DSCR loan investors, stop right here — because these three mistakes are killing deals before they ever close.

Most investors don't realize their personal finances are still on the hook, that a 1.0 DSCR ratio will get you rejected at closing, or that high leverage at 90-95% quietly destroys the cash flow they were counting on. Ryan DeMent is a mortgage broker who has closed hundreds of DSCR loan deals — and in this episode, he breaks down the exact three mistakes he sees over and over again, with real case studies, hard numbers, and zero sugarcoating.

If you're comparing DSCR loans to conventional loans, this is the episode you need before you sign anything.

DSCR loan denied? It probably wasn't your credit score. It was the Breakeven Lie — and it's killing deals every single week.As a mortgage broker who has closed hundreds of DSCR loans, I watch investors fall for this trap constantly. They run the napkin math, the numbers look fine at 1.0 DSCR, and then a week before closing, the deal dies. Appraisal done. Inspection done. Money spent. And the deal is gone.Here's the truth nobody is telling you: a 1.0 DSCR ratio is an automatic fail in my book. It means your property barely breaks even — and lenders know it. The real target is 1.25 or higher. That's the Golden Ratio. That's the number that gets deals done, generates real cash flow, and builds a portfolio that actually lasts.In this episode, I break down exactly how lenders calculate DSCR — not the way most investors think, but the way underwriters actually run it. If you're using DSCR loans to build your real estate portfolio, this is the episode you can't afford to skip.

🔑 The Real DSCR Formula (Lender's Version):DSCR = (Gross Monthly Rent × Vacancy Adjustment) ÷ Full PITI + HOAYour goal isn't 1.0. Your goal is 1.25 or higher — every single time.💬 "You're in the business to make money. Make sure every property you add to your portfolio is a true cash-flowing machine from day one. That's how you build a real estate empire that lasts." — Ryan DeMent🎙️ About the Chasing Financial Freedom Podcast:This channel helps real estate investors and entrepreneurs use DSCR loans, smart financing, and proven strategies to build long-term financial freedom. Hosted by Ryan DeMent — licensed mortgage broker, real estate investor, and DSCR loan specialist.

On paper your DSCR is 1.25+, but the lender’s underwriter comes back with a ratio under 1.0 and your “perfect” deal dies right before closing. In this episode of Chasing Financial Freedom, Ryan DeMent breaks down how DSCR is really calculated—using conservative appraiser rent (1007), true PITI, and vacancy/expense assumptions—and why relying on hopeful rents and rough estimates keeps getting investors denied after they’ve already paid for inspections and appraisals. You’ll learn how to pull realistic rent comps, stress-test expenses, choose the right DSCR lender, and package your deal like a pro so you only pursue properties that will actually get funded instead of spreadsheet fantasies.