Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR) Calculator
Estimate how a rental property's qualifying income covers its qualifying property debt expense, then stress-test the rent and expenses with a live what-if mode.
Last reviewed September 9, 2026
EDUCATIONAL ESTIMATE, NOT A LOAN DECISION
Estimate the Ratio
Enter qualifying rent and the property debt expense items a lender may count. The tool never issues an approval or a denial.
Property Debt Expense
Many Las Vegas communities have HOA fees
Estimated Result
Estimated DSCR
Estimated qualifying rental income covers approximately 113% of the entered property debt expense.
Want to Know Whether the Property Itself Makes Sense?
The ratio is the lender's job. The property is where Lisa helps: purchase price, comparable sales, market rent, HOA, condition, neighborhood, resale and the investment inventory.
Educational Tool Only
This calculator is educational only. Individual DSCR lenders determine qualifying rental income, qualifying property expenses, minimum DSCR, credit requirements, loan-to-value limits, reserves, property eligibility, pricing, and underwriting standards. Results do not constitute preapproval, loan approval, or a guarantee of financing.
DSCR thresholds and formulas are lender-specific. This tool never issues an approval or a denial, and no single universal required DSCR exists.
NO GUARANTEE OF APPROVAL. Financing depends on the lender, borrower credit, assets, reserves, property, rental-income methodology, loan terms and current underwriting requirements.
What Is a DSCR Loan?
How rental-cash-flow investor financing works.
How Is DSCR Calculated?
The formula, examples and what changes the ratio.
DSCR vs. Conventional Investment Loan
Qualification and costs compared.
Rental Income Mortgage Qualification
How lenders count rent toward qualification.
Investor Financing Hub
Every investor loan guide in one place.
Financing a Home Resource Center
All financing guides on this site.
What Is DSCR?
DSCR stands for debt service coverage ratio. It measures a rental property's qualifying rental income against its qualifying property debt expense. It is a property-level number used by investor lenders, which is why DSCR financing can be an option for investors without traditional W-2-based personal income qualification. Learn more in our what is a DSCR loan guide.
How Do I Calculate DSCR?
In simplified terms, divide qualifying monthly rental income by the qualifying monthly property debt expense. A rent of $3,200 and a $2,500 property payment gives 1.28. Lenders use their own definitions of qualifying rent and expense, so treat any result as an educational estimate. See how DSCR is calculated with worked examples and the rent-versus-HOA comparison.
Can I Qualify for a Rental Loan Based on the Rent?
Potentially, with the right product. Most DSCR products are designed for investment and business-purpose properties, not owner-occupied primary residences, and lenders still evaluate credit, reserves, loan-to-value, property eligibility and their own minimum DSCR. The lender determines everything: qualifying rent, expenses, thresholds and approval.
DSCR vs. Conventional Investment Financing
Conventional investment mortgages qualify the borrower on personal income, credit, debt and assets, with applicable rental income. DSCR focuses on the property's rent covering its debt. Conventional may price better for eligible borrowers; DSCR can offer flexibility when personal income and tax returns are complicated. Compare rates, points, down payment, prepayment penalties, reserves and holding period in DSCR vs. conventional investment loans.
Hard Money for Fixers and Flips
Fixers and flips are a different problem: hard money can finance acquisition and renovation quickly when a property cannot satisfy conventional condition requirements, but it is shorter-term, pricier and needs an exit. The full picture is in what is a hard money loan, when to use it and fix-and-flip financing.
DSCR and BRRRR
In a BRRRR strategy, the refinance step after rent stabilization is where the strategy stands or falls. DSCR and other investor products may be refinance options if qualification works at that time, but appraisals are estimates, rates move, and the refinance is never guaranteed. Run the deal backwards in BRRRR strategy and financing.
How Lisa Helps
Lisa is a Nevada REALTOR®, not a mortgage lender. Each lender determines qualifying rent, qualifying property expenses and its own underwriting. Lisa helps on the property side: market rent, comparable rentals, purchase price, HOA rental restrictions, neighborhood demand, condition and resale potential, plus a free Property DNA report before you commit.
Property DNA is an additional research resource and does NOT replace inspection, appraisal, title search, title insurance, survey, seller disclosure, contractor evaluation, legal advice or tax advice.