Investment Property Loans

Investment property loans: build a portfolio without using a bank

Clear2 Mortgage is a licensed broker with access to wholesale lenders specializing in investor programs: DSCR, conventional, bank statement, and portfolio. No W-2 required. We close in 30 days or less.

Program Snapshot
No W-2 Required for DSCR
20% Min. Down Payment (DSCR)
640+ Min. Credit Score (DSCR)
$5M+ Max Loan Amount
50+
Wholesale Lenders
DSCR + Conv.
+ Portfolio Programs
30-Day
Close Timeline
MI · FL · GA · TX
Licensed States
Why real estate investors choose Clear2

Why real estate investors finance through Clear2

Most banks underwrite investment property loans against your personal income. If you're self-employed, have multiple financed properties, or simply want to scale faster than a W-2 income allows, you need a broker who can access the right wholesale programs. That's what Clear2 does.

Wholesale pricing, not retail

As an independent broker, Clear2 submits your file to wholesale lenders who specialize in investor programs. You get pricing that retail bank branches can't match, without the bank's in-house underwriting restrictions.

DSCR qualifies on rental income

A DSCR loan looks at whether the property cash-flows, not whether you have a W-2. If the rent covers the mortgage payment, you can qualify. No tax returns, no employment verification, no personal income docs.

Multiple loan types from one broker

DSCR, conventional investment, bank statement, and portfolio programs are all available through Clear2. One conversation lets you compare programs side by side rather than shopping lender to lender on your own.

Closes in 30 days or less

Investment property acquisitions often compete against cash offers. Clear2 keeps the process moving. Most investment property loans close within 30 days of a complete file submission.

Investment property loan programs

Investment property loan programs available through Clear2

Clear2 has access to four primary loan types for investment properties. The right program depends on your income documentation, property type, and how many properties you're financing.

DSCR loans

Qualifies on the property's rental income, not your personal income. Ideal for investors who are self-employed, have complex tax returns, or want to scale without tying every loan to their W-2.

  • No tax returns or W-2s required
  • 20% minimum down payment
  • 640+ credit score
  • Loan amounts up to $5M
  • Single-family, multi-family, short-term rentals

Conventional investment loans

Standard Fannie Mae / Freddie Mac guidelines for investment properties. Uses personal income to qualify. Best fit for single-family rentals under the conforming loan limit.

  • 620+ credit score
  • 15 to 25% down payment depending on units
  • DTI under 45%
  • Rental income counted at 75%
  • Up to 10 financed properties

Bank statement loans

Qualifies self-employed investors using 12 or 24 months of bank statements instead of tax returns. No W-2 or tax return required. Covers primary residences and investment properties.

  • 12 or 24 months of bank statements
  • No W-2 or tax return required
  • Self-employed 2+ years
  • 660+ credit score typical
  • Available on investment properties

Portfolio and blanket loans

Designed for investors holding multiple properties. A blanket lien covers several assets under one loan structure, often with commercial-style underwriting. Built for scale.

  • 5+ unit and multi-property investors
  • Single loan covers multiple addresses
  • Commercial underwriting guidelines
  • Cross-collateralization options
  • Flexible structuring for growing portfolios
Eligibility

Do you qualify for an investment property loan?

Eligibility requirements differ by program. Here's a side-by-side look at DSCR and conventional investment guidelines.

DSCR loan eligibility

  • Credit score: 640 minimum
  • Down payment: 20% minimum
  • DSCR ratio: 1.0 or higher, meaning monthly rental income must cover the full PITIA payment
  • Property must cash-flow: lender orders a market rent appraisal to verify income
  • Income docs: none required. No W-2, no tax return, no employment verification
  • Property types: single-family, 2-4 unit, short-term rental (with market rent appraisal)

Conventional investment eligibility

  • Credit score: 620 minimum
  • Down payment: 15% (single-family), 25% (2-4 unit)
  • DTI: under 45% including all financed properties
  • Rental income: counted at 75% of market or lease rent toward DTI
  • Income docs: 2-year tax returns, W-2s or 1099s, and pay stubs
  • Financed properties: up to 10 properties with Fannie/Freddie guidelines
DSCR explained

How DSCR loans work for real estate investors

DSCR stands for Debt Service Coverage Ratio. It measures whether a rental property generates enough income to cover its own mortgage payment. Lenders calculate it by dividing the monthly gross rental income by the monthly PITIA payment (principal, interest, taxes, insurance, and HOA if applicable).

$1,800 rent ÷ $1,500 PITIA = 1.20 DSCR
Qualifies

A DSCR of 1.0 means the rent exactly covers the payment. Most programs require 1.0 or higher. A ratio of 1.20 means the property generates 20% more income than the payment, a comfortable cushion most lenders accept without question.

No W-2. No tax return. No employment verification. The underwriting decision is based on the property's cash flow, not what's on your personal income statement. That's why DSCR loans work for self-employed investors, W-2 earners who've already maxed conventional financing, and anyone whose personal tax picture doesn't reflect actual income.

Short-term rental income (Airbnb, VRBO) can also qualify. The lender orders a market rent analysis to determine what comparable properties earn as short-term rentals, and that figure is used in the DSCR calculation rather than an active lease.

Program comparison

Investment property loan programs compared

Factor DSCR Loan Conventional Investment Bank Statement
Down payment 20% minimum 15–25% depending on units 20–30% typical
Credit score 640+ minimum 620+ minimum 660+ typical
Income docs None, qualifies on rent 2-year tax returns + W-2s 12–24 months bank statements
Max loan amount Up to $5M Conforming limit ($832,750) Up to $3M
Best for Self-employed investors, scale Single-family rentals, W-2 income Self-employed, no clean tax returns

Rates, limits, and requirements vary by lender and borrower profile. Contact Clear2 for a program match based on your specific situation.

Investor scenarios

What kind of investor are you?

Different investor profiles call for different programs. Here's how Clear2 approaches three common situations.

Scenario 1

The buy-and-hold landlord

You're purchasing single-family rentals and holding them for cash flow. Credit score is 660, but your tax returns show modest income after deductions. A DSCR loan qualifies on rent collected, not your adjusted gross income. No W-2 needed. If the property cash-flows, you're in.

Scenario 2

The self-employed investor

You run your own business and invest in real estate on the side. Your tax returns look lean on paper. A bank statement loan uses your actual deposits over 12 or 24 months to calculate qualifying income, often producing a much higher number than your Schedule C shows.

Scenario 3

The portfolio builder

You already own five or more properties and want to keep scaling. Conventional financing caps out at 10 financed properties. DSCR loans have no such limit for most lenders. A blanket or portfolio loan can consolidate multiple addresses under one structure, freeing up capacity for the next acquisition.

DSCR loans by state

DSCR loans in your state

Clear2 Mortgage is licensed in 22 states. Pick yours for local loan limits, programs, and market detail.

AlabamaLicensed · guide coming soon
ArizonaLicensed · guide coming soon
CaliforniaLicensed · guide coming soon
ColoradoLicensed · guide coming soon
FloridaView Florida guide → GeorgiaView Georgia guide →
IllinoisLicensed · guide coming soon
IndianaLicensed · guide coming soon
MarylandLicensed · guide coming soon
MichiganView Michigan guide →
MinnesotaLicensed · guide coming soon
North CarolinaLicensed · guide coming soon
OhioLicensed · guide coming soon
OklahomaLicensed · guide coming soon
OregonLicensed · guide coming soon
PennsylvaniaLicensed · guide coming soon
South CarolinaLicensed · guide coming soon
TennesseeLicensed · guide coming soon
TexasView Texas guide →
VirginiaLicensed · guide coming soon
WashingtonLicensed · guide coming soon
WisconsinLicensed · guide coming soon
Client Reviews

What investors say about Clear2

Five-star reviews from Clear2 clients on Google.

★★★★★

"I came to Clear2 with a DSCR loan on a rental property I was purchasing. Donavin walked me through the whole process, explained the qualifying ratios clearly, and we closed in under 30 days. The rate was better than what my regular bank quoted. I'll be back for the next property."

Joe K. Google Review
★★★★★

"Self-employed with multiple investment properties, and I couldn't qualify through a conventional lender. Alex at Clear2 found a DSCR program that worked based on the rental income alone. No tax returns, no headaches. We closed on time and the process was smoother than anything I'd experienced before."

Carl L. Google Review
★★★★★

"I was skeptical that a DSCR loan would actually work without showing my income. The Clear2 team explained every step, the numbers made sense, and we closed without any of the documentation nightmares I'd had with other lenders. Highly recommend for any investor tired of the bank runaround."

Braden L. Google Review
Investment property loan FAQ

Common questions about investment property loans

What's the minimum down payment for an investment property?

It depends on the loan type. DSCR loans require a minimum of 20% down. Conventional investment loans require 15% for single-family properties and 25% for 2-4 unit properties. Bank statement loans typically require 20 to 30% down depending on credit score and LTV.

Can I use rental income to qualify without showing W-2s?

Yes, with a DSCR loan. A DSCR loan qualifies based on the property's gross rental income relative to the monthly PITIA payment. No W-2, no tax return, and no employment verification are required. The lender orders a market rent appraisal or accepts an existing lease to determine the rental income used in the calculation.

What is a DSCR ratio and what do I need to qualify?

DSCR stands for Debt Service Coverage Ratio. It's calculated by dividing monthly gross rental income by the monthly PITIA payment (principal, interest, taxes, insurance, and HOA). A ratio of 1.0 means the rent exactly covers the payment. Most DSCR lenders require a minimum ratio of 1.0, and some allow below 1.0 with a higher down payment. A 640+ credit score is required for most DSCR programs through Clear2.

Does Clear2 lend on short-term rentals like Airbnb or VRBO properties?

Yes. Short-term rental properties are eligible under DSCR programs available through Clear2's wholesale network. Because there's often no long-term lease to document income, the lender orders a short-term rental market rent analysis (similar to an AirDNA report) and uses that figure in the DSCR calculation. Underwriting criteria can vary by lender.

How many investment properties can I finance at once?

Conventional Fannie Mae guidelines cap financed properties at 10. DSCR loans don't carry that same restriction for most wholesale lenders, making DSCR the better option for investors scaling beyond 10 properties. Portfolio and blanket loan programs are also available for investors with large or growing holdings.

How fast can Clear2 close an investment property loan?

Most investment property loans through Clear2 close in 30 days or less from a complete file submission. Timeline can vary based on appraisal scheduling, title work, and lender processing. Clear2 works with wholesale lenders who prioritize investor transactions and moves the file quickly to avoid delays on time-sensitive acquisitions.

Ready to invest?

Ready to finance your next investment property?

Talk to a Clear2 loan officer about DSCR, conventional, bank statement, and portfolio programs for your rental or investment acquisition.

Clear2 Mortgage, LLC. NMLS #1911663. Licensed Mortgage Broker. 2600 W Big Beaver Rd, Suite 100, Troy, MI 48084. Equal Housing Lender. This is not a commitment to lend. All loans subject to credit approval, property appraisal, and underwriting guidelines. Rates and terms subject to change without notice.