Bridging Loans Australia: Your Guide

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Expert bridging loan guidance from Stryve Finance
Stryve Finance team discussing bridging loan strategies with clients

What is a bridging loan and how does it work?

A bridging loan is a short-term finance solution designed to cover the 'timegap' between buying a new property and selling your existing one. It removes the timing pressure that causes so many Australians to miss out on the right property.

Here is how it works in practice: You borrow against the combined equity in your current property plus the value of your new purchase. This total amount is called 'peak debt'. The loan typically covers up to 80% of the total value of both properties. Once your current home sells, the proceeds pay down that peak debt, converting the loan into a standard mortgage on just your new home. For a complete walkthrough, see our guide on how bridging loans work.
1

Buy Before You Sell

Found your dream home? Secure it immediately without waiting for your property to sell, ensuring you never miss an opportunity.

2

Unlock Your Equity

Leverage your 'peak debt' (combined equity) to fund 100% of the new purchase price plus costs, often with no cash deposit required.

3

Sell On Your Terms

With typical bridging periods of 6 to 12 months, you have the breathing room to sell your old home for the best price, not a panic price.

Who Uses Bridging Finance in Australia?

It's not just for complex scenarios. Bridging loans are a strategic tool for anyone who needs to move quickly.

Homeowners Buying Before Selling

Homeowners Buying Before Selling

You have found the perfect property and need to act fast. The market waits for no one, and bridging finance lets you secure your next home without the stress of selling first. No more watching your dream home go to someone else while you wait for a buyer.

Auction Buyers

Auction Buyers

Auctions require unconditional finance with tight settlement windows, often just 30 days. A property bridging loan gives you the certainty to bid with confidence, knowing your funds are ready regardless of whether your current home has sold, so you can secure the winning bid without hesitation.

Property Investors

Property Investors

Expanding your portfolio often means moving quickly when opportunities arise. Bridging finance lets investors purchase new assets while waiting for existing sales to settle. For commercial opportunities, see our commercial bridging loans page.

Renovators and Upgraders

Renovators and Upgraders

Completing renovations on your current home while purchasing your next property requires flexible timing. Bridge loans let you finish works to maximise your sale price without rushing the process or compromising your next purchase, giving you the time to secure a premium sale result.

Different Types of Bridging Loans

Bridging loans come in two main structures, and understanding the difference helps you choose the right option for your situation.

Features
Closed Bridging Loan
Open Bridging Loan
End Date
Fixed to match your specific sale settlement date.
Flexible with no set end date.
Best Suited For
Borrowers who have already exchanged contracts.
Properties currently listed on the market but not sold.
Interest Rates
Typically lower due to high repayment certainty.
Slightly higher to account for added flexibility.
Loan Term
Repaid immediately upon settlement of your sale.
Valid for a maximum term of up to 12 months.

Typical Bridging Loan Costs At A Glance

Understanding the true cost of bridging finance helps you plan with confidence. For a detailed breakdown, visit our bridging loan rates page.

Bridging Cost Type
Typical Range
Notes
Interest rate
6% to 9% p.a
Capitalised during bridging period
Application fee
$600 to $1,500
Varies by lender
Valuation fee
Typically lower due to high repayment certainty.
May need two valuations
Legal fees
$300 to $600 per property
Settlement and discharge costs

Want to understand the potential cost of your loan?

Want to understand the potential cost of your loan?

Run the numbers yourself in less than 60 seconds.

How Getting A Bridging Loan Can Help You

This is the question that keeps property owners awake at night. Both approaches have trade-offs, and traditionally, you had to choose between financial safety and getting the home you really wanted.

Negotiate Better

Negotiate Better

Remove the pressure of a rushed sale. You don't need to accept a low price out of desperation, giving you the power to negotiate the best possible price for your current home.

Move Once

Move Once

Skip the hassle and cost of temporary rentals and storage units. You can move straight from your old home to your new one in a single, smooth transition.

Market Timing

Market Timing

In a rising market, buying first makes financial sense. You can lock in a price on your new home now before values grow further, while selling later

Key Requirements For Approval

Approval depends on more than just your income. Here are the core criteria lenders assess to approve your bridging loan.

Usable equity positionYou typically need at least 20% equity across your combined properties (current home + new purchase). This keeps your Loan to Value Ratio (LVR) under 80%, minimising the need for extra insurance.
A clear exit strategySince there are no monthly repayments, lenders need to know how the loan will be repaid. A realistic plan to sell your existing property within 6-12 months is the most critical requirement.
Standard residential propertyApproval is fastest for standard homes in metropolitan or major regional locations. Unique properties, rural acreages, or commercial assets can still be funded but may require specialist lenders.
Reasonable credit historyWhile we have lenders who accept adverse credit, a clean credit file gives you access to the lowest interest rates and main-bank lenders. Transparency here helps us match you correctly.

5 Simple Steps To Apply For A Bridging Loan

Applying for a bridging loan through Stryve is straightforward.

We'll be with you at every stage. No need to figure it out all alone!

01

Get A Clear Picture Of Your Finances

Start by understanding your current position. You will need to know your existing property value, outstanding mortgage balance, and how much equity you have available. A rough idea of your new purchase price helps your broker calculate your peak debt and borrowing capacity.

02

Speak With A Bridging Loan Broker

A broker assesses your situation and matches you with suitable lenders from over 40 options. They will explain which lenders work best for your timeline and circumstances. This conversation takes around 30 minutes and gives you clarity on your options.

03

Gather Your Documentation

You will need income evidence such as payslips or tax returns, current mortgage statements, and property valuations. If you have already found your next property, include the contract of sale. For existing property sales, provide any contracts or agency agreements.

04

Submit Your Application

Your broker lodges your application with the recommended lender. Conditional approval often comes within 24 to 48 hours. For fast bridging loans, some lenders can turn around approvals even quicker when time is critical.

05

Complete Settlement And Manage The Transition

Once approved, you proceed to settlement on your new purchase. Your broker manages the ongoing process, including the transition from bridging finance to your standard home loan once your existing property sells.

Why Use Stryve For Your Bridging Loan?

Going direct to a single bank limits your options. We compare the entire market to find you the speed, flexibility, and competitive rates that fit your timeline.

Access to 40+ lenders

Banks can only sell their own products. We compare bridging loan options across dozens of lenders from major banks to specialist private funders to find the specific policy that fits your scenario perfectly.

Speed when timing matters

Bridging loans often involve tight deadlines, especially for auctions. We know exactly which lenders are approving quickly right now, so we can direct your application to where it will be processed fastest.

Buy with Certainty

Eliminate the guesswork. You get the immediate security of buying your next home now, removed from the pressure of your sale timeline. It ensures you never miss an opportunity while avoiding the stress of homeless periods between settlements.

Expert loan structuring

The way your loan is set up affects your wallet. We help you choose between open and closed structures, negotiate terms, and minimise fees. Small decisions here can save you thousands over the loan term.

Commission transparency

At Stryve, we believe trust is everything. We are completely upfront about how we are paid. You will know exactly what commission we receive from the lender, so you can be confident our advice is unbiased.

Not sure where to start?

Let our team assess your scenario and match you with the right lender.

What our customers
say about us

Don't just take our word for it. See what hundreds of satisfied clients across Sydney say about their experience with Stryve Finance.

Nate and Dylan were extremely helpful in helping us secure our new home. They were easy to contact from day one, and answered any questions we had. We felt reassured at all times and are very grateful for their patience with us. I have recommended Stryve to 3 friends now who have all been successful in achieving their goals of purchasing their homes. We are so happy with the service and will definitely keep on recommending Stryve to our family and friends.

Whitney Tran

Whitney Tran

Homeowner

I never had a problem with Dylan. From the start of our journey on mortgage til the very end and even with refinancing, he/they were very helpful, transparent, honest and really keen to help their clients! Highly recommended.

Cristianne Del Valle

Cristianne Del Valle

Homeowner

On behalf of my husband and I, we would like to truly thank Dylan Bertovic for all his assistance in helping us with our new loan - approved in time before our settlement. Dylan worked above and beyond expected. He took the time to explain every step and process with us. Any questions we had, Dylan would go out of his way to ensure they were answered. He made the process stress free and ensured we got the best possible deal. We highly recommend Dylan to all our family and friends.

Merna Yalda

Merna Yalda

Homeowner

Nate is great to work with, very knowledgeable, responsive and genuinely invested in helping me find the right solution. Highly recommend this firm to anyone looking for reliable, competitive and professional brokerage services.

Julia

Julia

Homeowner

Dylan has not only been a longtime friend, but also the trusted mortgage broker of choice for my family. He answers the phone at all hours, communicates extensively through all steps of a sometimes-complicated process and manages my risk. He has a straight to the point approach which I appreciate. Simply gets the job done, and gets it done very quickly. Thanks for everything Dylan, you're a champion broker and a good mate.

Christian Barać

Christian Barać

Homeowner

Nate and Dylan were the ultimate professionals in securing a home loan to help us purchase our first home! Following the purchase of our home, they have continued to provide their exceptional service and have been able to secure two rate reductions in six months! Being self-employed wasn't an issue for me as Nate knew the process back-to-front and was able to provide sound advice throughout the application process.

Justin Tomas

Justin Tomas

Homeowner

It was an absolute brilliant experience with Stryve. Our first purchase was with Dylan he was always clear re: the next steps, quick to respond, never tired of questions and went over and above with communication. We went back and used him again for our next investment and the experience was just as wonderful as the first. Stryve also reviews our loans every 6 months to make sure we are getting the best rates on offer. We couldn't ask for more!

Amber Motii

Amber Motii

Homeowner

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Frequently asked questions

Ready To Make
Your Move?

Navigating bridging finance doesn’t have to be complex. Speak with a specialist today to calculate your peak debt and find the right lender for your scenario.

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