Investment Property Loans: What You Should Know

If you’re looking to generate some extra income with a rental home or buy a fixer-upper to flip for a profit, an investment property loan may be in your future. However, investment property mortgage rates are typically higher than what you pay for a primary residence, and you’ll need to meet stricter qualifying requirements.

Knowing the ins and outs of investment property loan programs will help you choose the right mortgage for your real estate investment goals.

What is an investment property loan?

An investment property loan is a mortgage for the purchase of an income-producing property. That includes buying properties to generate rental income or to renovate and sell for a profit (more commonly known as house flipping).

There are also short-term hard money investor loans, allowing you to buy properties you plan to repair and sell quickly.

Investment property loans are meant for rentals

A true investment property loan assumes you won’t be living in the property you purchase and will rent it out to tenants to earn rental income. You may also use some standard loan programs to purchase multifamily investment homes if you plan to live in one of the units.

What is an investment property?

An investment property is real estate you buy to make income. The term “investment property” can apply to everything from a one-unit condominium to a high-rise commercial building in a city. However, for the purposes of this article, we’re focused on residential real estate loans, which only allow financing on properties between one and four units. Residential investment home types include:

• Condominiums
• Manufactured homes
• Multifamily homes
• Cooperatives

Investment property loan options

There are several programs to choose from when you’re purchasing investment homes.

• Conventional loans. The only standard loan program that allows you to buy an investment property with no strings attached is the conventional loan program. Unlike with government-backed mortgages, you don’t have to live in the property to qualify.
• FHA loans. You can buy a two- to four-unit home with an FHA loan — a mortgage backed by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) — and collect rent on the other units to qualify, as long as you live in one of the units for at least 12 months.
• VA joint loans. This VA multifamily loan program is exclusively for eligible military borrowers. It allows them to buy a property with up to seven units, as long as they live in one of the units. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) guarantees these loans with no down payment requirement.
• Non-QM loans. Borrowers that don’t qualify for any of the programs above may be eligible for a nonqualified mortgage (non-QM) loan based exclusively on the rental income received on the home they’re buying. The down payment requirement and interest rates are higher than with regular loan programs.
• Owner financing. Sometimes sellers are willing to act as a lender and provide temporary financing so you can purchase the home in exchange for a large nonrefundable down payment. Some owner financing arrangements include a balloon payment, which means you’ll have to pay off the entire loan balance within a set period, or the owner takes back the property.
• Home equity loan. If you currently own a home with a good chunk of equity, you can borrow against the equity with a home equity loan or a home equity line of credit (HELOC). With home equity loans and HELOCs, you borrow a portion of your equity and leave your current mortgage loan in place. A home equity loan is paid in a lump sum with a fixed rate, while a HELOC works more like a credit card that you can use and pay off for a set time.
• Cash-out refinance. A cash-out refinance is when you take out a mortgage for more than you owe and pocket the difference in cash, which can be used to purchase an investment property.
• Hard money loans. These loans are more common for flipping investors — hard money investors are willing to lend you money knowing you’ll pay it off quickly. However, you’ll often need at least a 25% down payment and will pay high rates and upfront points. And it’s not uncommon for there to be a prepayment penalty.

Minimum requirements for investment property loans

Lenders consider investment property lending riskier than lending on a primary residence. As a result, the qualifying rules require you to show more financial stability. Requirements unique to investment property loans include:

• Higher down payments. You can purchase a multifamily home with an FHA or VA loan with only 3.5% if you intend to live in one of the units. Although conventional guidelines permit down payments as low as 15% for rental homes, most lenders require at least 20%. And the money must be all yours — gifts aren’t allowed when buying a rental home with conventional guidelines. However, down payment gifts are allowed for VA and FHA multifamily home purchases.
• Reserves. More commonly called “mortgage reserves,” these are monthly payments the lender wants to see in the bank. The amount usually equals two to six months’ worth of mortgage payments, depending on how many properties you own.
• Proof of rental income. The lender may require copies of current leases, a rent roll history and tax returns showing rental income. In most cases, the appraisal will also include an analysis to confirm what similar properties rent for in the neighborhood.
• Using rental income to qualify. Lenders may allow you to add the actual or estimated rental income from the home you’re buying to qualify. For example, FHA and VA multifamily loan guidelines will count rent payments received from the units you’re not living in toward your qualifying income.
• History of property management. Some loan programs require you to document or explain your experience renting properties. Others may require tax returns showing you’ve previously managed rental homes.
• Higher credit score requirements. You’ll need a minimum credit score of 640 for an investment property mortgage, although the requirement may jump to 700 or higher if you’re buying a multifamily home.

How to get an investment property loan

The process for getting an investment loan requires a few extra steps in the mortgage process.

Shop around for an investment property mortgage lender.Most lenders offer some type of investment property loan option, but the rates may vary significantly between companies. Not all lenders offer non-QM loans, so you may have to make some extra calls if you need one. Hard money lenders are often private individuals or partnerships — ask your real estate agent or other real estate investors for recommendations.

Fill out a loan application.If you’re applying for a standard loan program like a conventional, FHA or VA loan, the process is similar to any other type of loan. However, non-QM lenders and hard money lenders may have their own process or application system.

Provide extra asset documentation.Have at least two months of bank statements and any current leases or rental information on the property you’re purchasing. Lenders typically permit you to use a percentage of your retirement or 401(k) vesting toward your reserve requirement, so have a current statement handy.

Pay for an investment appraisal.The home appraisal process requires an extra report detailing the average rent collected on similar homes in the area. In some cases, the rental income from this report can be used to help you qualify for the loan.

Review your closing disclosure.After your loan conditions clear and the appraisal is completed, the lender will issue a closing disclosure three business days before closing. Review it to make sure all the figures are what you expected. If you’re taking out a hard money loan, make sure you understand any prepayment penalties or “guaranteed interest” language. Typically hard money lenders want to make a set amount of interest, regardless of how quickly you pay back the loan.

Gather your funds and close.You’ll send a wire or bring a cashier’s check for your closing funds. Once the mortgage closing paperwork is signed, your loan funds are sent, and the property is recorded in your name.

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Investment property mortgage rates and closing costs

Lenders must mark up investment property mortgage rates to cover the extra risk that the loans might default. In general, rates for an investment property will be 0.5 to 0.875 percentage points higher than for a primary residence.

Investment property fees are lower if you have at least 30% equity in your rental home. This reduces the cost of an investment property rate by $1,500, which may lead to a better rate or lower costs.

Your credit score and down payment also substantially impact the rate you’re offered. In fact, lower credit score borrowers may end up paying mortgage points to obtain an investment property loan.

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Investment property appraisals cost more than primary home appraisals

Appraisal fees are more expensive due to lenders’ extra work to estimate both the property value and the average rent value. If you’re buying a multifamily home appraisal, expect an extra $100 to $300 above the standard $300 to $400 it costs for a regular appraisal, since each unit must be inspected and valued.