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Newrez Broker Survey: What Today's Real Estate Investors Need From Their Financing

Newrez Broker Survey: What Today's Real Estate Investors Need From Their Financing

A Newrez survey reveals what real estate investors value most in financing, including LLC vesting, DSCR qualification and cash flow.

A Newrez survey of mortgage brokers provides insight into what investors value most when securing financing. The results suggest that competitive pricing is only part of the equation.

Features such as Limited Liability Company (LLC) vesting, Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR) qualification and interest-only options play an important role for investors seeking financing that aligns with their investment strategies.

Key Takeaways

  • 86% of these brokers say their investor clients purchase or refinance properties through an LLC at least occasionally.
  • Pricing remains the most important lender attribute for investor loans, cited by 80% of brokers who work with investor clients.
  • More than three-quarters of brokers (78%) say interest-only options are somewhat or very important for helping investors maximize property cash flow.
  • 73% expect demand for non-qualified mortgage (non-QM) investor financing to increase over the next 12 months.

Click to navigate:

  1. Investor Priorities Extend Beyond Interest Rates
  2. Cash Flow Remains a Key Focus
  3. Why LLC Vesting Continues To Matter
  4. Why Investment Property Borrowers Matter to Mortgage Brokers
  5. Brokers Predict Continued Investor Lending Growth
  6. Practical Takeaways for Brokers Serving Investor Clients
  7. FAQs

Investor Priorities Extend Beyond Interest Rates

Interest rates can influence investment decisions. However, brokers surveyed report that investors are evaluating far more than rates alone. Investors need to consider how financing costs, cash flow, qualification requirements and competition for properties can affect potential returns.

According to our survey, pricing remains the most important factor brokers consider when selecting a lender for investor loans. 59% selected product flexibility, making it the second-most important lender attribute behind pricing (80%). Underwriting consistency and account executive support followed at 38% each.

For investors pursuing growth opportunities, securing financing that works well with their business needs may be just as important as securing a competitive rate.

Cash Flow Remains a Key Focus

When asked about the biggest challenges their investor clients face today, 61% of brokers cited interest rates, while 42% pointed to property cash flow. Qualifying for financing (31%) and finding suitable properties (29%) were also common concerns.

For many investors, a property’s value is in its ability to generate income while covering ongoing expenses. Financing costs can directly impact monthly cash flow, making loan structure an important part of the investment equation.

The survey also found that 78% of brokers who work with investor clients said interest-only options are at least somewhat important for helping support maximum property cash flow.

Investors pursuing different strategies may prioritize different loan features. For some, interest-only payments can support cash flow, while others may place greater value on DSCR qualification or LLC vesting.

Why LLC Vesting Continues To Matter

One of the survey's most notable findings involves the role of LLC ownership structures in real estate investing. 51% of brokers said their investor clients purchase or refinance through an LLC at least half the time, and 86% reported that investors use LLCs at least occasionally.

In addition, 42% of brokers said they have lost an investor loan at some point because a lender could not accommodate an LLC ownership structure, including 20% who experienced this within the last 12 months.

For many investors, purchasing or refinancing through an LLC is part of how they structure and manage their real estate holdings. That means brokers need financing options that can accommodate those ownership structures while supporting borrowers' broader investment goals.

Why Investment Property Borrowers Matter to Mortgage Brokers

Real estate investors can be valuable to brokers because they have the potential to be long-term, repeat clients. An investor with a growing portfolio may need financing for new acquisitions, refinances, renovations, cash-out opportunities and additional investment properties.

Investor clients may also be able to connect brokers to their professional networks, including real estate agents, property managers, attorneys, accountants and other investors. As a result, investor lending can be an opportunity for brokers to build relationships that can lead to repeat business from that client and potential referrals from their network.

Brokers Predict Continued Investor Lending Growth

The survey findings suggest that investor lending remains an active segment for many brokers. More than half of brokers who work with investor clients (53%) said their investor loan volume has grown over the past 12 months, while an additional 32% reported that volume has remained about the same.

Looking ahead, these brokers remain optimistic about future demand. Nearly three-quarters (73%) expect demand for non-QM investor financing to increase over the next 12 months, and 26% expect it to stay about the same. Only 1% expect demand to decrease.

Practical Takeaways for Brokers Serving Investor Clients

The survey findings suggest that investors evaluate more than pricing when selecting financing. Brokers reported strong demand for features such as LLC vesting, DSCR qualification and interest-only options in addition to competitive rates.

  • Look beyond rate-driven conversations. While pricing remains important, investors may also be evaluating how financing impacts cash flow, qualification options and long-term portfolio goals.
  • Understand how your clients hold investment properties. Many investors purchase or refinance through LLCs, making ownership structure an important consideration early in the financing conversation.
  • Prioritize products that support a range of investor needs. Features such as DSCR qualification, interest-only options and LLC vesting can help address needs that may not fit traditional borrower profiles.
  • Focus on cash-flow discussions. Property cash flow remains one of the most common challenges investors face. Understanding how different financing structures affect monthly expenses can help borrowers as they determine what type of financing they need.
  • Choose lending partners that offer both flexibility and consistency. Competitive pricing matters, but it’s useful for a broker to have lending partners that provide a broad range of investor loan options, consistent underwriting and strong support throughout the loan process.

As investor lending continues to evolve, brokers who understand these priorities may be better positioned to help clients identify financing solutions that align with their investment objectives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is cash flow important for real estate investors?

Cash flow can influence a property's financial performance and an investor's ability to manage portfolio expenses. Surveyed brokers identified property cash flow as one of the top challenges faced by investors today.

 What is LLC vesting?

LLC vesting refers to holding title to an eligible investment property through a Limited Liability Company (LLC). Many real estate investors use LLC structures as part of how they organize and manage investment properties.

 Why do brokers consider product flexibility important?

Product flexibility can help address a broader range of investor scenarios, including different qualification methods, ownership structures and portfolio goals. Product flexibility ranked as the second-most important lender attribute in the survey.

 What lender characteristics matter most for investor loans?

Survey respondents ranked pricing first, followed by product flexibility. Underwriting consistency and account executive support also ranked among the most important factors when choosing a lender for investor transactions.

Methodology

Newrez surveyed mortgage brokers in its wholesale partner network between July 6 and July 17, 2026. More than 100 brokers responded to the survey. Unless otherwise noted, percentages referenced reflect responses from brokers who indicated they work with investor clients. Percentages may not total 100% because respondents could select multiple answers for certain questions.