Buying or Refinancing Commercial Property
Commercial property finance can be more complex than a standard residential loan. Whether you are purchasing premises for your own business, buying a warehouse, acquiring a retail shop, or refinancing an existing commercial loan, the right structure can make a meaningful difference.
A commercial loan is generally used to fund property or business-related assets. This may include an owner-occupied commercial premises, an investment property leased to another business, or a property connected to your wider business strategy.
The right loan will depend on the property type, loan amount, deposit, business income, security position, lease arrangements and the lender’s appetite for the transaction.
Commercial Property Finance for Business Owners
Many business owners consider buying their own premises once their business becomes established.
Instead of continuing to lease, purchasing a commercial property may provide greater control, long-term stability and potential capital growth. This can be particularly relevant for professional firms, medical businesses, trade-based businesses, logistics operators and other established businesses looking for permanent premises.
Common commercial property purchases include:
Lending for Commercial Property is assessed differently from residential lending. Lenders will often review the business financials, trading history, business cash flow, property type, location, valuation, lease terms and repayment capacity.
How Commercial Loans Are Assessed
Commercial lenders usually take a broader view of the transaction.
They may consider:
Some lenders are more comfortable with certain industries, property types or loan sizes. Others may have stricter requirements around financial statements, tax returns, GST position, rental income or security.
This is where working with a Finance Broker can help. A broker can compare lender options, explain policy differences and help structure the application before it is submitted.
Owner-Occupied Commercial Premises
An owner-occupied commercial premises is a property used by the business that owns or controls it.
For example, a business may purchase a warehouse to operate from, a retail shop to trade from, or a professional suite to use as consulting rooms. In these cases, the lender will usually focus heavily on the strength of the business and whether it can afford the loan repayments.
Buying your own premises may provide more certainty than leasing, but it also requires careful planning. You may need to consider deposit requirements, GST, stamp duty, fit-out costs, legal costs, valuation requirements and whether the loan should be held personally, through a company, trust or self-managed super fund.
Legal, taxation and accounting advice should be obtained before committing to a structure.
Warehouses, Retail Shops and Commercial Property Types
Different commercial properties can be assessed differently by lenders.
Warehouses may appeal to lenders where they are well located, functional and suitable for a broad range of future users. Retail shops may be assessed based on location, foot traffic, lease terms, tenant quality and the surrounding business area.
Specialised properties may require more detailed assessment, especially if the building would be harder to sell or lease if the borrower’s circumstances changed.
A Commercial Finance Broker can help identify which lenders are likely to be more comfortable with the property type before the application is lodged.
Commercial Loans Across Glen Eira, Bayside and Port Phillip
Finance Broker Melbourne assists business owners and property buyers across Glen Eira, Bayside and Port Phillip with commercial lending needs.
These areas include a mix of established retail strips, professional offices, small warehouses, consulting rooms and commercial premises used by local businesses. Local knowledge can be useful when discussing the property, the surrounding market and how the purchase fits within the borrower’s wider business plans.
Commercial lending is not only about finding an interest rate. It is also about understanding lender policy, repayment structure, security, loan terms and future flexibility.
Commercial Loan Structure
Commercial loans may be structured in several ways depending on the lender and borrower profile.
Options may include:
The right structure depends on the purpose of the loan, the business cash flow, the property type and the borrower’s long-term plans.
Some borrowers may also need commercial finance alongside Home Loans, particularly where personal and business assets are connected. In these situations, it is important to consider the overall lending position rather than reviewing each loan in isolation.
Speak With a Commercial Finance Broker
Commercial property finance can involve more moving parts than many borrowers expect.
A lender may look closely at the borrower, the business, the property, the security and the overall transaction. Preparing the application properly can help reduce delays and improve the quality of the lender assessment.
Based in Ormond, we assist clients across nearby suburbs including Bentleigh, McKinnon, Carnegie, Caulfield, Elsternwick, Brighton, Hampton, Moorabbin, Cheltenham, St Kilda, Albert Park and Port Melbourne.
A Finance Broker can help compare options, explain lender requirements and guide the process from initial discussion through to approval and settlement.
For help reviewing commercial loan options, speak with Brendon Cowan from Finance Broker Melbourne
Brendon Cowan and his team were awesome couldn’t be happier with their work to get me my first house, always kept me positive, kept me up to date and answered any of my concerns...Thank you mate 👍🏻 ...
Zane Youngman
My wife and I worked with Brendon at Finance Broker Melbourne (FBM) to get pre-approval and financing for our first home in Seaford, and we had a great experience! As first home buyers, we weren’t sure exactly how everything worked, but Brendon made the whole process much easier to understand. He explained things clearly, talked us through our options, and was always happy to answer our questions at any time. He was easy to communicate with and kept us updated along the way. He helped us secure a loan that suited our situation and made sure everything stayed on track through to approval. It took a lot of stress out of what could have been a pretty overwhelming process. We’re really grateful for his help and would definitely recommend Brendon and Finance Broker Melbourne to anyone looking for a mortgage broker, especially if you’re buying your first home. Thanks again!
T J
Brendon assisted me with the purchase of my first home in December 2025. What could ordinarily become a confusing and stressful process was made seamless thanks to Brendon’s expertise, availability and excellent customer service. Thanks to ...
Hollie Cassini
I was EXTREMELY happy with the advise, professionalism & honesty whilst dealing with Brendon at FBM. ...
Sarah-Jane Dooley
My husband and l were having issues in obtaining a home loan with the bank we had been with for over 20 years. We approached Brendon Cowan at Finance Broker Melbourne PL who looked at our application. Brendon Cowan advised us on exactly ...
Natarsha Mcgrady
Brendon and his team are so professional. He went above and beyond to help us secure excellent deals with our two property loans. He is highly experienced, a great communicator with a wealth of knowledgeable and even when something goes ...
Melbourne Girl
A mortgage broker helps you compare loan options from different banks and lenders, assess your borrowing position, and manage the loan application process from start to finish. At Finance Broker Melbourne, we take the time to understand your income, deposit, existing debts, property goals and overall financial position before recommending suitable finance options. We can assist with home loans, refinancing, investment loans, business finance and more complex lending structures. Our role is to help make the process clearer, prepare your application properly, liaise with lenders, and keep you informed through each stage, from the first conversation through to loan approval and settlement.
When you go directly to a bank, you are generally limited to that bank’s own loan products, policies and pricing. As mortgage brokers, we can compare options from a range of banks and lenders, then help identify which lender may suit your circumstances, goals and borrowing position. This can be especially useful if you are self-employed, buying an investment property, refinancing, borrowing through a company or trust, or trying to structure your loan carefully. At Finance Broker Melbourne, we also manage the application process, communicate with the lender, and help you understand the key costs, loan features and approval requirements before you proceed.
No. Finance Broker Melbourne is based in Ormond, Victoria, and we have built a strong client base across Glen Eira, Bayside and nearby suburbs including Bentleigh, McKinnon, Brighton and surrounding areas. However, we also assist clients throughout Melbourne, regional Victoria and across Australia. Many clients choose to work with us by phone, email, video meeting and electronic signing, which means the process can be handled efficiently without needing to visit our office in person. Whether you are local to Ormond or based interstate, we can help review your borrowing position, compare finance options and guide you through the lending process.
We work with a broad range of clients, including first home buyers, upgraders, investors, business owners, self-employed borrowers, company borrowers and trust borrowers. Some clients have straightforward home loan needs, while others require more detailed lending advice due to business income, multiple properties, complex structures or future investment plans. At Finance Broker Melbourne, our team has experience across home loans, investment loans, refinancing, business finance and SMSF lending. Our approach is to understand your circumstances first, then help identify suitable finance options based on your income, borrowing capacity, security position, goals and preferred loan structure.
Yes. Finance Broker Melbourne can assist business and commercial customers, particularly where the finance requirement is over $1 million. Brendon Cowan has years of experience working within major banks and assisting clients with business acquisitions, business expansion, commercial property transactions and more complex lending structures. Business and commercial lending often requires a more detailed assessment of income, security, business structure, financial position and lender appetite. While we can assist with commercial finance, we generally work with business and commercial customers seeking larger lending amounts, and fees may apply for business and commercial lending. Where appropriate, we will explain this clearly before proceeding.
Before your initial consultation with Finance Broker Melbourne, gather basic information about your business including recent financial performance, current debt obligations, and the purpose of the finance you're seeking. Having your latest financial statements, tax returns, and recent bank statements readily available helps us assess your position quickly. Consider the amount of finance required, preferred repayment terms, and any security you can offer. For asset purchases, preliminary details about the equipment or property are useful. Understanding your business goals and how the proposed finance supports these objectives helps us identify the most appropriate solutions. Don't worry if you don't have everything immediately available - we can guide you through the documentation process. The initial consultation focuses on understanding your requirements and providing preliminary advice about suitable options. We then provide a detailed list of required documentation and work with you to prepare a comprehensive application that presents your business proposition effectively to potential lenders.
For most standard residential home loans, Finance Broker Melbourne is generally paid by the lender after settlement, meaning our service is usually provided at no direct cost to the borrower. This can include home loans, refinancing and many investment loan applications. However, some lending scenarios require additional work, specialist structuring or commercial lender negotiations. Fees may apply for business finance, commercial lending, complex structures or larger transactions, particularly where the application requires detailed analysis, lender presentations or negotiation. If a fee applies, we will explain this clearly before you proceed, so you understand the cost, the scope of work and what is included.
It is usually best to speak with a mortgage broker as early as possible, even if you are not ready to apply straight away. Early advice can help you understand your borrowing capacity, deposit requirements, loan options, expected costs and any issues that may need to be addressed before applying. This is especially important if you are buying a property, refinancing, changing jobs, self-employed, purchasing through a company or trust, or planning an investment strategy. At Finance Broker Melbourne, we can help you prepare early, understand your position clearly, and move forward with more confidence when the right opportunity arises.