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Investing in property is one of the most popular ways Australians look to build wealth and work toward financial freedom. Whether you are buying your first investment property or growing an existing portfolio, having the right investment loan in place can make a real difference to your long-term results. At Indian Ocean Finance, we help clients across Australia access investment loan options from banks and lenders across Australia, so you can move forward with confidence.
What Is an Investment Loan?
A property investment loan is a home loan used to purchase a property that you intend to rent out or hold for capital growth, rather than live in yourself. Investment loans tend to have slightly different terms and investor interest rates compared to owner-occupier loans, and lenders assess them differently because the income from the property is taken into account alongside your personal income. Understanding the distinction is important when planning your property investment strategy.
Variable Rate and Fixed Rate Options
When you take out an investment loan, you will generally choose between a variable interest rate and a fixed interest rate. A variable rate moves up or down in line with market conditions, which means your repayments can change over time. A fixed rate locks in your interest rate for a set period, giving you certainty over your repayments. Some investors split their loan between both options to balance flexibility and stability. Indian Ocean Finance can walk you through the differences so you can choose what suits your situation.
Interest Only vs Principal and Interest
Another key choice for property investors is whether to repay interest only or make principal and interest repayments. With interest only investment loans, you only pay the interest portion each month, which keeps repayments lower in the short term and can help with cash flow. With principal and interest repayments, you are also paying down the loan balance over time. Each approach has different implications for your cash flow, tax position and long-term equity, so it is worth understanding both before you decide. Indian Ocean Finance can help you think through what fits your goals, though we always recommend speaking with a qualified accountant or financial adviser about the tax side of things.
Negative Gearing and Tax Considerations
Many Australian property investors are familiar with negative gearing benefits, where the costs of holding a rental property, including interest on borrowings, exceed the rental income earned. Historically, this net loss could be offset against other income such as wages, reducing your overall tax bill. However, the tax rules around residential investment property are changing. Under the Treasury Laws Amendment (Tax Reform No. 1) Act 2026, from 1 July 2027, net rental losses from residential dwellings acquired on or after 7:30pm AEST on 12 May 2026 will generally be quarantined. This means losses can only be offset against other residential rental income or carried forward, not against salary or wages. Properties held before that date, or under contract at that time, continue under the existing rules. Eligible new builds, including dwellings constructed on previously vacant land or those that increase the number of dwellings on a site, may still access negative gearing. Because these rules are complex and guidance is still being released, it is essential to speak with a licensed tax specialist before making any decisions.
Deposit, LVR and Lenders Mortgage Insurance
Your investor deposit and loan to value ratio (LVR) play a big role in how lenders assess your investment loan application. The LVR is the loan amount expressed as a percentage of the property value. A lower LVR generally means a lower risk for the lender, and you may access better investment property rates as a result. If your LVR is above 80 per cent, most lenders will require you to pay Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI), which protects the lender if you default. Understanding your LVR upfront helps you plan your investor deposit and manage your overall costs.
Using Equity to Invest
If you already own property, you may be able to leverage equity in your existing home or investment to fund a deposit on another property. This is sometimes called equity release, and it can be a practical way to grow your portfolio without needing to save a separate cash deposit. Indian Ocean Finance can help you understand how much usable equity you may have and how it could work toward your next purchase. Keep in mind that increasing your borrowings also increases your risk, so it is important to think carefully about your capacity to service the additional debt.
Rental Income and Borrowing Capacity
When calculating investment loan repayments and assessing your investor borrowing capacity, lenders will consider the rental income the property is expected to generate. However, they do not always count 100 per cent of that rental income, and they apply a serviceability buffer of 3 percentage points above the product rate, as required by APRA. Vacancy rate assumptions also affect how lenders view your income, since a property is not always tenanted. Indian Ocean Finance works with a broad panel of lenders, so we can help you find investment loan products that suit your income profile and borrowing goals.
Growing Your Portfolio
For investors focused on portfolio growth, having the right loan structure from the start matters. Things like offset accounts, redraw facilities and the ability to refinance can all affect how efficiently you manage your investment property finance over time. An investment loan refinance can sometimes unlock a better interest rate or improved loan features as your circumstances change. Indian Ocean Finance helps clients review their existing arrangements and explore whether refinancing makes sense, without any pressure to act.
Whether you are just starting out or looking to expand, Indian Ocean Finance is here to help you access investment loan options that suit your goals. We are based in Perth and work with clients right across Australia, connecting you with home loans and investment loan products from a wide range of lenders so you can make informed decisions about your property investment.
Step 1: Get in Touch
The first step is a simple conversation. Reach out to us by phone, email, or through our website. We will have a quick chat to understand what you are looking for and answer any early questions you might have. There is no obligation and no pressure.
Step 2: Discovery and Fact-Find
We take the time to understand your full financial picture. This includes your income, expenses, savings, debts, and goals. The more we know, the better we can help. This step helps us find the right loan for your situation, not just any loan.
Step 3: Loan Research and Strategy
Using the information you have shared, we search across a wide panel of lenders to find loan options that suit your needs. We compare interest rates, fees, features, and flexibility so you do not have to.
Step 4: Loan Recommendation
We present you with our recommended loan options in plain language. We explain the pros and cons of each option so you can make a confident, informed decision. No jargon, no confusion.
Step 5: Application Preparation
Once you choose a loan, we handle the paperwork. We prepare your application, gather the required documents, and submit everything to the lender on your behalf. We make sure your application is complete and accurate to give it the best chance of approval.
Step 6: Approval and Settlement
We stay in close contact with the lender throughout the assessment process. We keep you updated every step of the way and work to resolve any questions the lender may have quickly. Once approved, we guide you through to settlement so everything goes smoothly.
Step 7: Ongoing Support
Our relationship does not end at settlement. We check in regularly to make sure your loan is still working for you. As your life changes, we are here to help you review your loan, refinance if needed, or plan your next property move.
I couldn’t recommend Shannon highly enough! She helped me through the purchase of my investment property and made the whole finance process straightforward and easy to understand. More recently, Shannon helped me consolidate and restructure my investment lending, securing me a better interest rate and putting me in a much better position financially. Throughout both processes she has been extremely helpful, responsive and proactive, and always takes the time to explain the different options and what makes the most sense for my situation. It’s great having someone you can trust to look beyond just getting the loan approved and continue looking for ways to improve things afterwards Thanks again Shannon, definitely 5 stars from me ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Zac van Buren
Shannon is the most attentive and supportive mortgage broker that I’ve ever engaged to help me through my house purchases, as well as being an amazing person, please consider her for your next move 🏡
Abbey B
We’ve used Shannon twice now and couldn’t be happier with the service. Shannon is extremely customer-focused, always taking the time to understand our needs and ensure our best interests come first. The entire mortgage process has been straightforward and stress-free, with excellent communication throughout. Most importantly, Shannon has consistently worked hard to secure us competitive rates and great outcomes. We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Shannon to anyone looking for a mortgage broker.
Michael Page
Shannon has helped me over the years purchase two homes with one just being a couple of months ago. Shannon is very professional, friendly and answered all questions promptly and made it easy to understand. Buying a home can be exciting but daunting as well but Shannon made it as easy as possible and put my mind at ease.
Caitlyn Bailey
Refinancing means replacing your existing home loan with a new one, either with your current lender or a different one. People refinance for a variety of reasons, such as wanting to access the equity in their property, consolidate debts, change their loan structure, or simply review whether their current loan still suits their needs. Whether refinancing is worth considering depends entirely on your personal circumstances, and it is not a decision that suits everyone. At Indian Ocean Finance, we can sit down with you, take a close look at your current loan, and help you understand what your options are. We will never push you towards a decision that does not make sense for your situation.
Getting started is straightforward. The first step is simply reaching out to us for an initial conversation. There is no obligation involved, and this first chat is just about getting to know you, understanding your situation, and answering any questions you might have. From there, if you would like to move forward, we will guide you through what information and documents we will need to get the ball rolling. We work at a pace that suits you and will never pressure you into making decisions before you feel ready. You can contact us through our website, give us a call, or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you and helping you take the next step.
The timeline can vary depending on a number of factors, including the lender, the complexity of your application, and how quickly documentation can be gathered and verified. In general, once a formal application is submitted, lenders typically take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to assess and approve a loan. At Indian Ocean Finance, we work to keep things moving as efficiently as possible and will keep you updated throughout the process so you always know where things stand. We also do a lot of the preparation work upfront to help avoid unnecessary delays. We know that waiting can be stressful, and staying in communication with you is something we take seriously.
A mortgage broker acts as the go-between for you and a range of lenders, including banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions. Rather than you having to approach each lender on your own, a mortgage broker does the legwork for you. At Indian Ocean Finance, we take the time to understand your situation, your goals, and what you are hoping to achieve. We then research options across our panel of lenders and present you with choices that suit your circumstances. We handle the paperwork, liaise with lenders on your behalf, and keep you informed every step of the way. Our job is to make the whole process feel manageable and to make sure you feel supported from start to finish.
Indian Ocean Finance can assist with a broad range of lending needs. This includes home loans for owner-occupiers, investment property loans, refinancing existing loans, construction loans, and loans for self-employed borrowers. We also work with clients who have more complex financial situations and may have found it harder to get assistance elsewhere. Whether you are purchasing your first home, adding to a property portfolio, or looking to review your current loan arrangements, we are here to have a conversation and explore what options might be available to you. Every situation is different, and we take a personalised approach with every client we work with.
When you go directly to a bank, you only see what that one lender has to offer. At Indian Ocean Finance, we work with a wide range of lenders, which means we can present you with a variety of options rather than just one. We are not tied to any single institution, so our focus is entirely on finding something that works for your individual situation. We also take the time to explain your options in plain language so you can make an informed decision with confidence. Going through a mortgage broker also means you have someone in your corner who understands the process and can advocate for you throughout the application.
Yes, we can. Being self-employed can make the home loan process feel more complicated, and some lenders do have stricter requirements for self-employed borrowers. However, there are lenders on our panel who specialise in working with people who run their own businesses or work for themselves. The key is having the right documentation and presenting your financial situation clearly. At Indian Ocean Finance, we have experience working with self-employed clients and understand the nuances involved. We will work with you to understand your income structure, help you gather the right paperwork, and identify lenders who are well-suited to your circumstances. You should not feel like homeownership is out of reach just because you work for yourself.
Not at all. While Indian Ocean Finance is proudly based in Perth, we work with clients right across Australia. Thanks to technology and the ability to communicate remotely, we are able to assist people no matter where they are located. Whether you are in regional Western Australia, on the east coast, or somewhere in between, we can have conversations over the phone or video call, share documents electronically, and guide you through the process without you needing to be in the same city as us. We believe everyone deserves access to quality mortgage broking support, regardless of where they call home.
Absolutely. Buying your first home is one of the biggest financial decisions you will ever make, and it can feel overwhelming when you are not sure where to start. At Indian Ocean Finance, we work with first home buyers regularly and understand the questions and concerns that come with it. We take the time to walk you through the process from the very beginning, explaining things like how much you may need for a deposit, what government grants or schemes might be available to you, and what the overall home loan process looks like. We are here to make sure you feel informed and supported, not confused or rushed.
In most cases, our service comes at no direct cost to you as the borrower. Mortgage brokers are typically paid a commission by the lender once your loan settles. We are committed to being upfront and transparent about how we are paid, and we will always explain this to you clearly before we proceed. There are some situations where a fee may apply, and if that is the case, we will let you know well in advance so there are no surprises. Our goal is to make sure you feel informed and comfortable with the entire process, including how our service works from a cost perspective.
Indian Ocean Finance works with clients across Australia to find investment loan products that fit their goals. Book an appointment with our team today and let us help you take the next step toward building wealth through property.
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