What Is a DSCR Business Loan?

DSCR — debt service coverage ratio — business loans use the income or cash flow generated from a rental property to determine loan eligibility and amount rather than personal income. This allows investors and businesses to use income-generating assets like rental properties to secure financing. 

Because investors, self-employed individuals, and business owners take deductions on their tax returns, effectively reducing their income, they may not qualify for a traditional loan. Iowa DSCR business purpose investment property loans allow them to qualify more easily because they don’t rely on personal income or job history. 

DSCR lenders in Iowa use a borrower’s debt service coverage ratio (DSCR) to determine eligibility for the loan. This financial metric aims to determine whether the property generates enough income to cover the costs of the mortgage repayments. 

You can calculate your DSCR by dividing the cash flow generated or gross rental income by the mortgage amount (debt service). For instance, if your rental property generates $100,000 per year and the total mortgage is $75,000 per year, the DSCR is 1.3 (100,000/75,000). 

A DSCR of 1 indicates that the rental property generates enough income to repay the mortgage loan. However, most lenders like to see a DSCR of at least 1.25 to indicate that borrowers will still have enough left over to pay for regular business expenses and emergencies. 

Key Benefits of DSCR Business Loans in Iowa

DSCR loans in Iowa are cash-flow-focused rather than personal income focused. Since they primarily consider the income from a property rather than a borrower’s personal income, they make it easier for businesses, investors, and self-employed individuals to secure financing. Other key highlights of these Non-QM loans include the following: 

  • Flexibility: Since these loans rely primarily on a property’s DSCR, they don’t put as much emphasis on creditworthiness metrics like personal income and credit scores. While these financial factors can play a role, lenders focus more on the property’s income potential, offering borrowers more flexibility. 
  • Larger loan amounts: DSCR loans are based on the property’s potential income, allowing borrowers to qualify for larger loan amounts. At Griffin Funding, you may qualify for an Iowa DSCR business loan amount of up to $5,000,000. Minimum loan amount of $100,000
  • Growth opportunities: Borrowers can expand their portfolios with DSCR loans by leveraging the cash flow of their existing properties and building up enough equity to purchase more property. In addition, there’s no limit on the number of properties, promoting further growth.
  • Faster closing times: Because Iowa DSCR business loans don’t require personal income or job history verification, the underwriting process is much quicker, allowing you to close faster.

Iowa DSCR Loan Requirements

Exact requirements for DSCR business loans in Iowa vary among different lenders, so you should always check with your chosen lender for the most current information. Every DSCR lender in Iowa will require you to meet their minimum DSCR requirement, which ranges from 1.25 to 0.75. Most lenders prefer a DSCR above 1, but Griffin Funding allows for DSCRs as low as 0.75. 

  • Proof of consistent cash flow: The property must generate a stable and consistent cash flow. While fluctuations are common with rental properties, borrowers must prove their ability to repay the loan using the income generated by the property. 
  • Credit score: Lenders typically require credit scores between 620 to 680 or higher for Iowa DSCR loans. However, keep in mind that the lower your credit score, the higher the risk for lenders, meaning they’ll probably give you a higher interest rate. Griffin Funding allows credit scores as low as 620. 
  • Down payment: Expect to make a down payment of 20-25% of the property’s purchase price. The exact amount you’re required to put down depends on factors like credit score, reserves available, and DSCR.

See If You Qualify for a DSCR Business Loan in Iowa

DSCR business loans are ideal for borrowers who want to invest in residential one-four unit real estate without using a hard money loan or using personal income to qualify.

These loans are ideal for investors and businesses of all kinds. Apply for a DSCR no-income commercial mortgage loan in Iowa online today, or learn how to get a mortgage by contacting Griffin Funding to speak to one of our loan specialists.

Frequently Asked Questions: Iowa DSCR Business Loans

How much do you need to put down for a DSCR business loan in Iowa?

Most lenders require a down payment of 20-25% for a DSCR loan in Iowa. However, your exact down payment requirement will depend on the lender and other factors, such as DSCR and credit score. Typically, borrowers with a lower DSCR score will be required to make higher down payments. 

Additionally, borrowers with higher credit scores are considered less risky, potentially reducing their down payment requirements, while a lower credit score can lead to higher down payments. 

Each lender has their own policies and risk tolerance. Some may require higher down payments, while others are lenient. They may consider factors like the property type and condition alongside other financial metrics to determine your down payment amount. 

What is a good DSCR ratio in Iowa?

Most lenders prefer to see a DSCR of 1.25 or higher because it indicates the real estate investor is in a good financial position to repay their debts and have extra left over for other business expenses.

However, Griffin Funding allows investors to qualify for Iowa DSCR loans with a ratio as low as 0.75. Keep in mind that a lower DSCR can impact your interest rate and loan terms, so we recommend increasing yours as much as possible before applying for a loan. 

What does the DSCR loan application process look like?

The DSCR loan application process varies by lender. Griffin Funding aims to provide a streamlined experience for DSCR borrowers, allowing us to finalize the loan in 30 days or less in most cases. Our process looks like this:

  • Discovery: Before you apply for a DSCR loan in Iowa online, we recommend contacting us for a discovery call where we can learn about your unique circumstances. During this time, we can determine if a DSCR loan is right for you and walk you through the rest of the process. 
  • Application: When you’re ready to apply for the loan, you can fill out our online application to get a mortgage, or we can go through the application together on the phone. 
  • Review: Once your application is complete, it goes through the underwriting process, where we verify information about the property and information provided in the application.
  • Approval: If the application is approved, we’ll contact you about the next steps and schedule closing.