Investment loans built for your next property
First investment property or growing a portfolio? Your broker compares lenders on rate, structure and how they treat rent.
- Free to compare
- A specialist partner broker, start to finish
- No credit score impact
Typical ranges only. Actual limits depend on the lender and your circumstances.
Example rate only: not a comparison rate, quote or offer of credit. Your rate depends on your credit profile, the lender and the asset. Excludes fees and charges.
Mortgage brokers are legally required to act in your best interests when helping with a loan secured by residential property.
How investment loans work with us
Investment lending isn’t just a relabelled home loan. Lenders treat rent and price investor loans differently, and vary on interest-only, units and higher LVRs.
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Your partner broker looks at borrowing power, keeping the loan separate from your home loan, and lenders that suit your next property too.
- First investment property
- Adding to a portfolio
- Using equity from your home
- Interest-only periods
- Refinancing an investment loan
- Buying in a trust or company
Interest-only options
Lower repayments for a set period; your broker explains the trade-offs.
Use your equity
Home equity may cover the deposit and costs, so you needn’t save it all.
Clean structure
Separate splits keep investment debt apart from your home loan for tax time.
Built for the next one
We consider borrowing power for your next purchase too.
Interest-only or principal and interest: structuring an investment loan
Interest-only repayments ease early cash flow but the balance doesn’t fall and repayments step up later; principal and interest builds equity and usually prices sharper. Structure has tax consequences, so check with an accountant.
Read the full explanation
Interest-only repayments cover just the interest for a set period, often up to five years. That keeps cash flow lighter while rent and expenses settle, and some investors use the gap to pay down non-deductible debt such as their own home loan first. The catch is that the balance doesn't fall, and once the interest-only period ends, repayments step up because the full debt must be repaid over a shorter remaining term. Some lenders also price interest-only loans higher.
Principal and interest repayments reduce the debt from day one, build equity faster and usually attract sharper pricing. Many investors also separate loan splits for the deposit, the purchase and any later borrowing, which keeps records clean for tax purposes. How you structure the loan has real tax consequences, so check your plans with an accountant. Your broker must act in your best interests and can show how each structure affects your cash flow and future borrowing power.
- Homeowners using equity for a first investment
- Portfolio builders protecting borrowing power
- Buyers using a trust or company
- Investors whose loan no longer suits their strategy
Pros and watch-outs
Pros
- Rent helps cover repayments and costs
- Potential long-term capital growth
- Home equity can reduce the cash deposit
- Interest-only can help early cash flow
Watch-outs
- !Vacancies, repairs and rate rises can strain cash flow
- !Lenders usually count only part of the rent
- !Values can fall, especially in smaller markets
Costs and fees to compare
The interest rate is only part of the cost. Ask your broker to show these side by side.
Investor pricing
Many lenders price investment loans differently; your broker can compare their panel.
Lenders mortgage insurance
Usually applies above 80% LVR. Some investors accept LMI to keep cash; weigh the cost.
Establishment and valuation fees
Vary by lender and may apply to each new split or security.
Ongoing account fees
Package or account fees can apply to every split, adding up.
Stamp duty and land tax
Investors usually miss first home concessions; land tax may apply. Check with your accountant.
Tips to strengthen your application
- 1Get a written rental appraisal; lenders use it to assess income.
- 2Keep investment splits separate from your home loan and personal spending.
- 3Ask how each lender treats existing investment debt.
- 4Build a buffer for vacancies, maintenance and rate changes.
What you’ll need
What you’ll need
- Driver’s licence or passport
- Two recent payslips, or tax returns if self-employed
- Last 90 days of bank statements
- Current debts and regular expenses
- Rental appraisal or current lease
- Details of other properties and loans
What lenders look for
- 18+ and an Australian citizen or PR (some lenders consider visa holders)
- Regular income you can evidence
- Credit history your broker can explain, including blemishes
- Repayments that fit comfortably in your budget
First chat to funds in four steps
How it works in detail →- 1Tell us what you’re after
- 2Meet your broker
- 3Compare and choose
- 4We handle the rest
Investment loans: common questions
How much deposit do I need for an investment property?
Many lenders look for around 10–20% plus costs, though using equity from your home can reduce the cash you need. Borrowing more than 80% of the value usually means lenders mortgage insurance.
Should I choose interest-only?
It can improve cash flow, but you are not paying down the loan during that time and repayments rise when it ends. Your broker will show you both options side by side.
Do lenders count rental income?
Yes, but most only count part of it (often around 70–80%) to allow for vacancies and costs. Each lender is different.
Is the interest tax deductible?
Interest on money borrowed to buy an income-producing property is generally deductible, but we are not tax advisers. Check your situation with your accountant.
Can I use equity in my home to buy an investment property?
Often, yes. Many lenders let you borrow against the usable equity in your home to fund the deposit and costs, with the rest secured against the new property. Your broker can help structure this so the two loans stay clearly separated.
What is cross-collateralisation and should I avoid it?
Cross-collateralisation means using more than one property as security for a loan. It can make selling or refinancing one property harder because the lender controls both, so many investors prefer standalone securities. Your broker can explain the trade-offs for your situation.
Do units and apartments get treated differently by lenders?
Some lenders apply tighter rules to small units, high-density buildings or certain postcodes, such as lower maximum loan-to-value ratios. Knowing these policies before you buy can save time and help you choose a suitable lender.
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