1. Standalone investment property
Buy an established investment property, lease it, claim depreciation and negative gearing benefits, and ride capital growth. The simplest entry — and the structure most first-time investors start with.
Investment lending strategy
Property investing is a system, not a transaction
Most property investors stop at the first or second property — not because they can't find a deal, but because their loan structure prevents them from going further. The wrong cross-collateralisation, the wrong lender split, the wrong interest-only term, the wrong ownership structure — and serviceability dries up.
We build investment lending portfolios from the start with the next 3, 5 and 10 years in mind. Multi-lender splits, intentional equity buffers, tax-effective ownership structures, debt recycling, depreciation engagement, PAYG variation strategies and — for the right client — the mortgage elimination plan that pays off your home in 7–10 years.
We work hand-in-hand with your accountant and financial planner to make sure the borrowing strategy aligns with the bigger picture.
Three investor pathways
Three ways most of our clients build wealth
2. Redevelopment / value-add
Buy an underdeveloped site, add a granny flat, dual-occupancy or knock-down rebuild to crystallise equity faster. Higher returns but more active. Suits investors with construction tolerance.
3. Land + construction
Land + dwelling investment package, often in growth corridors. Brand-new product attracts maximum depreciation, often comes with rental guarantees, and minimises maintenance over the early hold years.
Tax-effective structures
ATO-recognised advantages of property investing
Negative gearing
When property holding costs exceed rental income, the shortfall is deductible against your personal income. On a higher marginal tax rate this can dramatically reduce after-tax holding cost.
Depreciation
Capital works deduction (2.5%/yr on the building cost for newer properties) and Division 40 plant and equipment depreciation. Many investors leave $5–15k of deductions on the table by skipping a depreciation schedule.
PAYG variation
Rather than waiting for tax refund at year-end, the ATO allows a PAYG variation to reduce tax withheld each pay cycle — improving cashflow throughout the year.
CGT 50% discount
Hold investment property in personal name for 12+ months and only half the capital gain is taxable. Plan disposal timing and structure to maximise this concession.
Debt recycling
Systematically converting non-deductible (home loan) debt into deductible (investment) debt using offset, split loans and reinvested capital. Powerful long-term wealth strategy when properly executed.
Investment ownership structures
Trust, company, SMSF and personal-name ownership all have different tax and asset protection profiles. We work with your accountant to pick the right structure before purchase, not after.
Advanced strategy
Pay off your home loan in 7–10 years using property
For investors with the right cashflow profile, we engineer a debt strategy that uses investment property income and capital growth to systematically retire non-deductible home loan debt — often in less than half the time of a vanilla 30-year repayment schedule.
This isn't a magic trick. It uses well-established techniques: offset accounts, debt recycling, equity release, smart split-loan structures and rent-funded interest payments. The maths is real — but the execution requires precise coordination between you, us and your accountant.
Discuss the strategy with us
Client stories
Real outcomes for real clients
★★★★★
"The team made what felt like a daunting process completely manageable. We secured a rate the bank wouldn't touch directly and were in our first home eight weeks later."
★★★★★
"After years of being told no by the majors for our self-employed structure, MortgageHQ found a solution. Approval came within a fortnight and on competitive terms."
★★★★★
"We refinanced our commercial property and unlocked equity for a second purchase — they structured the whole deal across two lenders. Saved us hundreds of basis points."
Answers
Property investing — frequently asked questions
How many investment properties can I realistically buy?
There's no hard cap. We have clients with 1 investment property and clients with 20+. The binding constraint is serviceability — how much rent and personal income lenders will count toward future borrowing capacity. With the right multi-lender structure, serviceability can be extended significantly beyond what a single-lender approach would allow.
What's negative gearing and is it really worth it?
Negative gearing means the property costs you more to hold (interest + expenses) than the rent brings in. The shortfall is deductible against personal income, reducing your tax bill. On a 39% marginal tax rate (including Medicare levy), every $1 of loss saves 39c in tax. For most investors with PAYG income and a long-term capital growth thesis, negative gearing is a useful tool — but it's a strategy, not a goal.
Should I buy an investment property in personal name, trust or SMSF?
Personal name is the most common and tax-effective during the wealth-building phase (negative gearing applies to your top marginal rate). Trust structures protect assets and shift income but generally don't allow negative gearing benefits to flow through. SMSF lending has specific advantages for retirement-focused investors. We strongly recommend a conversation with your accountant before settling on structure.
Can I use the equity in my home to buy an investment property?
Yes — equity release is the most common pathway for second and subsequent property purchases. Most lenders will lend up to 80% of your home's value (and you keep your existing loan if you wish), giving you a deposit and costs for the next property without needing to liquidate other assets.
What is debt recycling?
Debt recycling is the systematic conversion of non-deductible (home loan) debt into deductible (investment) debt. By using a split loan and methodically paying down the non-deductible split while drawing the cleared portion for investment purposes, you reduce non-deductible interest over time while increasing tax-deductible investment interest — without changing your overall debt level. Requires precise structure and tax advice.
How long does the typical investment property loan take to approve?
Standalone investment loans take 2–4 weeks from application to approval for clean PAYG borrowers. Complex portfolios involving multiple entities, trust structures or equity releases can take 4–6 weeks. We typically run pre-approval first so you can move quickly when the right property comes up.
Get in touch
Let's start the conversation
No obligation. Completely confidential. We'll respond within one business day to set up a no-pressure initial chat about your goals and the lending options available to you.
- Free initial consultation — no fees to talk
- Access to 60+ lender panel including major banks
- 25+ years of broker experience on every file
- We work with your accountant and advisers
Get in touch
Book a free consultation
Tell us a little about your situation and we'll be in touch within one business day. No obligation, completely confidential.
Ready for a smarter finance conversation?
Tell us about your situation — first home, refinance, commercial, SMSF or anything in between. We'll find the right structure across 60+ lenders. No obligation, completely confidential.