Washington investors usually scale a rental portfolio in stages. Conventional investment loans work while you have up to 10 financed properties under Fannie Mae's limit. DSCR loans qualify each property on its rent, with no personal-income documentation and no conventional property cap. Blanket or portfolio loans can finance several properties under one note.
The usual path
- Conventional investment loans for your first rentals, when your tax returns support them. Fannie Mae allows up to 10 financed properties when the new loan is a second home or investment property.
- DSCR loans once tax returns limit you or you pass the conventional cap. Each property qualifies on its rent.
- Blanket or portfolio loans to finance several properties together or consolidate existing ones.
Strategy, not just a loan
Kristen has built and operated her own rentals. Sequencing matters: which loans you use first, how you title properties, how cash-out refinances fund the next purchase and how reserve requirements grow as you add properties.
Related: DSCR loans, fix-and-flip loans, short-term rental loans.
Common questions
How many mortgages can I have?
Fannie Mae allows up to 10 financed properties when the loan is for a second home or investment property. DSCR and portfolio lenders don't use that cap.
Can I close a DSCR loan in an LLC?
Many DSCR lenders allow closing in an LLC.

