Commercial property: a different finance conversation
Commercial lending doesn't run on the same assumptions as residential. Loan-to-value ratios are typically more conservative — often 60-70% rather than the 80-90% common in residential lending — and serviceability is frequently assessed around the strength of an existing lease and tenant covenant, not just borrower income. If you're moving into commercial for the first time, this is exactly where the right structuring matters most.
Residential investment: still a long game
For residential portfolios, the finance conversation is usually about structure as much as the next purchase — how existing equity is used, whether cross-collateralisation is worth the convenience, and how each loan sits alongside the others as the portfolio grows. Two investors buying identical properties can end up in very different financial positions years later, almost entirely down to how the loans were structured.
SMSF property lending
Buying property through a self-managed super fund is a genuine strategy for some investors, using a Limited Recourse Borrowing Arrangement — a structure required under superannuation law, not just lender preference. This intersects super law, tax law and lending policy, so it's an area where your fund's adviser and your broker need to work together from the start.
Read: Building Wealth Through Property — Residential and Commercial →
Read: Commercial Property Investment, in detail →
Frequently asked
Do commercial property loans work the same way as residential?
No — commercial lending typically involves lower LVRs (often 60-70%), and serviceability is often assessed around lease strength and tenant covenant rather than purely borrower income. We structure these differently from residential investment loans.
Can I use equity in my home to fund an investment property?
Often yes — many investors release equity from an existing property to fund a deposit on the next one, rather than depleting cash savings. Whether that's the right approach depends on your serviceability and goals.
Do you help investors buy property through an SMSF?
Yes, this is a genuine option for some investors, using a Limited Recourse Borrowing Arrangement — a specific structure required under superannuation law. It needs to be set up correctly from the outset, alongside your fund's own adviser.
How many investment properties can I finance?
There's no fixed number — it comes down to serviceability, equity and how each lender assesses your overall exposure. Experienced investors often spread lending across multiple lenders on our panel for exactly this reason.