Straight Answers
Investor Finance Hub
Going from one investment property to a portfolio is mostly a finance challenge. This hub covers buffers, equity, bank assessment and long-term planning.
Buying Your Second Investment Property
To buy your second investment property, most investors use equity in their existing properties for the deposit and costs, then borrow the rest as a separate investment loan. The biggest hurdle is usually serviceability, meaning whether a lender thinks you can afford all your debts at a buffered rate, not the deposit. Structure each loan separately, keep a cash buffer and check your borrowing capacity before you start looking.
7 min readUsing Existing Equity to Grow Your Portfolio
You can use existing equity to grow your portfolio by borrowing against the difference between your property's value and your loan, usually up to 80% of the value, and using those funds for the deposit and costs on another property. The lender will order a valuation and check that you can afford the extra borrowing. Setting it up as a separate loan split keeps things clean for tax and future planning.
6 min readHow Banks Assess Property Investors
Banks assess property investors by checking income, living expenses, existing debts and the rental income from current and proposed properties, then testing whether you could afford all repayments at an assessment rate several percentage points above the actual rate. Most lenders only count around 70% to 80% of rent. They also look at your deposit or equity, credit history and the property itself. Policies differ between lenders, so the same investor can get very different answers.
6 min readCash Buffers Explained
A cash buffer is money set aside to cover unexpected costs and income gaps, such as vacancies, repairs, rate rises or a drop in your own income. For property investors, a common rule of thumb is enough to cover three to six months of loan repayments and living expenses, plus an allowance for repairs and vacancy. Keeping it in an offset account means it reduces your interest while staying available.
5 min readPortfolio Growth Planning
Portfolio growth planning means setting clear goals, then sequencing purchases so each one fits your equity, borrowing capacity and cash flow. Start with what you want the portfolio to do, such as income, growth or reducing debt by retirement. Then plan each step: how it is funded, how loans are structured and what buffer remains. Review the plan regularly, because income, values, rates and lending rules all change.
7 min readRefinancing Investment Loans
Refinancing an investment loan can make sense if you can get a lower rate, a better structure, access to equity for your next purchase or to untangle loans that tie properties together. Compare the savings with the costs of switching, such as discharge fees and any fixed-rate break costs. Lenders will reassess your serviceability, so check your position before applying and keep the purpose of each loan split clear for tax.
6 min readBook a discovery call
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