From Louisville shotgun houses to Lexington student rentals and Northern Kentucky duplexes, Kentucky investors often hold properties that have quietly gained value. A DSCR cash-out refinance can turn that value into working capital.
In short: LendingStreet is our top pick for a Kentucky DSCR cash-out refinance. We size the loan on the rental's income and value, with no W-2s or tax returns, and offer cash-out up to 75% LTV with 30-year terms available. LLC borrowers are standard and loans start at $150,000 with no stated maximum. We lend across Kentucky, including Louisville, Lexington, Northern Kentucky, Bowling Green and Elizabethtown.
LendingStreet makes business-purpose DSCR cash-out loans on 1 to 8 unit Kentucky rentals. Instead of debt-to-income ratios, we look at whether the rent covers the new payment, which keeps the process focused on the property.
It suits landlords with paid-off or low-balance rentals, investors refinancing out of short-term debt, and LLC owners who want a long-term loan sized on rent. Start with the form below or call (877) 298-1001 to talk through a 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 Kentucky. 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. |
The table below compares LendingStreet with the typical Kentucky bank and the typical hard money lender on the questions that matter for pulling equity from a rental.
None of this makes other lenders bad; they are built for different jobs. A DSCR cash-out from LendingStreet is built for the specific job of turning rental equity into long-term, rent-qualified financing.
| What investors need | LendingStreet | Typical bank or credit union | Typical hard money lender |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qualify on rent instead of tax returns | Yes, DSCR-based | Usually requires tax returns and debt ratios | Often asset-based; varies |
| Cash-out leverage | Up to 75% LTV | Varies; often conservative on rentals | Varies; usually short-term |
| Borrow in an LLC | Standard | Sometimes, often with extra steps | Common |
| Loan term | 30-year terms available | Often shorter terms or balloons | Usually 6 to 24 months |
| Loan size | From $150,000, no stated maximum | Often capped by local policy | Varies by lender |
| Coverage | All of Kentucky, plus 49 other states and DC | Usually its local market | Usually local or regional |
Louisville has the deepest rental market in the state, with brick single-family homes, shotgun houses and duplexes in neighborhoods such as the Highlands, Germantown, Shively and the South End. Lexington pairs a large university with a healthcare and horse-industry economy.
Northern Kentucky, including Covington, Newport and Florence, functions as part of the Cincinnati metro. Bowling Green has a growing university and manufacturing base, and Elizabethtown and Radcliff draw tenants connected to Fort Knox.
Kentucky taxes real property at its fair cash value, with a state rate plus county, city, school and special district levies. In Jefferson County, many small incorporated cities add their own rates, so two Louisville-area homes a mile apart can carry different bills.
Kentucky's deed transfer tax applies when a property changes hands, not on a refinance that leaves ownership unchanged. Your closing costs are mainly title, appraisal and recording. If you plan to move a property from your name into an LLC, ask your attorney how that deed is handled.
Low-lying parts of Louisville and other river cities sit near the Ohio River, and eastern Kentucky saw severe flash flooding in 2022. Check the FEMA flood map, because required flood insurance belongs in the payment. Western Kentucky was hit by tornadoes in 2021, and wind coverage matters statewide.
Louisville Metro requires landlords to register rental properties, and some older homes still have wiring or heating that insurers question. Have your registration and a current insurance quote ready before the appraisal.
This example is illustrative and not a quote. An investor owns a Louisville duplex in the Highlands appraised at $300,000, with $140,000 left on the existing loan. Each side rents for half of the $2,500 monthly total. Taxes are about $260 a month and insurance is about $150.
At 75% LTV the new loan is $225,000. After the $140,000 payoff and an estimated $5,500 in closing costs, about $79,500 comes back to the investor. Estimated principal and interest is about $1,497, so the full monthly payment is about $1,907 and DSCR is about 1.31x.
At 70% LTV the loan is $210,000, cash back is about $64,500, estimated principal and interest is about $1,397 and DSCR rises to about 1.38x. With Kentucky's moderate tax bills, the 75% option usually clears the minimum comfortably.
| Item | 75% LTV cash-out | 70% LTV cash-out |
|---|---|---|
| New loan amount | $225,000 | $210,000 |
| Existing loan payoff | $140,000 | $140,000 |
| Estimated closing costs | $5,500 | $5,500 |
| Approximate cash back | $79,500 | $64,500 |
| Estimated principal and interest | $1,497 | $1,397 |
| Taxes and insurance | $410 | $410 |
| Total monthly payment | $1,907 | $1,807 |
| DSCR at $2,500 rent | About 1.31x | About 1.38x |
Seasoning varies by program. Some investors can use the current appraised value soon after a renovation, while others need a longer ownership period; see our DSCR cash-out refinance seasoning page before you plan the timing.
After seasoning, LTV and DSCR decide the size of the check. Cash-out goes up to 75% LTV, and the property's rent has to clear the 1.0x standard minimum at the new payment. If the ratio comes in just short, sub-1.0 DSCR programs can sometimes help, and limits on larger balances vary by program.
Use this checklist on every call. A lender built for investors should be able to answer each question clearly and quickly.
And LendingStreet's answers, in order: up to 75% LTV, sometimes less on large balances; 1.0x standard minimum with sub-1.0 options; program-based seasoning; LLCs welcome; an up-front timeline built around appraisal, title and the payoff letter; and a $150,000 minimum with no stated maximum.
Send what you have; the list below is what a full file usually includes. The form below or a call to (877) 298-1001 starts the process.
LendingStreet is our top pick for Kentucky investors: rent-based qualifying, up to 75% LTV cash-out, LLC borrowing and sub-1.0 DSCR options for thinner ratios. Call (877) 298-1001 to start.
Yes. LendingStreet finances investment rentals throughout Kentucky and in all 50 states and DC.
Yes. LLC borrowers are standard on our DSCR programs, and you will typically also sign for the loan personally.
Yes. Louisville Metro requires rental property registration. Keep it current, since the appraiser and insurer may ask about the property's rental status.
No. The transfer tax applies to deeds when a property changes hands. A refinance with the same owner does not trigger it.
Yes, if it is a 1 to 8 unit rental with leases that cover the payment. Bring current leases, including any that renew for the next school year.
If the property is in a mapped flood zone, flood insurance is generally required and counts in the DSCR. Get the quote early.
No. These are business-purpose investor loans on non-owner-occupied property only.
2-3 competing quotes from 30+ capital sources. No credit pull. No commitment.
By clicking, you provide express written consent to be contacted by LendingStreet (NMLS #1734316) via SMS, phone, or email, possibly using automated technology, regarding your loan inquiry. Reply STOP to opt out. Consent is not required to obtain services. See our Privacy Policy and Terms.