Guide to Buying Your Second Investment Property

After successfully rentvesting your first property, many investors start planning their next move. Expanding your portfolio involves a clear financial strategy, smart use of equity, and understanding all available financing options.

This practical guide outlines how to move forward with your second investment, complete with tax forecasts and risk management tips specifically for the Australian market.

1. Assess Your Current Equity & Cash Flow

Equity in Your First Investment

To determine the usable equity, consider these figures:

• Property Value: $800,000
• Loan Balance: $520,000
• Usable Equity: (800,000 × 80%) – 520,000 = $120,000

Cash Flow Overview

Using your rental data, the financial summary looks like this:

• Annual Rental Income: $53,560
• Annual Expenses: $50,333
• Net Cash Flow: $3,227 positive

2. Financing Options for Your Next Property

Option 1: Refinance to Access Equity

Increase the loan on your first property to unlock equity for your next deposit.
Benefits: No cash deposit required, plus interest on the investment loan is tax-deductible.
Risk: Involves taking on a higher debt level. Lender’s Mortgage Insurance (LMI) kicks in if borrowing exceeds an 80% Loan-to-Value Ratio (LVR).

Option 2: Futurerent or Rental Advance

Access up to two years of rent upfront with this method. It's an excellent option for those who need fast funding without impacting their credit score.

Option 3: Low-Deposit Investment Loan

Borrow up to 95% of the property value and make a smaller cash deposit. Beware that this often comes with higher interest rates and LMI premiums.

3. Second Property Financial Forecast

Assume you’re targeting a $700,000 property with a 20% deposit. Here’s a snapshot:

Metric	Amount
Loan Amount	$560,000
Interest (6.01%)	$33,656/year
Rental Income	$31,200/year
Other Expenses (rates, etc.)	$10,000/year
Net Cash Flow	–$12,456/year

Negative Gearing Tax Benefit

• Salary: $80,000
• Rental Loss: –$12,456
• Taxable Income: $67,544 resulting in an estimated tax saving of about $4,300.

Equity Growth Forecast

With an assumed annual capital growth of 4%:
$700,000 × 4% = $28,000 gain in Year 1.

4. Tax Benefits of a Second Property

• Interest Deductibility: Applicable on both loans.
• Depreciation Claims: Capital works at 2.5% per annum in addition to eligible asset deductions.
• Six-Year CGT Rule: Maintain exemption on your first property if you move out within six years.

5. Managing Risk: 4 Smart Tips

1. Maintain a financial buffer: Aim to keep 3–6 months' worth of mortgage repayments in reserve.
2. Diversify Geographically: Consider suburbs in cities like Brisbane or Perth to spread risk.
3. Fixed vs. Variable Rates: Choose a rate based on your cash flow stability and future forecasts.
4. Plan for various scenarios:
   Best case: 6% growth could deliver a $42,000 equity gain per year.
   Worst case: A vacancy or 0% growth might result in a net loss of approximately $15,000 per year.

Case Study: Portfolio Growth Over Time

Year	Properties Owned	Equity Growth	Net Cash Flow
1	2	$28,000	–$9,229
5	4	$250,000+	$5,000+

Final Recommendations

• Utilize your equity: Look into refinancing or Futurerent options rather than immediately using cash.
• Focus on high-yield suburbs: Areas like Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth show promising potential.
• Consult the experts: Engaging a mortgage broker and tax advisor can ensure you structure your investments properly.

Ready to scale up?
Chat with our team to review your equity, run different scenarios, and strategize your next purchase.