Commercial property · commercial refinance
Refinance, restructure, or release equity.
Existing commercial property loan worth checking. Rate-and-term refinance, equity release for business growth, or restructure to better terms. Commercial refinance is more lender-relationship-driven than residential; we make the introductions.
What it is, when it fits
Plain English, with the trade-offs.
Commercial refinance covers any change to an existing commercial property loan: switching lenders for better pricing, releasing equity for business growth or further investment, restructuring loan terms (interest-only to P&I, term extension, fixed-to-variable), or consolidating multiple commercial facilities. The case for refinancing commercial is usually clearer than residential because commercial rates have wider dispersion (lender-by-lender variation can be 0.75% or more on the same property profile) and break costs are typically lower than fixed-rate residential. Equity release is a common driver: a property held for several years often has meaningful equity available for reinvestment, business expansion, or portfolio diversification. Commercial refinance is more relationship-driven than residential; the right specialist lender for your second property may not be the same as for your first. We make the introductions and compare offers honestly.
Hands reviewing finance documents over a paper-strewn table.
Typical scenarios
Existing loan rolling off fixed rate
Why: Three-year fixed term ending; current variable-rate offer high.
Outcome: Refinance to specialist non-bank, 0.6% rate improvement, 25-year amortisation reset.
Business needing equity release for expansion
Why: Owner-occupier property held 5 years, meaningful equity available, business expanding.
Outcome: $800K equity release at 75% LVR, deployed as working capital and equipment via separate facilities.
Restructure after LVR improvement
Why: Property revalued upward; LVR has dropped, opening better pricing.
Outcome: Refinance from 75% to 65% LVR pricing tier, ~0.4% saving over residual term.
Switching from interest-only to P&I
Why: Interest-only term ending; principal repayment now affordable.
Outcome: P&I refinance at lower interest rate, total cost of credit materially lower.
Lenders for this product
Who we work with.
- NAB Business
- CommBank Business
- Westpac Business
- Thinktank
- La Trobe Financial
- Liberty Commercial
- RedZed
Lender accreditation varies; not every lender is available for every deal. We pick from the panel based on your specific situation.
How it works
From brief to settlement.
- 01
Existing-loan review
We review the existing facility, current rate, break costs, and remaining term. The case for refinance often turns on the breakdown of these inputs.
- 02
Equity-release scoping
If equity release is in scope, we confirm the use of funds and scale before approaching lenders. Lenders price equity release differently depending on the deployment plan.
- 03
Lender shortlist and comparison
Five to eight lenders fit most refinances. We submit to two strongest fits, compare offers on effective annual cost.
- 04
Settlement and discharge
New loan settles, existing facility discharged, security swap coordinated by lawyers. Typical 4 to 8 weeks total.
Indicative pricing & terms
Ranges, not promises.
Rate range
5.5 to 8% p.a. depending on property and structure
Loan size
$500K to $20M+
Term
15 to 25 years
Security
First mortgage; existing security discharged at settlement
Indicative only; specific pricing depends on lender, security, and your business profile.
Frequently asked
Honest answers, plain English.
When does refinancing make sense?
When the rate differential more than covers the switching costs (break fees, valuation, legal, lender establishment). Typical break-even threshold: 0.5% rate saving usually justifies the switch on amortising loans over 5+ year remaining term. Equity release is also a common standalone driver.
Break cost calculations?
On variable-rate commercial loans, break costs are usually nil or very small (a discharge fee). On fixed-rate loans within the fixed period, break costs can be material; we model them before recommending the switch.
Equity release vs new lending?
Equity release uses existing property as security for new lending; structurally simpler and usually cheaper than separate unsecured business lending. We model whether equity release at, say, 6.5% beats unsecured business lending at 18% on your specific use of funds.
Fixed vs variable post-refinance?
Depends on rate environment, your appetite for cashflow predictability, and the term of the underlying lease (for investment) or business plan (for owner-occupier). We discuss the trade-offs rather than recommending fixed/variable in isolation.
Property revaluation requirements?
Most refinances trigger a fresh independent valuation, which can come back lower than expected (capital cycle, sector pressure). Build a buffer into the refinance plan in case the valuation runs short.
Switching costs?
Typical: $500 to $2,000 valuation, $500 to $1,500 legal (discharge + new mortgage), $0 to $5,000 lender establishment. Total $1,000 to $8,500 depending on size and complexity. We confirm before recommending the switch.
Related products
If this isn't quite the fit.
Next step
Twenty minutes, no obligation.
Tell us the shape of the deal and the timing. We'll send a lender shortlist for commercial refinance or, if it isn't the right fit, an honest signal of what is.