Buying your first investment property

Discover the Essentials of Buying Your First Investment Property in Australia

Rated 5 from 54 Reviews

Key Considerations When Buying Your First Investment Property

Buying your first investment property can be an exciting step towards building a secure financial future. For FIFO workers, the potential to invest in real estate offers a chance to make your hard-earned money work for you. The property market in Australia presents a variety of opportunities, from town houses and apartments to stand-alone dwellings. With the right guidance, you can access investment loan options from banks and lenders across the country, helping you make informed decisions about your property investment strategy.

Finance & Mortgage Brokers play a crucial role in simplifying the investment loan application process. They can help you understand the different types of loans available, such as those with variable or fixed interest rates. These professionals can also assist in calculating investment loan repayments, ensuring that you have a clear picture of your borrowing capacity. By examining bank statements and other financial documents, they can guide you through applying for an investment loan and help you secure interest rate discounts where possible.

Researching the property market is an essential step when buying an investment property. Understanding factors like rental yield and negative gearing can influence your decision on whether to invest in a town house, apartment, or stand-alone dwelling. It’s important to consider the loan to value ratio (LVR) and how it impacts lenders mortgage insurance (LMI). A lower LVR often means you can avoid LMI, saving you money in the long run. Additionally, stamp duty is another cost to factor into your calculations when determining the total loan amount required.

Accessing investment loan options requires careful consideration of the features each loan offers. Some investment loan options may provide flexibility with interest rate structures, offering either fixed or variable interest rates. Each option has its benefits; a fixed interest rate provides stability in repayments, while a variable interest rate might offer more flexibility with potential savings if rates decrease. A streamlined application process can make buying a rental property more straightforward, allowing you to focus on finding the right property to suit your investment goals.

When buying your first investment property, it’s important to have a clear property investment strategy. This involves understanding the potential returns from rental income and how negative gearing might benefit your tax situation. By thoroughly researching the market and considering all financial aspects, including borrowing capacity and investment loan application details, you can make informed decisions that align with your long-term financial plans.

Purchasing your first investment property is a significant milestone that requires careful planning and expert advice. With the support of Finance & Mortgage Brokers, you can confidently explore investment loan options tailored to your needs. Whether you're considering a town house, apartment, or stand-alone dwelling, understanding the intricacies of the property market will help you maximise your investment potential. Take the first step towards securing your financial future by exploring how you can invest in real estate today.


FIFO Home Loans

Understanding the Lending Process for Buying Your First Investment Property

1. Understanding Your FIFO Lifestyle & Goals
Your journey starts with a comprehensive consultation with one of our Licensed Mortgage Brokers who understands the FIFO lifestyle. We'll discuss your property aspirations—whether you're buying your first home, expanding your investment portfolio, or need a construction or car loan. We take time to understand your unique income patterns, work schedule, and financial goals, ensuring our advice is tailored specifically to FIFO workers like you.

2. FIFO-Focused Financial Assessment

Our team specialises in assessing FIFO worker finances, understanding the complexities of roster patterns, allowances, and variable income streams. We'll review your documentation including bank statements, recent tax returns, and evidence of assets and liabilities to accurately determine your borrowing capacity. We'll calculate realistic borrowing limits considering LVR requirements, potential LMI, and current interest rates, while advising on strategies to strengthen your financial position if needed.

3. Accessing 2,000 Loan Products

This is where FIFO Home Loans truly shines. We compare loan products from our extensive network of major banks, smaller lenders, and non-bank lenders—giving you access to more than 2,000 loan options across Australia. We'll help you navigate fixed versus variable interest rates, explore offset account benefits, and identify exclusive rate discounts. Our brokers explain all loan features, fees, and future considerations, ensuring you understand every aspect of your potential loan.

4. Smart Pre-Approval Process

Using our exclusive technology, we streamline the pre-approval process for busy FIFO workers. We can give you a clear indication of what products you'll qualify for before you apply, protecting your credit score and saving valuable time. Our online systems allow us to work with you completely remotely, though we're always available for a chat when you need us. Pre-approval strengthens your position in the property market and gives you confidence in your budget.

5. Seamless Online Application

Once pre-approval is secured, our technology platform makes the formal application process incredibly efficient. We guide you through submitting all necessary documentation online, including bank statements, income verification, and liability details. Our team communicates directly with lenders on your behalf, ensuring applications are processed quickly without delays. This is where clients say we "do all the legwork" for them.

6. Professional Loan Management & Settlement Preparation

After loan approval, we review the final loan offer with you, ensuring you understand all terms and conditions. We'll help arrange necessary insurance products, including mortgage protection insurance if required. Our professional team coordinates with lenders and other parties to ensure your settlement process runs smoothly, keeping you informed every step of the way.

7. Settlement & Ongoing Support

The final step sees your loan officially advanced and property ownership transferred to you. We coordinate with lenders and conveyancers to ensure a seamless settlement process. Once you become the official property owner, FIFO Home Loans continues to provide ongoing support, helping you manage your loan effectively and stay on track with repayments throughout your FIFO career.

Reviews for FIFO Home Loans

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Elizabeth Bottomley

Carl Elsass was a wonderful help to my husband and I as we bought our first property. Carl was very responsive, knowledgeable and guided us through the process with great care and attention to detail. We would highly recommend using Azura ...

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claudia alvarez

I was extremely pleased by the service provided from Carl Elsass. He was very helpful and very clear by explaining every aspect of the mortgage process. From start to finish, He attended to all the documents required as well as arranging a suitable loan within a very short period with my minimum involvement. Thank you! Claudia Marcela

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Harry

Working with Nick to purchase our first home was a seamless experience. His knowledge of the market was exceptional and was quick to respond to all our questions. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend his services. Thanks Nick!

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Javier Gómez

Carl was really helpful and patient, took its time to understand my situations and provided great advice and options in order for me to make the right decision.

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Glen Ashley

Carl has been amazing to work with. He was on the ball straight from the start with knowing all the information I would need to provide. He was quick to respond while others would not return communication for weeks. He managed to secure me a great product in a short amount of time, even while we are on opposite sides of the country. I highly recommend getting in touch with Carl, you won't look back.

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Ingrid Rollero

Carl and the team are very quick and efficient. Have been them for a few years and happy to recommend to anyone!

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Kirsten Turco

Nick gave us a friendly service & was extremely helpful. Highly recommended!

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katya campi

Nick and team were great, made the process seamless.

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Holly Mullaney

Highly recommended ! The team is excellent- both Nick and Carl are wonderful!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you help FIFO workers with refinancing existing mortgages?

Absolutely! We specialise in helping FIFO workers refinance their home loans and investment properties. Our brokers understand the complexities of FIFO income and can find you better interest rates from our network of 2,000 loan products. We'll review your current loan and find refinancing options that could save you thousands over the life of your loan.

Do you understand FIFO income patterns and work schedules?

Yes, we formed specifically to serve FIFO workers who were being overlooked by big banks and brokerages. Our Licensed Mortgage Brokers are experts in FIFO income structures, including roster patterns, site allowances, and variable income streams. We know how to present your application in the best light to lenders who understand the FIFO lifestyle.

Why should I use FIFO Home Loans over going direct to banks?

FIFO workers often face challenges with traditional lenders who don't understand their income patterns. We have exclusive technology and relationships with lenders who specialise in FIFO lending. We do all the legwork, can give you a good idea of what you'll qualify for before applying (protecting your credit score), and work with you completely online to fit your roster schedule.

Do lenders accept FIFO allowances and overtime as part of my income?

Yes, but it requires the right broker who understands how to present FIFO income correctly. We know which lenders recognize site allowances, overtime, and roster premiums as genuine income, and how to structure applications to maximize your borrowing capacity. Many FIFO workers are surprised to learn they can borrow more than they thought when their full income package is properly presented to the right lenders.

What if I'm between contracts or looking to change FIFO companies?

We work with FIFO workers in all employment situations. Whether you're between contracts, transitioning between companies, or moving from permanent to contract work (or vice versa), we know which lenders are flexible with FIFO employment situations. We can often secure pre-approval based on your track record and industry experience, giving you confidence to make property decisions even during career transitions.

Do you only help with home loans or can you assist with other FIFO lending needs?

We can help FIFO workers with home loans, investment properties, construction loans, car loans, personal loans, and much more. Whether you're buying a ute for work, building your dream home, or expanding your investment portfolio, if you need to borrow money, we can probably help find the right solution.