From Uncertainty to Ownership: How a First-Time Investor Leveraged Her SMSF

Client Profile

Sarah, 42, a first-time property investor with an SMSF balance of $300,000. She had been making regular super contributions as a PAYG employee and was looking to use her fund to invest in residential property for long-term wealth creation.

The Challenge

Sarah assumed her SMSF wasn’t large enough to qualify for a loan. She was also unsure of how the lending process worked, what type of property would be acceptable, and which lenders would consider her contribution history to support borrowing.

Our Strategy

• Matched her with a lender who allowed up to 80% LVR for SMSF purchases
• Verified her ongoing contributions and used them to strengthen her servicing position
• Worked with her accountant to ensure the SMSF trust and bare trust were set up correctly
• Guided her through acceptable property types and helped her avoid common traps like off-the-plan purchases
• Organised the property valuation and managed all paperwork from approval to settlement

The Result

• Purchased a tenanted investment property for $860,000 using her $300,000 SMSF balance
• Maintained sufficient liquidity within the fund to meet lender requirements

Conclusion

With the right structure and advice, Sarah was able to unlock the power of her super and invest confidently. SMSF lending isn’t just for seasoned investors; even first-time buyers can take advantage of it when guided by the right expert.