Are you a real estate investor, entrepreneur, or self-employed professional seeking to expand your real estate portfolio in Florida? If so, chances are you’ve heard of DSCR or debt service coverage ratio loans–mortgage loan products that let you qualify using property cash flow instead of your personal finances. But as with any specialty loan type, you’ll get the best results with DSCR loans by working with a lender who truly understands the needs of investors.
At Defy Mortgage, we do just that. Our industry experts have worked in the most competitive and high-growth markets across the US, including Florida, which has given them intimate familiarity with the ins and outs of its various markets. We offer a mortgage experience like no other, with highly personalized and deeply involved support, competitive rates, and a seamless platform.
In this article, we’ll look at Florida DSCR loan lenders who have the most expertise and familiarity with DSCR loans. We’ll highlight the competitive edge of each company, any details available about their offering (such as minimum loan amount), and how you can go about selecting the best lender in Florida.
Why Florida Investors Are Turning to DSCR Loans
Florida DSCR loan programs are steadily gaining popularity in its strong rental market. Gross rental yields for single-family homes in Florida can reach up to 14.6%, far above the national average of 6.1%. For STRs, yields can be as high as 13.83% in tourist-heavy cities like Orlando.
DSCR loans are uniquely positioned to help Florida investors tap into these lucrative markets. Here are some advantages that you may not be aware of:
- Cash-Flow-Based Qualification: Borrowers can qualify for DSCR loans using their chosen property’s cash flow, instead of their own income, credit score, and other financials.
- No Income Documentation Required: Since DSCR loans are primarily concerned with rental income potential, borrowers don’t have to prove their own income using W-2s or tax returns, favoring self-employed individuals who may find it difficult to accurately represent their income. This also makes the loan application process much faster and simpler.
- Versatility in Property Types: DSCR loans can be used for a wide range of investments, whether it’s single-family, multi-family homes, short-term or vacation rentals. This allows investors to leverage it for both long-term and short-term markets.
What Makes a Great DSCR Lender for Florida Real Estate Investors?
Although DSCR loans are already highly effective investment loans, choosing the right lender is crucial in getting the most out of this particular loan type. The best DSCR lenders in Florida tend to share the following characteristics:
- Expertise in Florida’s Market: Florida’s real estate market is diverse and dynamic, with bustling urban centers such as Miami, world-famous vacation spots like Orlando, and emerging inland markets in Ocala and Lakeland. A great DSCR lender, like Defy, possesses deep knowledge of these local investment hotspots, as well as zoning laws, rental regulations, and market trends.
- Flexible Underwriting: Good DSCR lenders employ underwriting policies that accommodate various unique financial profiles, ensuring investor success regardless of their circumstances. Defy, for example, approves DSCR loans for properties with as low as 0.75 starting DSCR, allowing properties that need time to get up to full profitability to qualify.
- Efficient Processing: In investment transactions, opportunity windows can close fast. A streamlined application and approval process can be your competitive edge to capitalize on time-sensitive deals. The best lenders employ powerful tech solutions and efficient workflows to reduce the typical bottlenecks associated with traditional lending, allowing lenders to seize opportunities with speed and confidence.
- Investor-Centric Programs: Lenders that focus more on serving investors are most likely to provide investment loans, such as DSCR loans, with better terms that align more closely with your goals and your rental property’s income potential. Offerings such as cash-out refinancing, interest-only terms, and support for both short-term and long-term rentals are good signs that an investor is well-versed in working with investors.
Top DSCR Lenders in Florida for 2025
1. Defy Mortgage
Defy Mortgage revolutionizes the mortgage space with innovative, fully customizable solutions for non-traditional borrowers. These tailored mortgage programs are made even more effective by our team of mortgage experts who specialize in assisting investors with their real estate ventures and ensuring that their mortgage experience aligns perfectly with their goals.
Why Investors Like Them:
- Unbeatable selection: With 75+ non-traditional loan options, Defy is best equipped to address a wide variety of lending scenarios, from self-employed professionals who want to step into the world of real estate to seasoned investors looking to quickly expand their portfolios.
- Fast, reliable pre-approvals: At Defy, you can get pre-approved in as few as 48 hours, giving you the upper hand in bidding wars.
- Dedicated, personalized support: Our experts will be with you throughout the mortgage process, ensuring that your experience is as seamless and worry-free as possible.
Key DSCR Loan Features:
- Minimum DSCR: While most lenders look for a minimum DSCR of 1.0-1.25, Defy’s DSCR loans go as low as 0.75 DSCR, enabling properties that need time to get up to their full earning potential to qualify.
- Max LTV: Defy’s maximum LTV is 85% of the property’s purchase price, 5% above industry standard. This lets eligible borrowers whose chosen properties have sufficient DSCR enjoy a minimum down payment of as low as 15%.
- Eligible Property Types: At Defy, we focus on single-family homes, multi-family homes, and short-term rentals (STRs).
- Loan Amount Limits: Starts at $100,000, with no maximum loan amount.
Florida Investor Fit: Defy’s team of mortgage experts possesses a collective 100 years of industry experience in the country’s premier real estate markets, including Florida. With in-depth familiarity with these various markets, we’re able to provide highly personalized support to ensure your long-term success.
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2. Constitution Lending
Constitution is a real estate credit fund that primarily serves seasoned real estate investors, particularly those that focus on the BRRRR (Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat) strategy. Their preference for investors with extensive experience has garnered them a loyal customer base– Constitution reports that 88% of their clients have been with them for over 3 years, indicating strong, long-term satisfaction and trust in their approach.
Why Investors Like Them:
- Non-performing loan expertise: Constitution’s experience in non-performing loans makes them keenly aware of the key factors that can turn undervalued prospects into lucrative opportunities.
- Partnership with investors: Constitution aligns themselves with the interests of their clients, providing them opportunities that they know that both parties will profit from.
Key DSCR Loan Features:
- Minimum DSCR: Starts at 0.75.
- Max LTV: Up to 80%.
- Eligible Property Types: Single-family homes and multi-family homes up to 8 units.
- Loan Amount Limits: $150,000-$3 million.
Florida Investor Fit: With their focus on BRRRR investments, Constitution Lending is a great option for experienced investors looking to quickly scale their portfolios. However, if you’re a new investor looking to try BRRRR, Defy offers DSCR cash-out refinances at highly competitive interest rates to help you handle the refinance phase of your strategy with ease.
3. Angel Oak
Claiming a spot on our list of the Top 15 DSCR Lenders of 2025, Angel Oak is a Georgia-based non-QM lender that offers various DSCR options through third-party brokers. As a wholesale lender, they do not directly interface with borrowers, and thus your experience with them and the rates you are offered can vary depending on which brokerage you choose.
Why Investors Like Them:
- Non-QM loan focus: Like Defy, Angel Oak focuses on non-QM loans, which are designed to fit the unique financial profiles of self-employed borrowers and investors.
- Shorter seasoning requirements: For certain mortgages, Angel Oak imposes a shorter wait period for borrowers who have recently had a negative credit event, such as a foreclosure or bankruptcy.
Key DSCR Loan Features:
- Minimum DSCR: <1.0.
- Max LTV: Starts at 75% for those with minimum 680 FICO, but can go up to 85% for those with 720+ FICO.
- Eligible Property Types: Single-family, multi-family, and STR, including non-warrantable condos and condotels.
- Loan Amount Limits: $100,000 – $3 million.
Florida Investor Fit: Angel Oak’s wide range of non-QM offerings can be ideal for Florida investors seeking flexible terms. Also, being headquartered in Georgia, right next door to Florida, they are able to communicate with and support Florida investors more efficiently.
4. Easy Street Capital
A private lender offering DSCR loans for various property types in the form of their EasyRent loan program, including multifamily homes and rural, vacation, and seasonal STRs.
Why Investors Like Them:
- Wide availability: EasyStreet Capital serves all states except for North Dakota and South Dakota.
- Supports various property types: EasyStreet allows DSCR loans for various types of STRs, including condo hotels, and multifamily rentals up to 10 units.
Key DSCR Loan Features:
- Minimum DSCR: No minimum DSCR.
- Max LTV: Up to 80%.
- Eligible Property Types: Residential properties, short-term rentals, and vacation rentals up to 10 units.
- Loan Amount Limits: $75,000 – $3 million.
Florida Investor Fit:
EasyStreet’s extended support for multi-family and short-term rentals makes them more flexible in terms of which opportunities you can capitalize on.
5. Griffin Funding
Based in San Diego, California, Griffin Funding primarily serves veterans, self-employed business owners, and real estate investors with conventional, FHA, USDA loans, as well as investment property loans such as DSCR loans.
Why Investors Like Them:
- Experience working with veterans: Founded as a VA loan provider, Griffin is particularly experienced in working with veterans. This makes them more understanding of and accommodating to the unique needs of former military looking to get started with real estate investment.
- Large loan limit: Their DSCR loans have a generous maximum loan amount of $1 million, unlocking high-value, high-reward investments.
Key DSCR Loan Features:
- Minimum DSCR: Generally 0.75 for borrowers with at least 620 FICO.
- Max LTV: Up to 85% for borrowers with 740+ FICO.
- Eligible Property Types: Single-family residences, condos, townhomes, multifamily properties (unlimited number of units), and rural property.
- Loan Amount Limits: $100,000 – $1 million.
Florida Investor Fit: Being based in San Diego, a city with a highly varied and robust economy, Griffin is well aware of the nuances that come with tapping into the real estate markets of such regions. Some of this experience may translate to the demands of a similarly fast-growing and economically diverse market like Florida, but we are not sure if Griffin is sufficiently well-versed in the nuances unique to Florida real estate.
6. The Mortgage Shop
Describing themselves as a “white-glove service” mortgage brokerage, the Mortgage Shop is a DSCR-focused company based in Tennessee but is highly active all along the East Coast.
Why Investors Like Them:
- Deep expertise in Airbnb and VRBO loan scenarios: The Mortgage Shop primarily advertises loans for vacation homes and short-term rentals, prioritizing DSCR loans for Airbnb and VRBO rental scenarios.
- Education-first approach: When working with new investors, the Mortgage Shop emphasizes education to ensure that they possess all the knowledge they need to manage their real estate venture.
Key DSCR Loan Features:
- Minimum DSCR: 1.0 for a minimum FICO score of 680, but can be as low as 0.0 with a FICO score of 700+, but with max 75% LTV.
- Max LTV: Up to 80% for properties with DSCRs above 1.0.
- Eligible Property Types: Not stated, likely residential real estate up to 4 units and short-term rentals.
- Loan Amount Limits: Not stated.
Florida Investor Fit: The Mortgage Shop’s proximity to Florida and history of working with Florida investors give them a familiarity with the intricacies of the state’s markets. Their expertise in STRs in particular makes them well-suited for investment scenarios in parts of Florida with particularly high-occupancy vacation rental seasons, such as Fort Walton Beach and other parts of the Florida Panhandle.
7. Visio Lending
Based in Austin, Texas, Visio Lending specializes in rental investors. Founded by a former JP Morgan executive, Visio combines the expertise of major banks with the more personal approach of direct-to-consumer lenders.
Why Investors Like Them:
- Investment loan specialization: With their primary focus being on rental investment loans such as DSCR loans, Visio Lending is able to dedicate more of their resources to improving the DSCR loan process.
- Exceptional customer service: Visio Lending is often praised for their professionalism, responsiveness, and streamlined process. Several client testimonies mention that they’re repeat borrowers as well.
Key DSCR Loan Features::
- Minimum DSCR: 1.2.
- Max LTV: 70-80%.
- Eligible Property Types: Residential rentals of up to 4 units and vacation rentals.
- Loan Amount Limits: Minimum $75,000.
Florida Investor Fit: Visio has familiarity with investment loans and a nationwide banking background. While they seem equipped to navigate complex market conditions, we are not sure if they have direct experience with Florida’s diverse investment market.
8. Stratton Equities
Stratton Equities is a nationwide direct private money and non-QM mortgage lender based in Pine Brook, New Jersey. They specialize in asset-based lending solutions tailored for real estate investors, particularly those who are self-employed or have unconventional income sources.
Why Investors Like Them:
- Diverse Property Eligibility: Unlike many other lenders who restrict their DSCR loans to select property types, Stratton Equities approves financing for fully commercial properties such as office and retail space.
- Nationwide Lending: Stratton Equities provides financing options across the United States, catering to a broad range of real estate markets and investment strategies.
Key DSCR Loan Features:
- Minimum DSCR: Not stated, but is presumably at least 1.0.
- Maximum LTV: Up to 80%.
- Eligible Property Types: Single-family and multi-family homes, condos, townhomes, and mixed-use or commercial properties such as office, retail, industrial and warehouse.
- Loan Amount Limits: $100,000 to $5 million.
Florida Investor Fit: Stratton Equities has access to financing for a wide range of property types including commercial real estate. This allows borrowers to capitalize on more diverse opportunities in the Florida market such as warehouses in the booming distribution centers of Northeast Florida or Class A office spaces in the Orlando Central Business District.
Florida DSCR Loan FAQ
How does a DSCR loan work in Florida?
A DSCR loan (Debt-Service Coverage Ratio loan) is a type of real estate investment loan that focuses on the cash flow of the property rather than your personal income. DSCR loans’ qualification and loan terms are based on the property’s DSCR, which refers to the ratio between the rental income of a property after expenses and its total debt service (TDS).
While Florida DSCR Loan functions similarly to DSCR in other states, Florida’s high-demand rental markets like Miami, Orlando, and Tampa make it easier to meet DSCR requirements due to stronger rental income. Short-term rentals such as Airbnb are commonly financed through DSCR loans in vacation hotspots, though not all lenders allow them. Keep in mind that hurricane insurance and HOA dues can raise your monthly expenses, which may lower your DSCR.
What is the minimum DSCR required to qualify?
Most Florida lenders require that borrowers have a DSCR of at least 1.0, indicating that their property breaks even on its net income versus its total debt. However, some may look for a DSCR of at least 1.25, which means that the property must make at least 25% more than what it needs to make all of its debt payments.
Can I use a DSCR loan for Airbnb or VRBO properties?
Absolutely. DSCR loans can be used for both long-term rentals, such as single-family homes as well as short-term rentals like Airbnb or VRBO properties. You can use market rent or AirDNA data to gauge the rental income potential of the properties you’re interested in.
Is personal income or employment history required?
No, DSCR mortgage loans do not require tax returns, W-2s, pay stubs, job history, or any other type of employment verification or proof of income. The most important among DSCR loan requirements is the DSCR ratio, which is the ratio between annual debt and annual rental income after deducting operating expenses. A positive DSCR ratio means positive cash flow, and thus increased lender confidence and better terms.
How long does it take to close a DSCR loan in Florida?
Timelines tend to vary between lenders due to different underwriting processes. At Defy, we can close in as few as 14 days with complete documentation. Factors that can affect the length of time before closing include the complexity of the DSCR calculation and property appraisal.
Key Takeaway
Not all lenders fully grasp the distinct challenges and goals of DSCR financing and how it fits into the wide world of Florida real estate. From tourism-driven short-term rentals to multi-family homes, the right Florida DSCR loan provider should have the experience and know-how to align with your strategy.
Each of the lenders in this list brings a different approach to the table, and has each cultivated a healthy client base that has found success with their methods. But those looking for the utmost flexibility have found, time and again, that Defy’s creative, fully customizable solutions and dedicated success team have been instrumental in helping them achieve long-term profitability no matter how complex the lending scenario.
Are you ready to tap into the potential that Defy‘s loan products can offer? Don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment on our site, call us at (615) 622-1032, or email us at team@defymortgage.com. Our experts are always standing by to answer your questions and help you take the next step on your journey.
