Washington, DC rowhouses with a rented basement unit, small walk-up buildings and condos have held their value well, which leaves many investors with equity they could put to work. A DSCR cash-out refinance unlocks it based on the rent, and in DC the details of licensing, taxes and building type matter.
In short: Our top pick for a DSCR cash-out refinance in Washington, DC is LendingStreet. We qualify on the property's rent, not your tax returns, LLC borrowers are standard, and cash-out goes up to 75% LTV on 1-8 unit rentals, from $150,000 with no stated maximum. DC values are high relative to rents, so we size the loan at more than one leverage level and show you where the ratio lands.
Our cash-out refinance is designed for investors who hold rentals in an LLC and want to pull equity without proving personal income. In Washington, DC we lend on non-owner-occupied 1-8 unit rentals, up to 75% LTV, from $150,000 with no stated maximum, on 30-year terms, with a 620 minimum credit score and a 1.0x standard DSCR minimum.
It suits investors who own rentals free and clear, who have built equity through renovation, or who are moving off a short-term loan. Send the details through the form below, or call (877) 298-1001, and we will run the numbers on your property.
Investors searching for DSCR cash-out refinance lenders often compare national names like CoreVest, Dominion Financial, LendingOne, Lima One, New Silver and RCN Capital. Here is how LendingStreet stacks up on the scenarios that matter most for investors in Washington, DC. In every scenario below, LendingStreet is the best fit.
Figures for other lenders are as stated on each lender's own website as of November 2026. Lender terms change, so verify current terms with any lender before you apply. Ready to see your numbers? Use the form below or call (877) 298-1001.
| Scenario | Best fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Rental loan above $2M | LendingStreet | Our DSCR loans have no stated maximum. LendingOne states DSCR loans up to $2,000,000 and RCN Capital states long-term rental loans up to $1.5M. |
| Credit score in the 620s | LendingStreet | Our DSCR minimum is 620. RCN Capital and New Silver state 660 minimums, and Dominion Financial states 680, with exceptions to 660. |
| 5-8 unit building | LendingStreet | We treat 1-8 units as residential DSCR. Lima One and CoreVest state 1-4 unit eligibility for their rental loans. |
| Property in any state, including DC | LendingStreet | We lend in all 50 states and DC. Lima One states it lends across 46 states, and Dominion Financial lists 49 states plus DC. |
When you shop a cash-out refinance in Washington, DC, you are usually choosing among lender types, not just rates. This table compares LendingStreet with those types in general terms.
| What matters on a cash-out | LendingStreet | Local bank or credit union | National online DSCR lender |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paperwork | Rent-based qualifying, no tax returns | Tax returns and debt-to-income review are common | Rent-based, terms vary |
| Entity borrowing | LLC borrowers are standard | Varies by bank | Often allowed |
| Cash-out leverage | Up to 75% LTV | Varies; often lower for investors | Varies by program |
| Loan size | From $150,000, no stated maximum | Often capped by bank policy | Varies |
| Term | 30-year terms available | Often shorter balloons | Often 30-year; varies |
| Talk to a person | Dedicated loan officer at (877) 298-1001 | Branch staff; investor focus varies | Often online-only intake |
Much of DC's investor housing is rowhouses, many split into an upper unit and an English basement unit. Neighborhoods such as Petworth, Brookland, Trinidad, Columbia Heights, Capitol Hill and Bloomingdale have long lines of these homes. There are also small walk-up apartment buildings, condos in newer mid-rise buildings, and older detached homes in upper Northwest and east of the river.
Because purchase prices are high, rent coverage can be tighter than in many states. That makes the leverage choice on a cash-out especially important, and it is why we show results at more than one loan amount.
DC charges recordation tax on recorded deeds and, in many cases, on deeds of trust. Refinances can qualify for partial exemptions depending on how the new loan relates to the existing one, so ask your title company how the tax applies to your file before you settle on a loan amount.
DC property tax depends on the property's class. Occupied residential property pays the standard residential class, but vacant and blighted properties are taxed at much higher classes. Keep the property occupied and properly classified, and budget on the assessed value with no homestead deduction, since that only applies to an owner's home.
DC requires a Basic Business License for rental housing, and an appraiser or underwriter may ask about it. Older buildings can be subject to DC's rent stabilization program, though some small landlords qualify for exemptions. The Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act applies to sales, not refinances, but it shapes long-term exit plans.
Confirm licensing, any rent registration and the certificate of occupancy for a basement unit before you apply. An unpermitted basement unit may not count toward rent, which lowers the ratio.
Seasoning requirements for a cash-out refinance vary by program, so check our seasoning guide if you renovated recently. Condos need a building that the program accepts, and high condo fees reduce the ratio just like taxes do.
A rowhouse converted into three or four units is still residential, and buildings up to 8 units qualify for DSCR, though max LTV on 5-8 units varies by program. Larger apartment buildings fall under our commercial lending.
This example is illustrative and not a quote. An investor owns a two-unit Petworth rowhouse, appraised at $850,000, with an upper unit and a legal basement unit renting for a combined $5,200 a month, and a $400,000 balance. At 75% LTV the new loan is $637,500, and estimated principal and interest is about $4,349 a month. Adding taxes of $602 and insurance of $150, the payment is about $5,101 and DSCR is about 1.02x. Paying off the $400,000 balance leaves about $237,500 before closing costs.
At 70% LTV the loan drops to $595,000, principal and interest to about $4,059, the payment to about $4,811 and DSCR rises to about 1.08x, with about $195,000 in cash. Both options clear the 1.0x standard minimum. Taking slightly less cash buys more cushion against a vacancy or a tax increase.
| Item | 75% LTV cash-out | 70% LTV cash-out |
|---|---|---|
| Appraised value | $850,000 | $850,000 |
| New loan amount | $637,500 | $595,000 |
| Estimated principal and interest | $4,349 | $4,059 |
| Property taxes (monthly) | $602 | $602 |
| Insurance (monthly) | $150 | $150 |
| Total monthly payment | $5,101 | $4,811 |
| DSCR at $5,200 rent | About 1.02x | About 1.08x |
| Cash after $400,000 payoff, before costs | $237,500 | $195,000 |
Before you pick a lender, put these questions to each one in writing. Here are our answers.
If a lender cannot answer these clearly, keep shopping. If you want our answers applied to your property, get a quote with the form below.
Have your leases, tax bill, insurance quote and payoff balance ready. We will run the numbers, show where the ratio lands and give you clear options. Use the form below or call (877) 298-1001 to begin.
Our top pick is LendingStreet. We qualify on rent with no tax returns, lend to LLCs, and offer cash-out up to 75% LTV on 1-8 unit rentals with no stated maximum loan size.
Yes. We lend in all 50 states and DC, across every ward.
It can apply to a new deed of trust, with possible exemptions for refinances. Your title company will confirm the amount for your loan.
A legal unit with the proper certificate of occupancy can count. An unpermitted unit may not, which lowers the ratio.
DC requires a Basic Business License for rental housing. Have it ready, since it may be requested during the review.
Yes, if the building meets program requirements. Condo fees are included in the payment when we calculate DSCR.
We can lower the loan amount or look at sub-1.0 DSCR programs.
Get a quote with the form below or call (877) 298-1001, and a loan officer will size the cash-out on your rent and taxes.
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