The DSCR Program helps real estate investors qualify based on the property’s rental income instead of their personal income. It looks at how much the property earns compared to its mortgage payment. This program offers a simple and flexible way to qualify for investment property financing without needing tax returns, W-2s, or pay stubs.


This program is ideal for buyers who:

  • Prefer to show no income documentation.
  • Qualify primarily through property cash flow (DSCR-based).
  • Are purchasing investment properties (1–4 units).

Ratio

Credit Score

Min Down

Max Loan

DSCR ≥ 1.00

700+

20%

$1M

DSCR ≥ 1.00

640–699

25%

$1M

DSCR ≥ 1.00

620–639

35%

$1M

DSCR ≥ 1.00

600-619

40%

$1M

DSCR 0.99–0.75

700+

25%

$1M

DSCR 0.99–0.75

680–699

30%

$1M

DSCR 0.99–0.75

640–679

35%

$1M

DSCR 0.99–0.75

620-639

40%

$1M

DSCR 0.99–0.75

600-619

45%

$1M

No Ratio (<0.75)

680+

25%

$1M

No Ratio (<0.75)

660–679

35%

$1M

No Ratio (<0.75)

640–659

40%

$1M

Ratio

Credit Score

Min Down

Max Loan

DSCR ≥ 1.00

700+

20%

$1M-$1.5M

DSCR ≥ 1.00

660–699

25%

$1M-$1.5M

DSCR ≥ 1.00

640–659

35%

$1M-$1.5M

DSCR ≥ 1.00

620–639

50%

$1M-$1.5M

DSCR 0.99–0.75

700–739

25%

$1M-$1.5M

DSCR 0.99–0.75

680–699

30%

$1M-$1.5M

No Ratio (<0.75)

720+

30%

$1M-$1.5M

No Ratio (<0.75)

700–719

35%

$1M-$1.5M

Ratio

Credit Score

Min Down

Max Loan

DSCR ≥ 1.00

700+

25%

$1.5M-$2M

DSCR ≥ 1.00

660–699

30%

$1.5M-$2M

DSCR ≥ 1.00

640–659

35%

$1.5M-$2M

DSCR 0.99–0.75

700+

30%

$1.5M-$2M

DSCR 0.99–0.75

680–699

35%

$1.5M-$2M

No Ratio (<0.75)

740+

35%

$1.5M-$2M

Ratio

Credit Score

Min Down

Max Loan

DSCR ≥ 1.00

660+

30%

$2M-$2.5M

DSCR ≥ 1.00

640–659

40%

$2M-$2.5M

DSCR 0.99–0.75

700+

35%

$2M-$2.5M

Ratio

Credit Score

Min Down

Max Loan

DSCR ≥ 1.00

700+

30%

$2.5M-$3M

DSCR ≥ 1.00

660–699

35%

$2.5M-$3M

DSCR ≥ 1.00

640–659

40%

$2.5M-$3M

DSCR 0.99–0.75

680+

40%

$2.5M-$3M

Occupancy Requirement

Primary residence


Borrower may not occupy or allow family members to occupy the subject property.

Note


First-time investors are eligible with recent prior homeownership experience, even if no property is currently owned.

First Time Investor

Definition


  • A first-time investor is defined as a borrower without a history of owning and managing investment or commercial real estate for at least one year in the past three years.

Requirement


  • 680 minimum credit score,
  • No housing late payments allowed in the past 12 months,
  • Subject to standard DSCR and reserve requirements.

Residency Eligibility

Eligible


  • Valid SSN — must have a valid Social Security Number (SSN).
  • Permanent residents — must provide a valid, unexpired Green Card.
  • Non-permanent residents — eligible with valid visa or Employment Authorization Document (EAD).

Ineligible


  • Foreign nationals who do not reside in the U.S. are ineligible,
  • Borrowers with one or more housing late payments in the past 12 months,
  • Borrowers without a social security number, or with a number that cannot be validated through the SSA are ineligible.
  • Borrowers with diplomatic immunity are ineligible.
  • Borrowers with expired residency or ID documentation are ineligible.
  • Borrowers previously convicted of mortgage fraud are ineligible.

Income Consistency Requirements

Employment History


  • You don’t need to show personal income, pay stubs, or tax returns, this program qualifies you based on the property’s monthly rental income instead.
  • This rental income is compared to the monthly mortgage payment (including taxes and insurance) to make sure the property can cover its own costs.

Notes


  • DSCR ≥ 1.00: The property makes enough money to fully cover the mortgage payment. This is ideal and qualifies for the best terms.
  • DSCR 0.99–0.75: The property almost covers the payment, but not completely. You can still qualify, but you may need a slightly larger down payment.
  • No-Ratio (< 0.75): The property doesn’t make enough to cover the payment. These are reviewed individually depending on credit and loan size.

Down Payment Funds

Eligible Sources


  • Borrower’s own funds,
  • Large deposits,
  • Gift funds from family,
  • Retirement (401k / IRA),
  • Sale of assets.

Requirements


  • Borrowers must provide two months of recent bank statements to confirm available funds,
  • Large deposits must be sourced,
  • Gift funds allowed with gift letter + proof of transfer (no seasoning required),
  • Retirement funds require withdrawal terms + statements,
  • Asset sales require bill of sale + proof of deposit.

Gift Funds

Eligible Donors


Allowed for down payment and/or closing costs from acceptable sources such as:


  • Spouse or domestic partner,
  • Parent, step-parent, or foster parent,
  • Child, step-child, foster child, or adopted child,
  • Brother or sister, step-sibling, foster sibling, or adopted sibling,
  • Grandparent, great-grandparent, step-grandparent, foster grandparent, or grandchild,
  • Aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, or cousin,
  • In-laws, future in-laws, fiancé or fiancée, ex-spouse, or former relative,
  • Relative of a domestic partner,
  • Godparents.

Ineligible Donors


Not allowed as sources of down payment or closing cost funds:


  • Client’s employer,
  • Builder or contractor,
  • Developer.

Reserves

Requirement


  • 2 months PITIA required if loan amount exceeds $1,500,000.
  • 6 months PITIA required if loan amount exceeds $2,500,000.

Note


  • No reserves required if loan amount is less than $1,500,000.

Loan Amounts

Minimum Loan Amount


  • $125,000.

Maximum Loan Limits


  • $3,000,000.

Property Types

Eligible


  • SFRs (Single-Family Residences),
  • 2–4 Units (must occupy one unit),
  • PUDs (attached/detached),
  • Condominiums (attached/detached; warrantable only. Non-warrantable considered case-by-case),
  • Condo Hotels or Motels (projects operated as hotel/motel, hotel/motel conversions).

Ineligible


  • Manufactured homes,
  • Rural properties,
  • Commercial property,
  • Vacant land or land development properties,
  • Mixed used properties.

Seller Contribution

Maximum Contribution


6% maximum.

Allowed Uses


  • Closing costs,
  • Prepaid items,
  • Discount points,
  • Buydown escrows.

Disclaimer – This matrix was published on 09/20/2025. Program guidelines may have changed since then. Please contact Alexis to confirm the most current requirements. For complete details, refer to the Partner Matrices PDF or reach out directly to Alexis for program-specific guidance.

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Contact Loan Officer

Alexis Andrade
Mortgage Loan Officer
NMLS #2553405
alexis@sjmorganple.com