Construction Loans
Fund your new build, upgrade or renovation with a Construction Loan organised by a Finance & Mortgage Broker at Craft Financial
Rated 5 from 83 Reviews
Fund your new build, upgrade or renovation with a Construction Loan organised by a Finance & Mortgage Broker at Craft Financial
Rated 5 from 83 Reviews
Craft Financial is dedicated to guiding self-employed property investors through the complexities of securing construction loans. Our expertise lies in helping you access construction loan options from banks and lenders across Australia. Whether you are embarking on major home renovations, buying off the plan, or planning a new build, we are here to support you every step of the way. If you are building your first home, our team also works closely with first home buyers to navigate grants, schemes, and lender options specific to new builds. With our streamlined application process and focus on client-first service, you can confidently make a plan that suits your ideal location and price range without stress.
Understanding the intricacies of construction loans is crucial for successful property investment. One key aspect is the progressive drawdown feature, which allows you to access funds in instalments at various stages of the project. This means you only pay interest on the amount drawn down, making it a cost-effective choice. Additionally, interest-only repayment options can provide financial flexibility during the construction period. At Craft Financial, we ensure our clients understand these options and how they can benefit from them.
Applying for a loan can often seem overwhelming, but we simplify the process by helping you gather necessary documentation such as council plans and permits. We also assist in understanding council regulations and restrictions that might affect your project. Our experts guide you through the development application process, ensuring your project complies with all requirements. If you plan to demolish an existing property or face council restrictions with your suitable land, we provide the necessary advice and support. For clients who already own a property and are considering building on or upgrading it, our home loans team can help you understand how your existing equity fits into your construction finance plan.
With construction loans, managing cash flow efficiently is essential. Craft Financial offers guidance on setting up a Progressive Payment Schedule aligned with your construction milestones. This schedule allows you to pay sub-contractors like plumbers and electricians promptly, ensuring your project stays on track. We also help manage Out of Contract Items not included in the original agreement, avoiding unexpected costs. The 'as if complete' valuation is another crucial element we assist with, ensuring that all parties agree on the property's final value. For clients building as part of a broader property strategy, we can also structure your construction finance alongside an investment loan to maximise your portfolio position from day one.
A crucial detail of construction loans is the requirement to commence building within a set period from the Disclosure Date. Craft Financial helps you coordinate all aspects, from securing the loan amount to managing Progressive Drawing Fees, so your project remains on schedule. We understand that additional payments may arise during construction; our team is here to provide ongoing support and advice on managing these effectively. Once your build is complete, many clients also explore refinancing their construction loan into a standard home loan to secure a more competitive long-term rate.
Craft Financial is committed to assisting self-employed property investors in making informed decisions about construction loans. By offering a tailored approach to your unique needs, we ensure your journey from planning to completion is smooth and efficient. We aim to empower you with the knowledge and tools necessary to achieve your property goals in an ideal location within your budget.
Contact Craft Financial today to explore how we can help you access construction loan options from banks and lenders across Australia. Learn more about our team and approach and see why clients trust us to deliver personalised advice and support for their next property investment project. Let us help you make your vision a reality with confidence and clarity.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.