Question 1

Why are commercial loan rates higher than residential rates?

Accepted Answer

Commercial loans carry more risk for lenders — the property is harder to sell quickly, income depends on tenants or business performance, and valuations are more complex. That said, rates have tightened significantly in recent years. Owner-occupied commercial loans now start from 5.89% p.a. through specialist lenders, which is competitive with many residential investment rates.

Question 2

How much can I borrow, and what LVR do commercial lenders allow?

Accepted Answer

Standard commercial lenders typically lend up to 70–80% LVR for quality properties with strong tenants or owner-occupier use. Specialist and non-bank lenders can go higher for the right deal. Loan amounts range from $500K to $50M+. The LVR you'll be offered depends on property type, location, lease terms and your financial position — we'll give you a realistic number upfront.

Question 3

Can I get a commercial loan if I'm self-employed or run my own business?

Accepted Answer

Yes — and this is actually one of our specialties. Many of our commercial clients are business owners buying their own premises. Standard lenders want 2 years of financials, but we also work with low-doc lenders who can assess your application using BAS statements, accountant declarations or business bank statements. Self-employed applicants are assessed on their ability to service the loan, not just their tax return.

Question 4

What is a low-doc commercial loan and who is it for?

Accepted Answer

A low-doc commercial loan is designed for borrowers who can't provide full financial statements — typically self-employed people, contractors, or business owners with complex income structures. Instead of 2 years of tax returns, lenders may accept BAS statements, a signed accountant's letter, or 6 months of business bank statements. Rates are slightly higher than full-doc loans, but the flexibility is significant. LVR is usually capped at 65–70%.

Question 5

Do I need a tenant in place to get approved?

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily. Owner-occupied deals don't require a tenant — your business's ability to service the loan is the key factor. For investment commercial property, having a tenant in place (especially on a long lease) makes approval easier and improves your LVR. That said, some specialist lenders will fund vacant commercial property if your overall financial position is strong.

Question 6

Can I get interest-only repayments on a commercial loan?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Interest-only periods are common in commercial lending, particularly for investors and developers. Most lenders offer 1–5 years interest-only, which improves cash flow during the early years of ownership or while a development is under construction. After the interest-only period, the loan reverts to principal and interest. We'll model both scenarios so you can see the real numbers.

Question 7

Can my SMSF buy commercial property?

Accepted Answer

Yes — and it's one of the most powerful SMSF strategies available. Your SMSF can purchase commercial property and lease it back to your own business at market rent. The rent is paid into the fund (tax-advantaged), and the property is held in a complying bare trust structure. SMSF commercial loans typically go up to 70% LVR. This is a specialist area — our SMSF lending team handles the bare trust setup and lender selection.

Question 8

What types of commercial properties can you finance?

Accepted Answer

We finance all standard commercial property types: retail shops, office suites, medical and dental centres, industrial sheds, warehouses, childcare centres, service stations, mixed-use buildings and more. Some property types (e.g. service stations, caravan parks, pubs) are considered specialised security and require specific lenders — we know which ones to approach.

Question 9

What documents will I need to apply?

Accepted Answer

For a full-doc application: last 2 years of business financial statements and tax returns, personal tax returns, 3–6 months of business bank statements, property details (contract or IM), and a copy of any existing lease. For low-doc: BAS statements or accountant's letter instead of financials. We'll tell you exactly what's needed for your specific situation before you gather anything.

Question 10

How long does commercial loan approval take?

Accepted Answer

We can give you an initial assessment within 24–48 hours. Conditional approval for a straightforward owner-occupied or investment deal typically takes 1–2 weeks. Complex deals, development finance or large loans ($5M+) can take 4–6 weeks depending on the lender's credit process. We set realistic timelines from day one and keep you updated throughout — no surprises.

Commercial
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Every type of commercial finance

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Estimate your commercial loan repayments

Built for serious commercial borrowers

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Common questions about commercial finance

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Power to theborrower.

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