⚡ Quick Answer
Ohio DSCR loans qualify on investment property rental income — no W-2, no tax returns required. DSCR = monthly rent ÷ monthly PITIA. Ohio's strongest DSCR markets are Akron and Dayton — cap rates of 7.5–11% produce DSCR ratios of 1.15–1.40x at 20% down. Ohio's critical gotcha: county tax rates vary by 2x — Cuyahoga County (Cleveland) at 2.1–2.5% vs Franklin County (Columbus) at 1.1–1.4%. Always use the specific county rate.
Ohio DSCR Qualification by Market
Akron (Summit Co.)
✓ Best for DSCR
- Cap rate: 7.5–11%
- Tax rate: 1.5–1.9%
- DSCR: 1.20–1.40x typical
- Entry: $80K–$165K
- Best: North Hill, Kenmore, West Akron
Dayton (Montgomery Co.)
✓ Best for DSCR
- Cap rate: 7–10.5%
- Tax rate: 1.4–1.8%
- DSCR: 1.15–1.35x typical
- Entry: $90K–$170K
- Best: WPAFB corridor, Kettering
Columbus — Value-Add
✓ Good for DSCR
- Cap rate: 7.5–9.5%
- Tax rate: 1.1–1.4%
- DSCR: 1.15–1.30x typical
- Entry: $115K–$175K
- Best: Linden, Franklinton
Columbus — Suburban
⚠ Borderline
- Cap rate: 5.5–7%
- Tax rate: 1.1–1.4%
- DSCR: 0.95–1.10x typical
- Entry: $195K–$340K
- Best: appreciation play
Cincinnati (Hamilton Co.)
⚠ Moderate
- Cap rate: 5–8%
- Tax rate: 1.2–1.6%
- DSCR: 1.0–1.15x typical
- Entry: $155K–$300K
- Best: value-add neighborhoods
Cleveland (Cuyahoga Co.)
⚠ High Yield / Expert
- Cap rate: 7–11%
- Tax rate: 2.1–2.5%
- DSCR: 1.10–1.35x typical
- Entry: $80K–$155K
- Best: block selection critical
Ohio County Tax Rate Impact on DSCR
County property tax rates are the most overlooked variable in Ohio DSCR calculations. Using the wrong rate can inflate your estimated DSCR by 0.10–0.20x.
| County | City | Effective Tax Rate | Annual Tax ($150K) | Monthly Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin | Columbus | 1.1–1.4% | $1,650–$2,100 | $138–$175 |
| Summit | Akron | 1.5–1.9% | $2,250–$2,850 | $188–$238 |
| Montgomery | Dayton | 1.4–1.8% | $2,100–$2,700 | $175–$225 |
| Hamilton | Cincinnati | 1.2–1.6% | $1,800–$2,400 | $150–$200 |
| Cuyahoga | Cleveland | 2.1–2.5% | $3,150–$3,750 | $263–$313 |
Cuyahoga County tax trap: Cleveland's 2.1–2.5% effective rate is nearly double Columbus. On a $150K property, Cleveland taxes add $125–$138/month more to PITIA — compressing DSCR by 0.08–0.12x.
Ohio DSCR Loan Requirements (2026)
| Requirement | Minimum | Standard | Best Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|
| DSCR ratio | 1.0x | 1.10x | 1.25x+ |
| Down payment | 20% | 20–25% | 20% |
| Credit score | 620 | 680–720 | 720+ |
| Income verification | None — rental income only | ||
| LLC vesting | Allowed | ||
| Rate (30-yr fixed) | 8.25–8.50% | 7.75–8.25% | 7.25–7.75% |
| Loan amounts | $75,000 – $3,000,000 | ||
Worked DSCR Example — Akron SFR
Property: 3BR SFR, Kenmore, Akron OH. Purchase $108,000. Rent $1,150/mo.
| PITIA Component | Monthly | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| P&I (7.5%, 20% down) | $605 | $86,400 loan |
| Taxes (Summit Co. 1.7%) | $153 | $1,836/yr |
| Insurance | $100 | $1,200/yr |
| Total PITIA | $858 | |
| DSCR | 1.34x | ✓ Best rate tier |
Why Akron DSCR works: Low prices ($80K–$165K), strong rents ($1,050–$1,350/mo) = yields that easily clear 1.25x.
Get a same-day Ohio DSCR quote
We use county-specific tax rates for all 88 Ohio counties. Quote in hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the requirements for a DSCR loan in Ohio?
1.0x minimum DSCR, 620+ credit, 20-25% down, no W-2/tax returns, LLC allowed. Use county-specific tax rates — they vary by 2x across Ohio.
Which Ohio market is best for DSCR?
Akron and Dayton — 7.5-11% cap rates produce 1.15-1.40x DSCR at 20% down. Columbus value-add 1.15-1.30x. Suburban Columbus 0.95-1.10x (borderline).
How does county tax rate affect DSCR?
Cuyahoga (Cleveland) 2.1-2.5% vs Franklin (Columbus) 1.1-1.4% — adds $125-138/mo more PITIA on same $150K property, compressing DSCR 0.08-0.12x.
Can I get a DSCR loan for rural Ohio?
Yes, but rent comp challenge. Stick within 30 minutes of major employment centers for strongest qualification.
What is a good DSCR for Ohio?
1.25x+ = best rate tier. Akron/Dayton reach 1.25-1.40x. Columbus value-add 1.15-1.30x. Below 1.0x doesn't qualify.
Viador Partners NMLS #2822744. Not a loan commitment. Equal Housing Lender.
Get a Same-Day Ohio DSCR Quote
County-specific tax rates, actual insurance, live rent comps. No surprises at underwriting.