Short-term rental investing has grown into a serious income strategy for real estate investors, with Airbnb and VRBO properties generating returns that long-term rentals in the same markets often cannot match. The financing market has not kept pace with that growth. Most conventional lenders still evaluate Airbnb properties on long-term lease assumptions, and many DSCR programs are not built to underwrite properties without operating history at acquisition. Profitable short-term rental properties frequently get declined, undersized, or mispriced by lenders who do not know how to evaluate them.

Specialized Airbnb mortgage lenders fill that gap. This guide reviews the seven best STR lenders of 2026, comparing underwriting approach, loan programs, and investor fit. 

Best Airbnb Lenders of 2026

Each lender below was evaluated on four criteria: how short-term rental income is underwritten, minimum qualification requirements, execution reliability based on publicly available borrower feedback, and the range of loan types available for different STR strategies. The table reflects how each lender positions itself across those dimensions. Use the table below to compare key parameters at a glance, then review the full profile for each lender.

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‍Ridge Street Capital — Best Overall for Airbnb Investors

Ridge Street Capital is a direct private lender based in Florida, originating Airbnb Loans across 35 states. The DSCR program for Airbnb is built for short-term rental properties, including acquisitions with no operating history. Income is evaluated using AirDNA projections filtered to comparable properties by unit type, bedroom count, and property tier within a defined market radius.

Ridge Street originates both the hard money loan for the renovation and the DSCR refinance after the property is stabilized and listed.

Program Highlights: STR DSCR loans, Hard Money, portfolio loans. 700 minimum FICO for STR. 80% LTV purchase, 75% LTV cash-out refinance. 0% origination fee. Minimum DSCR 1.0.

Pros:

• 0% origination fee; 
• 21-25 day DSCR closings (faster than most rental lenders)
• Works with smaller rental property loan sizes

Cons:

• 700 FICO floor; not available to borrowers below that threshold
• Limited to 35 states

Investors can review program details on Ridge Street's Airbnb financing page or submit a deal through the online application. A term sheet is issued within 2 business hours.

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Park Place Finance

Park Place Finance is a direct private lender from Austin, Texas, offering DSCR, bridge, and fix-and-flip programs with fast approvals and closings in 7 to 14 days. Most DSCR lenders focus on single-family and small multifamily properties. Park Place also finances condo hotels, non-warrantable condos, and 5–10 unit portfolios, which are often excluded by other lenders. 

Program Highlights: DSCR, Bridge, Fix-and-Flip, and Conventional loans. 660 minimum FICO. 80% LTV on DSCR. Loans up to $2.5M. 46 states.

Pros:

• STR loan programs for multifamily (5+ units) and condo hotels.
• Strong bridge program for Airbnb and VRBO properties under renovation

Cons:

• STR underwriting process is more involved than that of dedicated Airbnb lenders 
• Additional fees and requirements are reported to come up during the loan process.

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Easy Street 

Based in Austin, Texas and lending nationally, Easy Street Capital operates the EasyRent DSCR program, which was one of the first in the market built specifically around Airbnb and vacation rental income. The program accepts STR income on properties without an operating history. The 640 FICO minimum is the lowest among dedicated STR lenders in this review. The flexibility comes with a cost. Borrowers at the lower end of the credit and DSCR range pay higher origination fees. 

Program Highlights: STR DSCR loans, 640 minimum FICO.Loans from $100K to $3M. Nationwide except NV, ND, SD.

Pros:

• Lowest FICO floor among STR-active lenders
• Self-serve term sheet tool allows quick preliminary pricing online

Cons:

• Higher origination fees 
• The underwriting process can require additional documentation close to closing

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Certain Lending

Certain Lending is a Seattle-based technology-driven private lender that uses a digital platform to deliver fast approvals for DSCR, fix-and-flip, and bridge loans. The platform is built for investors who want quick underwriting decisions without a documentation-heavy process. Certain Lending operates in 44 states and accommodates flexible credit overlays, including financing programs for foreign nationals at reduced LTV. While not an STR-specialized lender, the investor programs accommodate properties in transition, including acquisitions being repositioned from long-term to pay-per-night use.

Program Highlights: Bridge, Fix-and-Flip, DSCR, portfolio. Fast digital approvals. Flexible credit overlays. 44 states. 

Pros:

• Fast digital process; useful for bridge and acquisition financing
• Foreign nationals eligible for a reduced LTV

Cons:

• Not STR-specialized lender 
• Lower leverage (LTV) than most DSCR programs

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‍Newfi Lending

Newfi Lending is a California-based mortgage lender that offers both DSCR investment loans and a full conventional product menu, including VA loans, FHA, and standard purchase and refinance programs. For investors who want to finance a STR through a DSCR program and still maintain a relationship with the same lender for personal mortgage needs, Newfi covers both sides of that equation. Newfi offers a 40-year DSCR loan term, which extends the amortization period beyond the 30-year standard and reduces the monthly debt service on the same loan amount.

Program Highlights: DSCR (including 40-year term), Conventional, FHA, VA. STR income accepted. Loans $150K to $3M. 640 minimum FICO. Nationwide except NY

Pros:

• 40-year DSCR term reduces monthly payments and improves qualifying DSCR
• Full conventional product menu alongside DSCR; one lender for investment and personal financing

Cons:

• Loan minimum of $150K; not suited for lower-priced markets
• Residential 1–4 unit properties only; no multifamily above 4 units

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Rocket Mortgage

Rocket Mortgage is the largest retail mortgage lender in the United States and a pioneer in digital-first lending. Based in Detroit with offices across the country, Rocket built its reputation on a push-button mortgage experience: borrowers can complete the full application, upload documents, and receive an initial approval entirely online, without needing to speak to a loan officer. The second home program is the most relevant option for investors who plan to use a vacation property personally for part of the year and rent it out on Airbnb when not in use. 

Program Highlights: Conventional, FHA, VA, Second Home, DSCR. Second home: 10% down, personal use permitted. DSCR: 680 minimum FICO, Nationwide.

Pros:

• Second home loan option with 10% down and personal use allowance
• National scale; Fully digital application process.

Cons:

• Conventional and DSCR programs do not use STR income projections
• LLC ownership not available on conventional or second home programs

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‍LendingOne

LendingOne is a national private lender offering DSCR rental loans, bridge financing, and fix-and-flip programs. The DSCR program operates nationwide with consistent underwriting and closes in 21 to 25 days. For investors managing multiple properties across different markets who want a single lender relationship with predictable execution, LendingOne provides scale and process consistency that smaller or regional lenders may not match.

Program Highlights: DSCR, Bridge, Fix-and-Flip, Portfolio (up to 20 properties). 660 minimum FICO. Nationwide.

Pros:

• Portfolio loan consolidates up to 20 properties under one monthly payment
• Consistent underwriting and execution across large national portfolios

Cons:

• Borrower reviews cite last-minute document requests and communication gaps in final closing stages
• Might not be suited for new Airbnb listings without a booking history

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How to Choose the Best STR Lenders

Airbnb Lenders' profiles above cover who each program serves. Not every Airbnb deal calls for the same loan structure, and the right product depends on whether the property is stabilized, distressed, or already financed, and whether the investor is holding or repositioning. For a full comparison of how these structures work across different STR investment strategies, see the short-term rental loans guide. The scenarios below identify which financing path applies to specific investor situations and what to look for in a lender for each one.

Buying a new Airbnb property with no operating history

Most general DSCR programs default to the appraiser's long-term market rent when a property has no booking history. That figure typically runs 30% to 50% below what the property would produce as a functioning Airbnb, which can push the qualifying DSCR below the program minimum or reduce available leverage.

Recommendation: Look for an Airbnb lender that accepts AirDNA projections or comparable STR market data as the qualifying income source without requiring operating history. Confirm how the lender adjusts the projected income figure, specifically what haircut they apply and whether they filter by comparable property type rather than using market averages. Ridge Street Capital uses AirDNA income projections and supports STR income qualification on new listings without operating history. For a full breakdown of how DSCR qualification works for Airbnb income, see the DSCR loan for Airbnb guide.

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Buying a distressed Airbnb property to renovate and list

A property that needs renovation before it can operate as an Airbnb will not qualify for DSCR financing, which requires the property to be rent-ready. The acquisition and renovation phase requires a hard money or bridge loan, and the DSCR refinance follows once the property is stabilized and listed.

Recommendation: Find Airbnb lenders that handle both the hard money loan and the subsequent DSCR refinance. Working with the same lender across both phases removes the re-qualification risk at the refinance stage and allows the exit underwriting to be confirmed before the renovation begins. Ridge Street Capital offers both hard money and DSCR programs. Park Place Finance is another option for strong bridge loan options with low rates and fast closings.

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Buying an Airbnb property with a low credit score 

Most DSCR loan requirements for STR properties include a minimum FICO score of 700 or higher for borrowers. Borrowers in the 640 to 680 range have fewer options and will pay higher origination fees on the programs that will approve them.

Recommendation: Confirm FICO requirements before submitting an application. Easy Street Capital operates the lowest published FICO minimum among STR lenders at 640. LendingOne accepts borrowers with a credit score of 660. Origination fees typically range from 2.0 to 2.5 points when the borrower’s FICO score falls below 680.

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Refinancing an Airbnb property from a conventional mortgage or hard money loan

An investor who originally financed an Airbnb with a conventional mortgage, or who acquired it through hard money and needs long-term financing, can refinance into a DSCR loan. The refinance requalifies the property on current or projected STR income rather than personal income. 

Recommendation: Look for Airbnb mortgage lenders that accept STR income structure and offer cash-out refinance programs. Most cash-out refinance programs require a 6-month seasoning period from the original purchase date. Ridge Street Capital and Newfi Lending both handle DSCR refinances with STR income qualification.

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Buying a vacation property for personal use and part-time rental

DSCR investment loans prohibit personal occupancy and require signing a Business Purpose and Non-Owner Occupancy affidavit at closing. An investor who plans to use the property personally for part of the year cannot use a DSCR loan. The right product is a second home loan, which allows personal occupancy, requires as little as 10% down, and permits rental activity up to 180 days per year. The trade-off is that qualification runs on personal income, not rental income.

Recommendation: If personal use is part of the plan, a second home loan is the right structure, not a DSCR loan. Rocket Mortgage and Newfi both offer conventional second-home programs. These loans require personal income qualification, allow occupancy, and permit rental activity up to 180 days per year. STR revenue does not count toward qualification on this path, so the deal must support itself on the borrower's personal income alone. Some lenders also apply distance requirements between the second home and the borrower's primary residence, so confirm eligibility terms before applying.

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Building a portfolio of Airbnb properties

DSCR loans carry no property count limit. Each acquisition qualifies based on the individual property's STR income, independent of what the investor already owns. Conventional financing caps at 10 financed properties under Fannie Mae guidelines and requires personal income to support each new loan. Find more information in our DSCR vs Conventional Loan guide.

Recommendation: Investors consolidating multiple STR properties into a single financing structure should look for Airbnb lenders that offer portfolio DSCR loans, where two or more properties close under one note with one monthly payment. Each property still qualifies on its own DSCR, but the portfolio structure reduces origination events and simplifies debt management as the portfolio scales. LendingOne supports portfolio bundling of up to 20 properties under a single loan. Ridge Street Capital originates portfolio DSCR loans for Airbnb and VRBO properties.

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Fund Your Next Airbnb with Ridge Street Capital

Ridge Street Capital lends exclusively on investment properties, with a dedicated STR program that evaluates Airbnb income on AirDNA projections rather than long-term rent assumptions. Investors submit property details through the online application. A loan officer reviews the deal and STR income and issues a term sheet within 2 business hours. If the numbers do not support the loan, the team provides a clear assessment of what would need to change. Full program details are on the Airbnb Loans page.

Best Airbnb Lenders FAQs

Does using a dedicated STR lender actually change the qualifying income figure?

Yes, in most cases. General DSCR lenders default to the appraiser's long-term market rent when no operating history exists, which typically runs 30% to 50% below what the property would produce as a functioning Airbnb. A lender that accepts AirDNA projections or comparable STR market data as the qualifying income source can support a higher loan amount on the same property. For investors buying in markets where STR income materially exceeds long-term rent, the choice of lender directly affects available leverage.

What happens if the AirDNA projection does not support a 1.0 DSCR at the proposed loan amount?

The options are to reduce the loan amount until the income figure supports the payment, increase the down payment to bring LTV and the associated payment down, or select an Airbnb mortgage lender that approves sub-1.0 DSCR with compensating factors. Increasing the down payment is the most straightforward path. A 5% increase in down payment on a $500,000 property reduces the loan by $25,000, which at a 7% rate reduces the monthly payment by roughly $167 and can move a 0.95 DSCR above the 1.0 floor. 

Can the same Airbnb mortgage lender handle both the initial acquisition and a future cash-out refinance?

Yes, and using the same lender for both transactions reduces re-qualification friction. The cash-out refinance requalifies the property on its current STR income, which by the time of refinancing should include trailing booking revenue rather than projections. Ridge Street handles both purchase and refinance transactions on STR DSCR loans. The cash-out refinance cap is 75% LTV, and a 6-month seasoning period from the original purchase date applies before a cash-out refinance is available.‍