Do you accept short-term rental income?

Short-term rental financing: Big banks don't typically underwrite Airbnb income. Select DSCR lenders do.

DSCR Loans in NJ: Team Malik vs. Big Banks — An Honest Comparison

Malik Shalmiyev
May 31
3 min read

Most big banks don't offer DSCR loans at all. And for the few that do, the guidelines, timelines, and investor-friendliness differ significantly from working with a loan officer who specializes in this type of financing every day. This page is a factual comparison — not a sales pitch. If a big bank is the right fit for your deal, we'll tell you.

What Most Big Banks Offer for Investment Properties

Major banks like Chase, Wells Fargo, and Bank of America primarily offer conventional investment property loans — which means: full personal income documentation required (W-2s, tax returns, paystubs), DTI-based qualification (typically max 45–50%), a 10-property limit under Fannie Mae guidelines, no LLC titling, and competitive rates. Some large banks do offer limited portfolio or non-QM programs, but these tend to be newer products with fewer experienced loan officers and slower closing timelines.

Team Malik vs. Big Banks: Side-by-Side

DSCR loan programs available: Team Malik → Yes, multiple programs | Big Banks → Rarely / very limited

Income documentation: Team Malik → None required (property income only) | Big Banks → Full personal docs required

Tax returns required: Team Malik → No | Big Banks → Yes (2 years)

LLC titling: Team Malik → Yes, available | Big Banks → No

Portfolio size limit: Team Malik → No hard limit | Big Banks → 10 properties (Fannie Mae cap)

Short-term rental (Airbnb) income: Team Malik → Accepted by select programs | Big Banks → Not typically

Sub-1.0 DSCR programs: Team Malik → Available | Big Banks → Not available

Self-employed borrowers: Team Malik → No personal income needed | Big Banks → Must qualify on personal income

Minimum credit score: Team Malik → 620 | Big Banks → Often 680+

Closing speed: Team Malik → 3–4 weeks typical | Big Banks → 4–6+ weeks typical

Languages: Team Malik → English, Russian, Azerbaijani | Big Banks → English (varies by branch)

Where Big Banks Win — An Honest Answer

Rates: Conventional investment property loans carry lower interest rates than DSCR loans. If you qualify on personal income and don't need the DSCR structure, a conventional loan saves money.
Brand trust: Some borrowers prefer working with a nationally recognized institution.
Down payment: Conventional investment loans can require as little as 15% down for a single-family property. DSCR typically starts at 20–25%.

Where DSCR Wins — And Big Banks Can't Compete

Self-employed and high write-off investors: Your tax returns show $40K/year but you deposit $200K. A big bank qualifies you on $40K. A DSCR loan ignores your personal income entirely.
Portfolio builders beyond 10 properties: Once you've hit Fannie Mae's 10-property cap, DSCR is often your only path to keep scaling.
LLC buyers: DSCR loans allow LLC titling — critical for liability protection in a growing portfolio.
Speed: Fewer documents = faster underwriting. Less back-and-forth with processors.
Short-term rental financing: Big banks don't typically underwrite Airbnb income. Select DSCR lenders do.

What to Ask Any Lender Before Choosing

Do you offer DSCR loans, or are you trying to fit me into a conventional product?
Can this loan be titled in my LLC?
How do you calculate qualifying rental income — lease, or appraiser's estimate?
Do you accept short-term rental income?
What is the minimum DSCR ratio you'll approve?
How many DSCR loans have you closed in the last 12 months?

The answers will tell you quickly whether the loan officer has real DSCR experience or is learning on your deal.

About Team Malik at Rize Mortgage

Malik Shalmiyev (NMLS #1542149) with Rize Mortgage has originated DSCR loans for real estate investors across New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Florida. He specializes in investor-focused financing — including DSCR, bank statement, ITIN, and jumbo loans — and works directly with each client rather than handing off to a call center.

📞 609-933-1700 | malik@themalikteammortgage.com | themalikteammortgage.com

All loans subject to approval. Rates and terms subject to change. Equal Housing Lender. NMLS #1542149. Comparison is general in nature — individual results will vary.