Business vehicle finance · Real estate agencies
Business vehicle finance for real estate agencies
Real estate agency finance is lending against commission and property management income, funding vendor-paid marketing, rent roll purchases, office fit-outs and the gap between listing a property and settlement.
How a business vehicle finance works for real estate agencies
Branded agent vehicles serve as advertising and as transport, and agencies typically run several on a refresh cycle to keep the fleet presentable. Financing them over three to four years with a balloon keeps the monthly cost predictable and lets you cycle vehicles before they look tired. Where vehicles are provided to agents as part of remuneration, ask your accountant about fringe benefits tax implications and whether a novated arrangement suits the individual better.
The cash-flow pattern we plan around
Marketing and agent costs incurred at listing against commission received only at settlement, offset by steady monthly property management fees from the rent roll.
What real estate agencies typically fund
- Buying a rent roll or management portfolio
- Vendor-paid marketing carried until settlement
- Office fit-out and shopfront signage
- Agent vehicles and branding
- Technology, CRM and photography systems
Business vehicle finance for real estate agencies: the numbers
| Typical amounts | $10,000 – $250,000 |
|---|---|
| Term | 12–84 months |
| Indicative rates | 6.8% – 15% p.a. |
| Repayments | Monthly, with weekly and fortnightly available |
| Speed | Same day to 48 hours for low-doc |
| Documents real estate agencies usually need | ABN and real estate licence details · Two years of financials with management fee income separated · Rent roll schedule or contract of sale where a portfolio is being bought |
Rates shown are indicative ranges observed across our lender panel for the period stated. They are not an offer or quote. Your rate depends on your business, the lender, the amount, the term and the security offered. The lender makes the final credit decision.
Key terms
Rent roll finance
Rent roll finance is lending secured against a property management portfolio, sized as a multiple of the annual management fees the portfolio generates and used to buy or expand a rent roll.
Commission timing gap
The commission timing gap is the period between an agency incurring listing and marketing costs and receiving its sales commission at settlement, typically six weeks to three months.
What is business vehicle finance?
Business vehicle finance is a loan or lease used to acquire a car, ute or van for business purposes, secured by the vehicle. The most common Australian structure is a chattel mortgage, where the business owns the vehicle from purchase.
What is a balloon payment on a car loan?
A balloon is a lump sum, typically 20–40% of the purchase price, due at the end of the finance term. It reduces regular repayments but must be paid, refinanced or covered by selling the vehicle when the term ends.
Can you claim GST on a business vehicle?
A GST-registered business buying a vehicle under a chattel mortgage can generally claim the GST credit on the purchase price in its next BAS, subject to business-use percentage and the car limit. Confirm the position with your accountant.
What is the car limit?
The car limit is the maximum cost on which depreciation can be claimed for a passenger vehicle, indexed each year by the ATO. Vehicles designed to carry one tonne or more, or nine or more passengers, are generally excluded from the limit.