What Credit Score Do You Need for a DSCR Loan?

Short answer: Minimum credit scores for DSCR loans start as low as 620, though the specific score you bring determines a lot more than just eligibility — it directly shapes your maximum loan-to-value ratio, your reserve requirement, and in some cases the maximum loan amount available to you.

Why credit does more work in DSCR underwriting

Since personal income isn’t part of the qualification decision, credit score becomes one of the primary levers lenders use to gauge risk. The difference between a 620 and a 700+ credit score on the same property can mean a meaningfully different down payment requirement — sometimes a 15-20 percentage point swing in maximum LTV between the lowest and highest credit tiers.

Roughly how the tiers break down

While exact numbers vary by lender and specific program, the general pattern across DSCR lending is consistent:

• 700+ FICO — access to the highest loan-to-value ratios and largest loan amounts a given program offers
• 680-699 FICO — still strong access, typically a modest LTV reduction from the top tier
• 660-679 FICO — continued eligibility with further LTV and loan amount adjustments
• 640-659 and 620-639 FICO — still financeable in many cases, usually with more equity required and lower maximum loan amounts

What else your credit score affects

Beyond the headline LTV number, credit tier often affects reserve requirements (how many months of payments you need in savings after closing) and, on some programs, eligibility for features like asset depletion, which typically require a 680+ minimum regardless of the property’s DSCR.

Check your specific tier

Enter your estimated credit score into the calculator alongside your property numbers to see your actual qualifying LTV and loan amount — not just a general range.