Austin has changed for investors. Prices cooled from their peak, a wave of new apartments kept rents in check, and the city rewrote both its housing and short-term rental rules. The rentals that work today are bought on realistic rent and realistic Texas taxes.
In short: Our top pick for Austin is LendingStreet. We qualify on rent with no W-2s or tax returns, so founders and self-employed buyers can qualify, and LLC borrowers are standard. Purchases go up to 80% LTV, cash-out up to 75%, loans start at $150,000 with no stated maximum, and 30-year terms are available on 1-8 unit rentals, including duplexes and new multi-unit lots. Get a quote with the form below or call (877) 298-1001.
LendingStreet finances business-purpose DSCR loans on non-owner-occupied rentals across Travis, Williamson and Hays counties. We lend on single-family homes, duplexes, fourplexes and small buildings of up to 8 units, with a 620 minimum credit score and a standard 1.0x minimum DSCR. Sub-1.0 programs exist for tight Austin ratios.
Our loans fit tech workers and founders with irregular income, investors adding units under Austin's newer lot rules, and owners refinancing a rental bought before the run-up. Tell us the address, value and rent, and we will test the loan at a few amounts.
Investors searching for DSCR 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 Austin, TX. 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. |
Austin buyers often weigh several lender types. Here is a general comparison on the questions that matter for a long-term rental loan.
| What investors need | LendingStreet | Typical bank or credit union | Typical hard money lender |
|---|---|---|---|
| How you qualify | On the property's rent; no W-2s or tax returns | Often requires tax returns and personal income | Usually based on the property and the exit |
| Borrow in an LLC | Standard | Varies; often prefers personal names | Common |
| Loan term | 30-year terms available | Varies; often shorter terms | Usually short-term only |
| Purchase leverage | Up to 80% LTV | Varies | Varies; built for short holds |
| Cash-out refinance | Up to 75% LTV | Varies; may limit investors | Rarely a long-term option |
| Loan size | From $150,000, no stated maximum | Varies by bank | Varies |
East Austin, including Holly, Govalle and the blocks near MLK, has older bungalows and newer infill duplexes. North of downtown, Hyde Park, North Loop and Crestview offer older homes near the university and the North Burnet employment corridor, while Mueller has newer homes and townhomes with HOA rules.
Many investors buy in the suburbs, where prices are lower and homes are newer: Round Rock, Pflugerville, Cedar Park, Leander, Georgetown, Hutto and Manor to the north and east, and Kyle, Buda and San Marcos to the south.
The city's HOME rules now allow up to three homes on many single-family lots and smaller minimum lot sizes, which has opened room for small multi-unit rentals. Confirm what a lot allows with the city before you plan around it.
Texas has no state income tax and relies on property taxes, so combined rates are high. Investors get no homestead exemption, and many suburban subdivisions add a municipal utility district (MUD) or public improvement district tax on top. Pull the appraisal district record for Travis, Williamson or Hays County, list every taxing unit and budget at the full rate.
Hail is common, the western hills carry wildfire risk, and creeks such as Onion Creek and Shoal Creek can flood. Ask for the wind and hail deductible, check the FEMA flood map, and include the real premium in your ratio. Texas has no state transfer tax on the sale.
In 2025 Austin rewrote its short-term rental rules. Rentals under 30 days are allowed as an accessory use in residential districts only with a valid city operating license, licenses now run two years, and caps limit how many units can operate on single-family, multifamily and mixed-use sites. Booking platforms now collect hotel occupancy tax and must remove unlicensed listings when the city asks.
Confirm the license and the cap for a specific address, and check HOA covenants, before you count on nightly income. Most Austin DSCR loans are underwritten on 12-month leases.
This example is illustrative and not a quote. An investor buys an East Austin duplex for $600,000. Each side leases for $2,200, for $4,400 a month. With no homestead exemption, taxes are budgeted at $1,000 a month, and insurance is $200 a month.
At 75% LTV the loan is $450,000; estimated principal and interest is about $2,994 and the full payment about $4,194, for a DSCR near 1.05x. At 70% LTV the loan is $420,000, the payment about $3,994, and DSCR about 1.10x. The tax line is the second-largest cost, which is why the realistic bill matters so much in Austin.
| Item | 75% LTV | 70% LTV |
|---|---|---|
| Loan amount | $450,000 | $420,000 |
| Estimated principal and interest | $2,994 | $2,794 |
| Property taxes | $1,000 | $1,000 |
| Insurance | $200 | $200 |
| Total monthly payment | $4,194 | $3,994 |
| DSCR at $4,400 rent | About 1.05x | About 1.10x |
With prices off their peak, some Austin investors are buying again, while others who bought before 2020 hold substantial equity. A cash-out refinance goes up to 75% LTV and a purchase up to 80%, both qualified on rent. Owners who built new units on a lot can refinance once the units are complete, legal and leased.
Ask every lender on your list the same six questions, then compare the answers side by side.
Here is how LendingStreet answers: up to 80% LTV on purchases and up to 75% on cash-out, a 1.0x standard minimum with sub-1.0 programs, cash-out seasoning that varies by program, LLC borrowers as standard, a clear document list at the start, and loans from $150,000 with no stated maximum, where max LTV can be lower on larger balances.
Send the address, price or value, leases or rent estimate, appraisal district record and insurance quote. We will run the ratio at a few loan amounts and lay out the trade-offs. Call (877) 298-1001 or get a quote with the form below.
If you own five or more Austin-area rentals, ask about a blanket portfolio loan with one closing and one payment.
LendingStreet is our top pick for Austin. We qualify on rent with no W-2s or tax returns, lend to LLCs, go up to 80% LTV on purchases and 75% on cash-out, and offer 30-year terms and sub-1.0 programs.
Yes. We lend across Travis, Williamson and Hays counties, throughout Texas, and in all 50 states and DC.
Yes. We do not use W-2s or tax returns; the property's rent qualifies the loan.
Yes, once the units are complete and legal. Residential DSCR loans cover 1 to 8 units, and each unit's rent counts.
Yes. Stays under 30 days need a city operating license, and caps limit units per site. Confirm the license before relying on nightly income.
A municipal utility district funds infrastructure in many suburban subdivisions. Its tax is part of your property tax bill, so it counts in the payment.
Yes, if the current value and rent support it. Rate-and-term goes up to 80% LTV on some programs and cash-out up to 75%.
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.