What DSCR ratio is usually needed for an investment property loan?

Most programs look for a coverage ratio at or above the program minimum, which usually means the rent carries the full monthly payment with at least a modest cushion. A stronger ratio tends to unlock better pricing and higher leverage, while a thinner one narrows the menu without necessarily closing it. Some lenders will consider ratios below break-even when the file shows offsetting strengths, such as reduced leverage or deeper reserves. Underwriters generally read the whole file rather than a single number, so credit, reserves, property type, and experience all factor in. Current expectations, and the documentation that supports them, are laid out on our DSCR loan requirements page.