Your Westpac lender

Talking with an investment home loan expert early on is valuable. Your lender (or mortgage broker) can help you understand:

• Your borrowing power, equity and LVR
• What your interest rate and finance could look like if you adjust your loan structure/s, and close out other debts
• Our basic variable rate, fixed rates, and your specially tailored variable rate with offset
• The perks of packaging^[#], including discounted Landlord Insurance^[#] and credit card rewards
• Cross-collateralisation and equity – more than one property can be secured against each loan
• The pros and cons of freeing up cashflow, by opting for up to 15 years of Interest Only repayments^[#]
• The option to redraw^[#] from your fixed loan during the fixed term to free up cash flow
• A fixed interest rate discount for paying 12 months’ Interest Only in Advance^[#]
• Your property shortlist: we may not lend against some addresses and investment properties (very small units, certain suburbs or apartment blocks, tiny houses, hobby farms and places near large power lines).

As your one point of contact, your Westpac lender could help organise:

• Conditional approval, so you can confidently bid or make an offer
• A bank valuation: online, or on-site by an independent valuer
• Full approval
• Finalising your loan docs
• The settlement process
• Tweaking your loan, as and when you need.

Have a lender call you back

Your tax adviser

The tax positions described here are general statements and should not be used as tax advice or a tax guide.

While working out your strategy, have a chat with your registered tax adviser or financial planner about the tax implications of:

• Property investment gearing options
• Opting to take up an interest rate discount for paying 12 months’ fixed Interest Only in Advance^[#]
  Putting your excess money in your loan account versus an offset account (your loan interest will reduce by the same amount, whether you park spare money in your loan’s redraw facility^[#] or a linked transaction offset account^[#])
• The Capital Gains Tax concession
• Interest Only vs Principal & Interest repayments
• The loan structure, e.g. buying in your name, your partner or adult child’s name, in a family trust (changes made after signing your loan contract could delay settlement).

• ATO: Rental expenses to claim
• ATO: Tax time tool kit for investor

Your conveyancer, lawyer or solicitor

They’re able to:

• Review your purchase contract, go through the conditions with you, iron out any kinks before you begin negotiations (e.g. a 30-day settlement might prove too short)
• Highlight if the property is on Torrens, strata or company title
• Arrange and check a strata report
• Review your loan documents before you sign
• Arrange the entire property transaction
• Organise and lodge any stamp duty concessions
• Book a settlement date, and tell you how your payments are to be distributed (amount, payee for the cheques).

It's worth checking in with your legal agent before signing any contracts, as post-settlement changes could involve extra costs.

Hiring a buyer’s agent

Not to be confused with a real estate agent, a buyer’s agent is a property-buying professional who you can choose to hire as part of your team. They represent your best interests as the buyer, and specialise in searching for, scoping out and evaluating real estate and the property market. Not to mention negotiating with the owner or bidding at auction on your behalf.

Their clients can include property investors, interstate buyers and first home rentvestors looking for the best price and a competitive edge.

What is a buyer’s agent?

Property managers

When you lack the time or inclination to manage the place yourself, hiring a good property manager can be the way to go. Check reviews of at least three property managers (they’re normally also licenced REAs), compare the fee structure and find out how they’ll market and maintain your property, make repairs and collect rent. Then engage the right person at least 4 weeks before settlement. They can:

• Place a premium listing and virtual walk-through
• Screen tenants and pair you with good tenants
• Help negotiate a fair price with your tenant
• Carry out routine property inspections
• Engage with reliable trades people
• Advise on dispute resolution.

Other

Real Estate Agents

Even though REAs represent the vendor, and not you, there are advantages to building a good relationship. REAs can place you on exclusive databases to view off-market properties and entertain pre-auction offers. And they may be well-placed to manage your rental property.

Land surveyor

Works out the land and property boundaries, confirms fence lines and can unearth subdivision restrictions and construction easement issues (pipes, sewerage etc).

Quantity surveyor

They’ll estimate the construction cost of a new build, and may also be qualified to calculate the depreciation of your property’s value.

Architect & licenced builder

It's worth checking reviews and getting several quotes. Before construction your licensed builder, often with help from your lender, prepares a document outlining the total build cost.

Construction option

Award-winning value

Backed by Canstar’s 2026 Outstanding Value – Investment Variable Home Lender Award^[#], helping you feel confident in your next investment. Book an appointment and get tailored guidance for your investment goals.

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