A DSCR lender looks at one thing on a Wisconsin rental: whether the rent covers the full payment. A single-family rental priced near $285,000 in Wisconsin typically rents for about $1,550 a month. With 25% down at 6.875%, the payment including Wisconsin's 1.25% property tax and insurance comes to $1,801, a lender's ratio of 0.86. The tool below is preloaded with that deal.
Wisconsin rental numbers at a glance
| Typical home value | $337,000 |
|---|---|
| Example rental price85% of the statewide typical home value | $285,000 |
| Example rent1.35× the $1,142 statewide median, which includes apartments | $1,550 |
| Gross rent yieldA year's rent ÷ price | 6.5% |
| Effective property tax rate$297 a month, 16% of PITIA | 1.25% |
| Typical insurance | $1,200 |
Home values: Zillow, September 2026. Income, rent, and property tax: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2024. Insurance is an estimate. Sources · How every state compares
A Wisconsin rental through a DSCR lender
| Loan (75% of $285,000) | $213,750 |
|---|---|
| Principal & interest at 6.875% | $1,404 |
| Taxes, insurance, and dues | $397 |
| PITIA | $1,801 |
| Monthly rent | $1,550 |
| DSCR, lender method (rent ÷ PITIA)Headline result | 0.86 |
| DSCR, NOI methodAfter 5% vacancy and 15% operating costs | 0.60 |
| Rent needed for 1.25 | $2,251 |
| Cash to close | $79,800 |
| Cash flow after vacancy and upkeepHeadline result | -$561 |
Wisconsin costs that move the ratio
Property taxes in Wisconsin
Residential and commercial property share one valuation methodology but pay different effective rates; the lottery credit and circuit breaker lower owner-occupied bills. At 1.25%, taxes make up 16% of the example PITIA, and every dollar of escrow counts against the ratio as surely as the loan payment. Investment properties rarely qualify for homestead relief.
Insurance and hazard in Wisconsin
Landlord policies here run about $1,200 a year. Hail and tornado claims set premiums across the Midwest. Check roof age and deductible structure before underwriting a rehab, and expect a separate wind/hail deductible in many counties. DSCR lenders escrow the premium, so a quote that comes in high can push a borderline deal under the minimum.
Landlord rules in Wisconsin
No statewide rent control. Security deposits must be returned within 21 days of the end of the tenancy. Lenders count the lower of the lease and the appraiser's market rent, so rent you can't support with comparables won't help the ratio.
How to test a Wisconsin rental for a DSCR loan
- Enter the actual price and the rate on your DSCR quote; pricing varies with the ratio, loan-to-value, and credit score.
- Use the lower of the signed lease and market rent from comparable Wisconsin rentals, the way the appraiser's rent schedule will.
- Replace the statewide 1.25% tax rate with the parcel's actual bill, and the insurance figure with a landlord quote.
- Choose your lender's method and minimum; switch to the NOI method if the loan is commercial or portfolio-held.
- If the ratio falls short, use the grid under the tool to find the down payment and rate that clear it.
Methodology
The lender method divides gross monthly rent by PITIA: principal and interest plus monthly taxes, insurance, and dues. The NOI method divides rent after vacancy and operating costs, less taxes, insurance, and dues, by principal and interest alone. Rent needed and the largest loan solve the same equations for rent and for loan size at each minimum ratio.
Wisconsin figures start from sourced statewide data (listed under Sources): Zillow's typical home value and Census rent and property tax, scaled to a typical single-family rental. Insurance is an estimate. DSCR programs differ by lender; confirm the method, minimum, and loan-to-value cap with yours.
Sources
- Typical home value: Zillow Home Value Index (all homes, mid tier, seasonally adjusted), September 2026.
- Median household income: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 1-year estimates, table B19013, 2024.
- Median gross rent: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 1-year estimates, table B25064, 2024.
- Effective property tax rate: Median real estate taxes paid (B25103) ÷ median home value (B25077), Census ACS 1-year, the Tax Foundation's method, 2024.
- Homeowners insurance: Keystone estimate of a typical annual premium. Replace it with a quote for the address, 2026.
Read the full methodology, worked example, and caveats in the national DSCR Loan Calculator guide.
Wisconsin FAQ
- Can you get a DSCR loan in Wisconsin?
- Yes. DSCR loans are offered by national non-QM lenders in most states, Wisconsin included, and typically finance one- to four-unit rentals held personally or in an LLC. Confirm the lender is licensed for Wisconsin investment-property loans and ask about prepayment penalties, which are common.
- How much rent do I need for a DSCR loan in Wisconsin?
- On the example $285,000 rental with 25% down, rent must at least equal the $1,801 PITIA for a 1.00 ratio, and reach about $2,251 for 1.25. Wisconsin property tax and insurance are part of that bar.
- Do Wisconsin property taxes hurt the DSCR?
- They count in full. At 1.25%, taxes add $297 a month to the example payment, 16% of PITIA. That is high by national standards and lowers the ratio noticeably.
- Do Wisconsin rentals cash-flow with a DSCR loan?
- At the example numbers, the rental loses about $561 a month after 5% vacancy and 15% for maintenance and management, a -8.4% cash-on-cash return. A deal can satisfy the lender and still lose money, so read the cash-flow figure, not just the ratio.
Other state editions
Every state gets its own edition of the DSCR Loan Calculator, preloaded with that market's typical values, tax rates, and insurance costs: