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Union City's rental market is heating up as East Bay investors look for cash-flowing properties. The county's median household income of $126,240 supports strong tenant demand in the $800,000 to $1,100,000 range.
New restaurants and housing projects across the East Bay signal sustained regional growth. Investor buyers in Union City are betting on long-term appreciation alongside monthly rent collection.
20% to 25%
Typical Down Payment
680 (700+ standard)
Minimum FICO
DSCR 1.2 to 1.5
Key Metric
30 to 45 days
Closing Timeline
Investor Loans in Union City
Investor loans require 20% to 25% down on most properties. Your FICO score typically needs to be 680 or higher, though 700+ is standard.
Alameda County's $126,240 median household income tells you what owner-occupants can afford here. As an investor, you're not limited by that number — the property's rental income is what matters.
Local decision guide
Use this guide to connect investor loans eligibility, lender expectations, and local market factors before comparing payment options in Union City.
Union City's rental market is heating up as East Bay investors look for cash-flowing properties. The county's median household income of $126,240 supports strong tenant demand in the $800,000 to $1,100,000 range.
New restaurants and housing projects across the East Bay signal sustained regional growth. Investor buyers in Union City are betting on long-term appreciation alongside monthly rent collection.
Investor loans require 20% to 25% down on most properties. Your FICO score typically needs to be 680 or higher, though 700+ is standard.
California investor lending has tightened since 2023, but the market remains active. Most lenders require full tax returns, Schedule E documentation, and a 12-month lease or rent comps.
Closing timelines run 30 to 45 days for investor loans — longer than owner-occupied because underwriting digs deeper into the property's financials. No-ratio financing is gaining traction when standard DSCR falls short.
Investor loans make sense in Union City when you're buying a duplex or single-family rental under $1,000,000 and the rent supports a 1.2+ DSCR. Below that threshold, the property income usually carries the loan.
The real advantage is portfolio diversification. Union City's location on the BART line and proximity to job centers in the South Bay make it attractive to tenants. If you're holding for 10+ years, the cash flow plus appreciation compounds.
Investor loans differ from owner-occupied conventional loans in one key way: the lender cares about the property's rent, not your W-2 income. Owner-occupied buyers focus on personal debt-to-income; investors focus on the property's DSCR.
FHA loans don't allow investment properties at all — they're owner-occupied only. VA loans also require owner-occupancy. If you're buying a rental, investor loans are your path.
Six new restaurants opened across the East Bay recently — Filipino, burger, Mexican, coffee, and Nicaraguan cuisines. Union City's diverse population and walkable downtown attract young professionals and families.
Dublin City Council approved a 113-unit senior affordable housing project nearby. That kind of regional housing investment signals sustained demand for rentals.
Most investor loans require 20% to 25% down. Some portfolio lenders go as low as 15% for strong borrowers with solid DSCR. The exact amount depends on the property's rental income and your credit profile.
No. Investor loans are for rental properties only — you don't live there. The lender evaluates the property's rental income, not your personal residence. That's what makes investor loans different from owner-occupied financing.
Most lenders want 680 or higher, but 700+ is the practical standard. A few portfolio lenders will go down to 660 if your DSCR and down payment are strong. The property's cash flow matters more than your credit score alone.
DSCR is the property's annual rent divided by your total annual debt payments. A 1.2 DSCR means the rent covers 120% of what you owe. Lenders typically want 1.2 to 1.5 DSCR. Higher DSCR means lower risk and better loan terms.
Yes. Duplexes qualify as investment properties. If you occupy one unit and rent the other, some lenders treat it as owner-occupied with rental income. If you rent both units, it's a full investor loan.