Florida has some of the deepest vacation rental demand in the country, from resort-style homes near the Orlando theme parks to Gulf Coast beach houses. It also has state licensing, layered tourist taxes, condo rules and insurance costs that every STR investor has to plan around.
In short: Our top pick for Florida short-term rental loans is LendingStreet. On some programs we qualify on projected STR revenue instead of a long-term lease, with no W-2s or tax returns. Purchases go up to 80% LTV and cash-out up to 75%, LLC borrowers are standard and 30-year terms are available. Loans start at $150,000 with no stated maximum. Get a quote with the form below.
LendingStreet is built for investors, and our STR DSCR loan is a business-purpose loan on non-owner-occupied property designed for nightly and weekly rentals. In Florida, where many homes earn far more from vacation guests than from a 12-month lease, qualifying on projected short-term revenue can be the difference between a file that works and one that does not.
It fits investors buying in vacation home communities around Kissimmee and Davenport, beach markets on the Gulf and Atlantic coasts, and owners refinancing an operating STR.
Next step: send the address and revenue projection through the form below or call (877) 298-1001.
If you are weighing CoreVest, Dominion Financial, Lima One and Visio Lending for a short-term rental (Airbnb and VRBO) loan for investors in Florida, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| A single short-term rental | LendingStreet | We finance individual 1-8 unit short-term rentals. CoreVest states its short-term rental loans are for 5+ STR properties under one loan. |
| Short-term rental with credit in the 620s | LendingStreet | Our DSCR minimum is 620. Visio Lending's STR guide states a 680 minimum, and Lima One states 700 for its STR loans. |
| Short-term rental loan above $2.5M | LendingStreet | Our DSCR loans have no stated maximum. Lima One states STR loans up to $2.5M. |
| 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. |
Central Florida has entire communities built for vacation rentals in Osceola and Polk counties, near the theme parks, where nightly rentals are expected and HOAs are set up for them. On the Gulf Coast, Destin, the 30A communities in Walton County, Panama City Beach, the Pinellas beaches, Anna Maria Island and Southwest Florida draw seasonal and year-round guests. The Atlantic side adds Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach and the Space Coast.
Florida law limits how local governments can regulate vacation rentals: ordinances adopted after June 1, 2011 generally cannot prohibit them or regulate how often or how long they are rented. Rules adopted before that date were grandfathered, which is why some cities, including Miami Beach, still restrict STRs in most single-family neighborhoods. Local registration, inspection and occupancy rules still apply, so check with the city or county.
Florida STR investors usually compare community banks, local hard money lenders and private individual lenders. Here is how they line up for a long-term vacation rental hold.
| What STR investors need | LendingStreet | Typical bank or credit union | Typical hard money lender |
|---|---|---|---|
| Income used to qualify | Projected short-term rental revenue on some programs | Often wants lease history or tax returns showing rental income | Mostly the property value; income less central |
| Personal income documents | No W-2s or tax returns | Usually required | Usually not required |
| Term for holding the rental | 30-year terms available | Varies; often shorter or adjustable | Usually short-term only |
| Leverage | Up to 80% LTV purchase, up to 75% cash-out | Varies by bank | Varies; short-term |
| Borrowing in an LLC | LLC borrowers are standard | Varies | Usually allowed |
| Minimum credit score | 620 | Varies | Varies |
| Florida condo with short-term rental use | Reviewed if the association allows rentals under 30 days | Often cautious about condo STRs | Varies |
Most Florida vacation rentals need a license from the Department of Business and Professional Regulation's Division of Hotels and Restaurants. Stays of six months or less are subject to state sales tax, any county discretionary surtax and the county tourist development tax. Register with the Florida Department of Revenue, and with the county if it collects its own tourist tax.
These taxes are paid by guests, so they do not reduce your qualifying revenue, but getting registered is part of operating legally. Ask your manager or accountant which taxes listing platforms collect on your behalf and which you file yourself.
This example is illustrative and not a quote. An investor buys a five-bedroom home with a pool in a vacation rental community for $480,000. The qualifying projected short-term revenue used is $4,300 a month, while a 12-month lease would bring about $2,700. Taxes are $560 a month, insurance $350 and HOA dues $250.
At 75% LTV the loan is $360,000. Estimated principal and interest on a 30-year term is about $2,456, for a total payment of about $3,616. On STR revenue, DSCR is about 1.19x; on the lease alone it would be about 0.75x.
| Item | STR revenue | 12-month lease |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly income used | $4,300 | $2,700 |
| Estimated principal and interest on $360,000 | $2,456 | $2,456 |
| Taxes, insurance and HOA | $1,160 | $1,160 |
| Total payment | $3,616 | $3,616 |
| DSCR | About 1.19x | About 0.75x |
Florida insurance is often the line that surprises STR buyers. Wind coverage, hurricane deductibles and flood insurance in mapped flood zones can add up quickly on coastal homes. Get quotes for short-term rental use, with the wind deductible and flood determination, during your inspection period.
Condos bring their own questions. Many associations ban rentals under 30 days or limit how often a unit can be rented. Since the state tightened condo inspection and reserve rules, some buildings have raised dues or levied special assessments. Read the declaration, rules and recent budgets before you commit.
Florida charges documentary stamp tax on deeds and on notes, plus intangible tax on new mortgages. On a purchase, the buyer often pays the note and mortgage taxes, and on a refinance they apply to new money. Ask your title company for an estimate, and remember that Florida investors do not get a homestead exemption, so taxes can rise after you buy.
Property taxes on a vacation rental are based on full assessed value, and county millage rates differ. A Walton County beach house and an Osceola County resort home can carry very different tax lines at similar prices, so use the actual county rate in your numbers.
Put the same questions to each lender. LendingStreet's answers are shown.
| Ask any STR lender | LendingStreet's answer |
|---|---|
| Can I qualify on projected nightly revenue? | Yes, on some programs, instead of a long-term lease |
| What is the maximum LTV? | Up to 80% on purchases, up to 75% on cash-out; varies by program |
| What DSCR minimum applies? | 1.0x standard; sub-1.0 programs exist |
| How long before I can take cash out? | Seasoning varies by program |
| Can my LLC be the borrower? | Yes, LLC borrowers are standard |
| How quickly can we close? | It depends on the appraisal, title and how complete your file is |
| Is there a loan size limit? | From $150,000 with no stated maximum; larger balances get more review |
Send the address, price, revenue projection or booking history, insurance quote, HOA or condo documents and proof the property can legally rent short term. Use the form below or call (877) 298-1001.
Our top pick is LendingStreet. On some programs we qualify Florida vacation rentals on projected STR revenue, with no W-2s or tax returns, up to 80% LTV on purchases and 30-year terms.
Yes. We lend throughout Florida, from Central Florida vacation communities to the Gulf and Atlantic coasts, and in all 50 states and DC.
State law generally prevents bans adopted after June 1, 2011, but older rules were grandfathered and local registration and safety rules still apply. Check with the city or county.
Most vacation rentals need a license from the state Division of Hotels and Restaurants, plus tax registrations. Confirm what applies to your property.
Possibly, if the association allows rentals under 30 days and the building's finances are sound. Send the condo documents for review.
Yes. Required flood insurance is part of the monthly payment, so it affects the ratio.
Yes. Cash-out goes up to 75% LTV, and seasoning varies by program. A booking history helps support the revenue figure.
No. Our investor loans are business-purpose loans on non-owner-occupied property operated as a rental.
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