Investment lending education

DSCR 101: Master the Fundamentals of DSCR Lending

DSCR loans are the backbone of investor lending. This free course teaches you how to calculate the debt service coverage ratio, break down PITIA, choose the right program for each deal, and confidently price rental property loans, whether you are new to investor lending or sharpening your skills.

Beginner 15 min 5 lessonsLoan ProgramsUpdated 2026-03-14

Start This Course FreeNo credit card required. 150+ brokers already learning.

Curriculum

2 modules, 5 lessons

Module 1DSCR Basics

1What is DSCR & Why Should You Care?Reading

2DSCR Math: Hands-On PracticeCalculator

3DSCR 101 QuizQuiz

Module 2DSCR Programs & Qualification

1Know Your DSCR ProgramsReading

2Program Selection QuizQuiz

What is a DSCR loan and why it matters for brokers

A DSCR loan qualifies borrowers based on the rental income a property generates, not personal income documentation like W-2s or tax returns. DSCR stands for debt service coverage ratio. It compares monthly rental income to the total monthly housing payment (principal, interest, taxes, insurance, and association dues).

For mortgage brokers and loan officers, understanding DSCR lending is no longer optional. Investor borrowers represent some of the highest-value, most repeat-heavy clients in the business. A single investor relationship can generate multiple funded deals per year across purchases, refinances, and portfolio growth.

What you will learn in this course

This course covers the full foundation of DSCR lending: how to calculate the ratio correctly, how PITIA components affect qualification, and how different DSCR programs handle varying ratios, credit tiers, and property types.

•Calculate DSCR using gross rental income and PITIA payment
•Understand which programs accept ratios below 1.0 and what tradeoffs that creates
•Match borrower profiles to the right program based on LTV, credit, and property type
•Practice real pricing scenarios using an interactive loan calculator

Who this course is for

This course is built for licensed mortgage brokers and loan officers who are either new to investor lending or transitioning from conventional residential origination. It is also a strong refresher for experienced brokers who want to sharpen their fundamentals before tackling the advanced DSCR 201 and 301 courses.

No prior investor lending experience is required. The course assumes you understand basic mortgage concepts and are ready to learn how DSCR lending works from the ground up.

Ready to start?

Sign up for a free Relip account to access this course, interactive calculators, quizzes, and all 16 courses in the learning academy. No credit card required.

Built by the team behind $1.8B+ in monthly investor deal flow.

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FAQ

DSCR 101 FAQs

Common questions about this course topic.

What does DSCR stand for?

DSCR stands for debt service coverage ratio. It measures whether a property generates enough rental income to cover its total monthly housing payment including principal, interest, taxes, insurance, and HOA dues.

Do I need any experience to take this course?

No. DSCR 101 starts from the basics and builds up. It is designed for brokers and loan officers at any experience level, whether you are new to investor lending or looking for a structured refresher.

Is this course really free?

Yes. Sign up for a free Relip account and you get immediate access to the full DSCR 101 course, including interactive calculators and quizzes. No credit card required.

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