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in Seal Beach, CA
Seal Beach investors have two strong non-QM tools: DSCR and hard money. Each solves a different problem.
DSCR fits long-term rental holds. Hard money is built for speed — flips, auctions, and quick acquisitions.
DSCR loans qualify you on the rental income the property generates — not your personal income. As of April 2026, most lenders want a DSCR of 1.0 or better.
These are 30-year fixed or ARM products. You keep the asset long-term and refinance later if rates drop.
Most DSCR lenders require a 620+ credit score and 20-25% down. Rates vary by borrower profile and market conditions.
Hard money lenders care about one thing: the property's value. Your credit score matters less than the deal itself.
Terms run 6 to 24 months. These loans are designed to be paid off fast — through a sale or a refinance into permanent financing.
Expect higher rates and points. You're paying for speed and flexibility, not for a long-term hold.
DSCR loans are priced like conventional investment products. Hard money costs more because lenders take more risk and move faster.
DSCR works when you plan to rent and hold. Hard money works when you need to close now and exit within a year or two.
Hard money can fund properties in rough condition — DSCR lenders typically require the property to be rent-ready.
Buying a turnkey rental in Seal Beach and holding it? DSCR is your loan. It's priced better and built for that strategy.
Winning a probate sale or flipping a dated property near the coast? Hard money gets you in the door before a conventional buyer can even get pre-approved.
Some investors use both — hard money to acquire and renovate, then DSCR to refinance into permanent financing.
Yes — that's a common exit strategy. Stabilize the property, hit your DSCR ratio, then refinance into a 30-year DSCR product.
Hard money wins on speed. Some lenders close in under 10 days. DSCR loans typically take 2-4 weeks.
Yes. Most require 620 or higher. Hard money lenders are more flexible, focusing primarily on the property's value.
You can, but it's expensive for a long hold. Hard money is best used as a bridge — not a permanent financing solution.
Most lenders want 1.0 or above, meaning rent covers the full mortgage payment. Some allow below 1.0 with a larger down payment.
Hard money. DSCR lenders typically require the property to be livable and rent-ready before they'll approve the loan.