SMSF Property Loans Sydney

SMSF property loans with the compliance built in

Residential and commercial property lending for self-managed super funds

SMSF property lending has rules that standard brokers rarely deal with. The loan must be a limited recourse borrowing arrangement, the property must be held in a bare trust, and fewer lenders offer SMSF loans than you might expect. We specialise in this space because getting the structure wrong creates problems that are expensive to fix.

SMSF property lending has rules that standard brokers do not deal with

If you are considering buying property through your SMSF, the lending side is more specialised than a standard investment loan. Fewer lenders offer SMSF loans, the structure must meet specific regulatory requirements, and getting it wrong can result in penalties or an invalid arrangement.

The loan must be a limited recourse borrowing arrangement (LRBA)

This is not optional. SMSF property loans must be structured as LRBAs under the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act. This means the lender’s recourse is limited to the property itself, not other assets in your fund. We ensure the loan is structured to meet this requirement.

The property must be held in a separate bare trust

The property cannot be held directly by your SMSF until the loan is fully repaid. It must be held in a separate trust (often called a holding trust or bare trust) for the duration of the loan. We coordinate with your SMSF adviser and solicitor to ensure this is set up correctly.

Fewer lenders means fewer options, and the criteria are tighter

Not all banks offer SMSF lending, and those that do have stricter requirements around loan-to-value ratios, property types, and fund balance minimums. We know which lenders are active in this space and what their current criteria are.

Your SMSF must be able to service the loan independently

The fund needs sufficient cash flow from contributions, rental income, and existing balances to cover loan repayments, property costs, and ongoing expenses. Lenders assess the fund’s capacity, not your personal income.

Compliance is not a one-off check

SMSF compliance requirements apply throughout the life of the loan, not just at the time of purchase. Renovations, repairs, and how the property is used all have regulatory implications. We help you understand these from the start so you avoid problems down the track.

SMSF property lending for different situations

Residential investment property

Buying a residential property through your SMSF as an investment. The property must be rented to a non-related party at market rates. It cannot be lived in by you, a family member, or any related party of the fund. We structure the LRBA and match you with lenders whose criteria suit the property and your fund’s position.

Commercial property investment

Purchasing commercial property (offices, retail, industrial, warehouses) through your SMSF. Commercial property in an SMSF can offer attractive yields and potential tax advantages. Lender requirements differ from residential SMSF lending, and we know the specific criteria that apply.

Business real property

Your SMSF can purchase commercial property that your own business leases. This is one of the few situations where a related-party transaction is permitted under superannuation law. The lease must be at market rates and on arm’s-length terms. We structure the lending and coordinate with your SMSF adviser to ensure the arrangement is compliant.

SMSF with existing property portfolio

If your fund already holds property and you are looking to add to it, or refinance an existing SMSF loan, the assessment becomes more complex. Lenders look at the fund’s total position, including existing loans, property values, and cash flow. We assess your fund’s capacity and identify realistic options.

Setting up an SMSF for property investment

If you are considering establishing an SMSF specifically to invest in property, we can discuss the lending side before you set up the fund. This helps you understand borrowing capacity, deposit requirements, and whether the numbers work before committing to the cost and complexity of establishing a self-managed fund. We recommend involving your accountant and financial adviser in this decision.

SMSF Property Loans Calculators

Our calculators give you a clear picture of what you can afford, your estimated repayments, and how much deposit you’ll need so you can move forward with confidence.

Explore Our Calculators

Here's what actually happens

The typical finance process from first conversation to settlement.

Discovery
Session

We discuss what you’re trying to achieve and your current financial position. No paperwork needed yet, just a conversation. It takes about 30 minutes.

Information Gathering

We work out what documents we need and explain why banks need them. You gather information while we assess your borrowing capacity.

Analysis & Recommendations

We analyse your position, present you with options that actually fit, and explain which lenders suit your situation and why.

Application
& Approval

We handle the paperwork, bank conversations, and keep you updated through each stage. You stay informed throughout.

Documentation
& Settlement

We coordinate with solicitors, manage the documentation process, and see your loan through to settlement. Usually 3-4 weeks from application to settlement, depending on complexity.

What clients say

Jonathan Streater is an outstanding mortgage broker. He helped me secure finance for an investment property and made the entire lending process smooth and stress-free. His knowledge of investment property finance, clear communication, and ability to deliver within tight timeframes was exceptional. I would highly recommend Jonathan to anyone looking for expert mortgage or investment lending advice.

Michael Reid

March 16th, 2026

I can’t speak highly enough of Jonathan and the incredible service he provided. From day one, he went above and beyond to make the entire process smooth, stress-free, and easy to understand. His knowledge, professionalism, and genuine commitment to helping us achieve the best outcome were clear at every step. His communication was outstanding, and nothing ever felt like too much trouble. We truly felt supported and confident knowing he was in our corner. We’re incredibly grateful and highly recommend Jonathan.

Jamie Kentwell

November 22nd, 2025

We had such a great experience with Jonathan from JEM Finance Group. Jonathan made the whole refinancing process so much easier than I expected, he took the time to really understand my situation and explain everything in simple terms.

Jonathan was always quick to reply and really went out of his way to find the best deal for us which made the whole process stress free. Jonathan explained everything clearly and kept us updated the whole time which in turn saved us $600 per month on our mortgage repayments.

Honestly couldn’t have asked for better service. If you need a mortgage broker who actually cares and makes things simple, JEM Finance Group is the way to go.

Kim Taylor

October 1st, 2025

Made life very easy and very helpful with any questions i had

Anthony Sfirse

September 24th, 2025

I would like to thank Jonathan at Jem Finance for the exceptional service and for going above and beyond to get us the outcome we desired.
Much appreciated.

Darren Vella

August 26th, 2025

We chose JEM after a friend’s recommendation, we found dealing with Jonathan very easy and always prompt to answer our queries. We are in the process of using JEM again now and could not be happier.

Jenene Johnson

July 7th, 2025

Things were handled for me, didn’t take much of my time as they did most of the work
Great service by Jonathan and the team, look forward to working with them again.

Nezar Hazim

March 31st, 2025

Great help, from beginning to end

Brendon Skinner

March 3rd, 2025

We recently chose to refinance both our home and investment loans, and we had the pleasure of working with JEM Finance Group. Jonathan took the time to thoroughly understand our needs and provided expert advice tailored to our situation. His extensive knowledge, skills, and experience were evident throughout the process, ensuring we secured our loans on the best possible terms. Jonathan was professional, efficient, and easy to work with. I highly recommend their services.

August 26th, 2024

Great service, professional, efficient, obtain best rates/deals, very transparent and informative. I will not hesitate to recommend JEM Finance Brokers to all my family, relatives and friends. Thank you Jonathan greatly appreciated.

Mark

August 9th, 2024

Questions we get asked

Ask Your Question

Are there fewer lenders for SMSF loans than for standard investment property loans?

Yes. Not all banks offer SMSF lending, and those that do have stricter requirements around loan-to-value ratios, property types, and fund balance minimums. We know which lenders are currently active in this space and what their criteria are.

Can my SMSF borrow money to buy property?

Yes, but it must be structured as a Limited Recourse Borrowing Arrangement (LRBA) under the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act. This is not optional — all SMSF property loans must meet this requirement. It means the lender’s recourse is limited to the property itself and does not extend to other assets in your fund.

Can my SMSF buy the commercial property my business operates from?

Yes — this is one of the few related-party transactions permitted under superannuation law. Your SMSF can purchase business real property and lease it back to your business, provided the lease is at market rates and on arm’s-length terms. We structure the lending and coordinate with your SMSF adviser to ensure compliance.

How much do I need in my SMSF to qualify for a property loan?

Lenders have minimum fund balance requirements — typically $200,000 or more, though this varies by lender. Your fund also needs sufficient cash flow from contributions, rental income, and existing balances to service the loan repayments, property costs, and ongoing expenses. We assess your fund’s specific capacity.

Should I set up an SMSF just to buy property?

This is a significant decision that involves costs, compliance obligations, and ongoing administration. We can discuss the lending side with you before you commit to setting up a fund, so you understand borrowing capacity and deposit requirements upfront. We recommend involving your accountant and financial adviser in this decision.

What is a bare trust and why is it required?

The property cannot be held directly by your SMSF until the loan is fully repaid. It must be held in a separate bare trust (also called a holding trust) for the duration of the loan. Once the loan is repaid, the property transfers into the SMSF’s name. We coordinate with your SMSF adviser and solicitor to ensure this is set up correctly from the start.

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