Build wealth. Not just a portfolio.
The difference between a successful investor and a stuck investor is loan structure. We help you unlock equity and scale safely.
Most investors get stuck at property #2.
Usually because their bank set them up incorrectly. Here's how we do it differently.
The "standard" way
What happens when you walk into a bank branch.
- ×Cross-collateralised: the bank links all your properties. If one value drops, they control everything.
- ×Principal & interest: higher repayments hurt cashflow and borrowing power.
- ×Trapped equity: you must ask permission to access your own growth.
The Smart Buyer way
How professional investors structure to scale.
- ✓Standalone securities: each property is separate — protecting assets and giving flexibility.
- ✓Interest only: lower repayments to maximise cashflow and tax deductibility.
- ✓Equity release: "buffer" accounts so your next deposit is ready immediately.
How to buy using "sleeping" wealth.
You don't need to save another $100k cash.
Assess equity
Your current home has likely grown in value. We order a free bank valuation to find your exact "usable equity."
The "equity loan"
We extract that equity as a separate loan split. It sits in an offset account, costing $0 in interest until you use it.
Buy anywhere
You now have a deposit ready. Because you aren't cross-collateralised, you can buy the best-performing asset anywhere in Australia.
Your first investment, or your fifth.
The right structure can save you thousands in tax and interest, and keep your borrowing power intact for the next purchase. Let's map out a plan built to scale.
Book a free portfolio reviewInvestors at every stage.
First property or fifth, the right loan structure is what lets you keep going.
First-time investors
Buying your first investment property? We set the structure up correctly from day one — standalone, not cross-collateralised — so property #2 stays within reach.
Growing a portfolio
Ready to scale? We release usable equity, keep your borrowing power intact and match lenders whose servicing policy lets you keep buying.
Restructuring & refinancing
Stuck, cross-collateralised, or paying too much? We untangle existing portfolios, free up trapped equity and sharpen your rates.
How smart investors structure their loans.
For property investors, the loan structure matters as much as the property. Set it up the way most bank branches do and you can stall at your second purchase; set it up the way professional investors do and you keep your options — and your borrowing power — open.
Standalone securities, not cross-collateralisation
When a lender cross-collateralises, it links your properties together as security. That hands the bank control of your whole portfolio and makes selling or refinancing one property messy. Keeping each property as a standalone security protects your assets and keeps you flexible.
Interest-only, offset and equity release
Interest-only repayments can lower your outgoings and maximise tax-deductible interest while you build a portfolio, while an offset account keeps your cash working. Releasing usable equity from an existing property — generally up to 80% of its value minus the current loan — can fund your next deposit and costs without touching savings. See what's available with our usable equity calculator.
Know your weekly number — and the tax
Before you buy, it pays to know your real out-of-pocket cost after rent, interest, expenses, depreciation and negative gearing. Our investment cashflow calculator estimates it, and the CGT reform calculator helps you weigh the latest capital-gains changes. For the bigger picture, browse our Knowledge Hub.
Your questions, answered.
How much deposit do I need for an investment property?
Typically 10–20% plus costs, though many investors use equity from an existing property instead of cash. A 20% deposit avoids Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI); you can often borrow with less and pay LMI. Stamp duty and other costs also apply, as first-home concessions don't cover investments.
What is cross-collateralisation and why should I avoid it?
Cross-collateralisation is when a lender links several properties together as security for your loans. It can limit your flexibility, complicate selling or refinancing one property, and give the lender control over your whole portfolio. Structuring each property as a standalone security usually protects you and makes scaling easier.
Should my investment loan be interest-only or principal and interest?
It depends on your strategy. Interest-only repayments lower your outgoings and can improve cashflow and tax-deductible interest while you grow a portfolio; principal and interest builds equity faster and often carries a lower rate. We model both for your situation.
Can I use my home's equity to buy an investment property?
Often, yes. Usable equity — generally up to 80% of your property's value minus your current loan — can fund the deposit and costs on an investment purchase without using your savings. Our usable equity calculator gives you an indicative figure.
What is negative gearing?
Negative gearing is when the costs of owning an investment property — including interest, expenses and depreciation — exceed the rent, creating a loss you can offset against your other income to reduce tax. Whether a property is negatively or positively geared affects your weekly out-of-pocket cost.
How much can I borrow for an investment property?
Your borrowing power depends on your income, existing debts, the rent the property will earn, and the interest-rate buffer lenders apply. Existing investment debt and how your loans are structured also matter, which is where good structuring keeps your capacity intact.
Do I pay LMI on an investment loan?
If you borrow more than 80% of the property's value, yes — Lenders Mortgage Insurance usually applies, just as for owner-occupiers. Using equity from another property or a larger deposit can keep you at or under 80% and avoid it.