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How 3 Property Loan Options Can Accelerate Real Estate Investing

Nicole Spector

Sun, September 20, 2026 at 8:00 PM GMT+3 4 min read

Planning on buying an investment property? You may be looking into taking out an investment property loan. This is a loan that is used solely to purchase real estate intended to generate income as an investment. It cannot be used when buying a primary residence.

"These loans often focus more on a borrower's broader financial profile, their cash reserve liquidity, down payment strength and future property performance compared to an owner-occupied mortgage," said Bob McKay, president, CCUE, at Together Credit Union. "The reason is mainly that the lender needs to assess both the applicant and the potential of the investment in question."

How an Investment Property Loan Can Generate Wealth

An investment property loan can make great financial sense in a way that a home mortgage loan can't, because it can operate as a wealth-building tool under the right circumstances.

"An investment property loan makes sense when the property's rental income covers the mortgage payment, taxes, insurance and basic maintenance, and still produces a positive return," Zach Cohen, managing partner at Ridge Street Capital. "Investors who lock in a fixed-rate loan in a rising rent environment benefit from stable debt costs while their income grows over time. The spread between the cost of the loan and the return the property generates is where long-term wealth builds."

There are several types of investment property loans out there, and the key to building wealth here partly depends on the type of investment property loan you take out. MoneyLion spoke with experts to learn about the best investment property loans to help you make money when buying real estate.

1. Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR) Loan

A DSCR loan, according to Jason Jepson, co-founder at IncomeEngine, is the "most scalable and practical solution for acquiring and growing rental property portfolios."

But before you run to take out a DSCR loan, make sure you check off the following list provided by Jepson. If you fail to meet any of this criteria, this probably isn't the ideal loan for you:

• Your investment property generates strong rental income

• You want to scale beyond one or two investment properties

• Your income doesn't fully reflect your financial strength

• You want to move quickly without heavy documentation

DSCR loans enable wealth building by enabling scalability. In other words, they help open the door to buying additional investment properties.

"By focusing on the income the property produces, investors can continue acquiring assets without being limited by personal income or traditional underwriting rules," Jepson said.

For many investors, a DSCR loan is the best type because of how relatively lax it is.

"There's no balloon payment, meaning there's no date five years in the future where the whole balance of the loan is due," said Michael Perna, realtor and founder of The Perna Team. "It only takes a 640 or better credit score to qualify for — and that's the only qualification on the borrower's side. And you can have as many as you want."

2. Conventional Investment Property Loans

What makes conventional investment property loans attractive are their interest rates, which are lower than interest rates attached to other types of loans in this arena. However, unlike with a DSCR loan, your personal financial standing is critical to your qualification for a conventional investment property loan. You need strong W-2 income and a debt-to-income ratio below 45%, according to sites like Rize Mortgage.

You build wealth with this type of loan by saving money on interest.

"The lowest cost of capital means more cash flow per property held long-term," Cohen said. "A 1% rate advantage compounds meaningfully across a multi-property portfolio over a 10-year hold."

3. A Combination of Two Loans

You can also combine a hard money loan (a short-term loan secured by the property) with a long-term DSCR loan.

"A common investor strategy is the purposeful pairing of two loans." Cody Schuiteboer, president and CEO at Best Interest Financial. "The purchase and renovation of a property can be financed with a hard money loan, and once the property is rented and stabilized, the hard money loan can be refinanced into a long-term DSCR loan."

Editor's note: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Always consider your individual circumstances and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions.

This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.

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