Whether you are planning a small subdivision or a large multi-unit build, securing the right development finance is one of the most important steps you can take as a property developer. At digilend, we work with property developers across the Gold Coast, Brisbane, and Greater Brisbane to help them access loan options from banks and lenders across Australia, so you can fund your project with confidence.
Development finance is a type of funding designed specifically to help developers cover the costs of property development projects. This includes land acquisition finance, construction costs, and everything in between. Unlike a standard home loan, a development loan is structured around the project itself, with funds typically drawn down in stages as the build progresses. The loan amount, development LVR, and interest rate will all depend on the nature of your project, your development feasibility, and the strength of your project documentation.
At digilend, we help clients understand how property development finance works and what lenders are looking for, so you can put your best foot forward when it comes time to apply.
There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to developer finance. Different projects call for different funding structures. digilend can help you explore a range of options, including:
Each of these structures comes with its own set of requirements, development rates, and conditions. The team at digilend will take the time to understand your project and help you work out which type of development project finance suits your situation.
When assessing a development loan application, lenders will look at a range of factors. Your development feasibility and project cashflow are critical. Lenders want to see that the numbers stack up, that your project costs are realistic, and that there is a clear development exit strategy in place. They will also consider your loan to value ratio (LVR), which refers to the development loan amount as a percentage of the end value of the completed project.
Other key factors include your development deposit or development equity, your business financials, and whether you have received development approval or DA approval from your local council. Council approval is often a key milestone that unlocks certain stages of funding, so your development timeline matters too.
Lenders will also want to review your project documentation carefully. This includes your development application, building contracts, quantity surveyor reports, and any presale contracts you have in place. Having this documentation in order before you approach lenders can make a real difference to how your application is received.
At digilend, we help you understand what lenders are looking for and how to present your project in the strongest possible way. We work with a wide panel of banks and lenders across Australia, which means we can look at a broad range of development borrowing options on your behalf.
Development interest rates are generally higher than standard residential mortgage rates, reflecting the increased complexity and risk involved in property development projects. Depending on the lender and the nature of your project, you may be offered a variable interest rate or a fixed interest rate for the term of the loan. Some lenders also offer interest capitalisation, which means interest is added to the loan balance during the construction phase rather than being paid monthly.
Understanding how interest is calculated and how it affects your project cashflow is important. Cost overruns are one of the most common challenges developers face, and it is worth factoring in a contingency when planning your development costs. digilend can help you think through these considerations so you go into your project with a clear picture of what to expect.
digilend is a Gold Coast and Brisbane-based mortgage broking team that genuinely cares about helping property developers realise their vision. We understand that development funding is complex, and we know that the right finance structure can make or break a project. That is why we take a hands-on approach, working closely with you to understand your goals, your project, and your financial position before we start looking at lender options.
We work with clients in Ashmore, Southport, Robina, Surfers Paradise, Palm Beach, Mermaid Waters, Bundall, Merrimac, Nerang, Clayfield, Windsor, and Miami, as well as across the broader Gold Coast and Brisbane regions. No matter where your development project is located, digilend is here to help you access the right development finance to complete your development and achieve property development success.
If you are looking to fund property development and want to work with a team that understands the ins and outs of project funding, digilend is ready to help. We can also assist with construction loans and commercial property loans depending on the nature of your project.
Everything starts with a conversation. Reach out to us online, by phone, or by email. There is no pressure and no obligation. We just want to understand what you are trying to achieve, whether that is buying your first home, refinancing, or securing finance for your next investment.
We take the time to learn about your financial situation, your goals, and your timeline. This helps us build a clear picture of what you need so we can find the right solution for you, not just any solution.
Using our panel of lenders, we search the market to find loan options that suit your needs. We compare rates, fees, features, and lender policies to put together a strategy that works in your best interest.
We present you with our recommended options in plain language. No jargon, no confusion. We walk you through the numbers so you can make a confident and informed decision.
Once you are happy with the direction, we handle the paperwork. We prepare your application, gather the required documents, and make sure everything is in order before it goes to the lender. This helps avoid delays and improves your chances of a smooth approval.
We submit your application and manage the process from our end. We stay in regular contact with the lender and keep you updated every step of the way. If the lender needs anything extra, we handle it quickly so things keep moving.
Once your loan is approved and settled, our job is not done. We check in with you regularly to make sure your loan is still working for you. As your life changes, we are here to review your finance and make sure it keeps up.
At digilend, we believe great finance advice should be straightforward, personal, and built around you.
Mario is genuinely your true saviour. Mario has always been an exceptionally great, honest, respectful, trustworthy, genuine person while doing business with. He offers the available products in the market and explains the pros&cons of various products based on individual circumstances. He always thinks from clients perspective and gets the best deal for them as per their circumstances just like mine . I have dealt with Mario for more than 15 years and he has never let me down no matter what borrowing capacity/product was suitable to my needs at that moment. If you want the truth, no BS just talk to Mario.
Carol
I met Mario through my work practices and noted he was a finance broker. I never had an ongoing personal broker before as I never found a good one to trust. I decided to give him a crack and it was one of the better decisions I’ve made in life. He is down to earth, honest, organised, effective and goes over and above to get the best outcome for us. He even attends auctions, open homes and house calls with us and has become part of our inner sanctum. He even laughs at my jokes. I would highly recommend him to anyone who requires finance and property matters. Chris and Tanya
Christopher Fowke
Highly recommend. Mario and his team were a pleasure to deal with. Mario was very knowledgeable on the most suitable finance for me and he made the process so easy. I've since referred Mario to friends, and will definitely use Digilend again.
Jacqui
Mario helped my wife and I secure a commercial spot for our business, Mario was great to deal with and very professional highly recommended!
Sean Holdinghausen
When you go directly to a bank, you are only seeing what that one lender has to offer. A broker like digilend has access to a panel of lenders, which means we can look across multiple options and present you with a range of possibilities that suit your situation. We also understand the lending criteria of different lenders, which means we can help match you with lenders who are more likely to consider your application based on your circumstances. On top of that, we handle a lot of the communication and paperwork on your behalf, which saves you a significant amount of time and effort. Having someone in your corner who understands the process can make a real difference, especially if your situation is not straightforward.
The documents you need can vary depending on the type of loan and your personal circumstances, but there are some common ones that most lenders will ask for. These typically include proof of identity such as a passport or driver's licence, proof of income like recent payslips or tax returns, bank statements showing your savings and spending, details of any existing debts or liabilities, and information about the property if you have already found one. If you are self-employed, you may need to provide additional documents such as business financials. digilend will give you a clear checklist based on your specific situation so you know exactly what to pull together before we get started. Being prepared upfront can help things move along more smoothly.
Refinancing means replacing your existing home loan with a new one, either with your current lender or a different one. People refinance for all sorts of reasons. Some want to access the equity they have built up in their property, others want to consolidate debts, and some simply want to review whether their current loan still suits their needs. It is worth noting that refinancing is not always the right move for everyone, and there can be costs involved such as exit fees or application fees for a new loan. digilend can help you look at your current situation and weigh up whether refinancing could make sense for you. We will give you a clear picture so you can make an informed decision.
Yes, digilend works with self-employed clients regularly. We understand that being your own boss can make the loan application process feel a bit more complicated, because your income might look different on paper compared to someone who receives a regular payslip. Different lenders have different ways of assessing self-employed income, and some are more accommodating than others. We know which lenders are more likely to look favourably at self-employed applicants and what documentation you will typically need to support your application. Things like tax returns, business financials, and bank statements are often part of the picture. We will help you get your paperwork in order and put your best foot forward.
The deposit required can depend on a number of factors including the lender, the type of loan, and your overall financial situation. A deposit of 20% of the property purchase price is often seen as a common benchmark, but there are options available for people with smaller deposits. Some lenders may accept a lower deposit, though this can sometimes mean additional costs such as lenders mortgage insurance. There are also government schemes that may be worth looking into depending on your eligibility. digilend can help you understand what your deposit situation means for your options and what lenders may be willing to consider. We will always give you a clear picture of what is involved.
The timeline can vary quite a bit depending on your situation, the lender involved, and how quickly documents can be gathered and verified. Generally speaking, getting pre-approval can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks, while full approval after you have found a property can take a similar amount of time. Some lenders move quicker than others, and having all your documents ready can help things move along. digilend will keep you updated throughout the process so you always know where things are at. We will also let you know upfront what to expect based on your specific circumstances so you are not left wondering what is happening.
In most cases, digilend is paid a commission by the lender when a loan is settled. This means that in many situations you do not pay us directly for our broking service. However, we believe it is important that you understand exactly how we are paid and any fees that may apply to your situation before we get started. We are required by law to be transparent about our remuneration, and we take that seriously. We will always explain how we are paid as part of our process so there are no surprises. If you have any questions about this at any point, just ask us and we will walk you through it clearly.
digilend can assist with a wide range of lending needs. This includes home loans for people buying a property, refinancing for those who want to review their current loan, investment property loans, car and asset finance, personal loans, and business lending. We work with a broad panel of lenders, which means we can look at options across different loan types rather than being limited to just one product or one bank. Every person's situation is different, so we take the time to understand what you are trying to achieve before we start looking at what might be available to you. If you are not sure whether we can help, just reach out and ask.
Absolutely. digilend works with clients right across the Gold Coast and Greater Brisbane region. Whether you are based in Surfers Paradise, Robina, Palm Beach, Southport, Nerang, Mermaid Waters, Bundall, Merrimac, Ashmore, Clayfield, Windsor, Miami, or anywhere nearby, we are here to help. We understand that people in these areas have different needs and circumstances, and we take the time to understand yours before we do anything else. You do not have to travel far or deal with someone who does not know your local area. digilend is right here in your community and ready to have a chat.
A finance and mortgage broker like digilend works as the go-between for you and a range of lenders. Instead of you having to contact multiple banks or lenders yourself, we do that legwork for you. We look at your situation, figure out what you need, and then search through a panel of lenders to find options that could suit you. We handle a lot of the paperwork, communication, and follow-up so you are not left doing it all on your own. Whether you are buying your first home, refinancing, or looking at a business loan, having a broker in your corner can make the whole process a lot more manageable.
Talk to the team at digilend today about your development finance options. We work with banks and lenders across Australia to help you find the right development loan for your project. Book an appointment and let us help you move forward.
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