Buying, refinancing or investing in commercial real estate requires a different approach to residential. We work with lenders who speak the language.
LVRs are lower. Interest rates are higher. Assessment criteria are different. And the pool of lenders who actually know what they're doing in this space is smaller than you'd think.
We've spent years building relationships with commercial lenders — banks and non-banks — who look beyond the standard scorecard and assess a deal on its merits. Whether you're an investor building a portfolio, an owner-occupier buying your own premises, or a trust or SMSF looking to hold commercial property, we know who to talk to.
The big banks aren't always the best fit for commercial. We know which non-bank lenders are more flexible, faster, and more competitive — especially for complex deals.
Commercial applications live or die on how they're packaged. We know what lenders want to see — tenancy details, yield, lease terms, borrower profile — and we put it together in a way that gets a yes.
Commercial property inside a super fund or trust has its own rules. We're across the structure requirements — limited recourse borrowing arrangements, bare trust deeds, trustee borrowing — so you don't have to be.
The property type matters. So does the borrower structure. We handle both.
Buying office, retail or industrial assets to lease out. We know which lenders will accept the income in serviceability, how to structure the deal for maximum LVR, and which rates are genuinely competitive right now.
Buying your own business premises gives you stability, an asset, and a hedge against rent increases. Lenders treat owner-occupied commercial differently to investment — often more favourably. We'll help you navigate the difference.
Commercial property held inside a self-managed super fund is a legitimate strategy — but the lending requirements are strict and the lender pool is small. We know the lenders who do this well and what they need to say yes.
Discretionary trusts, unit trusts, companies — many commercial property purchases are structured this way. We're experienced with complex borrowing entity structures and know which lenders will accommodate them without adding unnecessary layers of complexity.
Commercial deals have more moving parts — but the process with us is still straightforward.
Property type, location, tenant situation, borrower structure, and your goals — we get the full picture upfront. Commercial lending is very deal-specific, so the detail matters from the start.
Not all lenders play in commercial. We go to the ones who do — banks, non-banks, and specialist commercial funders — present the deal properly, and get you indicative terms before you commit to anything.
Commercial applications involve more documentation than residential. We manage the whole process — financials, property reports, lease documents, valuations — and keep you updated at every stage.
No jargon. Just what you actually need to know.
Commercial LVRs are typically lower than residential — most lenders will go to 65–70% for standard commercial, and sometimes up to 75% for strong owner-occupier deals with a healthy business serviceability picture. Specialist lenders can sometimes go higher depending on the asset quality and tenant profile. We'll tell you what's realistic for your specific deal before you make an offer.
Yes, generally. Commercial rates are typically 1–3% higher than residential, reflecting the higher perceived risk. But there's real variation between lenders — especially between banks and non-banks. The rate you end up with depends on LVR, property type, tenant quality, and your overall financial position. We'll get you real numbers, not just indicative ranges.
Yes — this is one of the more common SMSF strategies, particularly for business owners who want their SMSF to own the premises their business operates from (subject to the related party rules). The borrowing must be structured as a Limited Recourse Borrowing Arrangement (LRBA) with a bare trust. Not many lenders offer SMSF commercial lending, but the ones who do can be very competitive. Talk to your accountant and us — both sides need to be across the structure.
Not necessarily. For owner-occupiers, lenders will assess the business's ability to service the loan rather than relying on rental income. For investment purchases, a vacant property is harder to finance — but not impossible if the asset quality is strong and you have other income to support serviceability. We'll give you an honest assessment before you get too far down the track.
Commercial is slower than residential — typically 4 to 8 weeks from application to settlement, depending on the deal complexity, lender workload, and how quickly the valuation comes back. Non-bank lenders can sometimes move faster. We'll give you a realistic timeline for your specific deal so you can plan accordingly — especially important if you're working with a contract deadline.
Tell us about the property and your situation. We'll come back with a genuine assessment — not a generic quote — and tell you exactly what's achievable before you commit to anything.