Property Development Finance
Dark Horse Financial arranges property development finance for Australian developers and builders who need funding for land and construction costs, matching the feasibility and drawdown structure of each project to the right lender from a large panel of banks, non-bank lenders and private financiers, many of whom move a lot quicker than a bank will.
Quick Enquiry
Tell us about your project for a free, obligation-free assessment.
How Development Finance Works
Three steps from first conversation to funds being released for your project.
Contact Our Team
Fill out our online form to apply for property development finance. We'll get in touch with you fast to understand your situation and make a recommendation.
Contact Us →Submit Application
We'll expertly handle your application from start to finish. Approval times depend on the lender and the type of property development finance.
Start Application →Get Funded
Once approved, documentation is signed electronically, making settlement fast. Once settled, the funds will be disbursed to you. For some types of property development finance, funds may be released in stages.
Get Funded →Rated by Our Clients on Google
Property Development Finance
Property development finance funds both the land acquisition and the construction or development costs of a residential subdivision, townhouse development or commercial development. Development finance loans are usually paid out in progressive drawdowns as the build hits each milestone rather than in one lump sum, so interest only runs on what has actually been drawn.
What Property Development Finance Can Cover
A facility can be structured around the whole project, from settling the site through to practical completion.
Land acquisition and site purchase ahead of construction
Construction and building costs, paid as progress payments at each stage
Residential subdivisions and townhouse developments, from duplex sites to multi-dwelling projects
Commercial developments built for a business's own use, such as warehouses, workshops or offices
Site works, civil works, headworks and council contributions
Soft costs such as design, approvals, project management and contingencies
Who Is Property Development Finance Suitable For?
- Small to mid-scale developers running a subdivision or townhouse project
- Builders undertaking their own development rather than building for a client
- Businesses developing a site for their own commercial premises
- Developers whose bank has tightened serviceability or presale requirements
- Experienced developers wanting a faster path than a single-bank process
- Projects that need a lender comfortable with their specific feasibility profile
Property Development Finance Options
Most projects use more than one facility over their life. These are the structures we arrange most often.
Am I Eligible?
Development lenders look at the project as much as the borrower, and as a development finance broker in Australia we'll present your application around the factors they weigh most:
- Project feasibility, including costs, margin and contingency
- Presales or pre-commitments secured to date
- Your track record and experience as a developer or builder
- The projected end value, or gross realisation value (GRV)
- Loan-to-value ratio (LVR): banks commonly lend 60–70% while some private lenders go up to 75%
- Loan-to-cost (LTC): typically 70–80% with banks and 80–85% with non-bank lenders
Check Your Project
Get a free, obligation-free view of how lenders are likely to assess your development.
Quick Enquiry →Case Study: $3.515M Property Development Finance, Settled in Under 21 Days
Challenge: A residential builder that only builds its own projects went unconditional on a site because their major bank said it would fund the development, then the bank pulled out with settlement fast approaching.
Solution: We matched the deal to a non-bank lender with a private funding arm dedicated to property development, which issued an indicative offer within one week subject to valuation and QS, at pricing sitting just outside the banks.
Outcome: Formal approval and settlement were both done in under 21 days so the client settled on time, and the three-unit development was completed and all three dwellings sold at a significant profit.
Why Choose Dark Horse Financial for Property Development Finance
Development deals don't often sit neatly inside one bank's credit policy, so the size of the panel matters more here than it does in most other commercial property loans.
A Large Lender Panel
Banks, non-bank lenders and private financiers, so complex projects are matched with the one lender whose policy fits.
Broker-Led Structuring
We shape the facility around your feasibility, drawdowns and exit instead of one bank's template.
Faster Assessment
Non-bank and private lenders typically assess development deals faster and more flexibly than major banks.
Proven Outcomes
See how we've structured finance for other businesses in our case studies.
Licensed Brokers
Credit-licensed brokers led by an FBAA member, with 10+ years arranging finance for over 1,000 Australian businesses. About us.
No-Obligation Assessment
A free first look at your project, with no obligation to proceed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about property development finance, answered directly.
* Disclaimer: Loans and the benefits associated with them are only available to those who have been approved. The information provided on this page is general and does not consider your individual circumstances. It is not meant to serve as a substitute for professional advice, and you should not rely on it for any decisions. Always consult with a professional regarding finance, tax, and accounting matters before making any choices or taking action. Dark Horse Financial Pty Ltd is a Credit Representative No. 465 325 of Buyers Choice Licencing Pty Ltd.
Last Updated: 12 October 2026