For Buyers / Investors
Real Estate Investor Loans & Guides
Investors have their own financing playbook. Here is how the main loan types and strategies work, with guides for each and a calculator for the numbers.
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Loan options for investors
- DSCR loans: qualify on the property cash flow, not personal income.
- Conventional investment loans: typically 15% to 25% down.
- House hacking: buy a small multi-unit with a low-down owner-occupied loan and rent the other units.
- Portfolio and commercial: for larger multifamily and mixed deals.
Strategies that build cash flow
BRRRR, fix and flip, short-term rentals, section 8, wholesaling, and note investing each fit different goals and risk levels. The guides below break down the numbers and steps for each.
Run the payment
Use the calculator to estimate the mortgage on a rental, then compare it against expected rent to gauge cash flow before you make an offer.
Run your numbers. The calculator matches loan types to your situation and shows the cost of each.
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Frequently asked questions
What is a DSCR loan?
A loan that qualifies on the property debt-service coverage ratio, meaning the rent covers the payment, rather than your personal income.
How much down for an investment property?
Conventional investment loans usually want 15% to 25% down, depending on units and credit.
What is house hacking?
Buying a two-to-four-unit home with a low-down owner-occupied loan, living in one unit, and renting the others to offset the payment.
Can I use rental income to qualify?
Often yes, especially with DSCR loans or documented lease income. A loan officer confirms the rules.
Important disclosures. LoanFitCalc is a free educational tool that provides estimates only. It is not a loan, a loan approval, a commitment to lend, a rate lock, or an offer to make a loan, and it does not provide financial, legal, or tax advice or recommend a specific loan for you. Mortgage insurance rates, funding and guarantee fees, loan limits, taxes, and insurance figures are typical published values used for estimation and are subject to change. Program eligibility rules are summarized and simplified. Actual terms depend on your full application, credit, property, and lender underwriting. Consult a licensed mortgage loan originator before making any decision. LoanFitCalc is an independent educational website and is not a lender. ⌂ Equal Housing Opportunity
