Development Finance Melbourne
Funding solutions for townhouse developments, duplex projects, subdivisions and residential construction. Lifestyle Loans helps developers secure the right finance structure from acquisition through to project completion.
“His calm approach and deep knowledge gave us so much confidence.”Milan M.
Finance Solutions For Property Developers
Development finance is very different from a standard home loan.
Lenders assess project feasibility, construction costs, end values, developer experience and project timelines before determining funding structures. Whether you're building a duplex, townhouse project, subdivision or larger residential development, securing the right finance can be critical to project success.
- ✓Townhouse developments
- ✓Duplex and dual occupancy projects
- ✓Subdivisions
- ✓Residential development finance
Development Types We Finance
Finance solutions across a range of residential development types and scales.
Duplex Developments
Funding for dual occupancy and side-by-side projects, including acquisition, construction and staged drawdown facilities.
Townhouse Developments
Finance for multi-unit residential developments from small townhouse projects through to larger residential builds.
Subdivisions
Funding solutions for land subdivision projects, including civil works, infrastructure and lot creation.
Construction Funding
Progress payment facilities structured to align with construction milestones from slab to completion.
Why Developers Choose Lifestyle Loans
Development Experience
Extensive experience structuring development deals across a range of project types and scales.
Lender Access
Compare major banks, non-bank lenders and specialist development financiers across our panel.
Project Structuring
Funding structures aligned to your project timeline, drawdown schedule and exit strategy.
Construction Expertise
Guidance through progress payment drawdowns, cost reporting and construction loan requirements.
Private Lending Options
Access to private lending solutions where traditional lenders are not suitable or timelines require it.
End-To-End Support
Support from initial project review through acquisition, construction and project completion.
Development Finance Process
A structured process from project review through to construction completion.
Project Review
We review your project scope, site details and development objectives.
Feasibility Assessment
Assess project costs, gross realisable value and funding requirements against lender benchmarks.
Lender Comparison
Compare suitable lenders based on project type, experience and required loan structure.
Finance Approval
Complete formal application, due diligence and obtain conditional or formal approval.
Construction & Completion
Manage progress payment drawdowns through construction to project completion and exit.
Project Review
We review your project scope, site details and development objectives.
Feasibility Assessment
Assess project costs, gross realisable value and funding requirements against lender benchmarks.
Lender Comparison
Compare suitable lenders based on project type, experience and required loan structure.
Finance Approval
Complete formal application, due diligence and obtain conditional or formal approval.
Construction & Completion
Manage progress payment drawdowns through construction to project completion and exit.
Development Finance Planning Tools
Use our planning tools to model costs and borrowing scenarios for your project.
Borrowing Power Calculator
Estimate how much you may be able to borrow based on your income and financial position.
For understanding your borrowing limit
Funds to Complete Calculator
Model total project costs including acquisition, stamp duty and upfront costs.
For estimating total project funding required
Loan Repayment Calculator
Model holding costs and repayments across different loan amounts and terms.
For modelling construction holding costs
What Clients Say
Don't just take our word for it. Here's what clients have said about working with Lifestyle Loans.
Gervee S.
“Stephen is an absolute legend - he is as knowledgeable and experienced as they come and always made us feel 100% at ease. He made the entire lending process seamless and always made us feel comfortable and confident in every step that was being taken.”
Jade M.
“No problem was too hard for them and they were always very responsive. I would highly recommend using their services, as they're professional and personable operators.”
C.M.
“Frank and Stephen are the best in the business! He patiently responded to all of our queries and made us feel 100% comfortable.”
Development Finance Brokers Melbourne
Development finance in Melbourne covers a broad range of residential projects including duplex developments, townhouse projects, land subdivisions and larger residential builds. Unlike standard home loans, development finance is assessed on project-specific criteria including feasibility, construction costs, gross realisable value (GRV), developer experience and the viability of the exit strategy. Lenders range from major banks to specialist non-bank development financiers, each with different appetite by project type and scale.
Lender requirements vary significantly depending on project size and complexity. Most lenders fund 65 to 80 percent of total development cost (TDC) and cap lending at 65 to 70 percent of gross realisable value. A well-prepared feasibility study demonstrating project profitability is essential, as is a fixed-price building contract with a licensed builder. Some lenders require presales on larger projects, while smaller duplex or townhouse developments may qualify without them.
Construction drawdowns are a key feature of development finance. Rather than releasing the full loan amount upfront, lenders release funds progressively as each construction stage is completed and certified. Interest is typically charged only on the drawn balance, which helps manage holding costs during the build. Understanding your drawdown schedule and documentation requirements before approval avoids delays during construction.
Developer experience plays a significant role in lender assessment. First-time developers may face more limited options, particularly for larger projects. Private lending can provide an alternative pathway where traditional lender criteria cannot be met, or where speed of funding is critical. Private lenders focus primarily on security, project feasibility and exit strategy, but come at higher rates. We always explore traditional lending options first.
Subdivision finance supports projects that involve the creation of new lots through civil works, infrastructure and council approval processes. Funding structures vary depending on whether the project includes construction or is a straight land subdivision. Exit strategies for subdivision projects commonly include individual lot sales or on-selling to a builder or developer. The strength of the exit strategy is a key factor in lender assessment for all development finance types.
Common Development Finance Questions
Ready To Fund Your Next Development?
Whether you're building a duplex, townhouse project or residential subdivision, we'll help structure the right finance solution for your project.