Kiavi
Kiavi is a technology-first lender built for speed. Their automated underwriting and online platform can close DSCR loans in 10-15 days, roughly half the industry average. They started in fix-and-flip lending and added a DSCR product for investors who want to hold. The platform works best for straightforward deals on standard property types where speed matters more than creative structuring.
- 10-15 day closings via automated underwriting
- Bridge-to-DSCR under one roof (buy, rehab, refi without switching lenders)
- 0.8 DSCR floor with 3-2-1 prepayment penalty
- 49 states + DC coverage
Loan requirements
| Minimum DSCR | 0.8 (above median of 0.75) |
| Minimum FICO | 660 (at median of 660) |
| Max LTV (purchase) | 80% |
| Max LTV (cash-out) | 75% |
| Min loan amount | $100,000 |
| Max loan amount | $3,000,000 |
| Prepayment penalty | 3-2-1 |
| BRRRR seasoning | 3 months |
Programs and coverage
| Short-term rentals (STR) | Yes |
| Foreign nationals | Not disclosed |
| State coverage | 49 states + DC |
| Channel | Direct to investor |
Best for
- Investors with thin-margin properties (sub-1.0 DSCR)
- Short-term rental (Airbnb/VRBO) investors
How Kiavi compares
Across the 16 DSCR lenders in our database:
- DSCR floor of 0.8 is stricter than the median (0.75). You need a healthier cash-flowing property to qualify here.
- FICO minimum of 660 matches the market median.
- 80% max LTV is standard for the DSCR market. Most mainstream lenders cap at 80%.
- STR program available. 12 of 16 lenders in our dataset accept short-term rentals.
For a full side-by-side comparison, see the lender comparison matrix. Or use the DSCR loan qualifier to find which lenders match your specific deal.
Run your numbers
Before reaching out to Kiavi, model your deal:
- DSCR Calculator to verify your property's debt service coverage ratio
- DSCR Loan Calculator to estimate monthly payments and qualification
- Airbnb/STR DSCR Calculator to model short-term rental income scenarios
- Cash-Out Refi Calculator to see how much equity you can pull out
- BRRRR Refinance Calculator to model the full buy-rehab-rent-refinance cycle
Frequently asked questions
Is Kiavi a good DSCR lender?
Kiavi is a legitimate DSCR lender with terms last verified on 2026-06-11. Whether they are a good fit depends on your specific deal. Their 0.8 DSCR floor is stricter than the market median of 0.75. Compare their terms against 2-3 other lenders before committing.
What is the minimum credit score for Kiavi?
Kiavi requires a minimum FICO score of 660. This is at the lower end of the mainstream range. Higher scores (740+) will qualify for better rates and higher LTV.
Does Kiavi do short-term rental loans?
Yes, Kiavi offers DSCR loans for short-term rentals (Airbnb, VRBO). STR programs typically come with slightly lower max LTV and potentially higher DSCR requirements compared to long-term rental programs.
Does Kiavi work with foreign national investors?
Kiavi has not publicly disclosed whether they offer foreign national programs.
What states does Kiavi lend in?
Kiavi's coverage: 49 states + DC. DSCR lender state coverage changes over time based on licensing and regulatory requirements. Always confirm your state is covered before starting an application.
What is the prepayment penalty at Kiavi?
Kiavi's prepayment penalty structure is: 3-2-1. Compare this against other lenders if you might exit within the penalty period.