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Investor guides
Every number on DSCRRadar comes from four metrics: cap rate, gross yield, DSCR, and cash-on-cash. These guides explain each one and show how they decide whether a rental actually pays.
Start here if you are new. A deal has to clear a lender DSCR of about 1.2 to get financed, then return cash after the mortgage to be worth owning. At today's 6.80% financing with 25% down and a 40% expense load, that is hard almost everywhere. Across the 25 metros we track, Cleveland comes closest with a DSCR of 1.20, still short of the line. The guides below show you how to run those numbers on any property before you make an offer.
What each metric tells you
| Metric | Question it answers | Includes financing? |
|---|---|---|
| Cap rate | What does the property yield before any loan? | No |
| Gross yield | How much rent per dollar of price? | No |
| DSCR | Does the rent cover the mortgage? | Yes |
| Cash-on-cash | What return do you earn on the cash you put in? | Yes |
The Investor Yield Index blends all four into a single 0 to 100 score per market. Read the methodology for the exact weights and bands.
The guides
Best States for DSCR Loans in 2026, Where Investors Actually Qualify
A DSCR loan is approved on property cash flow, not your income. See which states clear the 1.2 lender minimum in 2026, ranked with live data.
Sep 18, 2026
Using a DSCR Loan for the BRRRR Refinance, How the Exit Actually Works
The BRRRR strategy ends at the refinance. Here's how a DSCR loan replaces the hard-money bridge, with the DSCR math that decides approval.
Sep 18, 2026
DSCR vs. Conventional Loan for Rental Property, the Real 2026 Trade-off
DSCR loans approve on rent, conventional on your income. Compare rates, down payments, DSCR minimums, and when each route wins in 2026.
Sep 18, 2026
Where Do Rental Properties Still Cash-Flow in 2026?
At 2026's rates, cash-flow investing is hard everywhere. Here's how the Investor Yield Index surfaces the markets that still work, and why.
Jun 19, 2026
Cash-on-Cash vs. Cap Rate, the Difference Investors Miss
Cap rate ignores financing; cash-on-cash includes it. Confusing the two leads to bad deals. Here's the difference, with a worked example.
Jun 19, 2026
DSCR Loan Requirements, What You Actually Need to Qualify
The concrete requirements to qualify for a DSCR loan in 2026, minimum DSCR, down payment, credit, reserves, and property criteria.
Jun 19, 2026
Hard Money vs. DSCR Loans. Which Investor Financing Fits?
Hard money and DSCR loans both skip income verification but serve different stages. Here's how to choose between bridge financing and long-term takeout.
Jun 19, 2026
How to Analyze a Rental Property, a Step-by-Step Walkthrough
A repeatable framework for analyzing a rental deal, from gross yield and cap rate through DSCR, cash-on-cash, and the go/no-go decision.
Jun 19, 2026