Frequently Asked Questions

General

When you go directly to a bank, the bank will tell you only about its own products – even if they know you could get a better deal elsewhere. But when you use a finance brokerage, your broker will compare loans from a wide range of lenders, including big banks, mid-tier banks, non-bank lenders and private lenders. Also, brokers are legally obliged to work in your best interests, as per a regulation called the Best Interests Duty – but banks aren’t.

Refinancing is where you switch loans, generally by moving from one lender to another. Here’s how it works: Lender B pays out your original loan with Lender A; so now you don’t owe any money to Lender A; and you owe money to Lender B. The point of refinancing is to switch to a more favourable loan.

A non-bank lender is an institution that provides loans, but doesn’t have a banking licence or accept deposits. Non-bank lenders tend to be more flexible than mainstream banks. Non-bank lenders are usually required to hold an Australian Credit Licence and are regulated by ASIC, the financial services regulator.

Business

Yes, Market Street Finance is open to assisting businesses that have been operational for less than 12 months. We understand that new businesses have unique financing needs, and we collaborate with a range of lenders to find the best solution for you, even if you are just starting out.

Market Street Finance offers a broad spectrum of business loans including long-term and short-term loans, secured and unsecured loans, as well as cashflow and invoice finance facilities. We customize solutions based on your needs, working with a variety of lenders including big banks, mid-tier banks, non-bank lenders, and private funders.

Yes, Market Street Finance can help businesses secure an overdraft facility. An overdraft can provide businesses with a flexible line of credit, acting as a safety net for short-term cash flow inconsistencies or unexpected expenses. By collaborating with a range of lenders, we can recommend and arrange an overdraft solution tailored to your business’s specific needs and financial health, ensuring you have accessible funds when you need them without overextending your financial commitments.

For urgent matters, we have the capacity to settle business loans within 24 hours of submission. We are equipped to work swiftly to ensure your business can move forward without unnecessary delays, leveraging our network of lenders to find you a timely solution.

Yes, our team at Market Street Finance goes beyond just arranging finance; we leverage our extensive experience to offer strategic advice to help you navigate complex financial scenarios successfully. Whether it’s finding the best way to overcome a cashflow crisis or strategizing an acquisition, we are here to provide insightful and personalized advice.

Residential

Absolutely, we at Market Street Finance are dedicated to assisting both seasoned and first-time homebuyers. We can guide you through every step of the home buying process, providing you with insights and advice to find a lender and loan structure that aligns with your specific situation and future plans. We can also help you take advantage of the various schemes that exist to help first tome home owners get on the property ladder.

We assess a range of factors including interest rates, credit policies, processing times, and customer service across a diverse group of lenders to find the best match for you. We take into consideration your individual circumstances and financial goals to recommend a lender eager to facilitate a loan for someone in your particular situation. We have a legally set out best interest duty that requires us to choose that lender that best suits your particular needs.

We recommend loan structures that not only address your current needs but also anticipate your future plans. This might encompass fixed or variable rate loans, split loans, or others based on the features and flexibilities you require. Our focus is on crafting a loan structure that safeguards your financial wellbeing while facilitating your homeownership dream. This also can apply to ownership structures, and we’ll work with your accountant and financial advisor to ensure ownership structures are also set up to align with your goals.

Market Street Finance manages the entire loan application process on your behalf. From choosing the lender, loan product, and structure to submitting the application and following up with the lender, we handle everything. We maintain regular communication with you, updating you at key intervals so you are always informed about the status of your application. This doesn’t stop at settlement – after your loan has settled, we’ll continue to monitor your pricing, and proactively reach out to ensure this loan still meets your needs.

We love helping property investors. As property investors ourselves, we understand the Australian dream of growing your wealth through property investment. Recognizing that property investment is a strategic venture, we help investors identify loan structures that cater to their investment goals. We also work with a vast range of lenders, as each property investor has their own unique requirements. Whether it’s price, structure, or borrowing capacity, we’ll be able to find a solution that maximises what’s most important to you.

SMSF

SMSF property investment involves using your Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSF) to purchase property, either residential or commercial. This strategy can facilitate long-term wealth accumulation while potentially offering tax benefits and diversifying your investment portfolio. Market Street Finance can guide you through leveraging your SMSF optimally for property investment, helping you understand the nuances and compliance requirements.

Yes, you can lease a commercial property purchased through your SMSF to your business, provided you adhere to the regulatory requirement of charging a fair market rent. This strategy can be quite shrewd, helping in building your superannuation while potentially benefiting your business. We are here to help you navigate the intricacies to effectively employ this strategy.

SMSF property investment offers several advantages, including the ability to leverage your funds to enhance your superannuation asset base substantially. It allows you to grow your retirement savings in a tax-effective structure. Furthermore, if you are primarily invested in equities, adding property to your portfolio can provide a beneficial diversification, potentially mitigating risks and enhancing returns.

Before venturing into SMSF property investment, it’s crucial to have a clear understanding of the regulatory landscape and compliance requirements. You must consider the fund’s liquidity and whether it can sustain property ownership costs, including maintenance, property management fees, and others. Moreover, understanding the tax implications and the strategy’s alignment with your retirement goals is essential. We can guide you through these aspects, helping you make an informed decision.

At Market Street Finance, we excel in SMSF finance, offering guidance grounded in deep expertise in this field. We can help you understand the regulations, pros, and cons associated with SMSF property investment, facilitating a strategy that aligns with your financial goals. Whether it’s helping you find the right lender or advising you on leveraging SMSF property investment optimally, we are here to assist you at every step. We also work with a panel of experts who can advise where we can’t, on matters of tax and investment advice.

Commercial

With commercial finance, you can finance a wide variety of properties ranging from retail spaces and healthcare facilities to agricultural lands and mixed-use properties. Whether it’s an office building, a factory, or a hotel, we have the experience and connections to help you find the best financing solution tailored to your needs.

Full-doc loans: These require a more comprehensive assessment of your income. This varies from lender to lender, but involves a more in depth review of the borrowers’ income.

Low-doc loans: Ideal for borrowers who cannot provide a full set of financial documents. This is generally due to these not being up to date, or not being a true reflection of the current performance of the business.

Lease-doc loans: Suitable for borrowers who are purchasing a commercial property as an investment; the lease agreement is the only income that is assessed, and this commercial loan the only liability. This reduced information makes the process smoother, and is ideal for borrower with complex personal circumstances.

Yes, at Market Street Finance, we work with a diverse range of lenders including mainstream banks, reputable non-bank lenders, and flexible private funders to cater to your unique financial needs and preferences, ensuring that you get the best deal available.

 Each lender has a unique set of criteria and internal processes. We leverage our vast experience to present your application in a manner most appealing to the specific lender, encompassing all necessary details and adhering to their specific requirements, to heighten the chances of approval and facilitate a quicker process.

When it comes to commercial loans, the more creditworthy you appear, the higher your borrowing capacity will be. A typical loan-to-value ratio for commercial property purchases is 70%. However, depending on your financial position, some lenders will allow you to borrow up to 80% or, in certain circumstances, even 90%.

Equipment Finance

At Market Street Finance, we’ve assisted businesses in financing a diverse array of equipment, from vehicles like cars and trucks to specialized machinery like agricultural equipment, medical devices, gym apparatus, and even brewery setups. Whether you’re in construction, healthcare, fitness, or any other industry, we can help you secure the necessary funds for the equipment that’ll enhance your business operations.

Absolutely. We understand the unique challenges faced by start-ups and are committed to supporting them. Even if you’ve been in business for less than two years, we can assist in finding suitable equipment financing solutions to get your venture up and running at full capacity.

We offer a range of equipment finance arrangements tailored to different business needs. These include finance leases, operating leases, commercial hire purchases, chattel mortgages, and novated leases. Each option has its advantages and drawbacks, which we’re happy to discuss to ensure you choose the best fit for your business situation.

Yes, at Market Street Finance, we provide various financing solutions like full-doc, low-doc, and no-doc equipment financing to cater to businesses with different documentation levels. We strive to offer flexibility and ensure businesses of all types have access to the equipment they need.

Equipment finance allows businesses to acquire necessary machinery without a significant upfront cost. By financing, you can spread the expense over a period, ensuring smoother cash flow management. This approach not only preserves your capital but also enables you to invest in growth opportunities, all while using the equipment to boost your operations and revenues.

Development Finance

Development finance is specifically tailored for real estate developers and investors who need funding for construction projects, from housing estates to commercial complexes. Unlike traditional loans, which might have a standard structure and term, development finance is structured around the project’s lifecycle. This means funds are usually released in stages, aligning with various development milestones, ensuring a smoother cash flow during the project.

Yes, Market Street Finance has extensive experience in catering to both residential and commercial development ventures. Whether you’re looking to build a new housing estate, a commercial complex, or a mixed-use development, we can source the right financial solution to meet the unique demands of your project.

In most development finance arrangements, funds are released in tranches corresponding to specific project phases. For instance, an initial release might cover land acquisition, followed by subsequent releases for groundwork, construction, and finishing phases. This staged funding ensures developers maintain liquidity throughout the project, reducing financial strain.

Lenders generally require the land or property being developed as security for the loan. As the project progresses and gains value, this can impact the loan-to-value ratio and borrowing potential. It’s essential to have a clear development plan and valuation forecast to negotiate favorable terms.

Certainly. At Market Street Finance, we work with a spectrum of developers, from industry veterans to those embarking on their first project. For newcomers, we provide additional guidance on the application process, what lenders typically look for, and how to present a compelling case for financing.

Energy Finance

Energy finance involves securing funding to pay for energy installations and projects. This may be for residential purposes, such as solar panels and battery systems. Or it may be for commercial purposes, such as LED lighting, large rooftop solar installations, solar farms and wind farms.

Some lenders charge lower interest rates for some forms of energy financing, as a way to promote their sustainability credentials and diversify their loan book. Market Street Finance works with a range of energy finance providers, so we can help you find a good loan at a competitive rate.

Energy finance can help your home or business become more efficient and sustainable, without the need to pay the entire cost upfront. That can help you improve your energy situation ahead of schedule, and may also come with cashflow, budgeting and tax benefits.