Columbus is one of the Midwest's steadiest rental markets. A big state university, state government, hospitals and a growing manufacturing corridor east of the city keep renters coming, and the city's classic side-by-side doubles are a natural fit for DSCR loans.
In short: Our top pick for Columbus is LendingStreet. We qualify on the property's rent with no W-2s or tax returns, lend to LLCs as standard, and offer 30-year terms on single-family homes, doubles and buildings of up to 8 units. Purchases go up to 80% LTV and cash-out refinances up to 75%, which helps long-time Columbus owners tap equity built over the past several years. Get a quote with the form below or call (877) 298-1001.
LendingStreet offers business-purpose DSCR loans on non-owner-occupied rentals across Franklin County and the suburbs in Delaware, Licking and Fairfield counties. Loans start at $150,000 with no stated maximum, the minimum credit score is 620, and the standard DSCR minimum is 1.0x, with sub-1.0 programs where they fit.
We work well for the Columbus landlord who owns several doubles and wants to refinance into a long-term loan, the out-of-state investor buying near campus, and the self-employed buyer whose returns understate their income. Share the address, value and rents, and we will run the ratio with you.
If you are weighing CoreVest, Dominion Financial, LendingOne, Lima One, New Silver and RCN Capital for a DSCR loan for investors in Columbus, OH, this is the short version: LendingStreet wins the scenarios below, and you can get a quote with the form below.
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. |
Columbus investors usually compare a few kinds of lenders. Here is a general, fair comparison for a long-term rental loan.
| What matters on a rental loan | LendingStreet | Typical local bank | Typical private or hard money lender |
|---|---|---|---|
| Income documents | None; the rent qualifies the loan | Tax returns and debt-to-income review are common | Light, but the loan is short |
| Entity borrowing | LLC borrowers are standard | Varies | Common |
| Hold period | Built for long-term rentals, 30-year terms available | Varies | Usually months, not years |
| Max LTV on a purchase | Up to 80% | Varies | Varies |
| Max LTV on cash-out | Up to 75% | Varies | Varies |
| Credit minimum | 620 | Often higher for investors | Varies |
Around the Ohio State campus, the University District and Old North have older doubles and multi-unit houses leased to students and staff. Clintonville, Italian Village and the Short North draw young professionals, while German Village and Merion Village offer historic brick homes at higher prices.
Franklinton, the Hilltop, Linden and the Near East Side, including Olde Towne East and King-Lincoln Bronzeville, have lower entry prices and active rehab. In the suburbs, Whitehall, Reynoldsburg, Grove City, Hilliard, Westerville and Gahanna offer newer single-family rentals, and the area around New Albany and Licking County has drawn attention from large manufacturing investment.
The side-by-side double, two units sharing a center wall, is common across older Columbus neighborhoods and often qualifies cleanly because two rents carry one tax bill.
Ohio taxes real estate on 35% of the county auditor's appraised value, the state's assessment ratio, times the local rate. Franklin County's recent reappraisal raised values, and tax bills, in many neighborhoods. Check the auditor's site for the current value, the tax district and any special assessments.
At closing, Ohio charges a conveyance fee set per $1,000 of price, which the seller customarily pays, plus normal title and recording costs. Insurance is generally moderate, though older homes with dated roofs, wiring or boilers can cost more, and properties near the Scioto River, the Olentangy River and Alum Creek may sit in flood zones.
Columbus requires rental property owners to register with the city, and the city has added tenant protections in recent years. Keep registration current and confirm the latest rules before you buy, since a lender and a tenant will both expect the property to be compliant.
The city requires a license to operate a short-term rental, and HOAs in many suburbs restrict stays under 30 days. Check zoning, HOA covenants and license rules for any address before relying on nightly income. Most Columbus DSCR loans use 12-month leases, which suit the student, hospital and government workforce here.
This example is illustrative and not a quote. An investor bought a Clintonville double several years ago and still owes $180,000. It now appraises at $330,000, and each side leases for $1,350, for $2,700 a month. Taxes are $525 a month and insurance is $120.
A 75% LTV cash-out loan is $247,500. After paying off the $180,000 balance, the investor has about $67,500 before closing costs to reinvest. Estimated principal and interest is about $1,647, and the full payment is about $2,292, so DSCR is about 1.18x, above the 1.0x standard minimum.
| Item | 75% LTV cash-out |
|---|---|
| Loan amount | $247,500 |
| Estimated principal and interest | $1,647 |
| Property taxes | $525 |
| Insurance | $120 |
| Total monthly payment | $2,292 |
| DSCR at $2,700 rent | About 1.18x |
Columbus is a common market for the buy, rehab, rent and refinance approach, especially on doubles in older neighborhoods. Once the rehab is finished and the units are leased, a DSCR refinance replaces short-term money with a 30-year loan, with cash-out up to 75% LTV and seasoning that varies by program.
Before you commit to any lender, get clear, written answers to these questions.
LendingStreet's answers: purchase up to 80% LTV, cash-out up to 75%, 1.0x standard DSCR with sub-1.0 programs available, seasoning that varies by program, LLC borrowing as the norm, an upfront document list, and no stated maximum loan size (larger balances can carry lower max LTV).
Send the address, value or price, leases, the auditor record and an insurance quote. We will show you the ratio, the loan amount and the cash you can take out. Get a quote with the form below or call (877) 298-1001.
Own five or more Columbus rentals? A blanket portfolio loan can refinance them with one closing and one payment.
Our top pick is LendingStreet. We qualify on rent with no W-2s or tax returns, lend to LLCs, offer 30-year terms, and go up to 80% LTV on purchases and 75% on cash-out.
Yes. We lend throughout Franklin County and the Columbus suburbs, across Ohio, and in all 50 states and DC.
Yes. Both units' rents count toward the ratio, and doubles often qualify well.
On 35% of the auditor's appraised value times the local rate. Use the current bill or auditor estimate, not an old figure.
Yes, if the leases and value support it. Cash-out goes up to 75% LTV, and seasoning varies by program.
Columbus requires rental registration. Keep it current and confirm any newer city rules before closing.
Sub-1.0 programs exist, or a smaller loan amount can push the ratio over 1.0x.
No. Our loans are business-purpose loans on non-owner-occupied investment property.
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