Volume 6 · April 1st, 2026
Spring is here — and for real estate investors who have been watching and waiting, the data says it’s time to stop watching.
This month we’re breaking down exactly where rates are, what’s happening in the rental market, and the one conversation every investor with a 2022–2023 DSCR loan should be having right now.
Rate Update — April 2026: Rates Are Still High. That’s Not the Whole Story.
The Fed held rates steady again. You’ve probably seen the headlines. But here’s what most investors are missing: the rate you locked in 2022 or 2023 is almost certainly beatable today — and the gap between what you’re paying and what’s available is quietly creating cash flow that belongs in your pocket.
- 6.25% — Current DSCR par rate, 740+ FICO, 70% LTV (HomeAbroad, Mar 2026)
- 6.22% — 30-yr fixed average, conventional (Freddie Mac, Mar 2026)
- 7.5–9% — Where DSCR loans were priced at peak 2022–2023 originations
If you originated a DSCR loan when rates were north of 8%, a refinance today could mean $400–$800/month back in cash flow per property. Across a portfolio of three or four doors, that’s a different financial picture entirely.
Don’t Wait for “Perfect”
Most investors who waited for rates to fall further in 2024 and 2025 are still waiting — and still paying. The borrowers who acted when the math worked are now cashflowing stronger portfolios. The math may already work for you right now. The only way to know is to run the numbers.
What the Data Says — Rental Market Spring 2026: The Rental Tailwind Is Accelerating. Are You Positioned?
While rate headlines dominate the news, the rental demand picture for 2026 is quietly getting stronger for landlords. Here’s what the top research platforms are telling us:
Single-Family Rentals Outperforming
- Zillow projects single-family rents will climb 2.3% in 2026 as buyers stay sidelined by high purchase costs — keeping more people renting longer.
- Nearly 3 in 5 renters plan to keep renting this year. Even if rates dropped, only 37% say they’d buy — down from 45% last year. (Zillow Consumer Housing Trends)
- Single-family home construction starts are on pace for their lowest level since 2019, tightening supply just as demand rises.
Multifamily Turning the Corner
- Redfin projects apartment rents to rise 2–3% by year-end as the 2022–2024 construction wave crests and new supply slows.
- New apartment completions are falling — meaning less competition for existing units and more pricing power for landlords heading into 2027.
- CoStar’s Q1 2026 data confirms leasing demand is firming across major metros, with improving absorption rates over Q4 2025.
The Bigger Picture
High purchase prices and mortgage rates above 6% are keeping millions of would-be buyers in the rental pool. The people who would have bought your tenant’s house two years ago are now your tenants. That structural shift in demand isn’t going away in 2026 — and it makes well-financed rental properties significantly more valuable today than they were 18 months ago.
What Investors Are Doing Right Now: The Four Moves We’re Helping Investors Execute This April
Every month we run dozens of scenarios for investors. Here’s what’s actually moving right now:
- DSCR Refinances from Peak Pricing. Investors who locked at 8%+ in 2022–2023 are refinancing into the 6.12–6.5% range — recovering significant monthly cash flow without restructuring their portfolio.
- Cash-Out to Fund the Next Acquisition. Equity-rich investors are pulling cash from appreciated properties via DSCR cash-out refis (up to 75% LTV) — no tax returns, no personal income docs required.
- No-Doc Purchases for Self-Employed Investors. If your tax returns don’t reflect your real income (welcome to real estate write-offs), DSCR loans qualify based on the property’s rent — not yours. Min. 620 FICO, 20% down.
- Portfolio Cleanup Before Spring Heats Up. Smart investors are refinancing now, before spring inventory picks up and lenders get busier. Getting ahead of the queue means faster closes and better execution.
We’ll Run Your Numbers Free
Tell us your property, your current rate, and your loan balance. We’ll send you a real scenario showing exactly what a refinance or new DSCR loan looks like for your situation. No obligation. No credit pull to start. Contact us to run your numbers.
Stay curious. Stay informed. Stay funded.
The Investor Property Loan Team · Your Mortgage Lab
(800) 440-8350 · InvestorPropertyLoan.com