# STR Loans for Airbnb Properties: How AirDNA Gets You Financed



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STR Loans for Airbnb Properties: How AirDNA Gets You Financed

AirDNA-based STR loans let Airbnb investors qualify on projected short-term rental income. Here's how it works and what markets it works best in.

AirDNA-based STR loans let Airbnb investors qualify on projected short-term rental income. Here is how it works and what markets it works best in.

Can I use projected Airbnb income to qualify for a mortgage?

Yes, but not with a conventional mortgage. STR loan programs use third-party data from platforms like AirDNA to project short-term rental income for the property. The lender uses that projected income to calculate a DSCR ratio, which determines whether the property qualifies. This means you do not need to show personal income documentation or have an existing track record on the property. The projected nightly rental revenue replaces the traditional lease-based income that standard DSCR loans require.

## What is AirDNA and how do lenders use it?

AirDNA is a data analytics platform that tracks performance metrics for millions of short-term rental listings on Airbnb and Vrbo. It provides average daily rates, occupancy rates, seasonal trends, and revenue projections for specific markets and property types. Lenders use AirDNA reports to estimate what a property would earn as a short-term rental, then apply a conservative discount (typically 25%) to arrive at a net income figure used for DSCR calculations. Because the data is based on actual market performance across millions of listings, lenders consider it a reliable and objective income source for underwriting.

## What is the maximum LTV on an Airbnb STR loan?

Most STR loan programs offer up to 80% LTV on purchases and 75% to 80% LTV on cash-out refinances. These limits are slightly more conservative than standard DSCR loans because short-term rental income is inherently more variable than long-term lease income. Seasonal fluctuations, platform algorithm changes, and local competition all affect Airbnb revenue, so lenders require more borrower equity as a risk buffer. Some lenders may offer higher LTV in strong markets with consistently high AirDNA scores, but 80% is the most common ceiling.

Does the property need to already be listed on Airbnb to get an STR loan?

No. One of the primary advantages of AirDNA-based STR loans is that the property does not need to have any existing listing or rental history. The lender uses AirDNA projections based on comparable listings in the same market to estimate what the property would earn as a short-term rental. This means you can use an STR loan to acquire a property that has never been on Airbnb before, as long as the market data supports the projected income. The property just needs to be in a market where short-term rentals are permitted and where AirDNA data shows strong demand.

## STR Loans for Airbnb Properties

## LTV: Up to 80% on purchases, 75-80% on cash-out refinances

Minimum credit score: Typically 680 or higher for STR programs

Loan amounts: $100,000 to $2,000,000+ depending on the lender

Property types: Single-family homes, condos (with some restrictions), townhomes, and small multi-family

Documentation: No personal income documentation required; AirDNA report serves as the income verification