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Los Altos sits in one of the most expensive rental markets in the country. Strong rent demand from tech workers makes this a serious investor market.
DSCR loans — which qualify you on the property's rental income, not your W-2 — are built for this type of high-value market.
620–680
Min Credit Score
1.0–1.1x
Min DSCR Ratio
20–25%
Down Payment
None
Income Docs Required
3–4 Weeks
Typical Close Time
DSCR Loans in Los Altos
Lenders calculate your DSCR by dividing monthly rent by monthly debt payments. A ratio of 1.0 means rent covers the mortgage exactly. Most lenders want 1.1 or higher.
Expect a minimum 620-680 credit score depending on the lender. Down payments typically start at 20-25% on investment properties in Santa Clara County.
Local decision guide
Use this guide to connect dscr loans eligibility, lender expectations, and local market factors before comparing payment options in Los Altos.
Los Altos sits in one of the most expensive rental markets in the country. Strong rent demand from tech workers makes this a serious investor market.
DSCR loans — which qualify you on the property's rental income, not your W-2 — are built for this type of high-value market.
Lenders calculate your DSCR by dividing monthly rent by monthly debt payments. A ratio of 1.0 means rent covers the mortgage exactly. Most lenders want 1.1 or higher.
DSCR is a non-QM product. Most banks won't touch it. You need wholesale lenders who specialize in investor lending.
Rates vary by borrower profile and market conditions. As of April 2026, DSCR rates run higher than conventional — but the trade-off is speed and flexibility on income docs.
Los Altos properties are expensive. That means loan amounts often land in jumbo territory, which adds another layer to DSCR qualification.
The best DSCR deals I see here involve investors with strong reserves — 6 to 12 months of payments in the bank. That matters more than most borrowers expect.
Conventional investor loans cap out at 10 financed properties and require full income docs. DSCR has no financed-property cap with most lenders.
Hard money is faster but far more expensive short-term. DSCR gives you 30-year fixed options — hard money does not.
Santa Clara County property taxes run around 1.25% of assessed value. Factor that into your DSCR calculation — it affects your debt payment number.
Los Altos zoning limits most rental inventory to single-family homes and small multifamily. Know your exit strategy before you close.
Most lenders want a 1.1 DSCR or higher. Some allow 1.0, but expect a higher rate or larger down payment.
Yes. Most DSCR lenders accept an appraiser's market rent estimate. This helps on new acquisitions with no lease in place.
Some lenders allow Airbnb income using platform data. Not all do — this depends on the lender and property type.
Yes. Most DSCR lenders allow LLC vesting. California does charge an $800 annual LLC minimum franchise tax.
Typical timeline is 3-4 weeks. Some lenders push faster if the appraisal comes back quickly.
Yes. Most DSCR lenders cover 1-4 unit properties. Some go up to 8 units on portfolio products.