Vacation Rental Loans for Airbnb, VRBO and Short-Term Rentals

A vacation rental loan finances the purchase or refinance of a property you plan to rent to guests by the night or the week, such as a cabin, beach house, city condo or ski chalet. Instead of relying on your personal income, the lender looks at the income the property can earn as a short-term rental, which makes these loans a strong fit for investors who want to scale a hospitality portfolio.

Cambridge Capital works with first-time hosts and experienced short-term rental owners. Call 800-826-5077 or read more about our vacation rental loans to review your next property.

How a Vacation Rental Loan Works

You share the property details and its income potential, which can come from an existing rental history or a market projection from a rental data report. We measure the expected income against the loan payment and the property’s costs, then structure the loan around leverage, rate and term. You repay the loan through the property’s earnings, a refinance or a sale.

Key Features of Vacation Rental Loans

• Short-term rental income counts: qualification can use projected or documented Airbnb and VRBO earnings.
• Less personal income documentation: the property’s performance matters more than tax returns and pay stubs.
• Purchase, refinance and cash-out: buy a new rental, lower your rate or pull equity to buy another.
• Many property types: cabins, beach homes, condos, townhomes, lake houses and urban apartments.
• Close in an LLC: hold the property in an entity to separate it from personal assets.
• Long-term fixed-rate options: lock a predictable payment while your income changes with the seasons.
• Furnished properties welcome: financing is built for turnkey, guest-ready homes.
• Flexible exit options: keep the property as a short-term rental, switch to long-term tenants or sell.

Vacation Rental Income Calculator

Estimate how a short-term rental performs. Enter the nightly rate, occupancy and operating costs to see your net income, DSCR, cash flow, cash-on-cash return and break-even occupancy. The rate and leverage shown are examples, not an offer.

Why Choose a Vacation Rental Loan?

• Higher income potential: nightly rates can produce more revenue than a traditional 12-month lease in popular markets.
• Qualify on the property: approval looks at the rental performance, not only your salary.
• Flexibility of use: in many setups you can block dates for personal stays while still earning from the rest of the year.
• Grow a portfolio: use property-based qualification to add more rentals over time.
• Adjust your pricing: nightly rates can be changed with demand, events and seasons, unlike a fixed lease.

Vacation Rental Loans vs. Other Financing

A second home mortgage often limits how much you can rent a property, and a long-term DSCR loan measures income from a standard lease. A vacation rental loan fits the way short-term rentals actually earn. If you need to close fast, a bridge loan can get you the keys first, and a vacation rental loan can replace it once the property is booking.

Know Your Local Rules

Short-term rentals are regulated differently in each city, county and community. Before you buy, check zoning, permit or license requirements, occupancy limits, lodging tax rules and any HOA restrictions. A property that cannot legally operate as a short-term rental may not support the income used for your loan.

Who Are Vacation Rental Loans Best For?

These loans fit investors building a short-term rental portfolio, hosts buying their first Airbnb, owners of a second home who want to rent it out, self-employed borrowers with complex income, and investors moving a property from long-term leases to nightly rentals. If the numbers work as a rental, the property can carry the loan.

Other Real Estate Loan Options

Not sure which loan fits your plan? Explore our other investment property programs: