Investment Property Finance
Reviewed by Brendan Singh, Mortgage Broker (Credit Rep 575816) · Last reviewed October 2026
Whether you're buying your first investment or expanding your portfolio, we help you structure your finance for growth, cash flow, and tax efficiency.
How We Help Property Investors
Investment property finance is about more than just getting a loan. It's about building a strategy for long-term wealth.
Investment Loans Melbourne | Loans Cart
Strategic loan structuring to help you grow your property portfolio while managing risk.
Investment Loans Melbourne | Loans Cart
Advice on loan structures that may help maximize your tax benefits and deductions.
Investment Loans Melbourne | Loans Cart
We help you understand rental yields, costs, and cash flow before you commit.
Investment Loan Options
Different strategies call for different loan structures. We help you choose the right one.
Investment Loans Melbourne | Loans Cart
Lower repayments in the short term, often used to maximize cash flow and tax deductions.
Investment Loans Melbourne | Loans Cart
Build equity faster while reducing your loan balance over time.
Investment Loans Melbourne | Loans Cart
Access equity from existing properties to fund deposits on new investments.
Investment Loans Melbourne | Loans Cart
Lock in your rate for certainty on repayments and cash flow planning.
Key Considerations for Investors
There's a lot to think about when financing investment property. We guide you through all of it.
Investment property loan questions — answered
How is an investment loan different from a home loan?
The structure is similar but lenders assess investment loans differently — they look at rental income potential, your existing debt load, and your overall portfolio serviceability. Interest rates on investment loans are typically slightly higher than owner-occupied loans, and some lenders have specific policies on how many investment properties they'll lend against. At Loans Cart, we help investors structure lending to maximise borrowing capacity across their portfolio.
How much deposit do I need for an investment property?
Most lenders want at least 10–20% for an investment loan. With less than 20%, Lenders Mortgage Insurance usually applies. Many investors use equity in their own home instead of cash for the deposit.
Can I use the 5% Deposit Scheme to buy an investment property?
No. The scheme is only for homes you'll live in. You can't use it to buy an investment property or own one at the same time.
Can I use equity in my home to buy an investment property?
Yes — this is one of the most common strategies for existing homeowners entering the investment market. If your home has grown in value since you bought it, you may have usable equity that can be accessed as a deposit for an investment property. Loans Cart assesses your available equity, calculates your borrowing capacity, and structures the lending across both properties in a way that makes sense for your situation.
How do lenders treat rental income?
Lenders count part of the expected rent towards your income, not all of it, to allow for vacancies and costs. The share varies by lender, and that can change how much you can borrow.
Should I choose interest-only or principal-and-interest on an investment loan?
Interest-only keeps repayments lower for a set period but doesn't reduce the loan. Principal-and-interest costs more each month but builds equity. The right choice depends on your cash flow and plans; talk to your accountant about tax.
Should my investment loan be separate from my home loan?
Usually, yes. Separate loans keep the investment debt clear for tax and avoid tying both properties to one lender, which can make it harder to sell or refinance later.
How many investment properties can I borrow for?
There's no hard limit, but your borrowing capacity reduces with each property as lenders factor in existing debt and assess your overall serviceability position. Different lenders have different appetite for investors with multiple properties — some cap at two or three, while specialist lenders are comfortable with larger portfolios. As your portfolio grows, lender selection becomes increasingly important. Loans Cart has access to 30+ lenders including those who actively support portfolio investors.
Can I get an investment loan if I'm self-employed?
Yes. The same self-employed assessment rules apply — lenders will want to see your business financials and tax returns to verify income. Loans Cart regularly works with self-employed investors and knows which lenders are most flexible with ABN income for investment lending specifically.
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You'll be working with:
Brendan Singh — Director & Mortgage Broker
Credit Rep 575816 | ACL 391209 | 30+ lenders
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Tell us about your investment goals and we'll help you structure the right finance.