Investment property loans help you purchase homes to rent out for extra income or to flip and sell for a profit. These loans typically have higher barriers to entry than traditional mortgages — and higher interest rates. Always shop around to find a lender that offers the most competitive rental property loans.

An investment property includes any residence from which you earn rental income or you purchase to flip and sell for a profit. A condo, apartment, manufactured home or house can qualify as a rental property, even if you live in it yourself for part of the year. Investment properties usually refer to one- to four-unit residential homes rather than commercial properties, such as apartment complexes and shopping centers.