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in San Rafael, CA
San Rafael is one of the tighter investor markets in the Bay Area. Properties move fast and competition is real.
Both DSCR and hard money loans skip personal income verification. But they solve very different problems for investors.
DSCR loans qualify you based on rental income. The property's cash flow is what lenders evaluate — not yours.
These are 30-year loans. They work for buy-and-hold investors who want stable financing after acquisition.
Hard money lenders care about the asset, not you. Loan approval hinges on property value and exit strategy.
Terms run 6 to 24 months. These loans are built for speed — closing in days, not weeks.
DSCR rates are higher than conventional but lower than hard money. Rates vary by borrower profile and market conditions.
Hard money has nearly no credit floor — some lenders go as low as 600 or below. DSCR lenders typically want 620 to 680 minimum.
Buying a turnkey rental in San Rafael? DSCR is the play. You get permanent financing without touching your tax returns.
Found a distressed property in a strong Marin zip? Hard money gets you in fast. Then you refinance into DSCR once it's stabilized.
Yes, and this is a common strategy. Once the property is rented and stabilized, DSCR refinance replaces the hard money bridge.
Not always. Some lenders accept market rent appraisals. But a signed lease strengthens your approval significantly.
Many hard money lenders have no firm minimum. They focus on the deal — property value, LTV, and your exit plan.
Hard money wins on speed — often 5 to 10 days. DSCR loans typically close in 2 to 4 weeks.
Some DSCR lenders accept Airbnb income using platform data. Hard money doesn't care — it's only a short-term loan itself.
Yes. Both loan types work on 1-4 unit properties. Some DSCR programs extend to 5-8 units and small mixed-use.