1.25 or higher is considered excellent and will get you the best rates. A DSCR of 1.0 means your rent exactly covers your mortgage payment (PITIA). Most lenders require at least 1.0, but some programs accept ratios as low as 0.75.
DSCR is calculated by dividing your monthly gross rental income by your total monthly mortgage payment (PITIA). PITIA includes Principal, Interest, Taxes, Insurance, and Association dues. For example, if your monthly rent is $3,000 and your PITIA is $2,400, your DSCR is 1.25.
A DSCR of 1.25 means your rental income is 25% more than your total mortgage payment. For every $1 you owe in mortgage costs, the property generates $1.25 in rent. This is considered excellent by most lenders and typically qualifies for the best available rates.
Yes. While most lenders require a DSCR of 1.0 or higher, we offer programs that accept DSCR ratios as low as 0.75. This means you can qualify even if your rent doesn't fully cover the mortgage — though you may need a higher down payment or credit score to compensate.
PITIA stands for Principal, Interest, Taxes, Insurance, and Association (HOA) dues. These are the total recurring costs of the mortgage. Principal and Interest make up your loan payment. Taxes and Insurance are divided by 12 for monthly amounts. Association dues are monthly HOA fees if applicable.
No. For DSCR loan qualification, lenders use gross rental income divided by PITIA only. Property management fees, maintenance costs, vacancy reserves, and other operating expenses are not factored into the DSCR calculation used for loan qualification.
DTI (Debt-to-Income) measures your personal debts against your personal income and is used for traditional mortgages. DSCR measures a property's rental income against its mortgage payment and is used for investment property loans. The key advantage: DSCR loans don't require personal income verification or tax returns.
A DSCR of 1.25 or higher typically qualifies for the best available interest rates. Combined with a 720+ credit score and 25% or more down payment, you'll access the most competitive pricing. Higher DSCR ratios may also allow for lower down payment requirements.

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