Property Development Finance

Property development finance for residential and commercial projects across Australia. Whether you are purchasing a site, funding construction or refinancing, Yard provides flexible development loans with staged funding and specialist support from application to settlement.

How to finance property development

Property development finance in Australia is a short-term, secured loan designed to fund residential and commercial property developments. It can be used to purchase a development site, fund construction costs or refinance an existing development loan. The loan is secured against the development site and is assessed based on factors such as the project's feasibility, total development costs, borrower experience, construction risk and the property's expected value on completion.

Unlike a standard investment property loan, a business loan for property development is typically released through staged progress payments as construction milestones are completed. Depending on the loan structure, interest may also be capitalised into the loan during the construction period rather than paid monthly. At the end of the loan term, the outstanding balance is generally repaid through the sale of the completed development or by refinancing into a longer-term lending facility.

Yard provides property development finance for eligible small to medium residential and commercial developments across Australia.

Whether you're seeking a property development loan with full doc or low doc lending options, we offer flexible funding solutions tailored to your project and exit strategy.

Your dedicated Loan Consultant will guide you through every stage of the process, from application and credit assessment through to valuations and progress drawdowns.

What can a property developer finance loan be used for?

Residential developments: Fund construction of townhouses, duplexes, multi-unit developments and low-rise apartment projects.

Development loan refinance: Refinance an existing property development loan to secure a more suitable lending structure, improve cash flow or support your project's completion.

Commercial developments: Finance the construction of commercial and mixed-use developments, including retail, office, industrial, medical and childcare premises.

Construction costs: Cover eligible construction costs throughout the project, with the option to capitalise interest during the build where available. The loan is typically repaid from the sale of completed properties or through refinancing into a longer-term facility.

Construction on owned land: Access funding to build on land you already own or are purchasing, with loan funds released through staged progress payments as construction milestones are completed.

What our development finance offers

Yard funds the construction of small to medium residential and commercial developments. The loan is secured against the project, with funds released in stages as the build progresses. Explore our property development finance features:

Security type
Residential
Commercial
Retail industrial
Loan Term
Up to 5 years
Max LVR
75% LVR
Loan size
$150,000 min $50,000,000 max
Acceptable locations
Metro
Major regional
Income verification
Full doc
Low doc

Why developers choose Yard

Finance across development lifecycle

From site acquisition and construction through to subdivision and residual stock, Yard can provide property development finance across multiple stages of your project.

Flexible lending solutions

Every property development loan is individually assessed, with consideration given to project feasibility, borrower experience, planning approvals, presales and your proposed exit strategy.

Interest capitalised during construction

Interest is capitalised throughout construction, removing the need for monthly repayments. Repayment is then aligned with your completion and sale timeline.

Dedicated development specialists

Your dedicated Yard Loan Consultant will guide you through every stage of the lending process, from application and approval to progress drawdowns and settlement.

What documents do I need when financing a property development?

​​Documentation requirements vary depending on your project, loan purpose and stage of development. We will confirm exactly what is needed, but you can generally expect to provide:

Borrower documents: Verification of identity, application details, a summary of your development experience and evidence of your equity contribution, where required.

Project documents: Contract of sale (for purchases), existing loan statements (for refinances), development feasibility, plans, specifications and planning approvals, where available.

Construction documents: Fixed-price building contract, builder capability information and a quantity surveyor report confirming construction costs.

Supporting documents: Property valuation, presale contracts where applicable, and GST documentation if required.

Our team will guide you through the application process and provide a tailored checklist based on your development and lending requirements.

How to apply for property development loans

1
Start your application

Book a call with a dedicated Yard Loan Consultant to discuss your development, funding requirements and the most suitable property development finance solution.

2
Submit your documentation

Provide the required documentation for your application, including borrower, project and construction information. We'll review your documents, arrange any required valuations and confirm the next steps.

3
Application assessment

Our credit team will assess your application, including the project feasibility, security, exit strategy and supporting documentation. We'll keep you informed throughout the assessment process.

4
Loan approval and settlement

Once your property development loan is approved, we'll issue your loan documents for signing. Our solicitors will then coordinate settlement with your solicitor for a purchase or your existing lender for a refinance, with funds available in line with your approved facility.

The important questions answered

What is a property development loan and how does it work?

A property development loan funds the construction of a residential or commercial development, secured against the project. Rather than receiving the full amount upfront, funds are drawn down in stages as construction reaches agreed milestones. Typically, interest is capitalised into the loan during the build rather than paid monthly. The loan is then repaid in a single payment at completion, usually from the sale of the completed stock or a refinance.

What is the difference between a construction loan and a development finance loan?

A construction loan is generally used to build a single residential property, such as a new home or investment property. The borrower typically makes interest-only repayments during the construction as loan funds are progressively drawn down, with lending assessed based on the borrower's income, financial position and ability to service the loan.

A property development finance loan is designed for residential or commercial developments that are being built for sale. Rather than focusing primarily on the borrower's serviceability, the lender assesses the project's feasibility, the value of the completed development, the quality of the security and the developer's experience. Interest is commonly capitalised into the loan during construction, with the facility typically repaid from the sale of the completed development or through refinancing at the end of the project.

What can be used as security for a property development finance Australia?

Property development finance is secured by the development site. Yard accepts eligible residential and commercial development sites as security, with each application assessed based on the property's location, project type and overall suitability.

The amount you can borrow depends on factors such as the property's value, total development cost, project feasibility and expected value on completion. Subject to our credit criteria, lending is available up to 75% LVR, with total funding generally not exceeding 80% of the total development cost (TDC).

Where across Australia does Yard offer development construction finance?

Yard offers commercial and residential property development finance across Australia, including but not limited to property development finance in Melbourne, Sydney and Queensland (QLD), Perth, Adelaide, Canberra. Funding is available for eligible projects in metropolitan and regional locations, subject to Yard’s lending criteria. 

What happens if my project runs over time or over budget?

Cost overruns and delays are common risks in development. We recommend confirming construction costs with a quantity surveyor before you apply and building a contingency into your feasibility. If the timeline extends, the loan term can be discussed with your Loan Consultant to agree on an appropriate approach.

Can I get development finance through a company or trust?

Yes. Property development finance is commonly structured through a company or a trust rather than in an individual's name. Yard can assess applications across a range of borrower structures, including more complex ownership arrangements, subject to our lending criteria. Speak with a Yard Loan Consultant to discuss your proposed structure and the documentation required for your application.

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Property development finance across the full lifecycle with Yard

Finance structured around your project, your timeline and your exit.