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La Mesa's real estate market is attracting investor interest as the county adds more rental units than it has in decades. DSCR loans are built for rental properties where the property's income matters more than your personal income.
San Diego County's median household income of $102,285 reflects a stable market. DSCR financing lets investors focus on what the property generates, not W-2 earnings.
680 FICO
Minimum Credit Score
20–25%
Down Payment Range
1.25 or higher
DSCR Requirement
30–45 days
Closing Timeline
DSCR Loans in La Mesa
DSCR stands for Debt Service Coverage Ratio — the property's annual rental income divided by your annual loan payments. Most lenders want a DSCR of 1.25 or higher, meaning the property brings in 25% more than the loan costs.
Credit scores typically start at 680 for DSCR loans, though stronger scores help. Down payments range from 20% to 25% on investment properties. The property's income is what qualifies you, not your personal tax returns.
Local decision guide
Use this guide to connect dscr loans eligibility, lender expectations, and local market factors before comparing payment options in La Mesa.
La Mesa's real estate market is attracting investor interest as the county adds more rental units than it has in decades. DSCR loans are built for rental properties where the property's income matters more than your personal income.
San Diego County's median household income of $102,285 reflects a stable market. DSCR financing lets investors focus on what the property generates, not W-2 earnings.
DSCR stands for Debt Service Coverage Ratio — the property's annual rental income divided by your annual loan payments. Most lenders want a DSCR of 1.25 or higher, meaning the property brings in 25% more than the loan costs.
DSCR loans are specialized products. Fewer lenders offer them than conventional mortgages, and underwriting focuses entirely on the property's rental history and lease agreements. Brokers with investor networks can access multiple DSCR lenders quickly.
Closing timelines run 30 to 45 days for DSCR loans. Documentation is heavier — you'll need rent rolls, leases, and sometimes a rent analysis. The payoff is financing that doesn't depend on your day job.
DSCR loans make sense in La Mesa when you're buying a multi-unit property or a single-family rental with solid lease history. If the property doesn't cash flow at 1.25 DSCR, the loan won't close — that's the reality.
For owner-occupied homes, conventional or FHA loans are cheaper and faster. DSCR is the tool when you're building a rental portfolio and the property's income is strong enough to support itself.
Conventional loans require you to qualify on personal income and typically cap at 80% LTV without mortgage insurance. DSCR loans ignore your W-2 and let you go up to 75% LTV if the property cash flows.
The tradeoff: conventional rates are lower and closing is faster. DSCR rates run higher because the lender carries more risk on a single property's income. Pick DSCR only if the property's rental income is strong enough to support the loan.
San Diego County just completed its biggest year of low-income housing construction in nearly 40 years. That signals ongoing rental demand in the region, which matters for investors evaluating long-term cash flow.
La Mesa sits in a county where housing supply is finally catching up to demand. Investors should factor in that new units may affect rental rates over the next few years.
Most lenders start at 680 FICO for DSCR loans. Stronger scores help you access better rates. The property's income matters more than your personal credit, but lenders still want to see solid payment history.
Yes. DSCR loans work on single-family rentals as long as the property has a lease and the rental income meets the 1.25 DSCR threshold. Multi-unit properties also qualify under the same cash-flow standard.
Yes — DSCR loans are built on the property's rental income, not your personal tax returns. You'll submit lease agreements and rent rolls instead. That's the whole point — the property qualifies itself.
DSCR loans typically require 20% to 25% down on investment properties. The exact amount depends on the property type and the lender. Stronger cash flow may open up slightly lower down-payment options.
Plan for 30 to 45 days. DSCR loans need more documentation than conventional mortgages — rent rolls, leases, sometimes a rent analysis. The extra time upfront means fewer surprises at closing.