Plan Cash to Close for a Florida DSCR Purchase

Direct answer

A Florida investor worksheet separating down payment, closing costs, prepaid items and post-closing reserves without inventing a universal DSCR minimum.

Decision workflow

Start with the contract price and written maximum loan amount.
Separate down payment from lender and third-party closing charges.
Add Florida taxes, recording and prepaid items using transaction-specific estimates.
Hold required reserves outside cash paid at closing.
Keep a contingency for repairs and operating volatility rather than using every liquid dollar.

File worksheet

Record	What to verify
Written lender terms	Date, program, assumptions and any exception
Property file	Value, rent evidence, insurance, taxes and condition
Borrower/entity file	Identity, credit, assets, ownership and required authorizations
Decision record	Cash required, ongoing payment, reserves and exit provisions

Joe’s Advice

“Use the written program terms for the actual property. A threshold copied from another lender or another month is not an approval rule.”

— Joseph “Joe” Pistone, NMLS 2087918

Verified questions

Is there one minimum down payment for every DSCR purchase?

No. Maximum leverage varies by lender, property, valuation, DSCR method, credit, loan size and other program rules. Use the current written term sheet.

Is down payment the same as cash to close?

No. Cash to close can also include closing costs, prepaid items and adjustments, while reserves generally remain in the borrower’s eligible accounts.

Can closing costs always be financed?

No. That depends on transaction type, program, collateral value, contract and written lender terms.

Why preserve liquidity after closing?

A rental can face vacancy, repairs, insurance deductibles and timing differences. The appropriate cushion is property- and investor-specific.

Primary sources reviewed August 28, 2026

Agency and consumer sources provide definitions and comparison context. Proprietary DSCR matrices remain lender-specific.