Can you use a DSCR loan for an Airbnb?
Yes. Multiple lenders finance eligible Airbnb, Vrbo and other short-term rentals. The dividing line is how the lender establishes qualifying rent: existing operating history, a third-party projection such as AirDNA, appraiser market rent, a long-term-rent fallback, or a lender-specific combination.
Affiliate disclosure: DSCRDeals may receive compensation from some listed lenders. Eligibility drives the comparison; affiliate status is only a tie-breaker between otherwise close matches.
STR lender comparison
| Lender | STR position | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Easy Street Capital | STRs allowed; no STR history required on current EasyRent page | Projection source, market restrictions, leverage and rural-property treatment. |
| Lima One Capital | Dedicated short-term-rental loan offering | Whether AirDNA, history or appraisal income governs the scenario. |
| New Silver | Current Rent program says short-term rentals are eligible | $150K minimum loan, DSCR calculation, leverage and property eligibility. |
| Visio Lending | Finances Airbnb, Vrbo and independently managed STRs | History versus projected income and any state/property restrictions. |
| FlexPoint | STRs allowed on published 1–4 unit DSCR program | No-ratio and maximum 85% purchase leverage are scenario-dependent. |
| OfferMarket | STR properties considered | Sub-1.0 DSCR generally cannot qualify using STR income; other restrictions apply. |
Primary sources: Easy Street EasyRent · Lima One STR loans · New Silver Rent program · Visio STR program · FlexPoint DSCR programs.
How lenders calculate Airbnb income
Existing operating history
For an established STR, the lender may review platform statements, property-management statements, tax returns for the property or trailing revenue. Ask what period is required and whether gross bookings are adjusted for vacancy or management.
Third-party projections
AirDNA and similar reports estimate revenue using comparable listings, occupancy and daily rates. Easy Street has publicly described using AirDNA in its STR underwriting, but a projection is not universally accepted and does not replace the appraisal’s collateral valuation.
Appraiser market rent or long-term fallback
Some programs qualify the property using the appraiser’s long-term market rent even when the business plan is short-term. That can materially reduce qualifying income. Ask which number controls when the lease, history, projection and appraisal disagree.
The questions that make or break an STR loan
- Is STR use legal under local zoning, licensing and HOA rules?
- Is the property already operating, vacant or newly converted?
- Which revenue source controls the DSCR calculation?
- Does the lender use gross projected revenue or apply an expense/vacancy adjustment?
- Is a full appraisal required in addition to the STR report?
- Does STR status reduce maximum LTV or increase reserves?
- Are first-time investors eligible?
- Are rural homes, condotels and non-warrantable condos allowed?
AirDNA does not guarantee financing
A strong projection can support the income case, but it cannot cure illegal STR use, an ineligible property type, weak credit, insufficient reserves or a loan below the lender’s minimum. It also does not prove actual future revenue. Treat it as underwriting evidence, not a promise.
Match the property as an STR
Deal Match opens with STR marked “yes.” Add the actual DSCR, LTV, credit, loan amount, units and investor profile to remove lenders that fail a verified hard gate.
Match My Airbnb or STRFAQ
Can a new Airbnb qualify without rental history?
Potentially. Easy Street’s current EasyRent page states that no STR history is required. Other lenders may accept projections or rely on long-term market rent.
Do all DSCR lenders accept AirDNA?
No. Acceptance and calculation methods vary. Confirm the required provider, report type and whether the lender applies adjustments.
Can projected Airbnb income replace an appraisal?
Usually not. Income evidence and collateral valuation serve different purposes, and many lenders require both.
Are STR down payments higher?
They can be. Leverage depends on lender, credit, DSCR, experience, property and market. Do not carry a general 80% or 85% headline into an STR scenario without confirmation.
Can an LLC own the Airbnb?
Many DSCR programs allow or require entity vesting, but guarantor and ownership rules still apply. See the DSCR loans in an LLC guide.