Inner West Investment Strategy

The Investment Property Challenge

Property investment in Sydney is competitive. You're not just buying a home—you're buying a cash-flow asset. Lenders are more conservative with investment properties than owner-occupied homes. They want to see positive cash flow. They want to see strategy. They want to see you've done the numbers.

Most importantly: rental income is only counted at 85% for serviceability. If rent is $2,400/month, lenders only count $2,040. This makes approval harder. You need specialist lenders who understand investment strategy and can structure applications efficiently.

We've helped 500+ investors build portfolios in Sydney. Here's how we do it.

Real Examples: Investors Building Portfolios

James: First Investment Property

Primary home: $800k, $400k mortgage. Wants first investment property: $450k, $320k loan needed. Rent projected $2,200/month (85% = $1,870 counts). Personal income $90k. Serviceability: tight but doable. Bank declined. We structured at specialist lender, approved. 2 weeks to purchase.

Priya: Portfolio Expansion (Property 3)

Own 2 investment properties already (generating $3,800/month rental income). Wants 3rd property. Serviceability: stretched with 3 mortgages. Standard lender says no. We aggregated rental income, showed positive portfolio cash flow, approved $380k loan. Property closed in 3 weeks.

David & Lisa: Equity Access for Investment

Primary home: $950k, $550k mortgage, $400k equity. Want to invest but cash is tight. Refinanced primary home to $700k (taking $150k cash), used cash for investment property deposit. Result: 2 properties, both positive cash flow. Timeline: 2 weeks for refinance + purchase simultaneous.

Frequently Asked Questions

Typically 20% is standard. 15-25% is the range. Some lenders will go to 10-15% but with higher interest rates and fees. We recommend 20%+ for best rates and cash flow. Higher deposit = better cash flow, lower risk.

Lenders count 85% of rental income for serviceability. If rent is $2,400/month, only $2,040 counts toward your borrowing capacity. This is conservative and protects lenders. Plan your portfolio knowing this rule.

Yes, it's the most common strategy. Refinance your primary home, access the equity, use it as investment property deposit. You now have 2 mortgages but only 1 property (home) paying down with your mortgage payments. Investment property covers itself with rent.

You need to cover it from other income. Lenders usually allow 30-40% of personal income to cover negatively geared investment properties. This limits how many negative-cash-flow properties you can hold. Positive cash flow is always better.

Each property typically gets its own loan. You aggregate income/debts for serviceability. We help you structure across multiple lenders to optimize rates and manage serviceability. 3+ properties require strategic structuring.

Getting Started

Buying a property or refinancing your mortgage doesn't have to be complicated. The right broker makes all the difference. We match you with lenders who understand your situation—not generic bank forms, not outdated income verification, but specialist lenders who say yes.

Next step: free 15-minute assessment. We'll review your situation, explain your options, and show you exactly what's possible. No obligation, no commissions to pay, just straight advice from someone who's closed 2,000+ mortgages.

Investment Property Strategy: Why Inner West Works for Investors

The Investment Property Challenge

Real Examples: Investors Building Portfolios

Frequently Asked Questions

Getting Started

Build Your Investment Portfolio

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