Accredited with Australia's leading lenders
Investment properties, business premises, development finance, and SMSF lending — Sam structures commercial finance aligned to your long-term objectives, not the path of least resistance.
Commercial lending is more complex than residential — loan-to-value ratios are lower, servicing requirements are stricter, and the wrong lender can stall your deal at the wrong moment. Sam understands how lenders assess commercial risk and structures transactions accordingly.
Residential investment properties — both individual purchases and portfolio expansion. Sam structures lending to preserve borrowing capacity for future acquisitions, considering cross-collateralisation risk and optimal loan-to-value ratios across your portfolio. Interest-only periods available on eligible investment loans, subject to lender assessment.
Purchasing the property your business operates from — commercial office, retail, industrial, or mixed-use. Owner-occupied commercial lending typically allows up to 70–80% LVR with the right lender and financial position. Sam assesses whether bank or non-bank lending is more appropriate for your business profile and industry.
Residential and small commercial development — townhouses, subdivisions, and boutique apartment projects. Development finance is assessed on feasibility, presales, and the developer's track record. Sam works with specialist development lenders and can advise on structuring your project to meet lender requirements before you go to market.
Self-managed super funds can borrow to purchase residential or commercial investment properties through a limited recourse borrowing arrangement (LRBA). SMSF lending has strict legal requirements around trust structure, property use, and tenancy. Sam works alongside your SMSF accountant and solicitor to ensure compliance and secure appropriate financing.
Short-term lending that bridges the gap between purchasing a new property and selling your existing one. Bridging finance is typically more expensive than standard lending and should be used with a clear exit strategy. Sam structures bridging arrangements with realistic timelines and calculates the carrying cost before you commit.
Reviewing existing commercial facilities for better rates, improved loan terms, or debt consolidation. Commercial loans often revert to higher rates at the end of an initial period — a review can identify significant savings. Sam compares your current facility against the market and calculates switching costs before recommending a move.
Commercial lending is assessed differently to residential. Understanding these differences upfront avoids surprises at approval.
Lower loan-to-value ratios. Most commercial lenders will fund 60–75% of the property value, compared to 80–95% for residential. A larger deposit or equity position is required.
Valuation is critical. Commercial valuations are more variable than residential — a low valuation can reduce your borrowing capacity significantly. Sam works with experienced commercial valuers and recommends getting a pre-valuation assessment before committing.
Serviceability is assessed on net operating income. For investment commercial properties, lenders assess the rental income of the property against the loan repayment — typically requiring a 1.2–1.4x interest coverage ratio.
Personal guarantees are standard. Most commercial lenders require personal guarantees from all directors or beneficial owners of the borrowing entity. This is not negotiable with mainstream lenders.
Timelines are longer. Commercial approvals typically take 3–6 weeks from application to formal approval. Allow additional time for commercial valuations, legal due diligence, and lender credit assessment.
Most commercial lenders require a minimum 25–30% deposit, meaning a maximum LVR of 70–75%. Some specialist lenders will go to 80% for strong applicants with good financials, but this is the exception rather than the rule. Lenders Mortgage Insurance is not available on commercial loans.
If you're purchasing through a self-managed super fund, the deposit requirement is typically 30–35% with additional restrictions on loan structure.
Yes. Mixed-use properties — such as retail on the ground floor with residential above — are assessed on a case-by-case basis. The lender's approach depends on the proportion of commercial versus residential use, the tenancy profile, and the location. Most lenders classify properties with more than 50% commercial use as commercial loans.
For investment properties: last 2 years of personal and business tax returns, ATO notices of assessment, current rental roll or proposed lease for the property, and details of all existing liabilities.
For business premises or owner-occupied commercial: the above plus the last 2–3 years of business financials (profit and loss, balance sheet) and details of the business structure and ownership.
Generally yes. Commercial rates are typically 1–3% above standard residential rates, reflecting the higher risk profile and lower LVR. The rate also depends on the type of security, loan size, borrower financials, and lender relationship. Sam compares rates across commercial lenders to find the most competitive option for your specific situation.
Yes. Interest-only periods of 1–5 years are available on many commercial loans, particularly for investment properties where preserving cash flow is a priority. The availability and length of IO periods depends on the lender and your financial position. Sam explains the trade-offs between IO and principal and interest for your specific strategy.
Commercial deals move quickly and the right lender matters. Book a conversation with Sam before you make an offer — understanding your borrowing position in advance keeps you in control of the transaction.