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Bakersfield is one of California's most cash-flow-friendly markets. Low entry prices relative to rents make it a serious target for buy-and-hold investors.
Kern County draws investors from LA and the Bay Area who can't make the numbers work closer to home. Bakersfield gives them room to breathe on margins.
660+
Min Credit Score
20-25%
Down Payment
Not for DSCR
Income Docs Needed
5-10 Business Days
Hard Money Close
8-10% underwrite
Recommended Vacancy
Investor Loans in Bakersfield
Investor loans are non-QM products. Lenders underwrite them differently than standard mortgages — income verification takes a back seat.
Most programs want a 660+ credit score and 20-25% down. DSCR loans qualify you on rental income alone, not your W-2 or tax returns.
Local decision guide
Use this guide to connect investor loans eligibility, lender expectations, and local market factors before comparing payment options in Bakersfield.
Bakersfield is one of California's most cash-flow-friendly markets. Low entry prices relative to rents make it a serious target for buy-and-hold investors.
Kern County draws investors from LA and the Bay Area who can't make the numbers work closer to home. Bakersfield gives them room to breathe on margins.
Investor loans are non-QM products. Lenders underwrite them differently than standard mortgages — income verification takes a back seat.
Retail banks rarely carry strong investor loan programs. They cap at four financed properties and kill deals with strict DTI rules.
Wholesale lenders built for investors are a different world. We shop 200+ of them to match your deal — flip, rental, or portfolio — to the right program.
The mistake I see most: investors underestimate reserve requirements. Many lenders want 6-12 months of PITI reserves per property.
Fix-and-flip borrowers in Bakersfield often move fast. Hard money closes in days. A conventional lender will cost you the deal.
Conventional loans top out at 10 financed properties and require full income docs. Investor loans skip that friction entirely.
DSCR beats hard money on rate when you're holding long-term. Hard money beats DSCR on speed when you're flipping. Knowing which fits your exit strategy matters.
Bakersfield's oil economy creates tenant volatility in some zip codes. Underwrite vacancy conservatively — 8-10% is smarter than 5%.
The east side and southwest Bakersfield attract different tenant profiles. Know your submarket before your lender runs DSCR numbers.
Most DSCR lenders want a 660 minimum. Better scores get better rates. Rates vary by borrower profile and market conditions.
Yes. DSCR loans qualify based on the property's rent vs. its debt payment. Your personal income docs are not required.
Hard money can close in 5-10 business days in most cases. That speed is the main reason flippers use it over conventional financing.
Portfolio and DSCR programs can go beyond 10 properties. Conventional lending stops at 10 financed properties total.
Most investor loan programs require 20-25% down. Some DSCR programs allow 20% on a single-family rental.
Bakersfield's rents relative to purchase prices make DSCR ratios easier to hit than in coastal California markets.