You can have a solid portfolio on paper and still be told “you’ve maxed out” by your bank.
That’s usually more about policy than your actual risk.
Banks often shade rental income, load existing debts heavily, and apply strict serviceability buffers on every loan, which can drastically reduce what they’re prepared to lend for your next purchase. As lending standards have tightened, more Australian investors are finding the servicing wall sooner than they expected.
Non‑bank and specialist lenders are increasingly filling this gap for investors who manage their money well but don’t fit the bank box. They may take a more generous view of rental income, use different buffers, or look at your broader asset position and exit strategy rather than just a single debt‑to‑income ratio. Many investors are prepared to pay a bit more in rate to keep growing, provided there’s a clear plan and exit.
If you’ve been told “that’s it, you’re done” but your numbers suggest otherwise, it could be worth stress‑testing your strategy with lenders who specialise in portfolio lending. I can run the sums across a mix of bank and non‑bank options so you can see what’s genuinely possible before you put your next deal on ice
