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Berkeley is one of the most landlord-active markets in the East Bay. Dense rental demand near UC Berkeley keeps vacancy rates low.
Investors here run the full range — long-term rentals, student housing, small multifamily, and occasional flips near transit corridors.
620+
Min Credit Score
1.0x – 1.25x
Min DSCR Ratio
20–25%
Down Payment
None (DSCR)
Income Docs Required
30-yr fixed available
Loan Term Options
Investor Loans in Berkeley
Most investor loans in Berkeley are non-QM products. That means lenders skip your tax returns and qualify you on the property's income instead.
DSCR loans are the most common fit. Lenders want the rent to cover 1.0x to 1.25x the monthly mortgage payment. Credit minimums usually start at 620.
Local decision guide
Use this guide to connect investor loans eligibility, lender expectations, and local market factors before comparing payment options in Berkeley.
Berkeley is one of the most landlord-active markets in the East Bay. Dense rental demand near UC Berkeley keeps vacancy rates low.
Investors here run the full range — long-term rentals, student housing, small multifamily, and occasional flips near transit corridors.
Most investor loans in Berkeley are non-QM products. That means lenders skip your tax returns and qualify you on the property's income instead.
Retail banks rarely touch non-QM investor deals. SRK CAPITAL works with 200+ wholesale lenders that specialize in exactly this product.
Pricing and guidelines vary significantly across those lenders. One lender might cap at 4 units. Another handles 10+ unit portfolios without blinking.
Berkeley's rent control ordinance affects long-term rental strategy. Know which units are covered before you underwrite the deal.
On DSCR deals, lenders use market rent — not your projected rent. Get a rent schedule from your appraisal early. It directly affects your approval.
Hard money moves faster but costs more — rates are higher and terms are short. Use it for a flip, not a 30-year rental hold.
DSCR loans offer 30-year fixed terms at rates closer to conventional. For a stabilized rental in Berkeley, DSCR almost always wins.
Berkeley enforces strict rent control and just-cause eviction rules. These affect your exit strategy and cash flow projections.
Alameda County's high price points push many deals into jumbo territory. Plan for larger down payments and tighter debt coverage requirements.
Yes — DSCR loans qualify you on the property's rent, not your income. The rent must cover the mortgage payment at a 1.0x ratio or higher.
Lenders don't underwrite rent control directly, but it limits your rent upside. That can affect your DSCR ratio if current rents are below market.
Most investor loan programs require 20–25% down. Some DSCR lenders allow 20% with strong credit and a solid debt coverage ratio.
Yes. Most DSCR programs go up to 4 units. Larger multifamily deals typically require commercial financing with different qualification rules.
Most non-QM investor programs start at 620. Better pricing kicks in at 680 and above. Rates vary by borrower profile and market conditions.
Berkeley restricts short-term rentals heavily. Most investor deals here are underwritten on long-term market rents, not short-term projections.