Rental investor programs
Short-Term Rental Loans for Airbnb and VRBO Investors
A short-term rental loan finances a property used for Airbnb, VRBO, or other vacation rentals. The investor reviews the property's income, the market, local rules, and the borrower's profile. Some programs use projected income; others require actual history. Tesni matches the scenario to investor partners.
At a glance
| Best for | Airbnb, VRBO, and vacation rental investors |
|---|---|
| Property types | Single-family homes, condos, townhomes, cabins, beach houses |
| Loan purpose | Purchase, cash-out refinance, rate-and-term refinance |
| Term options | 5, 7, 10, or 30-year fixed; availability varies |
| LTV / down payment | Up to 80-85% LTV for eligible scenarios; 15-20% down typical |
| DSCR | 1.20+ typical; short-term rental income treatment varies |
| Credit | 680+ typical |
| Entity | LLC, corporation, or limited partnership |
| Documentation | Projected or actual rental income, market support, entity docs, insurance |
| Close time | 30-45 days typical |
Who it fits
This program fits investors buying or refinancing a property that will be rented short-term. It can work for first-time STR buyers and experienced operators, but the income documentation and market review differ.
- Buying a property specifically for Airbnb or VRBO
- Refinancing an STR to access equity or move to a long-term loan
- Adding a vacation rental to a portfolio
- Using projected income when actual history is limited
What the investor reviews
Short-term rental underwriting looks at the property, the market, and the income method. Local rules can affect eligibility.
- Projected or actual rental income and seasonality
- Market demand, comparable properties, and occupancy assumptions
- City and HOA rules for short-term rentals
- Credit, reserves, and entity structure
- Property condition, insurance, and title
How the process works
We match the market and income method to investors that actively finance short-term rentals. Not every investor allows every market.
- Scenario review: market, property, income method, timeline
- Investor match: STR experience and market eligibility
- Application and documents: income support, entity, insurance
- Appraisal and underwriting: market rent and local rules
- Closing and funding
What to prepare
STR files need income support and market context. The investor may request additional documentation after review.
- Purchase contract or current loan statement
- Airbnb/VRBO history or projected income support
- Entity documents and guarantor information
- Insurance declaration, including short-term rental coverage
- Local permit or HOA information where applicable
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a loan for an Airbnb property?
Yes, short-term rental financing is available through select investor partners. The property, market, and income method must fit the program.
How is short-term rental income calculated?
Some investors use actual platform history; others use projected income supported by market data. The method varies by investor and market.
What if I have no short-term rental history?
Some programs allow projected income for first-time STR buyers. Others require actual history. We match the scenario to the investor that fits.
Do city regulations matter?
Yes. Local rules, HOA restrictions, and permits can affect eligibility. The investor reviews the market before approving.
How much down payment is required?
15-20% down is typical. The final number depends on the investor, property, market, and borrower.
Can I refinance an STR later?
Yes, cash-out and rate-and-term options may be available. Seasoning and income documentation vary.
What credit score do I need?
680+ is typical, but the minimum varies by investor and compensating factors.
What documents are needed?
Income support, appraisal, entity documents, insurance, reserves, and guarantor information are common.
Related programs
Tesni, LLC is a U.S. business lending marketplace and broker, not a direct lender. We do not approve loans, fund loans, or set pricing. All credit decisions are made by third-party investors subject to their own underwriting and program availability. Guidelines, eligibility, and availability vary by investor and state.