Cracking the serviceability code: Maximising your borrowing power

In this episode of The Smart Property Investment Show, host Phil Tarrant is joined by Rob Le from Finni Mortgages to unpack the often-misunderstood world of serviceability and how it shapes an investor’s ability to build wealth.

From overtime income to voluntary super contributions, Phil and Rob explore the factors that can make or break borrowing capacity – and how lender policies can vary more than many realise.

They dive into why income isn’t just your base salary, how deductions like HECS-HELP can be managed strategically, and why disciplined spending habits in the months before applying for a loan can pay off in spades.

The conversation also explores the role of non-bank lenders, their more flexible policies, and when higher rates may be worth the trade-off for greater borrowing power.

Phil and Rob share practical strategies for presenting the strongest possible case to lenders, and explain why working with a savvy mortgage broker can give investors the edge they need to grow their portfolio faster. If you like this episode, show your support by rating us or leaving a review on Apple Podcasts and by following Smart Property Investment on social media: Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and LinkedIn. If you would like to get in touch with our team, email editor@smartpropertyinvestment.com.au for more insights, or hear your voice on the show by recording a question below.