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in Baldwin Park, CA
Baldwin Park investors face a choice: qualify with your W-2 income or let the property's rent do the talking. Conventional loans price better for owner-occupants and strong W-2 earners, while DSCR loans unlock deals for buyers who don't want to document personal income.
Most conventional lenders hit a wall at four financed properties. DSCR loans let you scale past that limit without digging through tax returns or explaining 1099 income streams.
Conventional loans deliver the lowest rates when you're buying a primary residence or second home in Baldwin Park. You'll need documented income—W-2s, tax returns, or business financials—plus a 620+ credit score and debt-to-income ratio under 50%.
Investment property rates run about 0.5% higher than owner-occupied rates. Most lenders cap you at four financed properties unless you meet strict portfolio requirements. Expect 15-25% down for rentals.
DSCR loans qualify you based on the property's rental income divided by its debt payment. Lenders want a ratio of 1.0 or higher—meaning the rent covers the mortgage. Your personal income never enters the equation.
These loans work for borrowers with ten financed properties or complex tax returns showing low taxable income. Rates run 1-2% higher than conventional, and you'll need 20-25% down. No property count limits.
The rate spread matters. Conventional loans price 1-2 percentage points lower for owner-occupants and about 0.5-1% lower for investors with clean W-2 income. That gap costs you roughly $150-300 monthly on a $500K loan.
Income verification is the trade-off. Conventional lenders dissect two years of tax returns and employment history. DSCR lenders pull a credit report and order an appraisal with a rent schedule—that's it. No tax returns, no pay stubs, no employment verification.
Use conventional financing when you're buying a primary residence or you're a W-2 earner with fewer than four financed properties. The rate savings outweigh the paperwork hassle. Conventional also wins for second homes and vacation properties.
Choose DSCR when you're at the four-property cap, self-employed with write-offs crushing your taxable income, or scaling a rental portfolio fast. The higher rate is the cost of no income verification and unlimited scaling. Rates vary by borrower profile and market conditions.
No. DSCR loans only finance investment properties that generate rental income. For primary residences, conventional loans deliver better rates and terms.
Conventional loans require 620 minimum. DSCR lenders typically want 660-680 for best pricing, though some go as low as 640 with higher rates.
Divide monthly market rent by the full mortgage payment including taxes and insurance. A 1.0 ratio means rent exactly covers the payment; lenders prefer 1.1 or higher.
Yes, if the property is now a rental. Many investors refinance to DSCR when they hit the four-property conventional limit and want to buy more.
DSCR loans often close quicker since there's no employment verification or income documentation. Expect 15-20 days versus 25-35 for conventional with full underwriting.