Clearwater's rental housing profile and rent benchmarks in late 2025 and early 2026 support DSCR loan underwriting. Because DSCR approvals focus on property income, markets with a meaningful renter base and durable rent levels can create stronger cash flow projections for investors.
Census housing tenure data shows an owner occupied rate of 59.1% for 2019 to 2023, which implies renter occupied housing around 40.9%. A renter share at this level supports a steady tenant pool, which matters when lenders evaluate rental income for DSCR qualification.
As of January 2026, the average rent in Clearwater is about $1,566 per month. Rent levels like this can help investors project reliable income, which supports the debt service coverage calculations used for DSCR approvals.
Median household income is $64,440 based on 2019 to 2023 data, reflecting a stable local economy. Economic stability can support rental occupancy, which helps investors maintain consistent property performance when using DSCR financing.
Answers to common questions investors have about DSCR loans and how qualification works.
A DSCR loan is a real estate investment loan where approval is based on the rental income of the property rather than the borrower's personal income. Lenders focus on whether the property produces enough cash flow to cover the monthly mortgage payment.
Most lenders look for a DSCR between 1.0 and 1.25, depending on the loan program and property type. A ratio of 1.0 means the property covers its mortgage payment, while higher ratios indicate stronger cash flow.
Yes. Many DSCR programs allow financing for short term rental properties. Lenders may use market rent estimates or documented rental income from platforms such as Airbnb and VRBO.
Most DSCR loans do not require tax returns, W-2s, or pay stubs. On Mortgage can explain what documentation is needed based on the specific property and loan structure.
No. Unlike many conventional loan programs, DSCR loans typically do not limit the number of financed investment properties, making them well suited for portfolio investors.
DSCR loans can be used for single family rentals, condos, townhomes, small multifamily properties, vacation rentals, and certain mixed use investment properties in Clearwater, subject to lender guidelines.
At On Mortgage, we proudly provide DSCR mortgage solutions to homebuyers and investors throughout Florida. Here are some of the cities we serve near Miami, but we aren’t limited to these locations:
• Boca Raton • Boynton Beach • Cape Coral • Clearwater • Coral Springs • Davie • Daytona Beach • Deerfield Beach • Doral • Fort Lauderdale • Hallandale Beach • Hialeah • Hollywood • Homestead • Jacksonville • Kendall • Lauderdale Lakes • Miami • Miami Beach • Miramar • Orlando • Parkland • Pembroke Pines • Pine Hills • Plantation • Pompano Beach • Port Saint Lucie • Saint Petersburg • Sunrise • Tallahassee • Tampa • West Palm Beach • Weston