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San Diego County completed its biggest year of low-income housing construction. National City sits at the center of this rental growth, making it attractive for investors seeking cash-flowing properties.
DSCR loans let you qualify based on property income, not personal W-2s. This opens doors for investors with strong rental properties but limited employment income on paper.
580+
Minimum FICO Score
20–25%
Down Payment Range
30–45 days
Typical Closing Timeline
1.0 or higher
Debt-Service Coverage Ratio
DSCR Loans in National City
DSCR loans typically require 580+ FICO and 20% to 25% down. The property's debt-service coverage ratio must hit 1.0 or higher, meaning rent covers the mortgage.
San Diego County's median household income is $102,285. A rental property generating $2,000 monthly can qualify you for financing that W-2 income alone wouldn't support.
Local decision guide
Use this guide to connect dscr loans eligibility, lender expectations, and local market factors before comparing payment options in National City.
San Diego County completed its biggest year of low-income housing construction. National City sits at the center of this rental growth, making it attractive for investors seeking cash-flowing properties.
DSCR loans let you qualify based on property income, not personal W-2s. This opens doors for investors with strong rental properties but limited employment income on paper.
DSCR loans typically require 580+ FICO and 20% to 25% down. The property's debt-service coverage ratio must hit 1.0 or higher, meaning rent covers the mortgage.
DSCR lending has grown significantly in California as investors seek alternatives to traditional rental financing. Lenders now compete on rates, terms, and documentation speed for investors with solid rental properties.
Most DSCR lenders require a full appraisal and property inspection. Closing timelines typically run 30 to 45 days, depending on property condition and documentation completeness.
DSCR loans make sense in National City when you have a rental property generating steady income. If your rental cash flow is strong and credit is solid, DSCR provides financing that conventional lenders won't offer.
DSCR doesn't work if the property barely breaks even or runs negative. Lenders want rent to clearly cover the payment, so marginal deals won't qualify.
Conventional rental loans require 20% to 25% down and strong personal income documentation. DSCR skips personal-income proof entirely but typically carries a slightly higher rate.
If your rental generates solid cash flow but job income is modest, DSCR wins. If you have high W-2 income, conventional may offer a lower rate.
Galū Cafe, a popular Chula Vista spot, is opening a sister location in City Heights this fall. That neighborhood investment signals growing foot traffic supporting rental property values across the region.
San Diego is navigating new state requirements for high-rise housing near transit stops. These policy shifts may reshape where rental properties appreciate fastest in the county.
Most DSCR lenders require 580+ FICO. Some will go lower with strong cash flow and a larger down payment.
Yes. DSCR loans work for first-time rental investors as long as the property's rental income meets the lender's debt-service coverage ratio of 1.0 or higher.
Most DSCR loans require 20% to 25% down. Some lenders will go as low as 15% down if your cash flow and credit are strong.
No. DSCR lenders focus on the rental property's income, not your W-2 or personal tax returns. That's the core advantage of DSCR financing.
Typical DSCR closings run 30 to 45 days. Speed depends on how quickly you provide documentation and the property appraisal is completed.