How much can you borrow?

Find out how much you can borrow to buy your next property with our Borrowing Capacity Calculator

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Improving your Borrowing Capacity

What Does the Borrowing Capacity Calculator Actually Tell You?

The calculator above gives you a realistic starting point for understanding how much a lender is likely to let you borrow based on your income, expenses, existing debts, and deposit. The figure it produces is an estimate, not a guarantee, but it is a useful way to orient yourself before you start looking at properties or speaking to a lender.

Lenders do not all use the same formula. Each has its own assessment methodology, serviceability buffer, and appetite for different borrower types. That means your borrowing capacity can vary considerably from lender to lender, and the number one bank gives you is not necessarily the ceiling. It is just their ceiling.

What Affects How Much You Can Borrow?

Income is the most obvious factor, but it is far from the only one. Lenders look at your employment type and stability, whether your income is base salary, commission, or self-employed profit, and how consistently it has been earned. They also assess your living expenses, any existing loan or credit card commitments, the size of your deposit, and the type of property you are purchasing.

For self-employed borrowers in particular, the way income is assessed can make a significant difference. Two years of tax returns are typically required, and lenders vary in how they treat add-backs, business expenses, and trust distributions. Working with a broker who understands how to position a self-employed application is often the difference between an approval and a decline, or between a comfortable borrowing figure and one that falls short of your goals.

What to Do Once You Have a Figure

If the calculator produces a number that works for what you are trying to achieve, the natural next step is a proper pre-approval. Pre-approval involves a full assessment of your financial position and gives you a conditional commitment from a lender before you make an offer on a property. It puts you in a much stronger position when you are ready to buy, particularly in competitive markets.

If the figure is lower than you were hoping for, it is worth having a conversation before you draw conclusions. There may be lenders on our panel that would assess your position more generously, or there may be simple adjustments to your financial position that improve the outcome. Paying down a credit card limit, restructuring an existing loan, or simply choosing a different lender can all move the number.

Tom and the team at Craft Financial work with buyers across home loans, investment loans, and first home buyer situations. Book a free appointment and we will work through your borrowing capacity properly and give you a clear picture of where you stand.

Reviews for Craft Financial

AR

Arif Rana

I can't recommend Tom highly enough. From the very beginning, he made the entire process incredibly easy and stress-free. He took the time to explain every step in detail, ensuring I understood everything along the way, and was always available to answer any questions I had, no matter how big or small. His professionalism, communication, and expertise made the whole process feel simple and straightforward. If you're looking for someone who genuinely cares about their clients and goes above and beyond, I would highly recommend working with Tom. Thanks again for all your help!

SA

Scott Avery

MW

Megan Wailes

We refinanced with Craft after moving from our previous broker. Tom and Dane kept on top of communication at each point, went above and beyond to find us the best rate for our situation and ensured all our options were laid out and clear. They were honestly a lifesaver when we were working against the clock after our previous fixed rate ended. Very impressed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of investment properties can you arrange finance for?

We arrange finance for a wide range of investment property types across Australia. This includes residential houses, units, townhouses, and apartments in metropolitan and regional areas. We also have access to lenders who finance unique properties like student accommodation, dual occupancy properties, and houses with minor non-conforming features. Whether you're purchasing established properties or off-the-plan developments, we can structure appropriate finance solutions. Some lenders have restrictions on certain property types or locations, but our extensive panel ensures we can usually find suitable options. We also help with commercial property purchases when they form part of your investment strategy, connecting you with specialist commercial lenders when required.

What makes Craft Financial different from other mortgage brokers for self-employed property investors?

As specialists in working with self-employed property investors, we understand the unique challenges you face when securing finance. Traditional lenders often struggle to assess self-employed income, which can make the mortgage application process more complex. Our team has extensive experience working with various income structures including sole traders, partnerships, companies, and trusts. We know which lenders are most receptive to self-employed borrowers and how to present your financial position in the most favourable light. This specialised knowledge means we can often secure finance when others cannot, helping you build your property portfolio without unnecessary delays or rejections.

What documents do I need to provide for a property investment loan application?

The documentation requirements vary depending on your business structure and the lender's requirements. Generally, you'll need two years of tax returns including notices of assessment, recent business activity statements, and bank statements for both personal and business accounts. If you operate through a company or trust, we'll need financial statements and company documents. For your investment property, you'll need a contract of sale, rental appraisal, and property valuations. We provide you with a comprehensive checklist tailored to your specific situation and help you gather everything efficiently. Our team reviews your documents before submission to ensure they present your application in the strongest possible manner to lenders.

How do you assess my borrowing capacity as a self-employed property investor?

Our assessment process looks beyond traditional employment income to understand your complete financial picture. We examine your tax returns, business activity statements, bank statements, and cash flow patterns to determine your genuine borrowing capacity. For self-employed clients, we consider factors like business consistency, industry trends, and seasonal variations in income. We also look at your existing property portfolio, rental income potential, and investment strategy. This comprehensive approach often reveals borrowing capacity that traditional assessments might miss, allowing you to maximise your investment opportunities while ensuring the loans remain serviceable within your financial circumstances.

Do you charge fees for your mortgage broking services?

Our mortgage broking services are typically funded through commissions paid by lenders, which means most clients don't pay direct fees for our standard services. However, for complex applications requiring significant additional work, or for certain specialised services, we may charge professional fees. These are always discussed and agreed upon upfront before any work commences. We believe in complete transparency about costs, so you'll always know exactly what you're paying for any services. Our focus is on providing value through our expertise and securing finance outcomes that justify any costs involved. Most clients find that the benefits we deliver through loan structuring and lender selection far outweigh any fees charged.

What happens if my loan application gets declined?

A declined application doesn't mean the end of your property investment plans. Our extensive lender panel means we often have alternative options when one lender says no. Different lenders have varying appetite for self-employed borrowers and different assessment criteria, so a decline from one doesn't predict outcomes with others. We analyse the reasons for any decline and adjust our approach accordingly, whether that means presenting information differently, choosing alternative lenders, or addressing specific concerns raised. Sometimes a decline indicates we need to strengthen your application by improving documentation or waiting for better financial results. We work with you to understand what's needed and develop a plan to achieve your financing goals, even if it takes longer than initially expected.

Can you help me refinance my existing investment properties?

Absolutely. Refinancing can be an excellent strategy for property investors to improve cash flow, access equity, or secure more favourable loan terms. We regularly help self-employed investors refinance their portfolios to take advantage of changing market conditions or their improved financial position. The process involves reviewing your current loans, assessing your financial situation, and identifying opportunities for improvement. This might include consolidating multiple loans, switching to interest-only payments, or accessing equity for your next purchase. We handle the entire refinancing process including valuations, legal documentation, and settlement coordination, ensuring minimal disruption to your investment strategy while maximising the financial benefits.

Can you help structure loans across multiple properties in my portfolio?

Portfolio structuring is one of our key strengths when working with property investors. We help you optimise your loan structure across multiple properties to maximise tax benefits, maintain flexibility, and prepare for future growth. This might involve using different loan products for different properties, structuring cross-collateralised facilities, or keeping properties in separate loan accounts for easier management. We consider factors like your entity structure, tax position, and future investment plans when recommending portfolio arrangements. Our approach ensures your finance structure supports your long-term investment strategy rather than creating limitations. We also review existing portfolios to identify restructuring opportunities that could improve your position or unlock additional borrowing capacity.

How long does the mortgage application process typically take?

The timeframe varies depending on several factors including the complexity of your financial situation, the lender chosen, and how quickly documentation is provided. For self-employed borrowers, the process typically takes 4-6 weeks from application to approval, though this can be longer during busy periods or if additional information is requested. Pre-approval can often be obtained within 1-2 weeks, which is valuable when making property offers. We work to expedite the process wherever possible by ensuring applications are complete and accurate from the start. Our established relationships with lenders often help speed up the assessment process, and we keep you informed of progress throughout to manage expectations and ensure smooth settlements.

Ready to get Started?

Book a chat with a Finance & Mortgage Broker at Craft Financial today.