Kiavi Requirements: What It Takes to Qualify
Kiavi's box is wide but specific. Here's the checklist before you spend time on an application — and the things Kiavi will never ask you for.
The requirements at a glance
| Requirement | Kiavi's standard |
|---|---|
| Credit score | ~660 minimum FICO (higher improves pricing) |
| Experience | None required — pricing tiers by exits in the last 24 months |
| Loan size | ~$100K minimum, up to ~$3M |
| Property type | Non-owner-occupied 1–4 unit residential: SFR, condos, townhomes, 2–4 units |
| Occupancy | Investment only — never a primary residence |
| Location | 49 states + DC (not Utah); urban/suburban markets |
| Entity | Most loans close in an LLC or corporation |
| Down payment | Bridge: as little as 5–10% of cost (up to 95% LTC); DSCR: typically 20–25% down |
What Kiavi does NOT require
- No W-2s, pay stubs, or tax returns on bridge loans — there is no personal income check at all. Details: does Kiavi verify income?
- No debt-to-income ratio. DSCR rentals qualify on the property's rent instead.
- No hard credit pull to see pricing. The initial quote is a soft inquiry.
- No prior flips required. First-timers qualify; they just don't get the floor rate (see rates).
New to Kiavi? Get $350 cash after your first loan closes — applied automatically through our partner link.
Claim the $350 Bonus
DSCR-specific requirements
For the 30-year rental loan, Kiavi checks the debt-service-coverage ratio: market rent divided by the full monthly payment (principal, interest, taxes, insurance, HOA). A DSCR around 1.0–1.1 is generally the floor, 1.2+ gets better pricing, and leases or a market-rent appraisal document the income. More in our DSCR guide.
Common disqualifiers
- Property in Utah, rural property, mixed-use, or 5+ units
- Loan under ~$100K — see minimum loan amount for alternatives
- Owner-occupancy or intent to occupy
- FICO below ~660, or recent foreclosure/bankruptcy (seasoning required)
Qualify? Get the bonus too.
If you fit the box, apply through the partner link before you create an account — new customers get $350 cash after the first loan closes, and it can't be added retroactively. How the bonus works.