What is the lowest down payment on a DSCR loan?

For a purchase, the lowest is usually 20 percent down, which means 80 percent loan-to-value, and only for strong files with a high ratio and high credit. Twenty-five percent down is the more common floor. There is no true zero-down DSCR loan.

What unlocks a lower DSCR down payment?

A higher DSCR, a higher credit score, a clean property type, and more reserves. Each one pushes a lender toward the top of its loan-to-value range. A weaker file gets a lower maximum LTV, which means a larger down payment.

Lender guide

Best DSCR Lenders for a Low Down Payment (2026)

There is no zero-down DSCR loan, but the gap between 25 percent and 20 percent down is real money. Top leverage goes to strong files, and the cost of a lower down payment is a higher rate. Here is how to choose.

By Owen Brandt, Research Editor. Updated June 13, 2026.

Most "low down payment" lender lists are written by a lender or an affiliate paid to rank one. We do the opposite: we show you what actually unlocks higher leverage so you can judge a lender yourself. Where we link to a lender, we say so. See our disclosure.

What "low down payment" really means for DSCR

DSCR down payments run from about 20 to 25 percent on a purchase, sometimes higher for weaker files. The lowest down payment, meaning the highest loan-to-value, is reserved for strong files. There is no zero-down DSCR loan, and any site promising one is selling something. For the full breakdown, read DSCR loan down payment.

What pushes you to the top of the LTV range

A higher DSCR. A ratio comfortably above 1.0, ideally 1.25 or better, earns the best leverage.
A higher credit score. The same lender will offer more LTV at 740 than at 660.
Clean property type. A standard single-family rental gets better leverage than a condo, rural, or short-term rental.
More reserves. Extra months of payments in the bank can lift a borderline file.
Purchase over cash-out. Maximum LTV is almost always higher on a purchase than on a cash-out refinance.

Remember the trade-off: a lower down payment usually comes with a higher rate, because the lender takes more risk. Run both scenarios before you assume more leverage is better.

Established lenders to research

These national investor lenders publish competitive maximum-LTV programs. We list them as starting points, not endorsements, and you should confirm the actual maximum for your file directly.

Compare leverage options. Confirm terms on each lender's site. Some links may be affiliate links; see our disclosure.

Kiavi New Silver Visio Lending

Before you chase maximum leverage

Check your DSCR and tier with the pre-qualifier, then weigh the higher rate that comes with a lower down payment using the DSCR calculator and the cash to close calculator.