A fast-growing coast with growing pains
The Sunshine Coast has been one of the fastest-growing regions in Queensland, and that growth shows up in its business community. Builders, developers and trades are busy across new communities in Caloundra South, Palmview and Baringa. The new city centre at Maroochydore and the health precinct at Birtinya have brought professional and medical businesses. Tourism and hospitality run from Noosa and Coolum down to Mooloolaba and Kings Beach, and the hinterland around Maleny, Montville, Eumundi and Yandina is home to food producers, makers and tourism operators.
Growth brings opportunity, but it also stretches cash flow. A builder scaling up, a café opening a second site or a producer filling a big order all need money before they get paid. Many Sunshine Coast owners also moved here from interstate and built businesses quickly, which can mean a shorter trading history than a bank likes to see.
Equity Tap Pty Ltd is a direct, independent private business lender. We lend our own money from $50k to $5m, for one to twelve months, secured by a first mortgage, second mortgage or caveat over residential or commercial property anywhere in Australia, including the Sunshine Coast. Our office is in North Sydney and Sunshine Coast loans are arranged by phone and email. Settlement happens electronically, and no valuer needs to attend the property.
What Sunshine Coast owners use it for
| Business | Need | Typical exit |
|---|---|---|
| Builder in a growth area | Wages and materials between progress claims | Progress payments |
| Café or restaurant | Fit-out for a new venue before opening | Business cash flow or a later bank refinance |
| Tourism operator | Equipment or refurbishment before the holidays | Peak-season trade |
| Hinterland food producer | Stock and packaging for a large wholesale order | Customer payment |
| Owner selling a property | Funds for the business before the sale settles | Settlement of the sale |
| Business with an ATO debt | Clear the debt and stop the pressure | Refinance or business cash flow |
For example, a hinterland producer lands a supply agreement with a large retailer. Packaging, ingredients and extra staff need paying well before the first order is paid for. A short-term loan secured over the owners' acreage near Maleny covers the costs, and the retailer's payments repay it. Our guide to working capital business loans looks at this in more depth.
Sunshine Coast property used as security
- Coastal homes and units in Mooloolaba, Alexandra Headland, Buderim, Coolum Beach, Peregian, Noosa Heads, Sunshine Beach and Caloundra
- Canal homes in Minyama, Mooloolaba, Parrearra and Pelican Waters
- Family homes in Sippy Downs, Mountain Creek, Kawana, Birtinya, Little Mountain and Caloundra South
- Hinterland acreage around Maleny, Montville, Mapleton, Eumundi, Cooroy, Yandina and Palmwoods
- Industrial and commercial units in Kunda Park, Kuluin, Warana, Caloundra West, Noosaville and Nambour
A second mortgage keeps your existing home loan in place (the first lender's consent may be needed). An investment unit or holiday property can also be used, as long as the funds are for a business purpose. For rural-residential security, see equity release business loans.
Where we lend across the Sunshine Coast
We lend against property along the full coast and hinterland: Caloundra, Pelican Waters and Caloundra South; Kawana, Birtinya and Buddina; Mooloolaba, Maroochydore, Buderim and Sippy Downs; Coolum, Peregian, Noosa and Tewantin; Nambour, Yandina and Eumundi; and the Blackall Range from Maleny to Mapleton. We also lend in the Gympie region, Moreton Bay and Brisbane.
Why a direct lender suits the coast
A bank refinance commonly takes up to three months or more, needs years of financials and may not deliver the amount you need. Cash flow lenders often cap what they will lend, and they lean heavily on recent bank statements. A short-term secured loan lets you use the equity you already have, for exactly as long as you need it, and then repay it from a clear exit. You don't refinance the whole home loan for 30 years to fix a three-month problem.
We are business owners lending to business owners. Many of us know what it is like to build a business while managing cash flow, and we are an ethical lender: we make sure you understand the loan, the costs and the exit before proceeding.
What we need
We need ID, the property and existing mortgage details, what the funds are for and evidence of the exit. We don't ask for tax returns, BAS, profit and loss, an accountant's letter or bank statements for a property-secured loan. There is no credit check at initial assessment. We don't order a valuation before approval, so you don't have to drive down from the hinterland or leave a job site to meet a valuer.
How fast?
Call 1300 123 024. Conditional approval can often be given on the phone, with a term sheet in about 30 minutes once we have the scenario, and eligible loans can settle in as little as 24 hours. Each loan is priced on your individual circumstances, aiming for the sharpest rate available for your situation. Interest can be paid monthly, or interest for up to the first six months can be prepaid or added to the loan so there are no scheduled payments in that period.
Talk to us
Call 1300 123 024 or apply online. Sunshine Coast brokers can send scenarios through our broker page.
Business-purpose lending only. Approval, timing and terms depend on the scenario.
Frequently asked questions
Do you lend on hinterland acreage around Maleny or Eumundi?
Can a builder in Caloundra South borrow between progress claims?
Do you lend on canal homes in Minyama or Pelican Waters?
My business is young. Can I still get a loan?
Do you lend on industrial units in Kunda Park?
Will a valuer need to come to my property?
Do you have a Sunshine Coast office?
Brokers: send the scenario through the Equity Tap broker channel and you will deal with the same lending team.