Best Investment Property Lenders in 2026: Rental & Multifamily Loans

Financing investment properties requires different lenders than primary residences. Investment property loans have stricter requirements, higher down payments, and higher rates—but the right lender can make the process smooth and get you competitive terms.

Whether you're buying your first rental or your tenth, here are the 10 best investment property lenders in 2026.

What Makes Investment Property Loans Different?

Lenders view investment properties as riskier than primary residences. If you hit financial trouble, you're more likely to default on an investment property than your own home.

Key differences:

• Down payment: 15-25% (vs. 3-5% for primary residences)
• Interest rates: 0.5-1.5% higher
• Credit score: 640-680+ minimum (vs. 620 for conventional)
• Reserves: 6-12 months of mortgage payments required
• Rental income: Many lenders count 75% of projected rent toward qualifying income

Top 10 Investment Property Lenders for 2026

1. LendingOne

Best for: First-time real estate investors

LendingOne offers both fix-and-flip and rental property loans. They're investor-friendly and will work with beginners.

• Loan types: Bridge, fix-and-flip, long-term rental
• Down payment: 20%
• Interest rates: 7.5% - 11.0%
• Credit score: 660 minimum
• Max LTV: 80%
• Loan amounts: $75,000 - $3 million
• Closing time: 10-15 days
• Special feature: Allow first-time investors with mentorship proof

2. Chase Bank

Best for: Conventional investment property loans

Chase offers traditional investment property mortgages with competitive rates if you have strong credit and finances.

• Loan types: Conventional investment mortgages
• Down payment: 15% (1-unit) to 25% (2-4 units)
• Interest rates: 6.75% - 8.50%
• Credit score: 680 minimum (720+ for best rates)
• Max LTV: 85% (1-unit), 75% (2-4 units)
• Loan amounts: Up to $3.5 million (jumbo available)
• Closing time: 30-45 days
• Special feature: Relationship discounts for Chase customers

3. Lima One Capital

Best for: Portfolio investors

Lima One specializes in investors scaling multiple properties. They offer portfolio loans and understand the business.

• Loan types: DSCR, bridge, fix-and-flip, new construction
• Down payment: 20-25%
• Interest rates: 7.0% - 10.0%
• Credit score: 660 minimum
• Max LTV: 80%
• Loan amounts: $75,000 - $5 million
• Portfolio loans: Yes, up to 10 properties
• Special feature: Underwrite based on experience, not just credit

4. Visio Lending

Best for: [DSCR loans](/blog/best-dscr-lenders-2026) (no income verification)

Visio focuses exclusively on DSCR loans, qualifying you based on rental income alone—no tax returns needed.

• Loan types: DSCR long-term rental loans
• Down payment: 20-25%
• Interest rates: 7.25% - 9.5%
• Credit score: 640 minimum
• Max LTV: 80%
• Minimum DSCR: 0.75 (accepts negative cash flow with rate adjustment)
• Loan amounts: $75,000 - $5 million
• Special feature: No cap on number of financed properties

5. Wells Fargo

Best for: Established investors with banking relationships

Wells Fargo offers traditional investment property mortgages and works well with experienced investors who bank with them.

• Loan types: Conventional investment mortgages
• Down payment: 20-25%
• Interest rates: 6.85% - 8.75%
• Credit score: 680 minimum
• Max LTV: 75%
• Loan amounts: Up to conforming limits ($806,500 in 2026, higher in HCOL areas)
• Closing time: 30-45 days
• Special feature: Rate discounts for Wells Fargo customers

6. Kiavi (formerly LendingHome)

Best for: Fix-and-hold investors

Kiavi offers both short-term bridge loans for renovations and long-term rental loans, making them ideal for BRRRR investors.

• Loan types: Bridge, DSCR, fix-and-flip
• Down payment: 20%
• Interest rates: 7.5% - 10.25%
• Credit score: 660 minimum
• Max LTV: 80%
• Loan amounts: $75,000 - $3 million
• Special feature: Transition from bridge to rental loan easily

7. CoreVest Finance

Best for: Small multifamily (5-30 units)

CoreVest specializes in 5-30 unit apartment buildings, which most conventional lenders won't touch.

• Loan types: Multifamily rental loans
• Down payment: 25%
• Interest rates: 6.75% - 9.0%
• Credit score: 680 minimum
• Max LTV: 75%
• Loan amounts: $100,000 - $10 million
• Property types: 5-30 units
• Special feature: Portfolio loan options for multiple properties

8. Rocket Mortgage (Quicken Loans)

Best for: Digital application process

Rocket offers a fully online application for investment property loans and can close faster than traditional banks.

• Loan types: Conventional investment mortgages
• Down payment: 15-25%
• Interest rates: 7.0% - 9.0%
• Credit score: 680 minimum
• Max LTV: 75%
• Loan amounts: Conforming and jumbo
• Closing time: 25-35 days
• Special feature: Fully digital, fast pre-approvals

9. Anchor Loans

Best for: West Coast investors

Anchor is a California-based lender with deep expertise in CA, AZ, NV, and OR markets.

• Loan types: Bridge, DSCR, fix-and-flip, ground-up construction
• Down payment: 20-25%
• Interest rates: 7.25% - 9.5%
• Credit score: 660 minimum
• Max LTV: 80%
• Loan amounts: $100,000 - $7.5 million
• Special feature: Regional expertise and fast West Coast closes

10. RCN Capital

Best for: New construction and ground-up projects

RCN funds ground-up construction and offers rental loan takeouts once the project is complete.

• Loan types: Construction, bridge, DSCR rental
• Down payment: 20-25%
• Interest rates: 7.5% - 10.0%
• Credit score: 680 minimum
• Max LTV: 80%
• Loan amounts: $100,000 - $5 million
• Special feature: [Construction-to-permanent loan](/blog/construction-loan-types) programs

[Investment Property Loan](/blog/dscr-loan-for-single-family) Types

1. Conventional Investment Mortgages

• Offered by banks (Chase, Wells Fargo)
• Require full income documentation
• 15-25% down, 30-year terms
• Best rates if you qualify

2. DSCR Loans (No Income Verification)

• Qualify based on rental income
• No tax returns or W-2s required
• 20-25% down, 30-year terms
• Rates 0.5-2% higher than conventional

3. Portfolio Loans

• [Finance multiple properties](/blog/how-to-finance-multiple-properties) at once
• Custom underwriting by lender
• May have better terms if you're buying 5+ properties

4. Bridge Loans (Short-Term)

• 6-24 month terms
• Fund renovations before refinancing
• Higher rates (8-12%) but [interest-only payments](/blog/heloc-draw-period-vs-repayment)
• Convert to rental loan after rehab

5. Hard Money Loans

• Last resort or very quick closes (3-7 days)
• 10-15% interest rates
• Short-term (6-12 months)
• Based on property value, not creditworthiness

How to Qualify for Investment Property Loans

Minimum Requirements (Most Lenders):

• Credit score: 640-680+ (720+ for best rates)
• Down payment: 15-25%
• Reserves: 6-12 months of PITIA (principal, interest, taxes, insurance, HOA)
• DTI ratio: Below 43% (some lenders will go to 50% with compensating factors)
• Rental income: Lenders typically count 75% of market rent as income
• Experience: Some lenders require 1+ prior investment property

Documents You'll Need:

• 2 years of tax returns
• W-2s or 1099s
• Pay stubs (last 2 months)
• Bank statements (last 2 months)
• Current mortgage statements
• Lease agreements (if property already rented)
• Rental analysis (for projected rental income)

Investment Property Loan Rates (Feb 2026)

• Conventional (15% down): 6.75% - 7.50%
• Conventional (25% down): 6.50% - 7.25%
• DSCR loans: 7.25% - 9.50%
• Portfolio loans: 7.00% - 9.00%
• Bridge loans: 8.00% - 12.00%
• Hard money: 10.00% - 15.00%

Rates vary based on credit score, down payment, reserves, and lender.

Down Payment Requirements by Property Type

• 1-unit (single-family rental): 15-20%
• 2-4 units (small multifamily): 20-25%
• 5+ units (commercial multifamily): 25-30%
• Fix-and-flip (bridge loan): 20-25%
• DSCR loans: 20-25%

How Lenders Calculate Rental Income

Most lenders use one of these methods:

Method 1: Market Rent (For Vacant Properties)

Lender orders an appraisal with rental analysis. They use 75% of the appraiser's projected rent as income.

Example:

• Appraiser estimates rent: $2,500/month
• Lender counts: $1,875/month toward your income

Method 2: Actual Lease (For Occupied Properties)

If you have a signed lease, the lender uses 75% of the actual rent.

Example:

• Current lease: $2,200/month
• Lender counts: $1,650/month

Method 3: [DSCR Calculation](/blog/how-to-calculate-dscr) (DSCR Loans Only)

DSCR lenders divide the rental income by the total debt obligations (mortgage + taxes + insurance + HOA).

Example:

• Rent: $2,500/month
• PITIA: $2,000/month
• DSCR: 1.25 (good, most lenders want 1.0-1.25)

Investment Property vs. Primary Residence Loans

Strategies to Get Better Rates

1. Increase your down payment: 25% down gets better rates than 20%
2. Improve credit score: 740+ unlocks the best pricing
3. Show strong reserves: 12+ months of reserves = better terms
4. Use rental income: If the property cash flows, it strengthens your application
5. Shop multiple lenders: Rates vary by 0.5-1.5% for the same borrower
6. Bundle properties: Portfolio loans may offer better pricing

Common Investment Property Loan Mistakes

1. Not Shopping Around

Rates and terms vary wildly. Always get quotes from at least 3 lenders.

2. Underestimating Costs

Factor in:

• Down payment
• Closing costs (2-5%)
• Reserves (6-12 months)
• Rehab budget (if applicable)
• Vacancy and repairs

3. Overestimating Rental Income

Use conservative estimates. Lenders will verify with an appraisal.

4. Ignoring Cash Flow

A property that loses money every month will drain you. Make sure the rent covers PITIA + 10% for vacancy/repairs.

5. Not Having Enough Reserves

If you don't have 6-12 months of reserves, most lenders will decline you.

BRRRR Strategy (Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat)

Many investors use bridge loans to buy and renovate, then refinance into a long-term rental loan:

1. Buy: Use a bridge loan (20% down, 8-12% rate, 12-month term)
2. Rehab: Fix the property using the loan funds
3. Rent: Get tenants in place
4. Refinance: Convert to a DSCR or conventional loan (6.5-8% rate, 30-year term)
5. Repeat: Pull cash out and buy the next property

Lenders like Kiavi and LendingOne specialize in this strategy.

Final Thoughts

The best investment property lender depends on your situation:

• [First rental property](/blog/first-deal-to-financial-freedom): LendingOne or Rocket Mortgage
• Self-employed or complex income: Visio (DSCR loan)
• Strong credit and income: Chase or Wells Fargo (conventional)
• Multiple properties: Lima One (portfolio loan)
• Fix-and-hold: Kiavi or RCN Capital
• Small multifamily: CoreVest

Shop at least three lenders, compare total costs (not just rates), and make sure the lender understands investors. Many banks don't like investment properties—work with lenders who specialize in them.

The right financing can make or break a deal. Take the time to find the best terms, and you'll set yourself up for long-term success.

Related Articles

• Credit Score Requirements for DSCR Loans
• Credit Score Requirements for DSCR Loans
• [[DSCR Loan Down Payment](/blog/dscr-loan-down-payment-requirements): How Much Do You Really Need?](/blog/dscr-loan-down-payment-requirements)