The best short-term rental loans in 2026 — and the lenders worth your client's signature

For most STR purchases in 2026, the loan to recommend is a DSCR loan, which underwrites the property's projected rental income instead of your client's W-2. Our top pick for a first STR purchase is Kiavi for its speed and 80% LTV; Beeline is the better call for a buy-and-hold client with strong credit; and The Lender is the specialist when the deal hinges on AirDNA-style STR income projections.

This isn't financial advice, and your client should confirm terms with the lender directly. But here's the framework you can walk them through before they ever fill out an application.

Affiliate disclosure: VaultSTR may earn a commission when an agent or client opens an account with some of the partners listed here. It never changes our rankings or what we tell you.

Our pick

Best overall STR lender for most investor clients: Kiavi. DSCR loans from roughly 7.75%, up to 80% LTV on qualifying properties, no DTI requirement, and closings in 10-15 days. Fast and flexible enough to win a competitive offer — which is usually what your client needs most.

How we evaluated STR lenders

We weighted the criteria that actually move an STR deal, not the ones that look good in a brochure.

1. Loan product fit. Does the lender underwrite on the property's income (DSCR) rather than your client's personal income? For STR investors, this is non-negotiable.
2. LTV and down payment. STR loans almost always cap lower than primary-residence loans. The difference between 75% and 80% LTV is real cash out of your client's pocket.
3. Speed to close. A 10-day close wins offers a 30-day close loses. We rated each lender on realistic closing timelines, not advertised ones.
4. STR income treatment. Some lenders accept short-term rental income projections (e.g., AirDNA/Rentalizer data); others underwrite only long-term lease comps, which can sink a seasonal-market deal.
5. Entity and portfolio friendliness. Serious investors buy in LLCs and scale to multiple doors. We favored lenders comfortable with both.
6. Total cost. Rate is the headline; points, fees, and prepayment penalties are where deals quietly get expensive.

The lenders

Kiavi — best overall for speed and LTV

Kiavi is a tech-driven lender built for investors who move fast. DSCR rates start around 7.75%, it offers up to 80% LTV on qualifying properties, and it closes in roughly 10-15 days. There's no DTI requirement, which matters for self-employed or already-leveraged buyers.

• Best for: First-time and repeat STR buyers who need a fast, competitive close.
• Starting rate: ~7.75% (DSCR), up to 80% LTV.
• Pros: Fast closings; high LTV ceiling; no DTI; smooth online process; comfortable with LLCs.
• Cons: Pricing isn't the absolute lowest for pristine-credit borrowers; less hand-holding than a local broker.
• When to skip it: A 740+ credit client chasing the lowest possible rate may do better elsewhere.
• What to tell your client: "If we need to close fast to win this, Kiavi's our lender. The higher LTV also keeps more cash in your reserve for furnishing and ramp-up."

Beeline — best for strong-credit buy-and-hold investors

Beeline specializes in rental and STR loans, is entity-friendly, and has no DTI requirement. For borrowers with excellent credit (740+) and a strong DSCR ratio, Beeline often prices more competitively than the faster-but-pricier specialists. It typically caps STR at 75% LTV.

• Best for: Credit-strong investors building a buy-and-hold portfolio.
• Starting rate: Competitive for 740+ credit; 75% LTV cap on STR.
• Pros: Strong pricing for qualified borrowers; rental/STR specialist; entity-friendly; built for portfolio growth.
• Cons: Lower LTV cap means a bigger down payment; best rates gated behind high credit.
• When to skip it: A client who needs 80% LTV or has a thinner credit file.
• What to tell your client: "If your credit's strong and you're holding this long term, Beeline likely saves you money over the life of the loan — just plan for the larger down payment."

The Lender — best for STR-income-dependent deals

The Lender is an STR specialist comfortable underwriting deals on short-term rental income projections, with no DTI and fast DSCR closings. The tradeoff: rates often run 1-2% above premium lenders, with steeper fees and longer prepayment penalties.

• Best for: Deals in seasonal or pure-STR markets where the numbers only pencil on short-term income.
• Starting rate: ~1-2% above premium lenders; STR-income friendly.
• Pros: Underwrites STR income projections; no DTI; fast; deep STR expertise.
• Cons: Higher rates and fees; longer prepayment penalties to read carefully.
• When to skip it: A deal that pencils on long-term lease comps — you're overpaying for STR-specific underwriting you don't need.
• What to tell your client: "This market only works on short-term numbers, so we need a lender who'll underwrite it that way. The Lender will — just know we're paying a premium for that flexibility, and watch the prepayment penalty."

Host Financial — worth a quote for STR-only borrowers

Host Financial markets specifically to short-term rental investors and underwrites on projected STR revenue. We list it as a comparison quote rather than a ranked pick: get terms in writing alongside Kiavi and The Lender before recommending it, since pricing and LTV vary by market and deal.

• Best for: STR-focused borrowers gathering competing quotes.
• What to tell your client: "Let's get Host Financial's number next to two others. More quotes, more negotiating room — never take the first term sheet."

Which loan should you recommend?

Default to a DSCR loan for almost any investor client buying an STR. It underwrites the asset, not the person, which keeps the deal alive for self-employed buyers and lets your client scale without their DTI capping them out.

Steer a client toward a conventional or second-home loan only when they genuinely intend personal use and the rate advantage is worth the occupancy restrictions and personal-income underwriting. Reserve hard money or bridge loans for value-add deals where your client will renovate, stabilize, and refinance into a DSCR loan within 12-18 months — and make sure they understand the carry cost before they sign.

The move that protects your credibility: get two or three term sheets on every deal. Rates above 6.5% in mid-2026 mean the spread between lenders is real money, and an agent who runs a clean comparison looks like an advisor, not a salesperson.

The bottom line

For most STR purchases in 2026, recommend a DSCR loan and put Kiavi at the top of the list for speed and LTV, Beeline for strong-credit buy-and-hold clients, and The Lender when the deal depends on STR income projections. Hand your client a side-by-side of two or three quotes, flag the prepayment penalties, and you've turned "how do I finance this?" into the moment they decide you're the agent they trust.

FAQ

What's a DSCR loan, in one sentence for my client?

A loan that qualifies the property on its projected rental income instead of your client's personal income — ideal for investors and the self-employed.

How much down payment should my client expect on an STR?

Plan for 20-25%. STR loans typically cap at 75-80% LTV, lower than primary-residence financing.

Can my client buy in an LLC?

Yes — the lenders here (Kiavi, Beeline, The Lender) are entity-friendly, which most investors want for liability and tax reasons. Have them confirm with their CPA.

Do these lenders accept AirDNA income projections?

STR specialists like The Lender and Host Financial will underwrite on short-term income projections. Conventional lenders generally won't — they use long-term lease comps.

What rate should my client expect in 2026?

DSCR rates have been running above premium conventional rates (which climbed back above ~6.5% in mid-2026). Expect STR DSCR quotes in the high-7s and up, depending on credit, LTV, and market.

This article is editorial and informational, not financial advice. Loan terms, rates, and LTV caps change frequently and vary by borrower and market — confirm all terms directly with the lender. Last updated June 16, 2026.