Investment Property Mortgages
Buying An Investment Property
Investment properties are dwellings that are not your primary place of residence. Instead, you would purchase an investment property to make a profit. Real estate remains one of the most powerful asset classes for building long-term wealth.
Rental Properties
Buy-to-let properties generate income when you charge tenants for rent. We specialize in financing three main categories:
Residential
Free-standing homes, units, apartments, or townhouses. High demand makes these the most popular investment choice.
Commercial
Office buildings, retail spaces, or industrial warehouses. Targeted for business operations and long-term stability.
Mixed-Use
Strategic combinations of retail and residential, such as shops with apartments on the upper floors.
Resale Properties (Fix & Flip)
Buying property that you intend to resell or flip is a short-term investment. You would purchase a property, make improvements to it, and then sell it for a profit.
The time frame is usually one to three years. While lenders view these as regular home loans, they have different requirements for servicing and LVR.
Get in touch with our home loan specialists to discuss your investment goals.
How To Buy An Investment Property?
Choose Your Investment Property
Selecting the property that you intend to invest in must be your first goal. While you might have an idea of the property you want to buy for your investment venture, it pays to have several options that meet your standards.
Generally, you can choose between two types of property to buy as an investment. There are free-standing houses and apartment units. When choosing between these two types, you consider what your potential tenants prefer for their dwelling place. On the one hand, some people want to live in a house because it offers more privacy. On the other hand, others prefer an apartment unit because it is easier to maintain. Identify your target audience when choosing.
Do you want to buy an existing house or unit, or would you prefer to build one from scratch? Although the former can help you save on building expenses, the latter gives you freedom in designing the final project. Your loan type and the amount will also depend on this factor.
Be sure to choose a strategic location for your investment property. It should be accessible to public transport and commercial establishments. Your potential tenants will also want the property to be in a safe neighbourhood. When picking a location, consider its proximity to schools and hospitals.
Determine How Much You Can Afford
Once you have chosen your investment property, your next step is to secure your budget. With a price range to keep you grounded, you can proceed to look at properties that you can realistically obtain.
How much you can borrow will depend on whether you are buying the place through a trust or SMSF, or with friends/family. Lenders will calculate the loan amount on your income and assets as well as those of your partner or family member.
Insurance providers may charge you less if you put down a larger deposit because it minimises their risk. It also gets you a better interest rate on your investment property loan.
Your income will dictate how much you can afford. The lender will assess your employment status and capacity to make repayments before approving your loan.
Expect your lender to ask about your monthly expenses to determine if you have enough money to make repayments. Track your expenses using a budgeting app or Excel.
Using equity is an option if you already own a home. Essentially, you can refinance your mortgage and use the extra money to purchase another property.
Consider Extra Costs
There is more to the cost of the property than just the loan amount. You must factor in these common associated fees:
This state tax depends on the purchase price and location. It must be paid within 30 days of the settlement date.
Incurred if your deposit is less than 20%. This insurance protects the lender in case you default on repayments.
This includes valuation fees (determining worth) and conveyancing fees (legal transfer of ownership).
Get a Pre-Approval
This document from your lender states the maximum amount you can borrow, the interest rate, and loan terms. It gives you peace of mind and bidding power.
- Copy of your ID
- Last two payslips
- 3 Months Bank statements
- Proof of other income
- Recent utility bills
*Pre-approval is valid for four months. Ensure documentation is up to date.
Apply for Your Loan
The highest bidder gets the property. You must pay the deposit on the spot, so the process happens very quickly.
Involves private offers. Sellers may give you a finance clause allowing time to secure a loan before formalizing the commitment.
Let our mortgage experts at Shrii Finance review your situation and help you get the best possible deal!