1st Advantage MortgagePennsylvania has some of the oldest rental stock in the country and a wide range of price points, which makes DSCR's property-first approach practical. The state offers rowhomes, duplexes, college towns and mountain getaways.
A state of small multifamily and old housing stock
Pennsylvania has long been a place where investors buy duplexes, triplexes and rowhomes and hold them for cash flow. Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are major metros with university and healthcare employers, while the Lehigh Valley, Harrisburg and Lancaster markets have grown thanks to logistics and commuter flows. State College runs on a large university. The Poconos carry a vacation-home economy. Older buildings usually mean more attention to the roof, plumbing, electrical and heat in the appraisal and inspection.
Where Pennsylvania investors look
A big rowhome market with licensing requirements for rentals, a heavy transfer tax at closing and widely varying neighborhoods.
Hospitals, universities and technology employers support steady demand in a hilly city with distinctive neighborhoods.
Logistics growth and New York and New Jersey commuters shape rent.
State government, healthcare and a strong local economy support a mix of houses and small buildings.
A very large university makes this a lease-cycle student market.
Vacation homes and mountain getaways, where short-term rental rules and seasonality apply.
What you will probably be buying
Rowhomes, twins, duplexes and small multifamily are everywhere. Single-family suburban homes and mountain chalets round out the mix.
Costs and details to price in before you offer
State and local realty transfer taxes can be significant at closing. Get a closing estimate for the specific municipality.
Cities and boroughs often require rental licenses or inspections. Make sure the property is licensable.
County reassessment is infrequent, but a sale can trigger appeals or changes. Use the tax figure for the post-purchase situation.
Run it, then apply
Put the real tax and insurance figures into the calculator, check the requirements, and if this is your first rental read the first-time guide. Ready? Apply now or get a DSCR quote.
Nearby states
DSCR loans are business-purpose loans on investment property. Availability in Pennsylvania depends on the property, the borrower and the lender program, and this page is not an offer to lend. See our disclosures.
More Pennsylvania city guides
Local pages for 2 more Pennsylvania markets, each with neighborhoods, property types and checks specific to that city.
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy a triplex in Pennsylvania with a DSCR loan?
Yes. Two to four unit properties are eligible where lender guidelines allow it, and the rent from all units counts toward the ratio. Condition and licensing of each unit are part of the review.
What about older houses with outdated systems?
The lender wants a rentable property in good working order. Heavy repairs are usually done before or financed separately, then refinanced into a DSCR loan.
Do Poconos cabins qualify as short-term rentals?
If a program accepts nightly income and the property is legal for that use under local rules and any HOA, yes. Otherwise it is underwritten on long-term rent.