Commercial property loans

If you're looking to buy a commercial property, there's a good chance you'll need to borrow a portion of the purchase price through a commercial property loan. But before you can buy those perfect new business premises you've got your eye on, you should be aware that commercial property loans are a very different beast to residential property loans. Read on to find out how you can choose the right commercial property loan for your business.

What is a commercial property loan?

A commercial property loan provides the finance you need to purchase a commercial property. The amount you borrow earns interest at a fixed or variable rate and will need to be repaid in full before the completion of the loan term.

Lenders can offer funding to finance the purchase of a wide range of commercial properties, such as:

• Factories
• Warehouses
• Office spaces
• Retail outlets
• Shopping centres
• Industrial sites
• Residential unit blocks
• Accommodation (hotels, motels, resorts, caravan parks etc.)
• Restaurants and pubs
• Childcare centres

The commercial property you buy will most likely be one of the most important assets your business owns, so it's important to choose the right loan to finance your purchase.

The purpose of a commercial property loan

Before we can look into the nitty-gritty of comparing loans, it's important to first think about the purpose of your loan. This is because the purpose of your loan will affect how lenders assess your application for finance:

• Buying commercial property as an investment. If you're looking to invest in commercial property and then lease it out to a third party, lenders view you as a low-risk borrower (when compared to an owner-occupier) and will generally offer a simpler application process and better interest rates.
• Buying commercial property as an owner-occupier. If you want to buy a commercial property that will then act as the premises for your own business, lenders classify you as posing a higher level of risk. As a result, you'll need to satisfy stricter lending criteria and generally receive a higher interest rate.

Moula Business Loan

Moula Business Loan

• Borrow up to $250,000
• Flexible lending criteria
• No hidden fees

100% confidential application

Moula Business Loan

An unsecured business loan with online application and no upfront or early repayment fees.

• Interest rate type: Fixed
• Loan security: Unsecured
• Upfront fee: 2% Establishment fee
• Minimum loan amount: $5,000
• Maximum loan amount: $250,000
• Maximum loan term: 2 years

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Commercial loans you can compare today

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Name	Product	Min. Loan Amount	Max. Loan Amount	Loan Term	Upfront Fee	Filter Values
Moula Business Loan		$5,000	$250,000	1 to 2 years	2% Establishment fee		A loan of up to $250,000 that can be approved and funded within 24 hours. Available to businesses with 6+ months operating history and $5,000+ monthly sales.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
ebroker Business Loan		$5,000	$5,000,000	1 month to 30 years	$0 application fee		Small business loans available between $5,000 and $5,000,000. Get access to 70+ non-bank lenders on this independent platform.	Enquire now	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Max Funding Unsecured Business Loan		$2,000	$30,000	1 month to 1 year	$0 application fee		An unsecured business loan from $2,000 that offers convenient pre-approval and no early repayment fees.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Valiant Finance Business Loan Broker		$5,000	$1,000,000	3 months to 5 years	$0 application fee		A Business Lending Specialist from Valiant Finance can give you access to competitive business loans from over 70 lenders. Loans between $5,000 and $1 million are available. Request a call – your loan can be funded in 1 business day.	Enquire now	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
OnDeck Business Loans		$10,000	$250,000	6 months to 2 years	3% of loan amount		Apply for up to $250,000 and receive your approved funds in one business day. Minimum annual turnover of $100,000 and 1 year of trading history required.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Prospa Business Loan		$5,000	$300,000	3 months to 3 years	3% origination fee		Small business loans are available from $5,000 - $300,000 on terms of up to 3 years. At least twelve months trading history and a monthly turnover from $6,000 is necessary.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Westpac Business Loan		$5,000	$1,000,000	1 to 30 years	$0 application fee		Purchase a new vehicle, equipment or support your cash flow with a business finance solution from Westpac.	Enquire now	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
ANZ Secured Business Loan		$10,000	$10,000,000	Up to 15 years	$600		Benefit from a low rate when you secure this loan with property and/or business assets. Loans from $10,000 available.	Enquire now	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
ANZ Unsecured Business Loan		$10,000	$1,000,000	Up to 15 years	$600		Apply for a loan from $10,000 with no security required and benefit from flexible repayment terms.	Enquire now	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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How to compare commercial property loans

There are several factors you should consider when choosing a commercial property loan, including:

• The interest rate. The rate you receive can make a huge difference to the total cost of a loan, and rates vary greatly depending on what represents an acceptable level of risk to each lender. Compare rates between lenders to look for the best available deal.
• Fees. It's also essential to be aware of all fees that apply to a loan. In addition to upfront application fees and ongoing monthly or annual fees, other fees may apply in specific circumstances, such as if you make an additional repayment or access the loan's redraw facility.
• Maximum LVR. Find out how much each lender is willing to let you borrow to purchase a particular commercial property. For example, let's say you're buying a commercial property valued at $750,000. Lender A will offer a maximum LVR of 70% while Lender B will only let you borrow 60% of the purchase price. You'll only need a deposit of $225,000 (30% of the purchase price) if you use lender A, but that figure rises to $300,000 if you use Lender B.
• Loan limits. How much is the lender willing to let you borrow to buy a commercial property? Minimum and maximum limits apply, with many lenders offering loans of between $200,000 and $5 million. Loans of $5 million and above are also offered but may have specialist assessment criteria, with lenders weighing up the merits of each application on a case-by-case basis.
• Repayment schedule. Calculate your ongoing repayment amount on any proposed loan agreement – will you realistically be able to afford your repayments? Are you required to make principal and interest repayments from day one, or can you choose interest-only repayments for an initial period?
• Other features. Finally, check the full list of loan features to determine whether it has the flexibility to be tailored to your needs. For example, can you make additional repayments without incurring any penalties? Can those additional repayments be accessed through a redraw facility if you have a cash flow shortage?

By carefully considering the features and conditions of a range of commercial property loans, you'll be able to find the best finance solution for your needs.

How are commercial property loans different to residential property loans?

Australian lenders view commercial property loans as a riskier investment than residential property, largely due to the fact that vacancy periods can be extensive. As a result, commercial property loans tend to have a few key differences when compared to their residential counterparts. Those differences include:

• Higher interest rates. Compare commercial property loan interest rates with current home loan rates to get an idea of how rates can differ.
• Lower maximum LVRs. While it's possible to borrow 90% or even 95% LVR on a residential property loan, on commercial property loans many lenders offer a maximum LVR of 70%. This means you will need to have a larger deposit saved in order to qualify for a loan.
• Higher fees. Make sure you're aware of all upfront and ongoing fees that apply to a loan before deciding whether it's right for you.

What affects the interest rate on a commercial property loan?

Each lender has its own tolerance for risk and its own lending policies. Combined with the fact that the type of commercial property finance needed can vary substantially from one borrower to the next, this means that many of the features of a commercial property loan can be up for negotiation.

This is clearly demonstrated by commercial property loan interest rates. Unlike residential home loan interest rates, which are widely publicised on lenders' websites and in marketing material, commercial property loan rates are rarely published anywhere.

Why? Because there are several factors that influence the rate which will apply to your loan, including:

• The location of the commercial property
• The performance of the local property market
• The location of the property offered as security for the loan
• Your financial situation and ability to repay the money you borrow
• The LVR (in other words, the size of the deposit you have saved)
• The length of time remaining on the lease and the quality of the tenants in place
• Your assets and liabilities
• Your experience as a commercial property owner

When you apply for a commercial property loan, the lender will consider all of the above factors when determining whether to approve you for a loan, and when calculating the interest rate that will apply.

Security for a commercial property loan

The next factor to consider is the property you will offer as security for your loan. This can have a big impact on the amount a lender will allow you to borrow as different security properties come with different risks attached.

Standard commercial properties are usually an ideal type of security for your loan. These are properties that have a broad appeal to buyers, are in a good location and are zoned appropriately for their desired use. Standard properties include:

• Offices
• Retail spaces
• Factories
• Warehouses
• Residential properties (such as a house, a unit or a block of units)

However, depending on your circumstances you may have to offer a specialised commercial property as security. These include:

• Restaurants and pubs
• Hotels, motels, caravan parks and other accommodation properties
• Childcare centres
• Private schools
• Aged care facilities
• Farms
• Shopping centres

If you list a specialised property as security for your loan, your lender will need to perform a detailed valuation of the property and also assess the risks associated with that property. As a result, you'll typically only be able to qualify for a much lower LVR.

Offering your own home as collateral may be an option to help you access a higher LVR and a better interest rate. However, this approach does increase your exposure to risk, so seek expert advice before determining whether it's the right option for you.

Getting your commercial property valued

When you apply for a commercial property loan, the property you want to purchase will need to be professionally valued. A professional valuation is carried out by a qualified valuer and is an essential step to allow you to obtain the finance you need. Not only does it help you calculate whether the price you are paying is fair, but it also allows the lender to work out whether you can be expected to afford your loan repayments.

However, because a commercial property valuation is much more involved than the valuation of a residential property, the process costs more. You'll need to factor this additional cost into your calculations when working out the total cost of a loan.

Check out our guide to commercial property valuations for more details on how this process works.

Why should I use a mortgage broker?

Commercial property lending is far more complex than residential home loan lending, and making sense of the loan options and features available can be a confusing task. Different lenders also specialise in offering loans to suit different types of commercial property buyers – for example, while one lender might specialise in offering finance for start-up businesses, another may be able to offer better deals to a commercial property investor or a developer.

This is when a mortgage broker is your best friend. An experienced broker can use their knowledge of commercial property lending to help you decide which lender is most likely to offer a suitable finance solution. He or she can then assess your current financial situation and your borrowing requirements before helping you compare a wide variety of loans to find one that matches your unique needs.

What information and documents should I supply?

Commercial property lending is a complex area, and the information and documentation you'll need to supply when applying for a loan vary depending on the lender you select, the type of property you want to buy and the amount you need to borrow.

However, as a general guide you will need to supply:

• Personal and company information. You'll need to provide your name, contact details and proof of ID. Other information may be required for different applications – for example, companies will need to provide their ABN and full contact information.
• Financial details. You'll need to provide details of your assets and liabilities, including the size of the deposit you have saved. You'll also need to provide cash flow projections so the lender can calculate your ability to meet repayments.
• Property details. Next, the lender will need to know details of the property you want to purchase, such as its location and features. A professional valuation will determine how much the property is worth, while if you're buying the property as an investment, you'll also need to supply details of the current lease agreement and the quality of the existing tenants.
• Other information. The lender may request a wide range of other details depending on the size of the loan you want and the property you are purchasing. For example, the lender may want to see evidence of your track record running a similar business before providing the finance you need to purchase a commercial property.

Your mortgage broker can help you prepare an application that addresses all the necessary criteria and gives you the best chance of approval. If your application is refused or approval is delayed, a broker can also help you work out what you can do to improve your chances of accessing the finance you need.

Finance sorted? Learn about commercial property insurance

FAQS about commercial property loans

• Will the lender conduct an annual review of my loan?

  This depends on the size of your commercial property loan. While a loan for a small commercial property investment will most likely not receive an annual review, your lender may wish to regularly re-assess the situation in regards to any loan where the level of risk is highly variable. For example, if you borrowed a large amount, such as $2 million or more, or if you are struggling to make loan repayments.

• What does an annual review involve?

  The process varies between lenders but you will typically need to provide financial details such as a profit and loss statement, balance sheet and cash flow projections. Your security property may also be re-valued as part of the review.

• Who is eligible for a commercial property loan?

  Commercial property loans can be provided to a wide range of borrowers, including:

  • Individuals
  • Public companies
  • Private companies
  • Trusts
  • Partnerships
  • Self-managed super funds (SMSFs)

• What are the pros and cons of investing in commercial property versus investing in residential property?

  You can find out more about the benefits and drawbacks of both residential and commercial property investing in our comprehensive guide.

• Is it possible to refinance a commercial property loan?

  Yes, you are allowed to refinance a commercial property loan to get a better interest rate or more favourable loan terms, or even to release equity.

• Will I need to switch all my business banking products to the same lender that offers my commercial property loan?

  In many cases, you will be required to switch all of your business banking products over to your new lender. However, some lenders will not require you to take this step in specific circumstances, such as if you have a loan of less than $1 million that does not require an annual review.

• Are there any tax implications when buying commercial property?

  Yes, you'll need to pay goods and services tax (GST) when buying a commercial property, while capital gains tax (CGT) is payable when you sell a property used for running a business. Contact your accountant for expert tax advice tailored to your financial situation.