Tampa DSCR Loans: Rental Loans That Qualify on Rent

What is a Tampa DSCR loan?

A Tampa DSCR loan is a rental property loan that qualifies on the home's rent, not your tax returns or W-2s. The lender divides the monthly rent by the full payment. That ratio is the DSCR. iQRATE Mortgages is a broker. We compare DSCR programs from many lenders for rentals in Tampa, Brandon, Riverview, Wesley Chapel, Clearwater and the rest of Tampa Bay. You can close in your own name or in an LLC.

Short answer: if the rent covers the payment, you can often qualify. Call or text (702) 766-3744 for a quote. Or contact us online.

Written by David Ghazaryan, NMLS #1486726, owner of iQRATE Mortgages (NMLS #1862492). Updated October 31, 2026.

Tampa DSCR key facts for 2026

• Typical Tampa home value: $375,619. Typical rent: $1,930 a month (Zillow, Sept 2026).
• Tampa 2025 property tax: 19.8428 mills, or about $19.84 per $1,000 of taxable value.
• Florida doc stamps: $0.70 per $100 on the deed and $0.35 per $100 on the note. Intangible tax is 2 mills on the mortgage.
• Florida rentals of six months or less owe 6% state sales tax plus any county taxes.
• Lenders often want a DSCR of 1.0 or more. Some go lower with more down.
• Our real files closed in 29 to 32 days.

Investor loans are for business purposes only. Not all borrowers qualify. Terms subject to underwriting and change.

What do Tampa rentals cost and rent for in 2026?

Rent and price drive a DSCR loan. So we start with them. The table uses Zillow data for September 2026. Gross yield is a year of rent divided by the home value. It is before tax, insurance and the loan.

Seffner has the highest gross yield here, at 7.5%. Lutz has the lowest, at 5.0%. A higher yield makes a DSCR of 1.0 easier to reach. A lower yield often needs more down.

Chart: typical home value with typical rent, by city.

Chart: gross rent yield, by city.

Source: Zillow Research data, ZHVI and ZORI, September 2026. Chart and math by iQRATE Mortgages.

Want the DSCR on a home you found? Get a quote: call or text (702) 766-3744.

How much is property tax on a Tampa rental?

Property tax is part of the payment a DSCR lender uses. A higher tax bill lowers your ratio. Here are the 2025 rates inside the city.

Chart: the 2025 rate, by taxing unit.

On a typical Tampa home worth $375,619, that is about $7,453 a year, or $621 a month. Florida rentals get no homestead exemption. The assessed value on a rental can rise no more than 10% a year for non-school taxes. It resets to market value the year after a sale. So budget on your price, not the seller's bill. Doc stamps are $0.70 per $100 on the deed and $0.35 per $100 on the note. Intangible tax is 2 mills on the new mortgage.

Sources: Hillsborough County Property Appraiser, Final 2025 millage; Florida Department of Revenue, documentary stamp tax; Fla. Stat. 193.1554.

Not sure what the tax will be? Contact us and we will check the rate at the address. Or call (702) 766-3744.

How is DSCR calculated on a Tampa rental?

DSCR means debt service coverage ratio. Take the monthly rent. Divide it by the full monthly payment. The payment is principal, interest, tax, insurance and any HOA. Lenders call that PITIA.

Here is an example. Rent is $2,000. The payment is $1,800. $2,000 divided by $1,800 is 1.11. That clears a 1.0 target.

Chart: rent needed = payment times the DSCR target.

The lender uses the lower of the lease or the appraiser's market rent. That is often a form called a 1007. So check the market rent before you make an offer.

Get a quote on your ratio today. Call or text (702) 766-3744.

What do lenders look for on a Tampa DSCR loan?

Each lender sets its own rules. As a broker, we shop them for you. These are the terms to compare. We confirm every one in writing before you lock.

Do 2026 loan limits apply to a DSCR loan?

No. Conforming limits apply to conventional loans. A DSCR loan is non-QM. It can go above these limits. We show them so you can compare.

Source: FHFA conforming loan limits for 2026.

Get your quote with these terms in writing. Call or text (702) 766-3744.

What local rules change a Tampa DSCR loan?

Florida needs a state license for a vacation rental. That covers a condo or a one- to four-family home rented as short stays. Hillsborough County approved a vacation rental registry for unincorporated areas in 2026. The City of Tampa has asked its lawyers to draft one too.

Insurance is the next big cost. From Jan. 1, 2026, Citizens policies with wind cover need flood insurance at $400,000 or more of dwelling coverage. From Jan. 1, 2027, it applies to all such policies. Get insurance quotes early. They go into the DSCR payment.

Many Tampa Bay condos and towns have an HOA. HOA dues also go into the payment. Some HOAs ban short stays.

Sources: Fla. Stat. 509.242; Citizens Property Insurance.

Questions about local rules? Schedule a call with David, or call (702) 766-3744.

Real DSCR files from David's desk

These are real iQRATE files. Names and addresses are left out. Numbers are rounded where noted.

In 2025 we closed a DSCR purchase of an eight-bedroom vacation home in Kissimmee, near Orlando. The investor bought it for $820,000 with 25% down. The DSCR loan was $615,000. It closed in 29 days. The income came from 12 months of documented rental history.

In fall 2024 we closed two Las Vegas condos for one investor on the same day. The appraiser's market rent dropped the ratio from 0.98 to 0.82. We kept both on a 30-year fixed DSCR program at 65% LTV. Both closed about five weeks after we sent them in. My clients often own rentals in more than one state, so we work Nevada, Texas, Florida and California files side by side. We also arrange DSCR loans in Las Vegas, Henderson, Reno, Miami and Orlando.

For the full Kissimmee story, read our Orlando short-term rental DSCR guide. It also covers Osceola and Polk county taxes.

Want results like these? Apply now or call (702) 766-3744.

How does a Tampa DSCR loan close, step by step?

1. Send the address, price and expected rent. We run a quick DSCR check.
2. We compare DSCR programs from many lenders and send you the best fits.
3. You sign the offer. We order the appraisal with a rent survey (form 1007).
4. We collect the lease, insurance quote, LLC papers and bank statements for reserves.
5. The lender underwrites the file and issues a clear to close.
6. You sign with the title company. Most of our files closed in about 30 days.

Ready for step one? Get a quote: call or text (702) 766-3744.

What do clients say about iQRATE Mortgages?

These are real 5-star reviews. Each quote is word for word. A screenshot of the review sits above it. Names show first name and last initial. The reviews are about David and the team in general. They are not a promise about your loan.

“A few months ago we bought our first house. We were so fortunate to have David. He explained so many things that we did not understand, literally took the time to explain our options and why they would or would not work for us. He made us feel comfortable with our decision. We definitely would recommend his entire team, everyone was so wonderful and helpful.”

— Jael O., 5-star review on Google.

“David was very professional and went above and beyond to help me purchase my first home. He was very knowledgeable, experienced, and thorough. Anytime I had concerns, he was always there to patiently answer all my questions. I highly recommend David if you are looking to purchase a home.”

— Nomi E. (Las Vegas, NV), 5-star review on Zillow.

“iQrate Mortgage and all of their staff work very hard to make sure every single person that walks into their office leaves with ALL their questions answered. I just completed my refinance with iQRate Mortgage and I am extremely happy of the turnaround. They are fast, honest, and fair. I highly recommend everyone to their office, you will not regret it.”

— Marine G. (South Shores, Las Vegas, NV), 5-star review on Yelp.

“Outstanding service with the help from this team! Everything was smooth, effortless, and headache free! They answered all my questions with ease & I will recommend friends and family as well! I most definitely will continue using this company for future mortgage needs!”

— Ryan L., 5-star review on Google.

“David was very professional and went above and beyond to make sure I understand the loan procedure. In addition, he went with me to my closing because I expressed that I would be more comfortable with him there to explain the documents to me. He was there and ensured a smooth transaction. Everything completed as expected. I would definitely recommend him to my friends and family.”

— Jasmin (Las Vegas, NV), 5-star review on Zillow.

“Buying my new home was so easy thanks to David and his team at iQRate. I was a first time homebuyer so the process was very new to me , but everyone at the office communicated so well and answered any questions or concerns I had with ease. I appreciate their patience and will definitely be using them for any future needs!”

— Athena S. (Summerlin, Las Vegas, NV), 5-star review on Yelp.

Our ratings: Google 5.0 from 77 reviews. Yelp 5.0 from 51 reviews. Zillow 5.00 from 9 reviews. Read our Google reviews. Read our Yelp reviews. Read our Zillow reviews.

Tampa DSCR calculators: ratio, payment, down payment, tax and cash-out

These tools do simple math. They use no rates and make no offer. Type your own numbers. A lender will use its own rent and payment figures.

What DSCR does my rental have?

What is the most payment the rent supports?

How much down, and what is my LTV?

What is my yearly Tampa property tax?

How much cash can a cash-out refinance give me?

What is the gross rent yield?

Tampa DSCR loan FAQs

Is a DSCR loan a good idea for a Tampa rental?

It is a good fit if you are self-employed, own many rentals or want to close in an LLC. It skips tax returns. The trade-off is a larger down payment than many owner loans.

How much down do I need for a Tampa DSCR loan?

Many DSCR programs ask for 20% to 25% down on a purchase. Our recent files closed at 65% to 75% LTV. More down can help a low ratio.

What DSCR do I need?

Many lenders want 1.0 or more. Some accept less than 1.0 with more down and more reserves. We had a file where the ratio fell to 0.82 and it still closed.

Can I close a Tampa DSCR loan in an LLC?

Yes. Most DSCR lenders lend to an LLC. You sign a personal guarantee. Bring the articles, the operating agreement and the EIN letter.

How long does a Tampa DSCR loan take to close?

Our real DSCR files closed in 29 to 32 days. The appraisal and rent survey usually take the most time.

Do I need tax returns for a DSCR loan?

No. The rent qualifies the loan. You still show credit, reserves and the lease or market rent.

Can I do a cash-out refinance with a DSCR loan?

Yes. Many programs allow cash-out up to about 70% to 75% LTV. In June 2025 we closed a $395,500 DSCR cash-out refinance on a Dallas LLC rental.

Is there a prepayment penalty?

Many DSCR loans have one. It often steps down over three to five years. Ask for a loan with no penalty if you may sell soon.

Can a foreign national get a Tampa DSCR loan?

Some lenders offer DSCR loans to foreign nationals. They often want more down. See our foreign national DSCR page.

Is a DSCR loan for a home I will live in?

No. DSCR loans are business-purpose loans for rental property. They are not for a home you live in.

Does iQRATE name a lender or quote a rate here?

No. We compare many lenders for each file. Your rate and terms come in writing after we review your deal.

What credit score do I need for a Tampa DSCR loan?

Each lender sets its own minimum. A higher score can lower the down payment. Call us and we will tell you which programs fit your score.

Can I use Airbnb income on a Tampa DSCR loan?

Some lenders accept short-term rental income. They often want a booking history or a market rent study. You also need a Florida vacation rental license.

How much is property tax on a Tampa rental?

The 2025 City of Tampa total is 19.8428 mills. That is about $19.84 per $1,000 of taxable value. On $375,000 it is about $7,441 a year.

Talk to a Tampa DSCR broker

Have a rental in mind? Send the address, price and rent. We will run the DSCR and send real options. Call or text (702) 766-3744. Or contact us to schedule a call.

Investor loans are for business purposes only. Not all borrowers qualify. Terms subject to underwriting and change.

iQRATE Mortgages LLC, NMLS #1862492. David Ghazaryan, NMLS #1486726. NMLS Consumer Access. Equal Housing Opportunity.

Data updated October 31, 2026. Tax figures are general information from official sources, not tax advice. Ask your CPA.