Can you get a DSCR loan on an Airbnb?

Yes. A growing set of DSCR lenders qualify short-term rentals using market or projected nightly income, often from an AirDNA report or a lease comparison. Expect a slightly higher rate or down payment than a long-term rental because the income is seen as more variable.

How do lenders calculate income on a short-term rental?

Methods vary: some use a 12-month market projection from a data service, some use your trailing actuals if the property already operates, and a few fall back to a long-term rent comparison. Ask each lender which method they use, because it changes your ratio.

DSCR loans

Best DSCR Lenders for Short-Term Rentals and Airbnb in 2026

Short-term rentals can out-earn a long-term lease, but not every DSCR lender will count that income. Here is what to look for and which lenders to compare for an Airbnb deal.

By Owen Brandt, Research Editor. Updated June 11, 2026.

This page covers choosing a DSCR lender for a short-term rental, a vacation home, or an Airbnb. We are not a lender; some links here may be affiliate links, see our disclosure. For the basics, read DSCR loans for short-term rentals.

Why the lender choice matters more here

On a long-term rental the income is a lease, simple to verify. On a short-term rental the income is a forecast, and lenders treat forecasts differently. The lender you pick decides whether your strong Airbnb numbers count at all, and how much of them. The wrong lender values the property on a long-term lease and your ratio collapses; the right one uses market nightly data and the deal sails.

What to look for

STR income accepted. Confirm the lender qualifies on short-term income, and ask the source: a market data report, your trailing 12 months, or a long-term rent fallback.
Reasonable leverage. Many STR programs cap a little lower, often 75 to 80 percent loan-to-value; know the cap before you shop.
Market coverage. Some lenders avoid markets with tight short-term rental rules. Confirm they lend in your city.
Reserves. STR programs often want a few extra months of reserves for the seasonality; have them ready.

Names to research

These investor lenders have short-term rental programs or experience. Starting points, not endorsements; confirm current terms.

Visio Lending built a name in vacation and short-term rentals and qualifies on market rents. New Silver funds rentals including short-term with fast online quotes. Kiavi offers rental loans and can work for STR in many markets. Ask each how they value the income and which markets they avoid, then compare the quotes on rate, points, leverage, and prepay together.

Lenders to research. Starting points, not endorsements. Confirm terms on each site. Some links may be affiliate links; see our disclosure.

Visio Lending New Silver Kiavi

Run your numbers first

Use a conservative nightly rate and realistic occupancy, then test the deal on the DSCR calculator and confirm your profile on the pre-qualifier. Compare any quote to the independent Rate and Terms Survey.