Development Finance
Development Finance Solutions for Property Developers Across Australia
Rated 5 from 39 Reviews
Development Finance Solutions for Property Developers Across Australia
Rated 5 from 39 Reviews
Property development finance is one of the most complex areas of lending in Australia. The stakes are high, the timelines are long, and the margin for error is narrow. At Distinct Financial, we work with self-employed clients and high net worth individuals who are serious about growing wealth through property. Whether you are looking to fund a subdivision, a multi-unit project, or a larger development, getting the right development finance structure from the start is what separates a successful project from a costly one.
Development loan structures vary significantly depending on your project. Lenders assess your development feasibility, project cashflow, development costs, and project documentation before they commit to funding. Your development LVR, the loan amount relative to the end value of the project, plays a major role in what options are available to you. A strong development deposit or existing development equity in the land can open up more favourable terms. At Distinct Financial, we help clients understand exactly where they stand before approaching lenders, so there are no surprises when it matters most.
Accessing the right loan options from banks and lenders across Australia requires more than just submitting an application. Lenders want to see a credible development timeline, a clear development exit strategy, and evidence that you can manage project costs if things shift. Cost overruns are a reality in property development, and lenders know this. Your business financials, presale position, and the strength of your development approval or DA approval from council all influence how lenders view your application. Distinct Financial works through all of this with you before a single application is lodged.
For more complex projects, there are additional funding structures worth understanding. Mezzanine finance, JV finance, and second mortgage options can be used alongside a first mortgage to bridge gaps in development funding. Presale finance requirements vary between lenders, and some projects may benefit from land acquisition finance before construction begins. Land development finance and land acquisition are often the first steps in a larger project, and structuring these correctly sets the foundation for everything that follows. Distinct Financial has experience across these structures and can help identify what suits your project and your position.
Property development success is rarely the result of one good decision. It comes from a series of well-informed choices made at the right time, with the right finance in place. Development finance is not a product you pick off a shelf. It is a structure built around your project, your timeline, and your goals. At Distinct Financial, we take the time to understand your development project finance needs in full before recommending a path forward. If you are ready to fund your next project or want to understand your development borrowing options, book a consultation with our team today.
At Distinct Financial, we follow a clear and structured process to make sure your finance journey is smooth, efficient, and tailored to your goals.
Step 1: Initial Consultation
We start with a conversation. Whether you reach out by phone, email, or through our website, we take the time to understand who you are, what you are looking to achieve, and how we can help. There is no obligation and no jargon - just a straightforward chat about your goals.
Step 2: Fact Find and Financial Review
Once you are ready to move forward, we take a deep dive into your financial position. We look at your income, assets, liabilities, and existing structures. For self-employed clients and high net worth individuals, this step is especially important as your financial picture is often more complex than a standard application.
Step 3: Strategy and Structuring
With a clear picture of your finances, we develop a lending strategy that works for your situation. We consider ownership structures, tax implications, and long-term wealth goals to make sure the finance we recommend supports your broader property and investment plans.
Step 4: Lender Research and Comparison
We search across our panel of lenders to find the most suitable options for you. We compare rates, features, and policies - not just the headline number - to make sure you are getting a solution that truly fits.
Step 5: Application Preparation
We handle the paperwork. Our team prepares a thorough and well-presented application to give you the best chance of a smooth approval. We know what lenders want to see, and we make sure your application tells the right story.
Step 6: Submission and Approval
We submit your application and manage the process from end to end. We liaise directly with lenders, valuers, and any other parties involved so you do not have to chase anyone down. We keep you updated at every stage so you always know where things stand.
Step 7: Settlement and Beyond
Once your loan is approved and settled, our relationship does not end there. We check in regularly to make sure your finance continues to work hard for you. As your portfolio grows and your circumstances change, we are here to review, adjust, and help you take the next step.
Distinct Financial is a team of professionals headed up by Nathan Cohen. Nathan is a fully accredited mortgage broker and a member of the Mortgage & Finance Association of Australia. He holds a Bachelor of Business (Accounting) from Monash University, Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning from Kaplan Professional and a Diploma of Finance and Mortgage Broking Management from Kaplan Professional.
Prior to establishing Distinct Financial in 2017, Nathan spent three years at an award winning mortgage brokerage that specialised in high net worth individuals where he facilitated funding requirements for some of the wealthiest family offices in Melbourne.
Since starting Distinct Financial in 2017, Nathan has grown the business covering a wide range of lending needs, from home loans and residential investment to commercial finance, business loans and SMSF Loans. Distinct Financial holds premier status with a variety of lenders, ensuring clients have access to competitive options across the market regardless of whether they are first home buyers or sophisticated investors
Away from the office, Nathan enjoys spending time with wife and two children, his groodle, playing and watching sports and if time permits, a round of golf at Yarra Yarra Golf Club.
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Christopher Thorborg
We've worked with Nathan from District Financial on several occasions, and he consistently exceeds expectations. Most recently, we needed to secure a mortgage on an extremely tight timeline before starting construction on our build. Nathan managed to get the loan approved and finalized within just a week. He's professional, responsive, and clearly knows how to navigate complex situations under pressure. It's rare to find someone this reliable and easy to work with. We wouldn't hesitate to recommend Nathan to anyone looking for a mortgage broker who genuinely delivers.
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Laura Newton
I felt totally out of my depth when purchasing my first property - until I went to Nathan to organise my finance, he totally took the stress of it away and made the process so easy and efficient. I have bought another property and refinanced with Nathan over the past 6 years and it is always so easy. Couldn’t be happier or more grateful!!
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Robert Cohen
Nathan has been excellent to deal with. I've purchased one property with him and refinanced once since then and have always received A+ service.
High net worth clients often hold assets and income across multiple entities, including companies, trusts, self-managed super funds, and personal names. This complexity can make standard lending assessments challenging, as many lenders are not equipped to properly evaluate these structures. At Distinct Financial, we have significant experience working with clients who have sophisticated financial arrangements. We take the time to understand how your wealth is structured and work with lenders who have the capability and appetite to assess applications of this nature. We also work closely with your accountant, financial planner, or legal adviser where needed to ensure your lending strategy is coordinated with your broader wealth management approach.
In many cases, mortgage brokers are paid a commission by the lender when a loan is settled, which means there is no direct cost to you for standard residential and investment lending. However, for certain types of complex or specialist finance, a broker fee may apply. At Distinct Financial, we are transparent about how we are remunerated and will always disclose this to you upfront before any work begins. You will receive a Credit Guide and other disclosure documents that clearly outline any fees or commissions involved. We believe you should have a full understanding of the financial arrangement before proceeding, and we are always happy to answer any questions you have about how our services are structured.
Yes, protecting your privacy is something we take seriously at Distinct Financial. All personal and financial information you share with us is handled in accordance with the Australian Privacy Act and our own internal privacy policy. Your information is only shared with lenders and third parties where it is necessary to progress your application, and only with your knowledge and consent. We understand that our clients, particularly those with significant assets or complex business structures, place a high level of trust in us when sharing sensitive financial details. That trust is something we work hard to maintain throughout every stage of our relationship with you. If you have specific questions about how your data is managed, we are happy to walk you through our privacy practices in detail.
Getting started is straightforward. The first step is to reach out to our team to arrange an initial conversation. This is an opportunity for us to learn about your situation, what you are looking to achieve, and whether we are the right fit for each other. There is no obligation involved in having that first discussion. From there, if you decide to proceed, we will guide you through the information and documentation we need to properly assess your position and begin researching suitable lending options. At Distinct Financial, we work with clients who are serious about growing their wealth through property, and we bring the same level of commitment and professionalism to every client relationship, regardless of where you are in your property journey.
Absolutely. Reviewing and restructuring existing lending is one of the most important things a borrower can do as their financial situation evolves. Over time, your circumstances, goals, and the lending products available in the market all change, and a loan that suited you several years ago may no longer be the most appropriate arrangement today. At Distinct Financial, we regularly work with clients who want to consolidate debt, release equity from existing properties, adjust their loan structures, or simply ensure their current lending is still aligned with their investment strategy. We conduct a thorough review of your existing commitments and present options that may better serve your current position, without making any assumptions about what the outcome will be.
A finance and mortgage broker acts as the link between you and a wide range of lenders, including banks, credit unions, and specialist finance providers. Rather than approaching lenders one by one on your own, a broker does the research, comparison, and application work on your behalf. At Distinct Financial, we take the time to understand your financial position, your goals, and your circumstances before recommending a lending solution that suits your situation. For self-employed individuals and high net worth clients, this process is particularly valuable because your income and asset structures are often more complex than standard employment arrangements. Having an experienced broker in your corner means your application is presented to lenders in the strongest possible way.
Self-employed borrowers often face additional scrutiny from lenders because their income can look different on paper compared to someone receiving a regular salary. Banks assess self-employed applicants using tax returns, business financials, and other documentation that can vary significantly from year to year. Going directly to a single bank means you are limited to their specific policies and appetite for self-employed lending. A broker like Distinct Financial has access to a broad panel of lenders, including those who specialise in working with self-employed clients. We understand how to present your income and financial position in a way that accurately reflects your true capacity to service a loan, giving your application the best possible chance of being assessed fairly.
The timeframe for a loan application can vary depending on the complexity of your situation, the lender involved, and how quickly documentation can be gathered and submitted. For straightforward applications, conditional approval can sometimes be received within a few business days. For more complex applications involving self-employed income, multiple entities, or larger loan amounts, the process may take longer as lenders conduct more thorough assessments. At Distinct Financial, we work proactively to keep your application moving and communicate with lenders on your behalf to minimise unnecessary delays. We will always give you a realistic expectation of timeframes upfront so you can plan accordingly, particularly if you are working towards a specific settlement date.
The documentation required will depend on your individual circumstances, the type of loan you are applying for, and the lender being approached. For most applications, you will need to provide proof of identity, details of your income, recent bank statements, and information about your existing assets and liabilities. If you are self-employed, lenders will typically require your most recent tax returns, notices of assessment, and business financial statements. For clients with more complex structures, additional documentation such as trust deeds, company financials, or SMSF statements may be required. At Distinct Financial, we will walk you through exactly what is needed for your specific application so the process is as straightforward as possible from the outset.
Distinct Financial works across a range of finance solutions to support clients who are building and growing wealth through property. This includes residential home loans, investment property loans, refinancing existing debt, construction finance, and commercial property lending. We also assist with asset finance and business lending for clients whose personal and business finances are closely connected. Our focus is on understanding the full picture of your financial situation rather than looking at a single transaction in isolation. Whether you are purchasing your first investment property, expanding an existing portfolio, or restructuring your current lending arrangements, we work with you to identify a pathway that aligns with your broader financial goals.