SEI Mortgage Podcast

How do DSCR loans work? In this episode of the DSCR miniseries, Ryan Marks walks through the exact math lenders use to qualify you based on the property's rent instead of your tax returns, using a real 300k purchase example, plus the features that make DSCR loans the go to tool for scaling a rental portfolio. You'll learn: How to calculate your debt coverage ratio and the number you need...

DSCR loan vs conventional financing: which one is right for your rental property purchase? In this episode of the DSCR miniseries, Ryan Marks explains why investors and self employed buyers choose DSCR loans even when conventional financing looks cheaper on paper, and how to pick the right loan program for your long term portfolio strategy. You'll learn: Why DSCR loans skip tax returns and in...

Bank said your tax returns don't show enough income? You're not stuck — you're just using the wrong loan. In Episode 1 of our DSCR loan miniseries, I break down exactly how the Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR) loan lets self-employed borrowers and real estate investors qualify using the property's rental income — no tax returns, no W-2s, no pay stubs. After 20+ years in lendi...

Self-employed and getting denied by traditional banks? In this episode, Ryan Marks with SEI Mortgage explains the top 5 reasons to consider a bank statement loan in 2026. Learn how business owners, entrepreneurs, 1099 earners, and real estate investors may qualify using bank statements instead of traditional tax returns. If you are self-employed, own a business, invest in real estate, or have been...

SEI Mortgage breaks down the top 10 Non-QM (non-qualified mortgage) loan programs available right now for self-employed borrowers, real estate investors, 1099 earners, and anyone who doesn't fit the traditional big-bank lending box. If your tax returns don't tell the full story of your real income, this episode is for you. Learn how each program works, who it's built for, and how to...

You're about to lose your dream home because you haven't sold your current one. But what if there's a way to buy now and sell later? In this episode, Ryan Marks breaks down exactly how bridge loans work and how homeowners can use them to upgrade without the pressure of selling first. WHAT IS A BRIDGE LOAN? A bridge loan is a short-term loan that bridges the gap between selling your...

Most investors don't know their equity is locked until it's too late. If you're waiting the standard 6 months to refinance and pull cash out of your investment property, you're leaving capital on the table — and slowing down your ability to scale. In this episode, Ryan Marks breaks down exactly how DSCR and Non-QM mortgage strategies let real estate investors access their equit...

Think DSCR loans are one-size-fits-all? Think again. Once you cross into 5-unit and above territory, the rules change — and so do the opportunities. In this episode, we break down how DSCR financing works for 5+ unit residential properties and why it's a completely different product than the 1-4 unit DSCR loans most investors are familiar with. From how lenders underwrite the deal to how debt...

We break down one of the most powerful non-QM loan products available today: the Profit and Loss (P&L) Loan . If you own a cash-heavy business—like a nail salon, restaurant, auto shop, or any service-based operation—and your tax returns don’t reflect your true income, this episode is for you.  Whether you’re looking to purchase your first home, refinance existing debt, or invest in real estate...

DSCR loans have quickly become one of the most powerful financing tools for real estate investors and self-employed borrowers , but they also come with hidden traps that can cost you tens of thousands of dollars if you don’t understand how they work. In this episode of the SEI Mortgage Podcast , Ryan Marks breaks down the real pros and cons of DSCR loans so you know exactly when this investment pr...

Did you know there’s a way to lower your mortgage payment without refinancing, without changing your interest rate, and without re-qualifying ? In this episode of the SEI Mortgage Podcast, Ryan Marks breaks down one of the most overlooked mortgage strategies available today, the mortgage recast . This is the mortgage move banks rarely advertise. A mortgage recast allows you to make a lump sum prin...

Let's break down a real success story where a real estate agent and investor were denied conventional financing… but still closed on their next investment property using a DSCR loan (Debt Service Coverage Ratio loan). If you’re self-employed or building a real estate portfolio, this episode is a must listen. We unpack: • Why traditional lenders deny investors with strong portfolios  • How tax...

In this episode of the SEI Mortgage Podcast, Ryan Marks sits down with Halsted Knutson, Private Wealth Advisor with ClearPath Wealth Management , to break down the intersection of smart lending strategies and long-term wealth planning for self-employed business owners, entrepreneurs, and real estate investors. The conversation goes far beyond “retirement.” Instead, we unpack what it really means t...

Thinking about buying your next rental property? Before you submit an offer, you need to know one thing — will it actually cash flow? In this episode of the SEI Mortgage Podcast, Ryan Marks walks you step-by-step through how to use the free DSCR calculator on SEIMortgage.com to analyze your investment property before ever speaking to a lender. If you’re a real estate investor or building a rental...

Inheriting real estate in California can be a blessing, or a financial puzzle. When one heir wants to keep the property and another wants to cash out, the wrong move can trigger a property tax reassessment, massive tax increases, or deal-breaking delays. In this episode of the SEI Mortgage Podcast, Ryan Marks is joined by special guest Dat Nguyen, who shares expert insight into how families can ac...

DSCR loans continue to be one of the most powerful financing tools for real estate investors, especially as we head into 2026. If you’re building a rental portfolio, investing in long term or short term rentals, or tired of traditional lenders analyzing your personal income, this episode is for you. In this episode of the SEI Mortgage Podcast , Ryan Marks breaks down DSCR loans , also known as Deb...

Closing costs confuse most buyers and cost people thousands of dollars simply because they do not understand them. In this episode of the SEI Mortgage Podcast, Ryan Marks does a live screen share and walks through a Closing Disclosure to explain exactly what closing costs are when buying a home, where the numbers come from, and which fees matter most for buyers, self employed borrowers, and real e...

Fix and flipping real estate can be extremely profitable, but it can also be one of the fastest ways to lose money if you buy the wrong deal. The difference between success and failure almost always comes down to how the deal is sourced, analyzed, renovated, and financed. In this episode, Ryan Marks is joined by Brad Hansen of ENRG Realty, an experienced Los Angeles based investor and agent who sp...

In this episode of the SEI Mortgage Podcast , Ryan Marks walks you through exactly how bank statement income loans work and how lenders calculate income using only your bank statements instead of tax returns.  You’ll get a step by step screen share demonstrating how to calculate your own qualifying income using the SEI Mortgage free Bank Statement Calculator This episode is perfect for:  • Self em...

Short-term rentals can be one of the fastest ways to build cash flow in real estate, if you buy the right property . In this episode of the SEI Mortgage Podcast , we’re joined by special guest LC Beh of Strive Realty , a top-producing agent in the Los Angeles market and a longtime friend of the show. LC breaks down how successful investors identify short-term rental opportunities before they buy,...

A mortgage preapproval carries real weight, while a prequalification letter often does not, and that difference can determine whether your offer is accepted or ignored. In this episode, Ryan Marks breaks down the critical differences between a mortgage preapproval and a prequalification letter, why sellers and listing agents demand a true preapproval, and how many buyers unknowingly lose homes by...

If you own a home or investment property, there is a good chance you are sitting on equity you do not even realize you can access. Many homeowners and real estate investors assume equity can only be used through a traditional refinance, but that is not always the best option. In this episode, Ryan Marks breaks down HELOCs and HELOANs , how they work, and how self employed borrowers and investors c...

If you're self employed or earning 1099 income, you already know the struggle of qualifying for a mortgage with traditional lenders. Your CPA uses legal write offs to reduce your taxable income, but banks rely on that reduced number to decide whether you qualify. The result is the same problem many entrepreneurs face. You are successful in your business, yet the bank still says you do not qua...

For many self-employed borrowers, tax returns often to a tell a different. Your CPA uses deductions within your legal right to reduce taxable income, but traditional lenders rely on that reduced number to determine your eligibility for a mortgage. The result is the same frustrating outcome many entrepreneurs face. You're successful, but your tax returns don't convey the real value of you...

If you are building a real estate portfolio, the biggest challenge is often the same. Your personal income has nothing to do with how your investment properties perform. Traditional lenders still want tax returns, pay stubs, and personal debt to income ratios, even when the property can easily pay for itself. This episode breaks down the DSCR Loan, also known as the Debt Service Coverage Ratio Loa...