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Chula Vista sits at the southern edge of San Diego County. It draws investors with its rental demand, proximity to the border, and lower entry prices than coastal San Diego.
DSCR loans — which qualify you based on rental income, not your tax returns — are built for this market. If the rent covers the mortgage, you can likely qualify.
1.1x
Min DSCR (typical)
620–680
Min Credit Score
20–25%
Min Down Payment
None (rent-based)
Income Docs Needed
Non-QM
Loan Type
DSCR Loans in Chula Vista
DSCR stands for Debt Service Coverage Ratio. Lenders divide the property's monthly rent by its mortgage payment. A ratio of 1.0 means rent equals the payment. Most lenders want 1.1 or higher.
Most lenders require a 620–680 credit score minimum. Down payments typically start at 20–25%. The property's income does the heavy lifting — your W-2 stays out of it.
Local decision guide
Use this guide to connect dscr loans eligibility, lender expectations, and local market factors before comparing payment options in Chula Vista.
Chula Vista sits at the southern edge of San Diego County. It draws investors with its rental demand, proximity to the border, and lower entry prices than coastal San Diego.
DSCR loans — which qualify you based on rental income, not your tax returns — are built for this market. If the rent covers the mortgage, you can likely qualify.
DSCR stands for Debt Service Coverage Ratio. Lenders divide the property's monthly rent by its mortgage payment. A ratio of 1.0 means rent equals the payment. Most lenders want 1.1 or higher.
DSCR is a non-QM product. That means traditional banks won't touch it. You need wholesale lenders that specialize in investor lending — and terms vary widely between them.
At SRK CAPITAL, we work with 200+ wholesale lenders. On DSCR deals in San Diego County, we shop rates and DSCR thresholds across those lenders to find the right fit.
The mistake I see most often: investors bring me a deal with a DSCR of 0.95 and expect full pricing. Some lenders will do it — but the rate hit is real. Know your rent-to-payment ratio before you shop.
Short-term rentals complicate things. Some lenders use Airbnb income projections. Others won't touch it. If your Chula Vista property is an STR, you need a lender who specifically allows that income type.
Compared to a conventional investment loan, DSCR skips the debt-to-income calculation entirely. That matters if you're self-employed or already hold multiple financed properties.
Hard money moves faster but costs more. Bank statement loans use personal deposits, not rent. DSCR is the cleanest option for investors who want long-term fixed financing on a cash-flowing property.
Chula Vista has a mix of single-family homes, condos, and new construction in Otay Ranch. DSCR lenders treat each property type differently — condos sometimes face tighter ratios or higher reserves.
Proximity to Naval Base San Diego keeps rental demand consistent. That stability helps DSCR underwriting, since appraisers rely on local comparable rents to validate the income figure.
Most lenders want a 1.1 DSCR or higher for best pricing. Some allow lower ratios, but rates increase as the ratio drops.
Yes. Most DSCR lenders accept an appraiser's market rent estimate. You don't need a signed lease to qualify.
Some lenders allow STR income — but not all. You need a lender that specifically underwrites short-term rental cash flow.
Most DSCR lenders don't cap at 10 loans like conventional. Some allow 20+ properties, which is a major advantage for scaling.
Most lenders start at 20–25% down on DSCR deals. A few allow 15% with stronger credit and a higher DSCR ratio.
Yes, but the condo project must pass a warrantability review. Some condo complexes don't qualify — check project approval early.