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Buying an investment property

Property investing isn’t for the faint heart. If you are here, then you have probably already crunched the numbers and done some hard work behind the scenes. Now, it’s our turn to make this journey a little easier for you.

Whether you may be embarking on a new life stage with this being your very first home investment, or if you’ve been there, done that and ready to do it again, we have designed a simplified process to help you make it happen.

Regardless of your entry point, our flexible and personalised approach ensures you feel confident, supported and prepared with the right tools and features to suit your investment property strategy.

 
Got questions? Talk to our lending specialists.

The Key Benefits You've been Looking For

Easy banking

Manage your account anytime, anywhere with our online and mobile banking platforms. Or bank direct with us, in-person or on the phone.

Easy banking

Plan your repayments

Choose a variable interest rate or fix it for up to 5 years, giving you clarity on what your repayments will look like.

Plan your repayments

Low rates

Enjoy our range of competitive rates options, whether going for a lock-in plan with our fixed-terms and choosing a variable approach.

Low rates

Low deposit

Get into your new home sooner with our low deposit requirements. All you need is 10% deposit, excluding Lenders Mortgage Insurance.

Low deposit

Talk to real people

Our lending specialists are on your team. Whether you need to ask a question or solve a problem, we are here for you.

Talk to real people

Offset feature

Link up to 8 Easy Access transaction accounts with offset feature to your home loan. This helps you save in interest and pay your loan faster.

Offset feature

Interest only

Start or refinance your loan with interest-only repayments for up to 5 years, reverting to the Principal & Interest variable rate advertised at the time of the change.

Interest only

Redraw facility

When you make additional payments to your home loan, you can access the extra funds when needed without penalties, giving you more flexibility.

Redraw facility

Competitive rates to support your investment Investment Home Loan >80%LVR (P&I)

Do more with your money by choosing our best investment home loan rates.

2-year fixed rate ^

5.39
%
p.a

Comparison rate *

6.37
%
p.a

Annual Fees

$
395

Application Fee

$
0.00

^At the end of your fixed rate period the interest rate will revert to the relevant Principal and Interest variable rate. *The comparison rate is based on a $150,000 loan repayable over 25 years. WARNING: This comparison rate is true only for the example given and may not include all fees and charges. Different terms, fees or other loan amounts might result in a different comparison rate. All rates available for new business only and are subject to change without notice. Credit eligibility criteria, terms and conditions, fees and charges apply and may change without notice. Products issued by Southern Cross Credit Union Ltd ABN 82 087 650 682. AFSL and Australian Credit Licence 241 000.

Loan-to-Value Ratio (LVR)

  • Max. 95% LVR (LMI applies)

Loan Terms

  • Min. Loan Term: 1 year
  • Max. Loan Term: up to 40 years

Rate Options

  • Fixed or Variable

Repayment Options

  • Principal & Interest
  • Interest Only

Additional Features

  • Offset feature with up to 8 Easy Access transaction accounts
  • Additional Repayments
  • Redraw facility
  • Split Loan
  • Fixed Rate Lock option

Applying for
an Investment
Home Loan

Easy, simplified and completely online. Ready to go?

Complete your home loan application in under 20 minutes. Or do it at your own pace, pause and restart when you’re ready. Tell us about yourself and see how much you can borrow.

If you need help, call us on 1300 360 744 and our team will walk you through it.

  • 1+ Application Options

    + Application Options

    You can apply for your home loan completely online including real-time ID verification, over the phone or in-person by requesting a meeting with one of our lending specialists.

    Make sure you check the eligibility criteria and gather all document requirements. All our home loans required a 100-point identity check, so make sure you have everything ready to go. If you had any questions, call us at 1300 366 744.

  • 2+ Eligibility Criteria

    + Eligibility Criteria

    To apply for a Home Loan, you must:
    • Be an individual aged 18 years and above.
    • Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident of Australia.
    • New Zealand citizens can be considered under a mortgage secured basis only but must be residing in Australia and declaring income to the ATO.
    • Have an Australian residential address.
    • Provide 100 points of ID for verification.
  • 3+ Other Requirements

    + Other Requirements

    • Meet SCCU credit assessment criteria which includes demonstrating the capacity to make required repayments on the loan.
    • Provide sufficient security in accordance with SCCU’s credit assessment criteria.
    • Have building insurance with SCCU noted as an interested party to a minimum amount equal to the building value.
  • 4+ Assessment and Approval

    + Assessment and Approval

    Once your application is submitted, our Lending Specialists will undertake an assessment of our home loan application. Once assessed, your application will be deemed approved, conditionally approved or not approved. Our team will keep you informed throughout this process, and additional information may be required at any stage.

  • 5+ Sign your contract

    + Sign your contract

    Congratulations! If you receive a contract to sign, this means your investment home loan application is approved.
    Our team will provide you with detailed guidance on this process and next steps for settlement.
    If you have any questions, please contact us at 1300 360 744 and our lending specialists will support you.

  • 6+ Get tenant ready

    + Get tenant ready

    It’s time to celebrate, as you are now an investment home owner! Make sure you have everything in place to get your new property ready for your tenants.

  • + Important Information

    Products issued by Southern Cross Credit Union Ltd ABN 82 087 650 682. AFSL and Australian Credit Licence 241 000. Any advice given is of a general nature only and is not based on any consideration of your objectives, financial situation and needs. To decide if a product is right for you, please refer to the Summary of Accounts, Access Facilities and Transaction Limits. Eligibility criteria, fees and charges, terms and conditions apply. To help you better asses if these products are right for you please reach out to our team or read through our Target Market Determinations (TMD), designed to help you make an informed decision that is consistent with your objectives, financial situations and needs.

    Important: Available for new business only. Offers not available for switching of existing SCCU home loans. Not available through Broker introduced business.
    Advertised Interest rates subject to change without notice.

    Home Loans (Owner Occupied and Investment)
    ^At the end of your fixed rate period the interest rate will revert to the relevant Principal and Interest variable rate.

    *The comparison rate is based on a loan amount of $150,000 repayable over 25 years. WARNING: This comparison rate is true only for the examples given and may not include all fees and charges. Different terms, fees or other loan amounts might result in a different comparison rate.

    ~Variable Interest Only option available for maximum five-year periods reverting thereafter to the P&I variable rate.

    Home Loans (Professionals Eligibility Criteria)
    Eligible applicants on the professionals list can access premium rates for loans with 80-95% LVR. In addition, these professionals will receive an
    LMI waiver for loans up to 90% LVR. To access additional benefits such as premium interest rates and no requirement for Lender’s Mortgage Insurance for loans up to 90% loan to value ratio at least one applicant must be employed as a:

    Medical & Health Professional:
     Anaesthetists, Chiropractors, Dental Practitioners, Dermatologists, General Practitioners, Obstetricians/Gynaecologists, Ophthalmologists, Optometrists, Paediatricians, Pathologists, Pharmacists, Physicians, Physiotherapists, Psychiatrists, Radiation Oncologists, Radiologists, Surgeons, Veterinary Practitioners. Medical & Health Professionals must be a current registered member of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Target Market Determination Premium Fixed Rate Home Loan

    Legal & Financial Professionals: Solicitors, Lawyers, Barristers, Actuaries, Financial Analysts, Accountants Finance professionals must be practicing and a current registered member of an eligible professional institute. Legal professionals must be practicing and hold a current certificate with an acceptable state body.

Make the most of your equity

Equity is the difference between the market value of your property and the remaining balance on your home loan. As you pay down your mortgage and your property’s value increases, your equity grows.

You can use your equity in several ways, such as funding renovations, investing in another property, or consolidating debt. You can access a portion of your equity, known as “usable equity”, based on factors like your current Loan-to-Value Ratio (LVR), income and borrowing capacity.

Building equity faster can be achieved by making extra repayments, increasing your property’s value through improvements, or benefiting from market appreciation. It’s a valuable asset that provides borrowing power and long-term financial opportunities.

Before accessing your equity, it’s important to review your loan terms and get some expert advice to ensure it aligns with your financial strategy.

Free Consultation with Bridges

Looking to Refinance?

Refinancing your home loan is like giving your mortgage a fresh start. It involves switching to a new loan – either with your current lender or a different one – to secure a better rate, access equity, or adjust your loan terms and features to better suit your needs.

Your refinancing options include a rate-based refinance, where you switch for a lower interest rate; a cash-out refinance, where you borrow against your equity; or a loan restructure, where you change your loan type, term, or features.

Before refinancing, it’s important to have clarity on your objectives. Some people wish to lower their repayments, while others tap into their home’s equity to fund renovations or investments.

It’s important to weigh the costs, benefits, and long-term impact to ensure it aligns with your financial goals before deciding.

Talk to our Lending Specialists

Are you an eligible professional?

Eligible professionals enjoy extra benefits when applying for a home loan with SCCU, such as Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) waived when borrowing up to 90%LVR. These professionals can also access up to 95% LVR while enjoying our competitive rates.

The benefits are available to medical and health professionals currently practicing and registered as a member of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), finance professionals that are currently practicing and are a registered member of an eligible professional institute, and legal professionals currently practicing and holding a current certificate with an acceptable state body.

Talk to our lending specialists to check your eligibility.

Talk to our Lending Specialists

Be prepared. Predict the return on your investment.

Borrowing Power Calculator

Want to know how much you could potentially borrow to buy an investment home? Find out with our borrowing power calculator.

Calculate Now
Borrowing Power Calculator

Repayment Calculator

Want to know how much your home loan repayments could be and how much you could save by changing how often you make repayments?

Calculate Now
Repayment Calculator

Compare Loans

Want to compare what your total repayments could be between two different home loans? Find out with our Loan Comparison calculator.

Calculate Now
Compare Loans
Access up to 8 Offset Accounts

Access up to 8 Offset Accounts

Pay less in interest on your Home Loan with our Easy Access transaction account offset feature, ultimately reducing the amount of interest you pay to help you own your home sooner.

When you link your Easy Access account to your Home Loan account*, the full balance across your Easy Access accounts will offset the amount you owe on your home loan.

For example, if you owe $350,000 on your home loan and hold $10,000 in your Easy Access transaction account for the full month, the interest calculated on your Home Loan will be on $340,000, saving you money.

At the same time, the balance in your Easy Access transaction account is freely available for you to use, just like any other everyday account. Interest is calculated daily and charged at the end of the month, so even if you hold extra money for a few days instead of the whole month, it will still make a difference.

*Excludes business and reverse mortgages.

Transaction Accounts
Using our Redraw Facility

Using our Redraw Facility

A redraw facility is a handy feature available across all our variable and fixed rate home loans, allowing you to access extra repayments you’ve made on your loan. By making additional payments beyond your minimum required amount, you reduce your loan balance and interest over time, while still having the flexibility to withdraw the surplus funds if needed.

Whether you’re planning home renovations, covering unexpected expenses, or simply want to access extra cash, a redraw facility gives you greater control over your finances. There’s no need to go through lengthy application processes. Just transfer the available funds directly into your account when required.

With a redraw facility, you can enjoy the best of both worlds: paying off your home loan faster while keeping access to extra repayments when life demands it. Some conditions may apply, so be sure to check your loan details to make the most of this flexible feature.

Download our SCCU app to manage your home loan and all banking needs with easy.

Download SCCU App
Flexibility with Split Loans

Flexibility with Split Loans

A split loan gives you the flexibility to divide your home loan into multiple parts. One portion on a fixed rate and the other on a variable rate. It’s a great way to balance stability with opportunity, especially in a market where interest rates can fluctuate.

With the fixed portion, you’ll have the certainty of steady repayments, making budgeting easier. Meanwhile, the variable portion allows you to benefit if interest rates drop, giving you the chance to pay off your loan faster or reduce overall costs.

This option is ideal for those who want the security of fixed repayments while keeping the door open to potential savings with variable rates decrease – although also assuming the risk in case the variable rates increase.

A split loan gives you an alternative to manage your home loan accordingly to your budget and risk appetite. If you would like to learn more about how this option could work for you, give us a call at 1300 360 744 and our lending team will be happy to help you explore how this feature can work for you.

Talk to our lending team
Secure your best rate

Secure your best rate

Interest rates can fluctuate, and without locking in your rate, it could change before your loan is finalised. If one of our fixed rate options sounds perfect to you but you still need some time before settlement for your new home loans or is waiting on the date of re-fixing your existing home loan with us, a Fixed Rate Lock can help secure it.

Our Fixed Rate Lock is a home loan feature that can guarantee the fixed interest rate for the term chosen to protect you against rate rises between the time we process your fixed rate lock request and the date of either your new home loan funding or your existing fixed rate loan reaching the end of its current fixed term.

With this feature, you can lock in the fixed rate on offer at the time of application – giving you peace of mind while you wait for settlement. For example, if you love our 3-year fixed rate but have 60 days until settlement, a Fixed Rate Lock ensures you’ll keep that rate, no matter what happens in the market.

This can be a great way to avoid unexpected rate increases, but it’s important to consider any associated fees and charges. If certainty is what you’re after, a Fixed Rate Lock could be a smart move to protect your home loan from rising rates.

Contact us to discuss

Covered.

With Allianz, our insurance partner.

Investment Home Loans FAQs

  • What’s the difference between fixed and variable rates?

    A fixed rate stays the same for a set period, offering predictable repayments. A variable rate can change based on market conditions, meaning your repayments may go up or down over time. To learn more about these two loan types and see which is right for you read our Target Market Determinations.

  • Can I make additional repayments on my Investment Home Loan?

    Yes, you can make additional repayments on our Investment Home Loans. For fixed rate loans, a maximum of $10,000 per year is allowed. Check the specific terms of your loan for details. Check out our Schedule of Fees and Charges on this page to learn what applies to you.

  • How do offset accounts work with Investment Home Loans?

    An offset account is a linked Easy Access transaction account, which has an offset feature.

    The offset facility is to reduce the interest charged on your home loan. For example, if your home loan balance is $400,000 and you have $50,000 in your offset account, you’ll only pay interest on $350,000. These accounts have all the other functions of an Easy Access Transaction account, allowing you to access your funds freely.

    Up to 8 offset accounts can be linked to all Owner Occupied and Investment Home Loans.

    Learn more about potential monthly fees on our Easy Access product page.

  • What’s the maximum loan-to-value ratio (LVR)?

    We offer loans with an LVR of up to 90%. This excludes Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) if your LVR is above 80%. Jump over to our calculators to better assess what you may need.

  • Can I use equity in my home to purchase an investment property?

    Yes! The equity in your current home can be a powerful tool to help fund the purchase of an investment property. Depending on your needs, you may choose to take out a new home loan if you’re buying a property, or simply top up your existing loan to access funds for expenses like renovations or bills.

    Using equity can be a smart way to grow your property portfolio, but it’s important to understand your borrowing power and loan options. Our Premium Bankers are here to guide you through the process. Reach out to us for expert advice or click ‘Apply Online’ above to get started.

  • How much deposit do I need for an Investment Home Loan?

    The standard deposit for a home loan is 20%, resulting in an 80% Loan to value ratio (LVR). However, we offer investment loans with deposits as low as 10%, though Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) will apply for deposits under 20%.

  • Do I need to let you know if I move into my investment property?

    Yes. It’s important that you notify us. Your loan details must remain accurate and up to date. The change will also impact on your loan structure and interest rate you current pay.

    You may also need to inform other organisations such as the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), as this change could impact your tax situation. Property expenses like interest payments will no longer be tax-deductible.

    If you’re unsure about the next steps, our team is here to help. Reach out to us for guidance on how this change might affect your loan and financial position.

    We recommend in situations like this that you seek professional financial advice and talk to your Accountant.

  • What is negative gearing?

    When investing in property, you’ll likely hear the term “gearing”. There are two types: negative gearing and positive gearing, each with different financial implications.

    Negative gearing occurs when the expenses of owning a property – such as loan repayments, maintenance, and strata fees – exceed the rental income it generates. For example, if your property earns $20,000 in rent per year but costs $25,000 to maintain, you have a $5,000 loss, which may be eligible as a tax deduction, potentially reducing your taxable income. Over time, a negatively geared property may increase in value, making it a long-term investment strategy.

    While negative gearing offers tax benefits, it also carries risks, as you are operating at a loss. It’s essential to budget carefully and assess whether this strategy aligns with your financial goals.

    Positive gearing, on the other hand, happens when rental income exceeds expenses, providing an immediate financial gain.

    We recommend in situations like this that you seek professional financial advice and talk to your Accountant.

  • How do I calculate rental yield?

    Rental yield is a key measure of your investment property’s return, calculated as a percentage of its value. Gross rental yield is determined by dividing the annual rental income by the property’s value and multiplying by 100.

    For example, if a property worth $500,000 generates $25,000 in rent per year, the gross yield would be 5%. Net rental yield provides a more accurate picture by factoring in expenses like maintenance, council rates, and loan repayments, using the formula: (Annual rental income – expenses) ÷ property value × 100.

    A strong rental yield can indicate a solid investment, but it’s essential to also consider capital growth, market trends, and long-term financial goals when assessing your property’s performance.

    We recommend in situations like this that you seek professional financial advice and talk to your Accountant.

  • What's the difference between a home loan and an investment loan?

    The key difference between a Home Loan and an Investment Home Loan lies in how the property will be used. A Home Loan is designed for owner-occupiers, those who plan to live in the property themselves. In contrast, an Investment Home Loan is for those purchasing a property to rent out while residing elsewhere.

    Because investment properties carry different risks and potential returns, investment loans often have different interest rates and lending criteria compared to owner-occupied home loans. Understanding the purpose of your loan is essential to ensure you choose the right option for your financial goals.

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Shane provided amazing customer service from start to finish. He was extremely knowledgeable, respectful, and attended to every detail of the process with thoroughness and professionalism. This kind of customer service is almost unheard of these days, so it was an absolute delight to work with Shane. The interest rate on my company car was fantastic and the terms of the loan were both fair and reasonable. I 100% recommend Shane and Southern Cross Credit Union for obtaining financing for a vehicle and wouldn't use anyone else for my business going forward. Thanks to Shane and his team!
Joanna Tedeschi
Previously we were not advocates of the banking industry, we were strong non-believers after some disappointing & negative experiences. Many locals referred us to Southern Cross Credit Union (SCCU) and after much encouragement we moved our banking business to the SCCU Tweed City Branch. We are now strong believers as we have been in the extremely efficient, effective and supportive hands of SCCU loans manager Stephen Distant. What an asset! Stephen has totally reframed our banking experience, we are genuinely impressed with his ability to do this by managing our loans. Even after many years as a SCCU client, Stephen's dedication with helping us has not died down, his loyalty remains nothing short of inspiring and his willingness to provide outstanding customer service is something we are in awe of. Moving our accounts to SCCU was a great decision, thanks to Stephen Distant.
Rod and Suzy Cornelius
Working with Steve has been an absolute pleasure! He is very professional yet is able to bring a personal touch to the banking and loan process. We always feel like we are kept up to date with requirements and processes and Steve is always willing to explain everything in a user-friendly yet professional manner. He has been amazing to work with for our financial needs and would highly recommend his services to friends, family, and colleagues.
Kylie Taylor