The complete qualification matrix for DSCR financing on travel nurse housing properties — including FICO tiers, LTV limits, down payment requirements, and documentation standards. No income documentation required.
These figures reflect the aggregated program parameters across our 13+ lender network for travel nurse housing DSCR financing. Individual lenders may vary on secondary criteria, but these represent the available range.
This is the single most important aspect of travel nurse housing DSCR underwriting to understand — and the area where most loan officers outside this niche get it wrong.
Market rent from Form 1007 is the qualifying income basis. Form 1007 — the Single-Family Comparable Rent Schedule — is completed by the same licensed appraiser who appraises the property. The appraiser identifies 2–3 comparable rentals in the surrounding market and derives an estimated market rent for the subject property. This figure — not actual collected rent, not niche-specific income — is what DSCR underwriting uses.
Why market rent instead of actual income? Because market rent provides an objective, appraiser-verified figure that is independent of occupancy fluctuations, management arrangements, and the specific use of the property. It makes travel nurse housing properties underwritable on the same standard as any residential rental.
Asset depletion as a supplement. If market rent on Form 1007 doesn't fully support debt service, asset depletion is a structuring option. Under asset depletion methodology, a portion of your verified liquid assets (bank accounts, investment accounts) is converted into an imputed monthly income figure that supplements the DSCR analysis. This is not available on all programs but is a meaningful alternative for investors with substantial liquidity.
What is not qualifying income: W-2 wages, self-employment income, tax return profits, niche-specific income streams, platform income, or any other personal income source. These are not part of the DSCR underwriting equation.
Several common investor profiles that struggle with conventional lending qualify comfortably for DSCR travel nurse housing financing:
No. DSCR loans qualify based on market rent as determined by a licensed appraiser using Form 1007. The premium income that travel nurse housing generates doesn't factor into DSCR underwriting — though it significantly affects the investment's overall return profile.
DSCR lenders who specialize in this property type understand that travel nurse housing is not a traditional STR — tenants sign 13-week leases and occupy the property for extended stays. The right DSCR program will treat the property as a residential rental, not an Airbnb-style STR.
Yes. LLC and corporate entity ownership is fully supported across DSCR programs. This is one of DSCR's primary advantages for investors managing multiple travel nurse properties through an operating entity.
The minimum FICO floor is 600. At 720+ you qualify for the best LTV programs (up to 85% LTV, 15% down). Tiers at 640, 680, and 700 also qualify with adjusted LTV and down payment requirements.
Programs are available in 47 states. New York is excluded from this network.
Quick Answers
DSCR = market rent (Form 1007) ÷ monthly debt service. Standard market rent appraisal determines qualifying income — not travel nurse platform rates, not your personal income. Travel nurse platform rates (1.5-2x market) are the investment premium, not the underwriting basis. No-ratio programs available.
Minimum 600 FICO. At 720+: 15% down, 85% LTV. At 640: 25-30% down. At 600: 40% down. Cash-out capped at 80% LTV. No-ratio programs available. Property must be residential, furnished for mid-term stays.
No licensing is required in most states for furnished mid-term rentals targeting healthcare professionals. Regulations vary by city and state — some markets have short-term rental ordinances that don't apply to 30+ day stays. The financing qualification is based on market rent (Form 1007), not your license status or platform registration.