Live in your preferred location
Keep the commute, amenities and lifestyle you want without a large mortgage in a high-cost suburb.
LIVE WHERE YOU LOVE, INVEST WHERE IT COUNTS
Rentvesting loans in Brisbane.
Rent where you want to live.
Buy where the numbers work.
Rentvesting lets you get into the property market without giving up the suburb you love. We help you work out what you can borrow, compare investment loans from our lender panel and plan for both commitments. Personal guidance from Ausfirst Lending Group’s mortgage brokers in Brisbane and on the Sunshine Coast.
Excellent · 35 Google reviews
Your lifestyle, your investment.Let’s make both work.
RENThere, invest
there.
there.
40+Lenders on our panel
30+ yearsRichard’s broking experience
$0Broker fee for home loans
Local careBrisbane & Sunshine Coast
WHAT IS RENTVESTING?
Rent where you live.
Own where you invest.
You buy an investment property in an area that fits your budget and rent a home where you want to live. For example, you might rent near the Brisbane CBD and buy in a more affordable suburb or regional area with strong rental demand.
Enter the market sooner
Buy in a more affordable area now, rather than saving for years for a home where you live.
Stay flexible
Move for work or life changes without the cost and hassle of selling your home.
Weighing rentvesting against buying a home? We’ll compare both paths against your budget and goals.
Start with a free chatHOW WE HELP
How a broker helps
you rentvest.
Rentvesting means financing an investment property while paying rent. Lenders assess both, so the loan structure needs to work for your cash flow.
Loan structuring
We help you weigh interest-only and principal and interest options, offset accounts and split loans against your goals.
Lenders that suit investors
We compare investment loans across our panel and explain how each lender treats rental income and your rent.
Planning for the risks
We test your budget against rate rises and vacancies, so you know your buffer before you buy.
The right specialists
Tax deductions, negative gearing and CGT affect your returns. We can connect you with accountants and advisers.
A QUICK COMPARISON
Rentvest, or buy to live in?
| What you compare | Buy to live in | Rentvest |
|---|---|---|
| Where you live | Where you can afford | Where you choose |
| First home grants | May be eligible | Generally not eligible |
| Tax deductions | Generally none | On investment costs |
| Moving | Sell or rent out | End your lease |
Which path suits you depends on your finances, goals and lifestyle. Confirm tax outcomes with your accountant.
Compare my optionsKNOW YOUR NUMBERS
Will the rent cover
the repayments?
As a rentvestor, you pay your own rent and the investment loan at the same time. Rental income can help, but it rarely covers everything once costs are added.
We look at both commitments together and build in a buffer for rate rises, vacancies and repairs.
- Your rent and living costs
- Loan repayments on the investment
- Rates, insurance and management fees
- A buffer for vacancies and rate rises
YOUR CASH FLOW, AT A GLANCE
How much could the rent cover?
$100k$2m
Rent covers about88%
Monthly gap before costs$312
Illustration only, not a borrowing assessment. Assumes a 30-year principal and interest loan and a rate that stays the same. Excludes LMI, rates, insurance, management fees, vacancies and tax.
Check my actual optionsBEFORE YOU COMMIT
The risks of
rentvesting.
Rentvesting can build wealth, but it comes with trade-offs. Weigh these against your finances, risk tolerance and long-term plans before you buy.
TWO COMMITMENTS AT ONCE
Budget for rent and repayments.
You’ll pay rent on your home and repayments on your investment. If the property sits vacant, you cover the full loan yourself, so a cash buffer is essential.
As a landlord, you also pay for maintenance, council rates and management fees. Property values can fall as well as rise.
Capital gains tax
Investment properties are usually subject to CGT when sold, which reduces your profit. Exemptions such as the six-year rule generally only apply if you lived in the property first.
Confirm your position with your accountant.
Grants and concessions
Investment purchases are generally not eligible for first home owner grants or stamp duty concessions, so you may need a larger deposit.
Owning an investment first may also affect your eligibility for first home support later.
We provide credit assistance only. Tax and grant rules change; check current rules with your accountant and the relevant state authority.
Let’s stress-test your plan. We’ll check your budget against rate rises, vacancies and both commitments.
Check my next stepsIS IT RIGHT FOR YOU?
Is rentvesting the right
strategy for you?
Rentvesting often suits young professionals, investors and people who value flexibility. If stability and making a home your own matter most, buying to live in may suit you better.
Where you want to live
You want to stay in a high-cost area for work, family or lifestyle, but can’t yet buy there.
Two commitments
You can comfortably cover rent, loan repayments and property costs, with a buffer left over.
Comfort with investing
You’re prepared for vacancies, rate rises and property values that can fall as well as rise.
The long-term goal
You see the investment as a stepping stone, whether to more property or a future home.
THE RIGHT STRUCTURE MATTERS
Loan features that
suit rentvestors.
The right mix depends on your cash flow, tax position and plans. We help you compare features against your strategy.
Interest-only loans
Lower repayments for a set term. The balance doesn’t reduce and repayments rise when the term ends.
Principal and interest
Higher repayments that reduce your loan balance and build equity over time.
Fixed, variable or split
Fix part of the loan for certainty and keep the rest variable for flexibility.
Offset accounts
Reduce the balance used to calculate interest while keeping your buffer accessible.
Planning to buy your own home later? We’ll structure the investment loan with that next step in mind.
Talk about my plansFROM FIRST CHAT TO SETTLEMENT
Six steps.
One team beside you.
We explain each stage, prepare the application with you and keep you informed through to settlement and beyond.
UNDERSTAND
Talk through your goals and lifestyle
Meet by phone, Zoom or in person. Tell us where you want to live, where you’re looking to buy and your timeline.
GATHER
Build a clear picture of your finances
We collect income documents, savings and debt details, and factor in your rent and living costs.
ANALYSE & PLAN
Compare loans and test your budget
We compare lenders and loan structures and check your cash flow against both commitments.
APPLY
Prepare and lodge your application
Once you’ve found a property, we finalise the application and liaise with the lender on valuation and approval.
FINALISE
Manage settlement
We coordinate with your lender and conveyancer and keep you informed through to settlement.
SUPPORT
Review as your plans change
We review your loan as rates, values and your goals change, including when you’re ready for the next step.
Richard LukeFounder · Ausfirst Lending Group
WHAT MAKES AUSFIRST DIFFERENT
Your lifestyle is personal.
Your broker should be, too.
You’re looked after by someone who treats your financial success as his own.
Richard brings more than 30 years of hands-on broking experience. He takes the time to understand your finances, lifestyle and investment goals before comparing options from our panel.
Whether it’s your first investment while you rent or the next step in a growing portfolio, you get clear advice, regular updates and the same team from application to settlement.
Personal attentionOngoing loan reviews2024 Sunshine Coast Business Awards finalist
Have a chat with our teamMore about RichardWHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY
Good people.
Great support.
ExcellentBased on 35 Google reviews
Google review
“I would describe Richard and Ausfirst Lending as friendly, insightful, prompt and diligent. A pleasure to deal with.”
Google review
“Debbie made the process of buying a new house frictionless, by providing excellent support throughout”
Google review
“I received very prompt responses to all of my questions and the team ensured that my application was processed in a timely manner. The service was brilliant!”
Excerpts from client reviews displayed on Ausfirst’s website. These reflect individual experiences.
LET’S CLEAR THINGS UP
Rentvesting.
Real questions.
The questions we’re asked most about rentvesting. Your circumstances matter, so we’re happy to talk through the detail.
Ask about my situationHow does rentvesting work?
You buy an investment property in an area that fits your budget and rent a home where you want to live. Rent from the investment can help with repayments and costs, though outcomes depend on the market and your circumstances.
Is rentvesting a good strategy in Australia?
It can be a way into the market while keeping lifestyle flexibility. Whether it suits you depends on your finances, goals and appetite for risk.
Is rentvesting better than buying a home?
Neither is better for everyone. Rentvesting offers flexibility and an earlier start in the market. Buying to live in offers stability and the chance to make a home your own.
Can I rentvest with a small deposit?
Yes, some lenders accept smaller deposits for investment loans. A 20% deposit generally avoids LMI and lowers borrowing costs. We compare options that fit your budget.
Can I get a first home buyer grant if I rentvest?
Generally, no. Investment purchases aren’t eligible for first home owner grants. Owning an investment property may also affect your eligibility for first home support later, so check the rules before you buy.
What are the tax benefits of rentvesting?
Investment property costs such as interest, depreciation, maintenance and management fees may be deductible. Negative gearing may apply if expenses exceed rent. Speak with a tax professional about your situation.
What if I can’t find a tenant?
Vacancies hit your cash flow, so keep a buffer to cover repayments and costs. Buying in an area with strong rental demand can reduce the risk.
LET’S MAKE A START
Your first investment
starts with a plan.
You don’t need a property picked out. Tell us where you live, where you’re thinking of buying and your goals, and we’ll help you understand your options.
A clear look at your borrowing capacity
Cash flow tested against both commitments
Personal guidance from an experienced team
Visit us in Caloundra
Suite 3/74 Bulcock St, Caloundra QLD 4551
Monday–Friday, 9 am–5 pm
YOUR FREE RENTVESTING CHAT
Tell us about your plans.
Send our team a little about where you’re at.
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