Investment Property Loans, Structured Around You
Independent Sunshine Coast brokers comparing 60+ banks and lenders to get your investment loan right the first time.
An investment property loan isn't just a home loan with a different name on the file. Lenders assess rental income, apply different rates and LVR rules, and the way the loan is structured, offset accounts, interest-only periods, which property secures what, can shape your returns for years. Mason Finance Group is a boutique, award-winning brokerage in Maroochydore, and because we're independent¹, not owned by a bank, we compare investment loans across our panel of 60+ banks and lenders and recommend what suits your plan. We work for you, not the banks.
- Access to 60+ banks and lenders, from the big four to specialist lenders
- Independent brokers¹: no bank ownership, no sales targets, no hidden agendas
- Loan structuring in plain English: LVR, offset accounts, interest-only, equity release
- Local Sunshine Coast specialists, working with investors Australia-wide
- We do the legwork, from comparison to settlement and beyond
Why Investors Use an Independent Broker
Walk into a bank and you'll hear about that bank's investment loans. Talk to us and you'll see the market. Lenders differ meaningfully on investment lending: how much rental income they'll count, their LVR limits, interest-only appetite, and how they treat existing debts. The lender that suited your owner-occupier loan may be the wrong fit for your first investment property, and the right lender for property one may not be right for property three.
Our job is matching your circumstances, not the biggest headline offer. Sometimes that means telling you a heavily advertised deal doesn't stack up once fees and structure are counted. Honest answers first; that's how the relationship works, and it doesn't end at settlement.
Getting the structure right
How your investment lending is structured matters as much as the rate you get. Equity, LVR, repayment type and loan features all interact, and the decisions you make at the start can either open up your next purchase or quietly limit it. Scroll through the key considerations below, and we’ll walk you through how each one applies to your situation.
Using your equity
Many investors fund their deposit by releasing equity in their existing home rather than saving cash. Done well, it keeps loans cleanly separated per property; done poorly (cross-collateralisation you didn’t need), it can tie your home to your investment in ways that limit future moves. We’ll explain the options in plain English before anything is locked in.
LVR and Lenders Mortgage Insurance
Your loan-to-value ratio (LVR) drives your rate and whether Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) applies, typically above 80% LVR for investment lending. Whether paying LMI to enter the market sooner beats waiting for a bigger deposit depends on your numbers, and it’s a calculation we run with you rather than a rule of thumb.
Interest-only vs principal and interest
Interest-only periods can help cash flow while you hold; principal and interest builds equity and usually prices lower. The right choice depends on your goals, buffer and timeline. We’ll show you both, with real repayment figures.
Offset accounts and loan features
An offset account against the right loan can reduce interest while keeping funds accessible. Which loan it should offset, and how redraw and offset interact with your tax position, is worth getting right from day one; your accountant advises on the tax side, and we structure the lending to match.
How we work with investors
Whether it's your first investment property or you've done this before, familiarise yourself with the ins and outs of investment borrowing.
- Understand your goals
First purchase or portfolio addition, growth or yield, five-year flip or twenty-year hold: the strategy shapes the lending. - Assess your borrowing capacity
We calculate what lenders will actually approve, including how much of your expected rental income different lenders count, and where your borrowing capacity ceiling sits across the panel. - Present options in plain English
A shortlist from the 60+ lender panel with rates, fees, structure and trade-offs laid out side by side, and a straight recommendation. - Handle the details through to settlement
Application, valuation, approval and settlement, managed by us, with updates that don’t need translating. And when your fixed rate matures or the portfolio grows, we’re still here.
Sunshine Coast Based, Australia-Wide Reach
We're based in Maroochydore and work with investors across Caloundra, Mooloolaba, Buderim, Kawana, Coolum and Noosa, and because distance is never a barrier, with clients buying interstate or refinancing from anywhere in Australia.
Thinking about your first (or next) investment property?
Calculators
In the realm of financial empowerment and planning, knowledge is your greatest ally. Use these calculators to get an idea of how much you can borrow and how much your repayments might be.
FAQs about investment loans.
We’ve got your questions covered.
How much deposit do I need for an investment property loan?
Most lenders look for 10-20% of the purchase price plus costs, with LMI generally applying above 80% LVR. Many investors use equity in an existing property instead of cash savings. Your practical minimum depends on the lender and your overall position, which is exactly what a broker maps out for you.
Do lenders count rental income when assessing my loan?
Yes, but not all of it. Lenders typically count a portion of expected rental income, discounted to allow for vacancies and costs, and the percentage varies between lenders. That variation is one reason your borrowing capacity can differ noticeably from one lender to the next, and why comparing the panel matters. Our borrowing power calculator is a useful starting point.
Are investment loan interest rates higher than owner-occupier rates?
Generally, yes; lenders price investment lending, particularly interest-only, above owner-occupier loans. The gap varies across our 60+ lender panel, and structure choices affect the rate you’re offered. We compare the true cost, fees and features included, not just the headline number.
Can I use my home’s equity as the deposit?
Often, yes. If your home has grown in value, an equity release can fund the deposit and costs on an investment purchase without cash savings. How it’s structured matters: we’ll explain the difference between a clean equity release and cross-collateralising your properties, in plain English, before you commit.
Is the interest on an investment property loan tax deductible?
Tax treatment of investment loan interest depends on current legislation and your circumstances, and recent Budget changes may affect it, so please confirm your position with your accountant or tax adviser before relying on deductions. What we can do is structure the lending cleanly so your accountant has clear lines to work with.
Should I fix my investment loan rate?
Sometimes yes, sometimes no, and we mean that honestly. Fixing buys repayment certainty and can suit tight cash-flow plans; variable keeps flexibility for offsets and extra repayments. Many investors split. We’ll model both against your plan rather than guessing the rate cycle.
Independent advice, 60+ lenders, and a broker who works for you, not the banks.
Ready to take the next step with your investment property? Whether you're buying your first investment, refinancing an existing investment home loan, or looking to expand your portfolio, Mason Finance Group is here to help. We'll compare home loan options from over 60 Australian banks and lenders to find the right loan for your needs. Apply online, call us on 07 5211 0099, or book a free consultation today.