How much deposit do I need for an investment property?
+−
Often 20% (80% LVR) to avoid LMI on investment loans. Some lenders allow 10–15% with LMI; policy varies. Equity from another property can substitute for cash.
Why are investment rates higher than owner-occupied?
+−
APRA capital rules — lenders price ~0.20–0.40% above equivalent OO products. This is market-wide, not a broker negotiable fee.
How do lenders count rental income?
+−
Typically 70–80% of gross rent (shading). New purchases may use a rental appraisal. Short-stay income is often excluded or heavily discounted.
Can I use equity from my home?
+−
Yes — usually up to 80% combined LVR on the home. A separate split for the deposit, with the investment loan on the investment property only, is often cleaner.
Should I cross-collateralise my properties?
+−
Most brokers and credit specialists prefer standalone loans per property for flexibility. Cross-collateralisation ties sales and refinances together — understand before signing.
Interest-only or principal and interest?
+−
IO lowers monthly repayments but does not reduce debt. Lenders limit IO terms. Tax implications are for your accountant — we discuss lending policy only.
Can I buy in a trust or company?
+−
Some lenders lend to trusts with extra documentation. Tax and asset protection are accountant/solicitor decisions — we package the credit file.
How does a second investment property affect borrowing?
+−
Existing investment debt and shaded rent on all properties feed servicing. Portfolio investors often hit walls on 3rd–4th property without restructuring.
What are the proposed negative gearing changes?
+−
Federal budget proposals may restrict negative gearing on established residential properties purchased after 12 May 2026 from 1 July 2027. New builds may differ. Not yet final law — lenders updating calculators. Tax adviser required.
Does negative gearing affect how much I can borrow?
+−
Some lenders add back tax benefit to servicing; others do not. Capacity varies by lender — we match policy to your file.
What is the APRA DTI limit?
+−
APRA guidance limits new lending at debt ≥6× income to a share of bank flow — separate treatment for OO and investors.
What deposit do I need for an investment property?
+−
It varies by lender, loan purpose, property, and your overall position. Some scenarios use saved cash; others use equity from another property subject to valuation and policy. We discuss what lenders commonly look for in general terms — we do not guarantee a minimum deposit or LVR for you.
Can I use equity from another property?
+−
Often investors look at releasing equity to fund a deposit or costs, where policy allows. How much is usable depends on valuations, existing debt, serviceability, and lender rules — only an assessment can firm that up.
What is the difference between an owner-occupied and investment loan?
+−
Broadly, the loan is for a property you intend to live in versus one you rent out or hold for investment. Lenders price and assess these differently, including how rent and expenses are treated. Your declared intention must match reality and lender disclosure rules — we help with the lending side only.
Should I choose interest-only or principal and interest?
+−
IO can lower repayments for a set period but means principal is not reducing during that time; P&I pays down debt from day one. Which fits depends on cash flow, lender policy, and your longer plan. Tax deductibility questions belong with your accountant — we do not give tax advice.
Can I buy an investment property in my own name or another structure?
+−
You can acquire property in several legal structures; each has different legal and tax implications. A solicitor and accountant should advise on structure choice. We can outline in general terms how lenders typically approach common setups from a documentation and credit perspective.
How do lenders assess borrowing for investment loans?
+−
They usually look at income, existing debts and commitments, living expenses, the proposed loan, and expected rent — often applying haircuts or stress rates to rent and testing repayments at rates above the actual rate. The result is specific to each lender and file — not something we can pre-confirm.
Will I need extra documents?
+−
Often yes if you already own property or have multiple loans. Expect income verification, statements, liability schedules, and details on existing securities. The list grows with complexity; we tell you what is typically needed once we understand your scenario.
Can a broker help me compare investment loan options?
+−
Yes — comparing investor products, fees, and policy fit is a core part of what we do from a credit and application viewpoint. We do not rank “best investments” or give investment advice.
Should I speak to an accountant as well?
+−
If tax, structuring, or deductibility matters to you, yes — an accountant should be in the conversation alongside your broker. We do not replace that advice.
Can I still apply if I already have other debts?
+−
Many investors do have other debts; lenders fold them into serviceability. Whether your scenario still passes depends on your numbers and policy — we explore that honestly before you pay non-refundable costs.
How do banks treat Airbnb or short-stay rent?
+−
Policy differs between lenders — some apply larger haircuts or limit how much of that income counts. Share the letting model early so your application is matched to realistic policy.
How much higher are investment loan rates than owner-occupied?
+−
Typically 0.20–0.40% higher than the equivalent owner-occupied product from the same lender. The premium is structural — APRA’s prudential capital framework requires lenders to hold more capital against investment loans, and they price it through. Investment IO rates are typically another 0.10–0.30% above investment P&I rates from the same lender.
Should I buy in my own name or in a trust?
+−
It depends on whether the property will be negatively or positively geared, your tax bracket, asset protection needs, and your portfolio plan. Personal name suits most first investments because losses can offset personal income (negative gearing benefit) and the 50% CGT discount applies. Trusts suit positively geared portfolios and investors needing income flexibility but trap losses inside the trust. Speak to your accountant before you buy — changing structure later means stamp duty + CGT on transfer.
What’s the difference between negative and positive gearing?
+−
Negatively geared: deductible expenses (interest + management + maintenance + depreciation) exceed rental income, producing a net rental loss that’s deductible against your other income. Positively geared (cash-flow positive): rental income exceeds deductible expenses, producing additional taxable income. Negative gearing relies on capital growth to deliver overall return. Positive gearing delivers cash flow now but lower exposure to growth properties (typically regional or yield-focused suburbs).
Can I claim depreciation on a second-hand property?
+−
Yes for Division 43 (capital works on the building structure, 2.5%/year for 40 years if built after 17 July 1985). No for Division 40 (plant and equipment like carpets, blinds, ovens) on second-hand residential property since 9 May 2017 — only the original installer can claim. You can still claim Div 40 on items you replace yourself. A quantity surveyor’s schedule (~$700) tells you exactly what you can claim.
Should I get a depreciation schedule? Is it worth it?
+−
For nearly every investment property, yes. A registered quantity surveyor’s 40-year schedule typically unlocks $3,000–$10,000/year of depreciation deductions that investors would otherwise miss. Cost: $600–$900, fully tax-deductible. Two-year payback for most investors. Order it after settlement; it can be backdated to claim missed years if you’ve already owned the property for some time.
Why is interest-only popular with investors?
+−
Two reasons. (1) Cash flow management — lower repayments during the IO term free up cash for other priorities including paying down non-deductible debt. (2) Tax efficiency — only interest is deductible on an investment loan; principal repayments aren’t. IO maximises the deductible portion of your repayment. The trade-off: no principal reduction during IO, and the eventual P&I repayment after IO ends is higher than if you’d started with P&I.
What happens at the end of an interest-only term?
+−
Three options. (1) Convert to P&I with the same lender — loan amortises over the remaining term, repayments rise materially. (2) Negotiate a fresh IO period with the existing lender — subject to current serviceability buffer, sometimes harder to qualify second time. (3) Refinance to another lender on a fresh IO term. APRA’s 3.0% buffer means the serviceability re-test is unforgiving, so plan IO with an explicit exit (income event, refinance, or sale plan) rather than as perpetual deferral.
How is rental income assessed by lenders?
+−
Lenders typically apply a 70–80% haircut to gross rent (so $30,000/year of declared rent counts as $21,000–$24,000 in serviceability). Evidence required: signed lease for existing rent, or a real estate agent’s rental appraisal letter for properties not yet leased. Some lenders accept higher haircuts for short-stay/Airbnb income (or apply 40–50% haircuts), and a few decline short-stay income entirely.
Can I use my existing home’s equity for an investment deposit?
+−
Yes — most common path for second-property investors. Lender allows you to refinance or top up your owner-occupied loan up to 80% LVR (sometimes 90% with LMI) and use the released equity as the investment deposit. The equity-release loan stays secured against the OO home; the new investment loan is secured by the investment property. Critical: keep loans stand-alone (not cross-collateralised) for future flexibility.
What is cross-collateralisation and should I avoid it?
+−
Cross-collateralisation is when one lender holds mortgages over multiple properties as combined security for your loans. It feels efficient but locks you in: you can’t refinance or sell one property without the lender re-assessing the bundle. Default to stand-alone security (each property has its own loan, secured only by itself), even if it costs slightly more in setup. Almost always worth the extra valuation cost for the flexibility it preserves.
What’s land tax and how much should I expect?
+−
Land tax is a state tax on the unimproved land value of investment properties (most states exempt your principal place of residence). Threshold and rates vary substantially: NSW threshold is around $1.075m of land value before any tax applies; Victoria’s threshold dropped to $50,000 in 2024 (lower than most). Land tax compounds across multiple properties owned by the same entity. Always model land tax into the cash flow before purchasing in a state with a low threshold.
How much capital gains tax will I pay when I sell?
+−
Capital gain = sale price minus cost base (purchase price + acquisition costs + improvement costs). If held >12 months in personal name or trust, you get the 50% CGT discount — only half the gain is taxable, at your marginal rate. Held in a company: no discount. Held in SMSF: 33% discount, effective rate ~10%. Worked example: held 8 years, gain of $250,000 in personal name — $125,000 taxable, at 37% marginal rate that’s $46,250 in CGT. Plan the bill before listing.
Can I move into my investment property to access the main residence exemption?
+−
Yes, but the main residence exemption applies pro-rata for the time the property was your PPR. If you bought as an investor for 5 years then moved in for 3 years and sold, only 3/8 of the gain qualifies for the main residence exemption. There’s also the "6-year rule" which allows the property to retain main residence status for up to 6 years while rented out, if you previously lived in it. Talk to your accountant before relying on these.
What’s "rentvesting"?
+−
Renting in the suburb you want to live in (often inner-city, where buying is impractical) while owning an investment property in a more affordable or higher-yield location. The strategy works because urban rental yields are typically 2.5–3.5% (renting cheaper than owning), while investment-grade properties in outer suburbs or regional centres yield 4.5–6%. Tax deductibility on the investment side helps the maths. Doesn’t suit everyone — you must be comfortable being a landlord at a distance.
Can I claim renovation costs as a tax deduction?
+−
Depends on whether they’re repairs (deductible immediately) or improvements/capital works (depreciated over 40 years at 2.5%/year under Division 43). Replacing a damaged tap with a similar tap = repair, deductible. Replacing the kitchen with a new kitchen = improvement, capital works. Lots of grey area; ATO is strict on the distinction. Keep all receipts and ask your accountant.
How fast can an investment loan settle?
+−
A clean investment loan with established documentation — 4–6 weeks from application to settlement is typical. First-time investors with new equity release on the OO property add 1–2 weeks for the multi-loan structure. Trust borrowers add 1–2 weeks for legal review of the trust deed. Files that delay are usually waiting for valuations, accountant deliverables, or specific lender clarifications.
Can I buy multiple investment properties in quick succession?
+−
Yes, but each subsequent purchase faces stricter serviceability — every existing investment loan counts in your debts, even with rental income offset. APRA’s 3.0% buffer means a portfolio of 3–4 properties stress-tests at high rates. Most multi-property investors hit a borrowing-capacity wall around the 3rd or 4th property without higher rental income or significant equity. Plan the next purchase from the moment of the first — structure matters.
Should I borrow in joint names with my spouse?
+−
Common but consequential. Joint borrowing splits debt and income flow per the ownership ratio (typically 50/50 unless registered otherwise). For tax: if one spouse is in a higher bracket, putting more of a negatively geared property in their name maximises the tax saving on the loss. For positively geared property, the lower-bracket spouse owning more share reduces tax. Choose at purchase — changing later triggers stamp duty + CGT.
Are interest-only loans still available in 2026?
+−
Yes. APRA’s 30%-of-new-lending IO cap from 2017 was relaxed in 2018 and IO is widely available for investment loans (and to a lesser extent for owner-occupied). Most lenders allow 5-year IO terms, some 10-year, with the loan converting to P&I afterwards. IO rates are typically 0.10–0.30% above the equivalent P&I rate.
What is debt recycling?
+−
A strategy where you systematically convert non-deductible debt (your owner-occupied loan) into deductible debt (investment loan), reducing your overall tax bill while keeping total debt level. Mechanic: you take a separate split or line-of-credit secured against the OO home, draw down to invest in income-producing assets (shares, ETFs, or property), and the interest on that drawn-down portion becomes deductible. Done well, it’s powerful. Done badly (mixing purposes, bad records), the deductibility is lost. Always set up with accountant guidance and clear purpose-tracking.
Can I use my SMSF to buy an investment property?
+−
Residential: new LRBAs closed from 10 August 2026 — you cannot borrow inside super to buy ordinary residential investment property under a new LRBA. Existing residential LRBAs and binding contracts exchanged before commencement are protected; same-asset refinance is allowed (ATO QC107811). You can still buy residential property outright inside an SMSF using fund cash (no loan). Commercial business real property: new LRBAs remain permitted — different rules from personal-name investment; property must be at arm’s length, can’t be lived in by members, rent at market. Tax inside super is concessional (15% on rental income, 0% in pension phase, 10% effective CGT). See our SMSF lending guide and 10 August 2026 commencement guide.
Should I use an offset account on an investment loan?
+−
Sometimes, sometimes not. Offset reduces interest charged but if your investment loan is interest-only and you have non-deductible debt elsewhere (OO loan, personal loan), the offset cash should usually go against the non-deductible debt instead — saves more after tax. Offset on the investment makes sense if it’s your only loan, or if it’s positively geared (no deductibility benefit being maximised). Speak to your accountant about your specific cash flow.
