Airbnb loans based on rental income, not your paycheck
Answer a few quick questions and we'll introduce you to lenders who finance short-term rentals.
- Meet two lenders we trust, not twenty
- No credit check to get started
- Free, with no BNBCalc account needed
"We've shopped dozens of lenders for low rates. The two we found beat the rest."
Parker Place, Co-Founder
- loans funded for BNBCalc's team and users
- 100+
- on rental property loans
- From 15% down
- loan sizes available
- $50K to $4M
How to finance an Airbnb in three steps
Answer a few questions
Tell us where you're buying, your budget and when you want to close.
See your lenders
Book a free call right away, or we'll connect you within 1-2 business days.
Compare your options
Ask about rates, fees and a pre-qualification letter before you choose.
The two Airbnb lenders we recommend
Harpoon Capital
With Zach Edelman
Rental property loans based on what the property can earn.
- Up to 85% financing
- Loans from $50K to $4M
- Qualify on rental income, not personal income
Ceangal Capital
With Michael Rogan
Rental property loans, plus short-term loans to renovate or flip.
- Up to 85% financing
- Accepts BNBCalc revenue reports
- Run by 25-year mortgage veteran Michael Rogan
What is an Airbnb loan?
An Airbnb loan, also called an Airbnb mortgage, short-term rental (STR) loan or vacation rental loan, is any loan used to buy or refinance a home you'll rent out on Airbnb or Vrbo. Airbnb doesn't offer financing itself, so you borrow from a mortgage lender. Many investors choose a DSCR loan (debt service coverage ratio), which qualifies you on the property's rental income. Here's how the main options compare.
| Loan type | Typical down payment | How you qualify | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| DSCR loanOffered by both our lenders | 15% to 25% | The property's rental income | Investors, self-employed buyers and anyone buying more than one rental |
| Conventional investment loan | 15% to 25% | Your income, credit and tax returns | Buyers with a steady paycheck and few other mortgages |
| Second-home loan | From 10% | Your income. Rental income doesn't count | A vacation home you use yourself and rent out sometimes |
| FHA or VA loan | 3.5% FHA, 0% VA | Your income, and you must live there | A duplex or fourplex you live in. FHA doesn't allow rentals under 30 days |
| Home equity loan, HELOC or cash-out refinance | Uses your home's equity | Your income and the equity in your home | Owners raising a down payment or funding their next rental. The home you borrow against secures the loan |
| Seller financing | Set with the seller | Whatever you and the seller agree | Buyers who find a willing seller. Terms are often short, and many end with a large final payment |
| Hard money loan | 20% to 35% | Mostly the property's value | Flips and fast closings. Terms usually run 6 to 24 months, so plan to refinance |
Reviewed by Parker Place, Co-founder & CTO, BNBCalc.
DSCR loans: qualify on what the property can earn
A DSCR loan (debt service coverage ratio) looks at the property instead of your paycheck. If the rental income covers the monthly payment, you can qualify without pay stubs or tax returns.
Buying a home that has never been rented? Lenders can use a revenue estimate for the address. Ceangal Capital accepts BNBCalc revenue reports, so you can run the numbers first.
Reveal any property's Airbnb profitabilityExample
Expected rental income
$4,000/mo
Loan payment, taxes and insurance
$3,200/mo
Income is 1.25x the payment
$800 extra
What lenders look at for an Airbnb loan
Rental income
Lenders divide the expected rental income by the monthly payment, taxes and insurance. At 1.0 or higher, the income covers the cost. Harpoon Capital has no minimum.
Down payment
Rental property loans start at 15% down. Putting more down lowers your payment and can improve your terms.
Credit score
Harpoon Capital starts at 600. Higher scores usually get better terms.
Cash reserves
Many lenders want a few months of payments in the bank after you close.
Local rules
Short-term rentals have to be allowed at the address. Check city, county and HOA rules before you make an offer.
Check short-term rental rulesAirbnb loan and mortgage questions
Can you get a loan for an Airbnb?
Yes. Airbnb doesn't lend money itself, but many lenders finance short-term rentals. Many investors use a DSCR loan, which looks at what the property can earn instead of your personal income. Our lenders can tell you which option fits your deal.
What type of mortgage do you need for an Airbnb?
It depends on how you'll use the home. For an Airbnb or STR mortgage, investors usually choose a DSCR loan or a conventional investment loan. A second-home loan only fits a home you'll use yourself and rent out sometimes. FHA and VA loans require you to live there.
Can you use Airbnb income to qualify for a mortgage?
Yes, with a DSCR loan. It counts the property's expected rental income, even if the home has never been rented. Lenders that qualify you on personal income usually want to see rental income on your tax returns first.
Can you get a DSCR loan on a short-term rental?
Yes, though some DSCR lenders avoid short-term rentals because the income changes with the seasons. Harpoon Capital and Ceangal Capital both finance them.
How do lenders estimate income on a home that has never been rented?
They use a revenue estimate for the address, based on similar rentals nearby. Ceangal Capital accepts BNBCalc revenue reports, so you can run the address and bring the numbers to your call.
What is a good DSCR for an Airbnb?
Many lenders look for 1.25 or higher, which means the rental income is 25% more than the payment. Some accept less, often with more down, and 1.5 or higher is very strong. Harpoon Capital has no minimum.
What are the downsides of a DSCR loan?
Rates usually run higher than a conventional mortgage, and you need more down than on a home you live in. If the rental income drops, you still owe the full payment. Some loans also charge a fee for paying off early, so ask about that up front.
How much do I need for a down payment?
As little as 15%. Our lenders finance up to 85% of the price, and your exact down payment depends on the property and your credit.
Can I get an Airbnb loan with no money down?
Not on a rental property loan. Expect to put at least 15% down. Some buyers raise that with a home equity loan on a house they already own. VA loans have no down payment, but you have to live in the home.
What credit score do I need?
Harpoon Capital's rental property loans start at a 600 credit score. This form doesn't check your credit, so just share your range and your lender will tell you what fits.
Can I get an Airbnb loan with no credit check?
You can get started without one, since this form only asks for your credit range. Your lender will check your credit before approving a loan.
Are rates higher on an Airbnb loan?
Usually, yes. DSCR loans generally cost more than a mortgage on a home you live in. Your rate depends on your credit score, down payment and how well the income covers the payment. Rates change often, so ask each lender for a current quote.
How fast can I close?
Harpoon Capital generally closes in 15 to 30 days. Tell us your timeline in the form so your lender can plan around it.
What's the difference between pre-qualified and pre-approved?
Pre-qualification is a quick estimate based on what you tell a lender, usually with no credit check. Pre-approval means the lender has checked your credit and documents, so it carries more weight with sellers.
Why not just use my bank?
Most banks qualify you on your personal income and won't count what an Airbnb can earn. Our lenders work with short-term rentals and look at the property's income instead.
Can I use a second-home loan for an Airbnb?
Only if it's really a second home. You have to use it yourself part of the year, keep control of who stays there and not run it mainly as a rental. Rental income can't help you qualify. If you plan to rent it most of the time, use an investment loan.
Can I use a business or SBA loan to buy an Airbnb?
Usually not. SBA rules exclude most passive rental property, and business loans tend to be too short for a home purchase. With a DSCR loan, you can borrow through an LLC instead.
What if I'm self-employed?
That's fine. A DSCR loan looks at the property's income instead of your paycheck, so you don't need W-2s or tax returns to qualify.
Can I finance more than one property?
Yes. These loans look at each property's income, which makes it easier to buy your next one.
Can I refinance or take cash out of an Airbnb I already own?
Yes. Our lenders refinance rentals for a better rate or to pull out cash for your next property. Harpoon Capital goes up to 85% of the value on a rate refinance and 80% on a cash-out.
What do I need to get started?
Just your state, a rough property value, your timeline and your credit score range. You don't need a BNBCalc account, documents or a property under contract.
What happens after I send my request?
You'll see both lenders right away and can book a free call. If you don't book one, we'll connect you within 1-2 business days.
Get ready to make an offer
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BNBCalc may receive a referral fee from partner lenders. Rates and terms are set by lenders and depend on your deal.