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By David Ghazaryan, NMLS 1486726, iQRATE Mortgages (NMLS 1862492). Updated October 29, 2026.
Short answer: For a DSCR loan in Sacramento or the Inland Empire (Riverside and San Bernardino counties), investors can use private DSCR lenders that publish California coverage. On the five lender programs we checked, published minimum DSCRs run from none to 1.0 (varies by lender). iQRATE Mortgages, licensed in California, compares programs like these for each property.
A DSCR loan lender in Sacramento qualifies a rental on its rent compared with the full payment (PITIA), not on your tax returns or W-2s. Several programs in the table below lend in California under California Financing Law or California Finance Lender licenses, so check the licensing line on each lender's site before you apply.
Three local rules shape a Sacramento DSCR file:
Our Sacramento mortgage broker page covers loan limits and buyer programs; nearby, see Roseville.
DSCR loans in the Inland Empire work the same way, but the rent cap and short-term rental rules differ by county and city:
See our Riverside and Inland Empire mortgage broker and Temecula pages for local loan limits, taxes and buyer programs.
Varies by lender. Published parameters, not an offer. Figures are from lenders' public program pages checked Oct 26, 2026. Lenders are not named. State coverage comes from each lender's own footer, state list or licensing page. Where a program does not publish a figure, the table says "Not stated" rather than guessing.
| Program | Minimum DSCR (published) | Maximum LTV (published) | Loan size (published) | Minimum FICO (published) | Property types (published) | State coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program A (DSCR rental loan) | As low as 0.75 | Up to 80%; cash-out up to 75% | $75K to $2.5M in the loan highlights; the same page also says up to $3.5 million (varies by lender) | Minimum average FICO of 680 generally required | SFR, condo, townhome, 2-4 plex, multifamily up to 9 units; short-term rentals okay | Lending locations include California (Nevada not listed); California loans under California Financing Law licenses |
| Program B (DSCR loan) | As low as 0.8x | Up to 80% | Not stated | Not stated | SFR, PUD, 2-4 units, condos; qualifying rent is the lower of 110% of appraised market rent and lease rent | 49 states + DC, including CA and NV; lends to business entities |
| Program C (1-10 unit rental DSCR) | No minimum DSCR | Up to 80% purchase and rate-term; up to 75% cash-out | $100,000 to $3,500,000 | 640 | Residential investment properties, 1-10 units, including mixed use and short-term rentals | Every state except North Dakota and South Dakota |
| Program D (single family rental loan) | At least 1.0 | Up to 80% purchase and rate-term; up to 75% cash-out | $85k to $2.5M | 660 | 1 to 9 units | Does not lend in Alaska, North Dakota, South Dakota or Vermont; California Finance Lender license |
| Program E (DSCR loans) | No minimum DSCR; no-ratio option up to 75% LTV with 700+ FICO | Not stated as a single figure; 15% down at 740 and above | $100K to $4.5M | 620 | Not stated | Says it originates DSCR loans in all 50 states and D.C.; licensed in 47 states plus D.C. |
Varies by lender; published parameters, not an offer. iQRATE Mortgages is not affiliated with these lenders, and inclusion is not an endorsement or a commitment to lend. No interest rate, APR or payment is quoted on this page.
More on rental financing: DSCR loans, investor loans, portfolio loans, non-QM loans and bank statement loans. California investors can also see California, Los Angeles and San Diego, and our closing costs by state guide. Related DSCR guides: no-ratio DSCR loans, 5-8 unit multifamily DSCR loans and foreign national DSCR loans. Call (702) 766-3744 or start an application.
Private DSCR lenders that publish California coverage. On the five lender program pages we checked Oct 26, 2026, all show California in their state coverage or licensing. iQRATE Mortgages, licensed in California, compares DSCR programs like these for Sacramento, Riverside and San Bernardino County rentals. Terms vary by lender.
On the lender pages we checked, published minimum DSCRs range from no minimum (two programs) to 0.75, 0.8x and 1.0. Maximum LTV is up to 80% on purchases at several lenders, and published minimum credit scores range from 620 to 680. These are published parameters, not an offer, and they vary by lender.
It can affect future rent, not the lender's formula. The City of Sacramento's Tenant Protection Program caps increases at 5 percent plus CPI, 8.6% effective July 1, 2026, but exempts single dwelling units, condominium units and units built after February 1, 1995. Exempt units may still fall under the statewide cap. Check the unit before you buy.
For rent increases starting between 8/1/26 and 7/31/27, the California Attorney General's chart lists 8.1% for the Riverside Area, which covers Riverside and San Bernardino counties, compared with 8.6% for all other counties, including Sacramento County. The cap applies to most rentals more than 15 years old; local rules can be lower.
Only if the city allows the use and the lender counts it. The City of Sacramento requires a short-term rental permit for stays of 30 days or less and limits a rental that is not the operator's primary residence to 90 days in a calendar year. Two programs we checked say short-term rentals are eligible; ask how rent is counted.
Check the local rule first. Unincorporated Riverside County requires a Short-Term Rental Certificate that does not run with the land, so a buyer must apply again after closing under Ordinance No. 927.3. Unincorporated San Bernardino County allows short-term rentals only in its Mountain and Desert Regions, with a permit. City rules differ.
Often yes. One program we checked lends to business entities in all states where it offers loans, another recommends borrowing through an LLC and requires a full guaranty from anyone with more than 25% ownership, and a third says in certain states it lends only to business entities. Have your entity documents ready (varies by lender).
Generally not. Regulation Z exempts credit extended primarily for a business purpose, and the CFPB's official interpretation treats credit to buy, improve or maintain a non-owner-occupied rental as business purpose. If you expect to live in the property more than 14 days in the coming year, it is not treated as non-owner-occupied.
Business-purpose loans for non-owner-occupied investment property only; investor loans for business purposes only, not for owner-occupied homes. Credit extended primarily for a business purpose is exempt from Regulation Z under 12 CFR 1026.3(a). Information is educational and subject to change; it is not a commitment to lend. All loans subject to credit approval, property eligibility and lender guidelines; programs, terms and eligibility vary by lender and borrower qualification and may change without notice. No interest rate, APR or payment is quoted on this page. Rent-cap and short-term rental rules are summarized from public agency pages; consult a CPA or attorney about tax, entity and legal questions. Lender and agency facts checked October 26, 2026; page updated October 29, 2026. iQRATE Mortgages, NMLS 1862492. David Ghazaryan, NMLS 1486726. (702) 766-3744. Equal Housing Opportunity. We do business in accordance with the federal Fair Housing Act and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act. Verify licensing at NMLS Consumer Access.
