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Chico attracts real estate investors for real reasons. A large student population from CSU Chico drives consistent rental demand.
Post-Camp Fire rebuilding activity created buy-and-hold and fix-and-flip opportunities across Butte County that still exist as of April 2026.
660+
Min Credit Score
20–25%
Min Down Payment
None (DSCR)
Income Docs Required
Fixed or ARM
Rate Type
7–14 days
Hard Money Close
Investor Loans in Chico
Investor loans are non-QM products. Lenders skip your W-2s and focus on the property's income or your asset base instead.
DSCR loans are the most common path. The property's rent needs to cover the mortgage — typically a 1.0 to 1.25 ratio minimum.
Local decision guide
Use this guide to connect investor loans eligibility, lender expectations, and local market factors before comparing payment options in Chico.
Chico attracts real estate investors for real reasons. A large student population from CSU Chico drives consistent rental demand.
Post-Camp Fire rebuilding activity created buy-and-hold and fix-and-flip opportunities across Butte County that still exist as of April 2026.
Investor loans are non-QM products. Lenders skip your W-2s and focus on the property's income or your asset base instead.
Retail banks rarely do DSCR or hard money deals. You need wholesale lenders who specialize in investor products.
We work with 200+ wholesale lenders at SRK CAPITAL. Several specialize exclusively in Chico-area investor deals.
The biggest mistake I see is investors applying through a bank and wasting 45 days before getting a no. Start with the right lender.
On fix-and-flip deals in Chico, after-repair value matters more than purchase price. Your lender will order an ARV appraisal.
DSCR loans work best for buy-and-hold rentals. Hard money is faster but costs more — use it when speed wins the deal.
Bridge loans fill gaps between purchase and long-term financing. Once the property stabilizes, you refinance into a DSCR loan.
Chico's proximity to Paradise means some properties still carry wildfire risk disclosures. Insurance costs affect your DSCR math.
Student-heavy neighborhoods near campus produce strong gross rents. Vacancy risk is real in summer — factor that into projections.
No. DSCR lenders qualify the property, not you. The rental income must cover the mortgage payment at the required ratio.
Hard money lenders can often close in 7–14 days. Speed depends on title, appraisal, and how quickly you return documents.
It can. Some lenders restrict lending in high-risk fire zones. Insurance costs also affect DSCR ratios, which impacts loan sizing.
Yes. Lenders look at market rents, not who the tenants are. Strong rents near campus can support solid DSCR coverage.
Most DSCR and non-QM investor lenders want 660 or higher. Better scores get better rates. Rates vary by borrower profile and market conditions.
Yes. DSCR cash-out refinances are available. The property needs to support the new loan amount at the required debt-service ratio.