An investment property earns a profit for its investor. Investment property loans are a tool for an investor to maximize their returns by leveraging the down payment, the length of the payback terms, and the interest rate. Investors can further improve their returns by using investment loans to build where there is a need for affordable houses to rent, for instance, or to rehab a property to increase its value and cash flow.

However, investment properties are considered higher risk than residential loans for personal residences. The logic behind this is that if something goes wrong and the property loses money for the investor, it’s easier to walk away from a property if it's not your residence. It's important to review factors such as your credit score, the length of the loan, and the location of the property before applying for a loan.

We reviewed 19 lenders and their loan programs to select the best investment property loan options based on what property types they can be used for, their down payment requirements, their current interest rates and APRs, loan size minimums and maximums, and the length and complexity of the underwriting process. Here are our top picks.