St. Louis rewards investors who like brick. Two-family flats, four-family buildings and solid older single-family homes make up much of the rental market, and many of them pencil at prices that would be hard to find in larger metros.
In short: Our top pick for DSCR loans in St. Louis is LendingStreet. We size the loan on the property's rent with no W-2s or tax returns, lend to LLCs as standard and offer 30-year terms. Purchases go up to 80% LTV and cash-out refinances up to 75%. Because we finance 1 to 8 units, the city's classic two-family and four-family flats fit our program, from $150,000 with no stated maximum.
We built our DSCR program around how investors actually buy. The loan is sized on the rent the property earns, with no W-2s or tax returns, and you can close in your LLC. Balances start at $150,000 with no stated maximum, and 30-year terms are available.
It fits investors buying flats on the South Side, landlords refinancing renovated buildings in the city or St. Louis County, and owners who want to pull equity from rentals they already hold. We lend on both sides of the city-county line and throughout Missouri.
To see your numbers, get a quote with the form below or call (877) 298-1001. Send the address, price and rent and we will run the ratio 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 St. Louis, MO, 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. |
When St. Louis investors shop a rental loan, the choices tend to be a local bank or credit union, a hard money lender, a national online DSCR lender or a private individual. They solve different problems, and terms vary a lot. This table compares them on what matters for a long-term hold.
A local bank may know your street, and a hard money lender can be useful for a quick rehab. For the long hold, the combination of rent-based qualifying, LLC borrowing and 30-year terms is why investors choose LendingStreet.
| What investors need | LendingStreet | Typical bank or credit union | Typical hard money lender |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qualify without tax returns | Yes, on the property's rent | Often requires tax returns and W-2s | Usually focuses on the deal |
| Long-term financing | 30-year terms available | Varies; investment loans may be shorter | Usually short-term only |
| Borrow in an LLC | Standard | Varies by bank | Common |
| Purchase leverage | Up to 80% LTV | Varies | Varies |
| Cash-out on a rental | Up to 75% LTV | Varies; may cap financed properties | Not built for long-term holds |
| Where they lend | All 50 states and DC | Usually a local footprint | Usually local or regional |
| Loan size | From $150,000, no stated maximum | Varies | Varies |
The City of St. Louis is separate from St. Louis County, and that split shapes how investors work. In the city, South Side neighborhoods like Tower Grove South, Bevo Mill, Southampton, Dutchtown and Benton Park are full of brick two-family and four-family flats built in the early 1900s. The Central West End, Soulard, Lafayette Square and The Hill rent at higher levels and often carry higher prices.
In the county, inner-ring suburbs like Maplewood, Webster Groves, Kirkwood, University City and Florissant offer single-family rentals with strong tenant demand. Each municipality runs its own permits and inspections, which matters as much as price. Brick holds up well, but old roofs, tuckpointing, sewer laterals and boilers are common repair items.
Missouri assesses residential property at 19% of market value and reassesses in odd-numbered years, so a bill can move after a reassessment even if nothing changed at the property. Tax rates differ between the city and the many county municipalities and school districts, so pull the actual bill for the address.
Missouri does not charge a state real estate transfer tax, which helps closing costs compared with many states. Recording fees, title and lender costs still apply. Insurance on older brick buildings varies with roof age, wiring and plumbing, and severe storms and hail are part of the regional picture. Confirm both with local sources before you set your offer.
Many St. Louis County municipalities require an occupancy permit or inspection when a property sells or a new tenant moves in, and fees and timing vary by town. The City of St. Louis has its own inspection and permit rules. Build that time into your rehab and lease-up schedule, and confirm requirements with the city or municipality.
Short-term rentals are regulated locally as well, so most investors here qualify on long-term leases. Missouri's landlord-tenant law sets the basic rules on deposits and notices. Check local requirements before you buy.
This example is illustrative and not a quote. An investor buys a brick two-family flat in Tower Grove South for $260,000. The units rent for $1,200 and $1,150, so total rent is $2,350 a month. Taxes are budgeted at $310 a month and insurance on the older building at $165.
At 80% LTV the loan is $208,000, estimated principal and interest is about $1,401 and the total payment is about $1,876. DSCR is about 1.25x. At 75% LTV the loan is $195,000 and DSCR improves to about 1.31x, which leaves more room if a vacancy or tax change hits.
| Item | 80% LTV | 75% LTV |
|---|---|---|
| Loan amount | $208,000 | $195,000 |
| Estimated principal and interest | $1,401 | $1,314 |
| Property taxes | $310 | $310 |
| Insurance | $165 | $165 |
| Total monthly payment | $1,876 | $1,789 |
| DSCR | About 1.25x | About 1.31x |
Because prices are moderate, many St. Louis investors build portfolios of several flats. Cash-out refinancing up to 75% LTV lets you recover capital from a stabilized building and put it toward the next one, while the rent carries the new payment. Seasoning varies by program.
Once you own five or more rentals, a blanket portfolio loan can put them under one loan with one payment and release provisions when a property sells. Get a quote with the form below to compare that with separate loans.
Ask every lender the same questions so you can compare answers side by side. These are the ones that matter most on a rental.
LendingStreet's answers are straightforward: up to 80% LTV on a purchase, up to 75% on cash-out, a 1.0x standard minimum DSCR with sub-1.0 options, seasoning that varies by program, and LLC borrowing as standard. We set the closing timeline with you when we quote. There is no stated maximum loan size, though larger balances get more review and leverage there varies by program.
Our top pick is LendingStreet. We qualify on rent instead of tax returns, lend to LLCs, offer 30-year terms and finance the two-family and four-family flats that make up much of the St. Louis market, up to 80% LTV on purchases.
Yes. We lend on 1 to 8 unit investment properties in the City of St. Louis, St. Louis County, St. Charles County and across Missouri, as well as in all 50 states and DC.
Yes. Four-family buildings are residential under our program, which covers 1 to 8 units. The loan qualifies on the combined rent of all four units.
It can. Missouri reassesses in odd-numbered years, and a higher value raises the tax bill and the payment. Budget for a reasonable increase rather than the seller's last bill.
Missouri does not have a state real estate transfer tax. You will still pay recording fees, title and lender costs, so confirm a full closing estimate.
It depends on the municipality. Some schedule quickly, others take longer and may require repairs before a permit is issued. Ask the town early.
No. Our loans are business-purpose loans on non-owner-occupied rentals only.
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