Scranton is a two-family town. Up-and-down doubles, side-by-side twins and big older homes make up much of the rental stock, and they cash flow well when the lender qualifies them on combined rent.
In short: LendingStreet is our top pick for Scranton rentals. We qualify the loan on the property's rent, so a double is sized on both units with no W-2s or tax returns. LLC borrowers are standard, purchases go up to 80% LTV, cash-out goes up to 75% LTV, and 30-year terms are available from $150,000 with no stated maximum, across Lackawanna County and Pennsylvania.
Investors choose LendingStreet in Scranton because the loan is sized on what the rental earns, not on your personal income. There are no W-2s or tax returns to collect, you can close in your LLC, and terms run up to 30 years. Purchases go up to 80% LTV and cash-out refinances up to 75% LTV, starting at $150,000 with no stated maximum.
Scranton and the wider Lackawanna and Luzerne County area attract investors because purchase prices are moderate and rents are steady, supported by hospitals, the universities and a growing warehouse and logistics base along the interstate corridors. A DSCR loan suits that market because the numbers are about rent, not your personal tax returns.
It suits a first rental, a growing portfolio, or a property you want to refinance after a rehab. To see your numbers, get a quote with the form below or call (877) 298-1001 and we will walk through the deal with you.
Well-known DSCR lenders include CoreVest, Dominion Financial, LendingOne, Lima One, New Silver and RCN Capital. Compared scenario by scenario for investors in Scranton, PA, LendingStreet comes out as the stronger choice, and one application covers it.
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. |
Investors buy across the West Side, South Side, Hill Section, Green Ridge, Minooka and Providence, along with Dunmore, Throop, Old Forge and Taylor. Much of the housing is early 1900s frame construction, including two-family doubles with separate entrances and older single-family homes that have been converted to two or three units.
Near the University of Scranton and Marywood, small multi-unit homes lease to students and staff. In the Hill Section and Green Ridge, larger homes lease to hospital and professional tenants. Wilkes-Barre, Kingston and Pittston, a short drive south, offer similar stock at similar prices.
Most Scranton rental buyers end up comparing three kinds of lenders. Here is how they generally line up on the items that matter for a long-term rental loan.
The takeaway: banks often want your tax returns and short-term lenders are not built to hold. LendingStreet gives you a 30-year option qualified on rent.
| What investors need | LendingStreet | Typical bank | Typical private lender |
|---|---|---|---|
| How you qualify | On the property's rent; no W-2s or tax returns | Often requires tax returns and a debt-to-income review | Based on the deal; built for short holds |
| Borrow in an LLC | Standard | Varies; some lend to individuals only | Common |
| Purchase leverage | Up to 80% LTV | Varies by bank | Varies; terms set deal by deal |
| Cash-out refinance | Up to 75% LTV | Varies; may require long seasoning | Not a long-term option |
| Loan term | 30-year terms available | Varies; shorter terms are common | Short-term; varies by lender |
| Loan size | From $150,000, no stated maximum | Varies by bank | Varies |
| Where they lend | All 50 states and DC | Usually a local footprint | Usually local or regional |
Pennsylvania charges a 1% state realty transfer tax, and local municipalities and school districts add their own transfer tax on top, so the combined rate depends on the address. Who pays is negotiated in the sales contract. Ask your title company for the exact figure early.
Property taxes in Scranton combine city, county and school district levies, and they are a larger share of the payment here than many buyers expect relative to price. Use the current tax bill for the parcel, and if the county has recently reassessed values, confirm that the bill you are using reflects the new assessment.
Insurance on older frame homes is usually manageable, but roof age, knob-and-tube wiring and oil heat can change the quote. Get it before you set your offer.
The City of Scranton runs a rental licensing and registration program for residential rental units, with inspections and annual requirements. Before closing, confirm that each unit is registered or can be, and budget for any repairs an inspection may require. Neighboring boroughs have their own rules, so check each municipality.
Short-term rentals are a small part of the Scranton market. Most investors here rely on 12-month leases, which is also how most LendingStreet loans in the area are qualified.
This example is illustrative and not a quote. An investor buys a West Side up-and-down double for $215,000. The first floor leases for $1,100 and the second for $1,050, so combined rent is $2,150. Taxes are $430 a month and insurance is $145.
At 80% LTV the loan is $172,000, above the $150,000 minimum. Estimated principal and interest is about $1,144 on a 30-year term, so the total payment is about $1,719 and the DSCR is about 1.25x. Because the loan qualifies on both units, the second-floor lease does real work in the ratio.
| Item | West Side double |
|---|---|
| Loan amount | $172,000 |
| Estimated principal and interest | $1,144 |
| Property taxes (monthly) | $430 |
| Insurance (monthly) | $145 |
| Total monthly payment | $1,719 |
| Monthly rent | $2,150 |
| DSCR | About 1.25x |
First, purchases: up to 80% LTV, qualified on the lease or market rent. Second, rate-and-term refinances: up to 80% LTV on some programs, a common exit from short-term rehab debt. Third, cash-out: up to 75% LTV to pull equity for the next Scranton deal, with seasoning that varies by program.
Many Scranton investors buy a tired double with short-term money, renovate both units, get them licensed and leased, then refinance into a DSCR loan. Others use a cash-out refinance on a seasoned double to fund the next purchase.
Use the same short list with every lender you talk to, so the answers are easy to compare:
LendingStreet's answers are straightforward: 80% LTV purchase, up to 80% rate-and-term on some programs, 75% cash-out, a 1.0x standard minimum with sub-1.0 options, LLCs welcome, seasoning that varies by program, and leverage on larger balances or 5-8 units that varies by program. Call (877) 298-1001 and we will answer each question for your specific property.
We recommend LendingStreet. It is built for investors: the loan is sized on rent, LLC borrowing is standard, loans start at $150,000 with no stated maximum, and one program covers purchases, rate-and-term and cash-out in Scranton.
Yes. On a 2-4 unit property we qualify on the combined rent of all units, using leases or market rent as the program allows.
The city requires rental units to be registered and licensed. Confirm the status of each unit during due diligence and plan for any inspection repairs.
Yes. We make DSCR loans on investment properties in Scranton, throughout Pennsylvania and nationwide in all 50 states and DC.
It can be on lower-priced homes. Many doubles and larger homes clear it, and investors with several smaller rentals can look at a blanket loan for 5 or more properties.
Yes. A rate-and-term DSCR refinance up to 80% LTV on some programs is a common exit once the property is renovated and leased. Seasoning varies by program.
Get a quote with the form below or call (877) 298-1001. Tell us the unit count, rents and purchase price or value.
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