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HELOC vs. DSCR Loan

Which one is right for you?

When it comes to financing rental properties, not all loans are created equal. A Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) and a Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR) Loan offer two different ways to access capital, each suited to different real estate goals.

Get the funding you need—fast and without the hassle of traditional banks

Understanding how they work can help you choose the best option for your investment strategy.

What is a HELOC?

A HELOC is a flexible, revolving line of credit that lets you borrow against the equity in your home or investment property.

  • Think of it as a credit card backed by your house—you can tap into it when you need funds and pay it back on your schedule.
  • With Figure’s HELOC, you can access up to $400K1navigates to numbered disclaimer with funding in as little as 5 days2navigates to numbered disclaimer, making it a great option if you want financial flexibility.

What is a DSCR Loan?

A DSCR Loan is designed for real estate investors. Instead of using your personal income to qualify, it looks at your rental property's cash flow.

  • Your DSCR = Net Operating Income (NOI) / Total Debt Service. If your rental income covers your loan payments (a DSCR above 1.0), you’re a solid candidate for financing.
  • With Figure’s DSCR Loan, you can get up to $1M in funding—without W-2s, tax returns, or unnecessary paperwork.3navigates to numbered disclaimer

HELOCs vs. DSCR Loans

Compare HELOCs and DSCR loans side-by-side to help you make an informed decision.

Figure HELOCFigure DSCR Loan
Best forHomeowners leveraging home equityReal estate investors financing rental properties
Approval processBased on home equity & personal credit scoreBased on rental income (no W-2s, no tax returns) and personal credit score
SpeedFunding in as little as 5 days2navigates to numbered disclaimerFunding in as little as 5 days4navigates to numbered disclaimer
Loan amountsUp to $400K1navigates to numbered disclaimerUp to $1M (No appraisal under $400K)3navigates to numbered disclaimer
Usage flexibilityCan be used for any purposeFor investment properties
Repayment typeRevolving credit (like a credit card)Fixed-term mortgage loan
Investor-friendlyAvailable for homeowners & some investorsDesigned specifically for real estate investors

Which one should you choose?

if you want flexible, revolving credit to use
as needed.

if you need a fixed-term mortgage to
purchase or refinance a rental property.

Learn why Figure’s DSCR could be the better choice

Figure’s DSCR Loan is a financing solution built for real estate investors who want to expand their portfolios without the hassle of traditional loan approvals. Figure’s DSCR loan is designed for real estate investors, letting you qualify based on your rental income, not personal income. 

With funding in as little as 5 days, you can act fast when the right investment opportunity comes along.4navigates to numbered disclaimer

How to get a DSCR Loan with Figure

No matter which option fits your strategy, Figure has the right solution
for you backed by fast funding and cutting-edge technology.

  1. 1

    Complete our 100% online application

    Based on rental income (No W-2s, no tax returns) and pre-qualification won’t affect your credit score.

  2. 2

    Get pre-qualified in minutes, funding in as few as 5 days4navigates to numbered disclaimer

    Get up to $400K funded in as few as 5 days (even complex deals close in under 9).

  3. 3

    Grow your rental portfolio

    With Figure, you’re getting fast, hassle-free funding tailored for real estate investors. No waiting, no unnecessary paperwork.