How much do you need down for a DSCR loan?
Plan on 20% to 25% for a typical purchase. Some programs advertise up to 85% LTV, which equals 15% down, but maximum leverage is reserved for eligible combinations of credit, DSCR, property, experience and loan size. A 75% LTV structure—25% down—usually gives the lender more room and may improve pricing.
Affiliate disclosure: DSCRDeals may receive compensation from some lenders. Eligibility and deal fit determine matching; affiliate status is only a tie-breaker between otherwise close matches.
Down payment and LTV are the same equation
85% LTV
80% LTV
75% LTV
For a purchase, divide the proposed loan by the lower of the eligible purchase price or value. A $200,000 purchase with a $160,000 loan is 80% LTV and requires $40,000 down before closing costs, escrows and reserves.
| Purchase price | 15% down | 20% down | 25% down |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100,000 | $15,000 | $20,000 | $25,000 |
| $250,000 | $37,500 | $50,000 | $62,500 |
| $500,000 | $75,000 | $100,000 | $125,000 |
Those figures are only the down payment. Budget separately for appraisal, title, lender charges, prepaid interest, escrows and required reserves.
Which lenders publish 15% or 20% down?
| Lender | Published purchase ceiling | What the headline does not tell you |
|---|---|---|
| FlexPoint | Up to 85% LTV on eligible 1–4 units | 640 FICO is the broad floor; do not assume the minimum score and maximum LTV combine on one loan. |
| Easy Street Capital | Up to 80% purchase/rate-term | Cash-out is capped lower at 75%; rural and other scenarios may be tighter. |
| RCN Capital | Up to 80% purchase | RCN publishes 65% at 660–679 FICO, 75% at 680–699 and 80% at 700+. |
| Lima One Capital | Up to 80% purchase/rate-term | STR and other specialty scenarios can use different criteria. |
| CoreVest Finance | Up to 80% | Credit, DSCR, property and program determine actual leverage. |
Primary sources: FlexPoint DSCR programs · Easy Street EasyRent · RCN loan programs. Published ceilings are screening figures, not commitments.
Why 15% down is the exception
An 85% LTV loan leaves the lender a thinner equity cushion. The file therefore needs fewer weaknesses elsewhere. Strong credit, solid DSCR, an eligible property, acceptable reserves and a clean purchase transaction all matter. One negative factor can move the deal to 80% or 75% LTV.
What can require 25% down—or more?
Lower credit
RCN makes this interaction explicit. Its published purchase tiers reduce leverage from 80% to 75% and then 65% as credit declines. Other lenders may price or tier the same risk differently.
DSCR below 1.0
A lender willing to accept weak cash flow may require more equity. OfferMarket, for example, applies materially lower leverage to many sub-1.0 scenarios. See the low-DSCR lender comparison.
Cash-out refinance
Cash-out is not a purchase. Easy Street publishes up to 75% cash-out versus up to 80% for purchase/rate-term; RCN also publishes lower cash-out tiers.
STR, rural or specialty property
Condotels, non-warrantable condos, rural properties, mixed-use buildings and short-term rentals can trigger different leverage matrices. “Up to 80%” on the general program cannot be carried into every specialty scenario.
First-time investor or limited reserves
Some programs allow first-time investors, but maximum leverage may require experience or stronger liquidity. Reserves are money remaining after closing, not part of the down payment.
Test your actual leverage
Start at 80% LTV, then enter the deal’s DSCR, credit, loan amount, units, STR status and investor profile. Deal Match screens verified lender limits instead of assuming every maximum stacks together.
Match an 80% LTV DealFAQ
Can I get a DSCR loan with 15% down?
Potentially. FlexPoint publishes up to 85% purchase LTV on eligible 1–4 unit DSCR loans. That does not mean every 640-score borrower or every property receives 85%.
Is 20% down standard?
It is the most useful planning baseline because many programs publish purchase leverage up to 80%. Actual qualification can require more equity.
Does 25% down improve the rate?
Often, because lower leverage reduces lender risk, but pricing also depends on credit, DSCR, property, loan size, points and prepayment terms.
Do reserves count toward the down payment?
No. Reserves generally must remain available after the down payment and closing costs are paid.
Can seller credits cover the down payment?
Do not assume so. Seller contributions and interested-party concessions are program-specific and generally cannot replace the borrower’s required equity. Confirm before signing the contract.