Not necessarily. While a 20% deposit avoids Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI), some investors use as little as 10% with LMI added to the loan. Alternatively, if you have equity in an existing property (such as your home), you may be able to use that equity as your deposit - meaning you may not need to save additional cash at all. We'll help you map the most efficient path based on your current position.

An interest-only loan means you only repay the interest on your loan balance - not the principal - for a set period (typically up to 5 years). This keeps repayments lower and maximises the tax-deductible interest expense. Investors use it to improve cash flow, free up funds for the next purchase, and leverage capital growth instead of equity repayment. It's the most common structure for Australian investment property loans. However, note that lenders assess interest-only applications more strictly - we know which lenders are most accommodating.

Most lenders count 70–80% of your expected rental income toward your serviceability. This means rental income improves your borrowing capacity - but not dollar for dollar. The exact percentage varies significantly between lenders, which is why lender selection matters so much. We identify which lenders offer the most favourable rental income treatment for your specific property type and location.

Yes - and this is one of the most powerful strategies for building a portfolio quickly. Lenders typically allow you to access up to 80% of your property's value, less what you still owe. For example, if your home is worth $800,000 and you owe $400,000, you may have up to $240,000 in usable equity. This can be used as a deposit on your investment property without needing to save additional funds. We'll calculate your usable equity and structure the loan to preserve maximum flexibility for future purchases.

There is no legal limit on how many investment properties you can own or finance in Australia. However, individual lenders set their own portfolio limits and risk thresholds. Some lenders cap at 4–5 investment loans; others will work with seasoned investors across 10+ properties. Portfolio investors need a broker who knows which lenders are most accommodating at each stage of portfolio growth - this is one of our core specialties.

Cross-collateralisation is when you use one property as security for a loan on another. While it can simplify access to equity, it gives your lender significant control over your entire portfolio. If one property falls in value or you want to sell, the lender can reassess and potentially restrict your whole portfolio. Many experienced investors prefer standalone loans for each property to maintain flexibility. We'll walk you through the trade-offs before you commit to any structure.

Yes. Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSF) property loans - technically called Limited Recourse Borrowing Arrangements (LRBAs) - allow your fund to borrow money to purchase an investment property. Strict conditions apply: the property must satisfy the sole purpose test (held purely for retirement benefit), you typically need a 30% deposit, and lender options are more limited. Given the compliance complexity, we strongly recommend working with both a specialist broker and an SMSF-qualified accountant. Broker360 has experience with SMSF lending across Australia.

Once we've completed your strategy session and you've provided your documents, we lodge your application within 24 hours. Full approval timelines vary by lender - typically 3–21 business days for unconditional approval on straightforward applications. For complex situations (self-employed, multiple properties, SMSF), timelines can be longer. We'll give you an honest assessment upfront so you can plan accordingly.

No — Broker360 charges zero broker fees to clients. We are paid by the lender upon successful settlement. Under Australia's Best Interests Duty legislation, we are legally required to act in your best interest - not the lender's. This means you get independent, expert advice and access to 40+ lenders at zero cost to you.