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Lafayette, LA DSCR LoansHybrid Market

DSCR Loans in Lafayette, LA

Finance investment properties in Lafayette with a DSCR loan. Qualify based on rental income, not tax returns. Median rent at $1,050/mo with +2.8% annual growth.

$1,050/mo
Median Rent
$200K
Median Home Price
+2.8%
Rent Growth (YoY)
490K
Metro Population

Market data updated 2026-01-30

Lafayette Market Snapshot

Why Invest in Lafayette?

  • Hub of Cajun country with unique cultural appeal and tourism
  • Oil and gas services sector provides employment base
  • University of Louisiana at Lafayette drives student rental demand

Key Economic Drivers

EnergyHealthcareTechnologyHigher Education
Median Rent
$1,050/mo
Rent Growth
+2.8%

Property Types We Finance

Single Family2-4 UnitsMulti-Family

Popular Investment Areas

River RanchBroadmoorYoungsvilleBroussard

Metro Population

490K

Lafayette metro area — a strong tenant pool for rental property investors.

DSCR Analysis

Hypothetical DSCR Illustration for Lafayette, LA

An illustration built from Lafayette's market data, with no interest rate assumed. Taxes and insurance use local averages; principal and interest come from your own quote, so the figures below show how much of the median rent is left for that payment at common DSCR targets.

Loan Structure

Purchase Price (local median)$200,000
Down Payment20% of the price
Loan Amount80% of the price
Interest RateSet by your quote

Monthly Costs (PITIA)

Principal & InterestFrom your quoted rate
Property Tax (0.55% rate)$92
Insurance$300
Total PITIAP&I + taxes + insurance

What the Median Rent Has to Cover

Hypothetical illustration. DSCR = rent ÷ PITIA; no rate assumed.

Median Monthly Rent$1,050
Taxes + insurance37% of rent
Left for P&I + HOA at a 1.0 DSCR63% of rent
Left for P&I + HOA at a 1.25 DSCR43% of rent
Test the payment from your quote in the DSCR calculator

Hypothetical illustration, no interest rate assumed. At Lafayette's median rent of $1,050/month, local property taxes (0.55% of the $200,000 median price) and insurance (about $3,600 a year) use roughly 37% of the rent. To reach a 1.0 DSCR, principal, interest and any HOA dues would have to fit within the remaining 63% of rent; a 1.25 DSCR leaves about 43%. Your actual ratio depends on the payment in your own quote, which you can test in our DSCR calculator.

Estimated Cap Rate
3.7%
Lafayette's estimated cap rate is 3.69%, indicating a appreciation-focused market where price growth drives returns.
Rent Analysis

Lafayette Rent Projection

Year 1 and Year 5 rent collections based on Lafayette's +2.8% annual rent growth and 6.4% vacancy rate. Loan payments aren't included because they depend on your quote.

Year 1 Projection

Gross Annual Rent$12,600
Vacancy Loss (6.4%)-$806
Effective Gross Income$11,794
Monthly Rent Used$1,050/mo

Year 5 Projection

Projected Monthly Rent$1,173/mo
Gross Annual Rent$14,076
Vacancy Loss (6.4%)-$901
Effective Gross Income$13,175
Change vs Year 1+11.7%

After the local 6.40% vacancy allowance, a median Lafayette rental collects about $11,794 in Year 1. If rents grow 2.80% a year, collections reach about $13,175 by Year 5, roughly 11.7% more. This projection covers rent only: how well that rent covers the loan depends on the payment in your quote, and taxes and insurance can rise over the same years.

Market Comparison

Lafayette vs. Louisiana Average

How Lafayette's rental market compares to the Louisiana statewide average.

Median Rent
$1,050/mo
↓ 19.2% below state avg
Median Home Price
$200K
↓ 4.8% below state avg

Lafayette's median rent of $1,050/month is 19.2% below the Louisiana state average of $1,300/month. Home prices at $200,000 are 4.8% below the state average of $210,000.

Investment Strategy

Lafayette Investment Strategy: Hybrid

Lafayette excels as a balanced market where $1,050/mo rents and $200K entry points create genuine cash-flow potential with appreciation upside. The energy economy provides tenant stability. With a 6.30% rent-to-price ratio and 2.8% rent growth, the rent has room to cover the payment on well-chosen properties. Consider River Ranch for established returns or Broadmoor for value-add plays.

Tax + Ins. / Rent
37%
Cap Rate
3.7%
Vacancy Rate
6.4%
Tax Rate
0.55%
FAQ

DSCR Loan Questions for Lafayette

What DSCR ratio do I need to qualify for an investment property loan in Lafayette, LA?
You need a ratio that meets the minimum of the program your Lafayette loan is placed with. A 1.0 means the rent covers the full payment, and on many programs a larger cushion above the minimum also improves pricing. If the ratio comes in low, a larger down payment lowers the payment and raises the ratio, or a select sub-1.0 program may fit.
Can I buy a Lafayette rental property with less than 25% down?
Often, yes. Select programs allow less than 25% down on a Lafayette rental, down to 15% for stronger credit and DSCR profiles. A score near a program's floor, a ratio below 1.0, or a condo or short-term rental usually calls for more. Your loan officer confirms the maximum loan-to-value for your scenario.
What areas of Lafayette are best for DSCR loan investors?
The best Lafayette neighborhoods for investors depend on your strategy. River Ranch appeals to value-add investors, while Broadmoor offers different opportunities. Consider the Energy employment base when selecting locations.
What are the STR regulations for DSCR loan investors in Lafayette?
Lafayette's STR regulations are classified as "permissive." Short-term rentals are generally allowed with standard licensing. Programs only finance a short-term rental where that use is legally permitted, so confirm the address with the city first.
What's the property tax rate for Lafayette investment properties?
Lafayette applies a 0.55% average rate, typical for Louisiana. Investment property taxes are based on assessed value, which may differ from the purchase price, and owner-occupant exemptions generally do not apply to rentals. Request a tax estimate from the county assessor and build this expense into your DSCR projections.
How has rent growth trended in Lafayette?
Rent growth in Lafayette has trended at +2.8% annually, tracking with national averages. Programs qualify a loan on today's lease or market rent, so future growth helps your cash flow and a later refinance rather than today's DSCR. University of Louisiana at Lafayette drives student rental demand
Are there prepayment penalties on Lafayette DSCR loans?
Often, yes. Many DSCR loans carry a prepayment penalty, such as a 3-2-1 or 5-4-3-2-1 step-down (a declining percentage of the balance over the years), and some programs offer shorter or no-penalty options that change the pricing. Prepayment penalty rules can also vary by state. If you may sell or refinance early, factor the penalty into your Lafayette plan.

Licensing for Louisiana

Cornerstone First Mortgage, LLC (NMLS #173855) — Louisiana Residential Mortgage Lending License. No separate state number is published for this license; look it up on NMLS Consumer Access under NMLS #173855.

Check any license on NMLS Consumer Access, or see every state on our state license list. DSCR loans are business-purpose loans for investment property only.

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