Debt is getting trickier in Victoria

Debt’s getting trickier in Victoria—rates are high, rules are strict, and banks are slamming the brakes. Regional prices fell 7.3% from May 2022 peak (CoreLogic). It’s rough, but it’s also tossing up deals—like properties sitting there while buyers are too stretched to pounce.

So how do you get in without piling on personal loans?


I’ve been digging into this lately, and one idea keeps popping: Self-Managed Super Funds (SMSFs) with a borrowing twist. Say you spot a $500k regional place—through an SMSF with a Limited Recourse Borrowing Arrangement (LRBA), you could borrow 70% from specialist lenders or even some big banks. That’s $350k debt, $20k a year in rent at 4%, and maybe 10% growth when rates settle. Tax? Just 15% in the fund, not the 45% that hits your pay.

The kicker with an LRBA: if it goes south, lenders can only grab the property in the fund—your personal assets stay untouchable. Repayments come mostly from rent and super contributions, not your own cash.
Lenders are pickier here—SMSF loans often mean higher rates than your standard mortgage, and they’ll cap you at 70-80% LVR to keep it tight. Building that $150k-$200k super balance isn’t quick either, with caps at $30k from work and $120k from your pocket.

But with locals out of the game, you could snag a bargain now, hold as rates maybe ease in ’25, and ride that 5-7% growth wave later.
I’ve seen it untangle real knots for people swamped with work or just eyeing a smarter play. Anyone else watching this market and thinking it through? I’m up for a chat if you’re curious how LRBA borrowing can stack up.”
This is not financial advice. Check with a licensed financial planner.

Is Your Super Working as Hard as You?

My Linkedin Corporate Hustlers, Is Your Super Working as Hard as You? 

Your superannuation—one of your greatest assets—may not be advancing as swiftly as your career.

Why SMSFs? Because You’re Not Here to Follow the Herd

Let’s face it: industry super funds are like a one-size-fits-all suit—fine, but not tailored to your ambitions. SMSFs flip the script, giving you the reins to build a retirement empire. The SMSF Association (2023) says SMSFs with $200,000 can rival industry funds, especially when you lean into property investments. Why? You get to cherry-pick assets, dodge the cookie-cutter funds, and—pay as little as 15% tax on rental income .

How SMSFs Secure Property for Your Retirement
Picture this: your super owning a sleek commercial property leased to your business, or a residential gem churning out rental income for your golden years. Enter Limited Recourse Borrowing Arrangements (LRBAs)—the pass to property investment in SMSFs. SMSF loans now offer up to 90% loan-to-value ratios, meaning your $200,000 super could snag a $1M property, with the asset’s full value working for you. Commercial property? Funnel rent back to your SMSF at market rates. Residential? Lock in steady income or capital growth.

The Facts: Property in SMSFs Is Booming
The ATO (2024) reports 616,400 SMSFs manage $933 billion, with 10.78% in non-residential property and 6.8% in residential property, up a whopping 26.4% since 2021 (Mortgage Professional Australia, 2024). Why the property love? Stability and growth. Dissatisfaction with industry fund returns is pushing savvy investors to SMSFs, with 62% citing control as the top reason for switching (Investment Trends, 2023). Plus, 68% of SMSFs are couple-run (ATO, 2023), so you and your partner can team up to build a property portfolio that screams “retirement goals.”

Why Wait? Your Super’s Not Getting Younger
Starting an SMSF is less fiddly than syncing your Teams audio in a packed boardroom. :):):).

At Mandanex Finance, we’re all about results:

Ace LRBAs: We’ll score competitive LRBA loans for commercial or residential property, powered by our lender network.
Setting it up: We’ll shape your SMSF with property, shares, or cash, linked to our referral experts.
Reach out for a real-deal chat about transforming your super into a property powerhouse.

💡 Nugget: SMSFs outperform when market tanks. Read article below https://lnkd.in/gGxarVbb
Disclaimer: Seek professional financial advice tailored to your circumstances.