theLender
theLender is a wholesale-only DSCR lender, which means you access them through a mortgage broker, not directly. For investors who work with brokers, that is not a limitation. Their terms are competitive: 85% LTV up to $1M loan amounts, 620 FICO floor, zero seasoning, and programs for both STR and foreign national borrowers. The DSCR minimum is not publicly disclosed, suggesting they evaluate deals case by case. If you already have a broker relationship, theLender is worth putting on the quote list.
- 85% LTV up to $1M (competitive for wholesale)
- 620 FICO floor (among the lowest available)
- Zero seasoning for refinances
- STR and foreign national programs
- Wholesale/broker only (not direct to investor)
Loan requirements
| Minimum DSCR | Not disclosed |
| Minimum FICO | 620 (below median of 660) |
| Max LTV (purchase) | 85% (#1 highest among 16 lenders) |
| Max LTV (cash-out) | Not disclosed |
| Min loan amount | Not disclosed |
| Max loan amount | Not disclosed |
| Prepayment penalty | varies |
| BRRRR seasoning | None (zero seasoning) |
Programs and coverage
| Short-term rentals (STR) | Yes |
| Foreign nationals | Yes |
| State coverage | broad coverage, wholesale/broker only |
| Channel | Wholesale (via brokers only) |
Best for
- Borrowers rebuilding credit (low FICO threshold)
- Investors who want maximum leverage (85% LTV)
- Short-term rental (Airbnb/VRBO) investors
- Foreign national investors
- BRRRR investors (zero seasoning)
How theLender compares
Across the 16 DSCR lenders in our database:
- FICO minimum of 620 is below the median (660), opening the door to more borrowers.
- 85% max LTV is among the highest in the market. More leverage means less cash out of pocket, but also less equity cushion.
- STR program available. 12 of 16 lenders in our dataset accept short-term rentals.
- Foreign national program available. 7 of 16 lenders in our dataset serve foreign nationals.
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 theLender, 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 theLender a good DSCR lender?
theLender is a legitimate DSCR lender with terms last verified on 2026-06-11. Whether they are a good fit depends on your specific deal. Compare their terms against 2-3 other lenders before committing.
What is the minimum credit score for theLender?
theLender requires a minimum FICO score of 620. This is among the lowest in the DSCR market, making them accessible to borrowers with lower credit. Higher scores (740+) will qualify for better rates and higher LTV.
Does theLender do short-term rental loans?
Yes, theLender 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 theLender work with foreign national investors?
Yes, theLender has a foreign national program. Terms may differ from their standard program, including reduced LTV and higher reserves.
What states does theLender lend in?
theLender's coverage: broad coverage, wholesale/broker only. 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 theLender?
theLender's prepayment penalty structure is: varies. Compare this against other lenders if you might exit within the penalty period.