What is an SMSF property loan?

An SMSF property loan is a Limited Recourse Borrowing Arrangement (LRBA). Your Self-Managed Super Fund borrows money to purchase a single investment property. The property is held in a bare trust until the loan is repaid. Only the property itself is at risk — not the other assets of your SMSF.

How much deposit does my SMSF need for a Sydney property?

Most SMSF lenders require a minimum 30 to 35 percent deposit for residential property in Sydney. For commercial property the deposit requirement is typically 30 percent. Higher LVRs may be available for established suburbs with strong rental yields.

Can my SMSF buy residential property in Sydney?

Yes. Your SMSF can purchase residential investment property in Sydney through an LRBA. The property cannot be lived in by fund members or related parties and must be held purely as an investment.

What SMSF lenders operate in Sydney?

Several specialist non-bank lenders and some major banks offer SMSF loans in Sydney including Pepper Money, Resimac, Liberty, Bluestone, and La Trobe Financial.

Does YML Finance charge a broker fee for SMSF loans?

No. YML Finance charges zero broker fee. We are paid a commission by the lender once your loan settles. This is standard across the Australian mortgage broking industry.

Can I use my SMSF to buy a holiday home in Byron Bay?

No. The sole purpose test prohibits SMSF members or related parties from using the property. An SMSF can buy a residential investment property in Byron Bay that generates rental income, but it cannot be used for personal enjoyment.

Can my SMSF buy commercial property in Byron Bay?

Yes. Commercial property in Byron Bay can be purchased through an SMSF and leased to a related party such as your own business. This is one of the most tax-effective strategies for business owners.

How much deposit does my SMSF need for a Byron Bay property?

Regional properties including Byron Bay may require a higher deposit of up to 40 percent depending on the lender and property type. Contact YML Finance to identify lenders comfortable with the Byron Bay market.

What are the ongoing compliance requirements for SMSF loans?

SMSF loans require annual auditing, compliant trust deed, ATO reporting, and adherence to the sole purpose test. YML Finance partners with accountants and financial planners within YML Group to ensure full compliance.

Does YML Finance charge a broker fee?

In the majority of cases, no. For standard residential and commercial lending, YML Finance charges no fee — we are paid a commission by the lender. A fee-for-service arrangement may apply in specialist situations where the lender does not pay commissions. This is always disclosed in writing before any work begins.

Will I be told upfront if a fee applies?

Yes. The initial assessment is always free. If a fee applies, a written Credit Quote specifying the exact fee is provided before any work begins. You must consent in writing before any fee is charged.

Does the commission affect what loan is recommended?

No. Under Australia's Best Interests Duty legislation, YML Finance is legally required to recommend the product genuinely in your best interests regardless of commission level.

Our Fees & How YML Finance Is Paid — Full Transparency

We believe you should know exactly how we are paid before you engage us. This page sets out our full remuneration model plainly and honestly — including the circumstances where a fee may apply.

YML Finance Pty Ltd | ACL 398415 | MFAA Member

In Most Cases — No Fee to You

In the majority of lending situations, YML Finance charges no fee to clients. We are paid a commission by the lender once your loan settles. This commission is paid by the lender — not by you — and does not affect the interest rate or fees you pay on your loan.

This is the standard remuneration model across the Australian mortgage broking industry and is regulated by ASIC. Full details of commissions applicable to your loan are disclosed in our Credit Guide and in the Summary of Requirements and Credit Proposal document we provide before any credit assistance is given.

When a Fee-for-Service May Apply

YML Finance specialises in complex lending — cases that mainstream brokers often decline to work on because some specialist lenders, credit providers, and private funding arrangements do not pay broker commissions.

In these specific situations, we may charge a fee-for-service. This allows us to take on cases where:

The lender or credit provider does not pay broker commissions
The transaction involves a private credit arrangement, caveat loan, or specialist short-term funder outside normal commission structures
The complexity of the work involved — including preparation, structuring, and negotiations — is not commercially viable on a commission-only basis
The arrangement is in your genuine interest and we have assessed that proceeding is the right outcome for your situation

Fee-for-service is never applied as a default. It only applies when the lender or credit provider genuinely does not remunerate us — and only after full disclosure and your written consent.

How Fee-for-Service Works in Practice

If your situation is one where a fee-for-service arrangement may apply, here is exactly what happens:

Step 1 — We assess your situation at no cost.
Our initial assessment is always free. We review your position, identify whether a fee-for-service lender is the right solution, and tell you honestly whether a fee would apply before you commit to anything.

Step 2 — We provide a written Credit Quote.
Before any fee is charged, we are required by law to provide you with a written Credit Quote specifying the exact dollar amount of any fee, or the method by which it will be calculated. You will know the cost before you proceed.

Step 3 — You provide written consent.
We do not charge any fee until you have read the Credit Quote and provided your written agreement. There is no obligation to proceed.

Step 4 — We explain why this solution is in your best interests.
Where a fee applies, we provide a written explanation of why the recommended product or lender — despite the fee — is in your best interests compared to the alternatives available. This is our obligation under Australia’s Best Interests Duty legislation.

Why Fee-for-Service Is Sometimes the Right Answer for You

Most mortgage brokers will only work with lenders who pay them commissions. That is understandable — but it means there is a category of lending solutions that most clients are never shown, because no broker is commercially motivated to present them.

YML Finance’s fee-for-service model means we can access and recommend solutions that fall outside the standard commission panel — including specialist short-term lenders, private credit arrangements, and niche funders who work on deals that banks and most non-banks will decline.

For the right client in the right situation, this access is genuinely valuable. A fee paid to access a solution that solves your problem is often far less than the cost of the problem going unsolved.

Commission Disclosure — Standard Arrangements

For standard commission-based arrangements, here is how we are remunerated:

Upfront commission. A percentage of the settled loan amount, paid by the lender after your loan settles. Typically between 0.55% and 0.77% of the loan amount (inclusive of GST), depending on the lender.

Trail commission. A smaller ongoing monthly percentage of your outstanding loan balance, paid by the lender for the life of the loan. Typically between 0.165% and 0.275% per annum (inclusive of GST), depending on the lender.

These commissions are paid by the lender. They are not charged to you, do not affect your interest rate, and do not influence which product we recommend — we are legally required to recommend what is genuinely best for you regardless of commission levels.

Exact commission figures applicable to your loan will be specified in your Summary of Requirements and Credit Proposal document.

Our Aggregator — Connective

We access lenders through our aggregator, Connective Broker Services Pty Ltd (ABN 77 161 731 111 | ACL 389328). Connective charges us a fee which may include a share of commission, a membership fee, and/or a monthly fee. This arrangement does not affect your costs or the recommendations we make.

Other Costs You May Encounter

Regardless of our fee arrangement, you may be required to pay fees directly to lenders or third parties as part of the lending process. These are lender-imposed costs, not broker fees, and may include:

Lender application or establishment fees
Valuation fees
Legal or conveyancing fees
Lender’s Mortgage Insurance (LMI) where applicable
Title search and registration fees

These costs will be detailed in your loan contract documentation before you are required to commit to anything.

Frequently Asked Questions About Our Fees

Do you charge a broker fee for home loans?

In the majority of cases, no. For standard residential and commercial lending where the lender pays us a commission, there is no fee to you. A fee only applies in specialist situations where the lender or credit provider does not pay commissions — and only after full written disclosure and your consent.

Will you tell me upfront if a fee applies to my situation?

Yes. Our initial assessment is always free. If your situation is one where a fee-for-service arrangement would apply, we will tell you before you commit to anything — and provide a written Credit Quote specifying the exact fee before any work begins.

Does the commission you earn affect your recommendation?

No. Under Australia’s Best Interests Duty legislation, we are legally required to recommend the product that is genuinely in your best interests — regardless of what commission it pays. Where a conflict of interest exists, we are required to prioritise your interests over our own. This is not a promise — it is a legal obligation.

What is a Credit Quote?

A Credit Quote is a written document we are required to provide before charging any fee. It specifies the exact dollar amount of any fee payable, or the method by which it will be calculated. You must receive and agree to the Credit Quote before any fee is incurred. You are under no obligation to proceed after receiving a Credit Quote.

What types of loans might involve a fee-for-service arrangement?

Typically specialist short-term lending, certain private credit arrangements, caveat loans, and niche funding structures where the credit provider operates outside standard aggregator commission models. These are uncommon — the majority of clients will never encounter a fee. But for those whose situation genuinely requires this type of solution, fee-for-service access opens doors that are otherwise closed.

Have a Question About Fees Before You Enquire?

Call Jay directly and ask. Our initial conversation is always free, always no-obligation, and if a fee might apply to your situation we will tell you in the first call — not after you’ve committed to anything.

📞 Call Jay — 0425 228 882
Monday to Friday | Sydney & Byron Bay clients welcome
YML Finance Pty Ltd | ACL 398415 | MFAA Member

This page should be read in conjunction with our Credit Guide and Best Interests Duty disclosure. YML Finance Pty Ltd holds Australian Credit Licence 398415. Credit assistance is provided in accordance with the National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009 (Cth). Any fee-for-service arrangement is subject to the provision of a written Credit Quote and your prior written consent. © YML Finance Pty Ltd.