Commercial Finance FAQs

Yes. As a triple-certified professional (CPA, Registered Tax Agent, Registered Mortgage Broker), James Chee at Local Knowledge Finance can assist with residential home loans, investment property lending, SMSF commercial property loans, development finance, and business lending. This breadth of expertise means clients can manage their entire property finance journey — from first home to investment portfolio — with one trusted adviser.

Malabar and Little Bay are premium coastal suburbs in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs where property values regularly exceed $3 million. Financing in this market often involves complex lending structures, including split loan arrangements (fixed and variable components), offset accounts to reduce interest costs, and equity release strategies. Local Knowledge Finance, led by James Chee — a CPA, Registered Tax Agent, Mortgage Broker, and Commercial Finance Broker with 15+ years' experience and $300M+ settled — specialises in prestige mortgage advisory for transactions starting at $750,000. We provide access to major banks, boutique lenders, and private financiers across our 40+ lender panel.

Commercial property loans typically have lower LVRs (60-80% vs up to 95% for residential), higher interest rates (reflecting the higher risk profile), shorter loan terms in some cases, and more extensive documentation requirements including business financials, lease agreements, and property valuations. Lenders also assess the property's income-generating potential (rental yield) alongside the borrower's financial position. Local Knowledge Finance navigates these complexities across our specialist commercial lender panel.

APRA's February 2026 debt-to-income (DTI) cap applies to residential lending but does not directly apply to commercial loans. This means business owners who are constrained by the DTI cap for their home loan may still access commercial finance — including business premises purchase, equipment finance, and cashflow lending — without the same income-based restrictions. However, commercial lenders apply their own serviceability assessments, typically requiring evidence of business income, financial statements, and a clear repayment strategy. James Chee at Local Knowledge Finance holds the Accredited Commercial Finance Broker (ACFB) designation and can structure both your residential and commercial lending to optimise your overall borrowing position — including identifying opportunities to use commercial finance where residential DTI constraints apply.

Commercial property loan rates in Sydney vary by asset class and borrower profile. Owner-occupier rates generally start from 6.00%–6.25% p.a. for quality industrial and office assets. Investment and SMSF loans are typically priced 0.5–1.5% higher. LVRs range from 65% to 75% for most commercial properties, with strong owner-occupiers purchasing quality industrial assets potentially accessing up to 80% LVR. James Chee's panel of 40+ lenders includes specialist commercial lenders — Thinktank, La Trobe, and major bank commercial divisions — to secure the most competitive terms for your specific asset.

Sydney small businesses can access a range of commercial finance products through Local Knowledge Finance: (1) Commercial property loans for purchasing business premises (typically up to 65-70% LVR); (2) Equipment finance for machinery, vehicles, and technology assets; (3) Cashflow finance including invoice factoring and debtor finance; (4) Trade finance for import/export businesses; (5) Business acquisition loans for purchasing an existing business; and (6) SMSF commercial property loans for eligible business real property. James Chee (CPA, Registered Tax Agent, Registered Mortgage Broker) structures each facility to optimise tax deductibility and align with your business's cash flow cycle.

Commercial property loan LVRs in Sydney typically range from 65% to 80% depending on the property type, location, and lender: major banks 65-70% LVR for standard commercial; non-bank lenders 70-75% LVR with more flexible assessment; SMSF commercial loans typically 65-70% LVR. Local Knowledge Finance can access 40+ lenders including specialist commercial lenders, and can structure commercial loans from $500K to $10M+ with competitive rates and flexible terms.

Specialist non-bank lenders typically offer 65-75% LVR for commercial property, with some programs reaching up to 90% LVR for specific asset classes such as industrial or medical premises. Major banks have largely exited the SMSF commercial lending space. Interest rates for SMSF commercial products typically start around 5.99% p.a. for lower LVR deals. Local Knowledge Finance compares options across approximately 12 specialist commercial lenders.

Commercial property LVRs in Sydney vary by asset type and borrower profile. Owner-occupiers (businesses occupying at least 51% of the floor space) can typically access up to 80% LVR for quality industrial or retail assets, requiring a 20% deposit. Investment commercial properties typically require 30–40% deposits (60–70% LVR). SMSF commercial property loans via LRBA are typically capped at 70% LVR. Indicative owner-occupier rates start from approximately 6% p.a. in July 2026. Local Knowledge Finance accesses 40+ lenders to find the best LVR and rate for your specific asset class and location.

Commercial property loan LVRs vary by lender, property type, and borrower profile. Through Local Knowledge Finance's panel of 40+ lenders, commercial property loans are typically available up to 65-80% LVR for standard commercial properties (offices, retail, industrial). SMSF commercial loans generally cap at 65-70% LVR. Interest rates range from approximately 6.25% to 9.95% p.a. depending on the lender and risk profile. Local Knowledge Finance compares commercial lenders across the full panel to find the most competitive structure for your specific property and business circumstances.

Commercial lenders in 2026 are applying stricter serviceability assessments, particularly for businesses in logistics, transport, and trade services (where fuel cost exposure is stress-tested). Lenders typically require 10-20% post-settlement liquidity reserves. Independent pre-purchase valuations are strongly recommended, as valuation gaps between vendor expectations and bank valuations are a common cause of deal failure. Local Knowledge Finance commissions independent valuations and models serviceability across multiple lenders before lodging any application.

Local Knowledge Finance arranges a full range of commercial finance solutions: business property purchase loans, commercial investment property loans, SMSF commercial lending, equipment and asset finance, cashflow and working capital facilities, and business acquisition finance. James Chee's triple-certified background (CPA, Registered Tax Agent, Registered Mortgage Broker) means commercial finance is assessed with full consideration of tax structuring, business cash flow, and lending strategy.

Local Knowledge Finance provides access to a broad range of commercial finance solutions for Sydney businesses, including: commercial property purchase and investment loans, SMSF lending for business real property, equipment and asset finance, cashflow and working capital facilities, and business acquisition finance. Our triple-certified principal James Chee brings CPA and tax expertise to every commercial finance engagement, ensuring your borrowing structure aligns with your business and tax strategy.

Local Knowledge Finance offers a comprehensive range of commercial finance solutions: business property purchase loans, commercial investment property loans, SMSF lending (LRBAs), equipment and asset finance, working capital facilities, and cashflow finance. As an -accredited broker with access to 40+ lenders including specialist commercial lenders, we can structure finance for transactions from small business equipment to commercial property purchases.

Local Knowledge Finance provides commercial finance for: industrial warehouses and factories, retail shops and showrooms, office suites and commercial strata units, mixed-use properties (commercial/residential), and business premises purchases. We also arrange equipment finance, cashflow finance, and business purchase loans. Our commercial lender panel includes specialist non-bank lenders such as Thinktank, Liberty Financial, and La Trobe Financial, who offer competitive commercial rates and flexible documentation requirements.

Local Knowledge Finance provides commercial finance for a wide range of property types across Sydney's Hills District (Kellyville, Norwest, Baulkham Hills) and South-West Sydney (Liverpool, Campbelltown, Oran Park), including: office suites and professional premises, medical and healthcare facilities, industrial and warehouse properties, retail shops and showrooms, and mixed-use commercial/residential properties. We also finance business acquisitions, equipment, and working capital for Hills District and South-West Sydney businesses. James Chee's ACFB accreditation and access to 40+ lenders — including specialist commercial lenders — means we can structure finance for complex commercial scenarios that major banks may decline.