Private lenders fill a gap in the market and generally offer: bridging loans, caveat loans, bad credit loans and second mortgages. Peer to peer lenders can also be considered private lending. Private loans can be used for a lot of things from debt consolidation, funding a home purchase, personal expenses, medical bills, buying a vehicle and so on.

According to 2018 research from PwC, 27% of all loans in Australia came from private lenders. Despite there being more than 100 mainstream lenders (banks, non-bank lenders, credit unions and so on) to choose from in Australia, some people still struggle to get finance. This is where private lenders could come in handy. Like mainstream lenders, these brands offer funding anywhere from about $20,000 to more than $5 million. But before diving in, there’s a few things borrowers need to know first.


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Buying a home or looking to refinance? The table below features home loans with some of the lowest interest rates on the market for owner occupiers.

Update resultsUpdate
LenderHome LoanInterest Rate Comparison Rate* Monthly Repayment Repayment type Rate Type Offset Redraw Ongoing Fees Upfront Fees LVR Lump Sum Repayment Additional Repayments Split Loan Option TagsFeaturesLinkCompare
6.04% p.a.
6.06% p.a.
$2,408
Principal & Interest
Variable
$0
$530
90%
Featured 4.6 Star Customer Ratings
  • No monthly or ongoing fees
  • Unlimited free redraw
  • No application fee
5.99% p.a.
5.90% p.a.
$2,396
Principal & Interest
Variable
$0
$0
80%
Featured Apply In Minutes
  • No application or ongoing fees. Annual rate discount
  • Unlimited redraws & additional repayments. LVR <80%
  • A low-rate variable home loan from a 100% online lender. Backed by the Commonwealth Bank.
6.09% p.a.
6.11% p.a.
$2,421
Principal & Interest
Variable
$0
$250
60%
Featured Unlimited Redraws
  • No annual fees - None!
  • Get fast pre-approval
  • Unlimited additional repayments free of charge
  • Redraw freely - Access your additional payments when you need them
  • Home loan specialists available today
Important Information and Comparison Rate Warning

Base criteria of: a $400,000 loan amount, variable, fixed, principal and interest (P&I) home loans with an LVR (loan-to-value) ratio of at least 80%. However, the ‘Compare Home Loans’ table allows for calculations to be made on variables as selected and input by the user. Some products will be marked as promoted, featured or sponsored and may appear prominently in the tables regardless of their attributes. All products will list the LVR with the product and rate which are clearly published on the product provider’s website. Monthly repayments, once the base criteria are altered by the user, will be based on the selected products’ advertised rates and determined by the loan amount, repayment type, loan term and LVR as input by the user/you. *The Comparison rate is based on a $150,000 loan over 25 years. Warning: this comparison rate is true only for this example and may not include all fees and charges. Different terms, fees or other loan amounts might result in a different comparison rate. Rates correct as of . View disclaimer.

Important Information and Comparison Rate Warning

How private fund loans work

Private fund loans are offered by alternative lenders and generally fill gaps in the market that aren’t covered by mainstream lenders, such as major banks and credit unions. Such niches include:

Bridging loans

No these aren’t to build a bridge. Bridging loans provide for the shortfall if you purchase a new home before you’ve sold your old one. Terms are typically short - anywhere from three to six months is common. Interest rates are also typically higher than regular home loans - 5-6% p.a. or more is common. Repayments are also usually interest-only.

Caveat loans

Caveat loans provide short-term funding, with the caveat they are backed by a property. Like bridging loans, they are typically used to fund the gap between selling the old home and purchasing a new one. Terms are short, usually right on the money of when the National Consumer Credit Protection Act of 2009 kicks in at 62 days. The loan is payable in full when your old property settles. Interest rates are also usually higher than what you’d expect on a regular home loan.

Bad credit loans

You’ve probably seen these doing the rounds already. Bad or no credit loans provide funding for people with a few recent blemishes on their credit history. This includes unpaid previous loans, potential court orders, unpaid traffic offences, unpaid utility bills, and other red flags. To mainstream lenders, this is typically the profile of a borrower they do not wish to provide funding. This is where private lenders step in, but expect a much higher interest rate. They can provide the borrower with the ability to repay their debt, rebuild a good credit history and find their feet.

Second mortgages

To paraphrase XZibit from Pimp My Ride: Ayo dawg, we heard you like mortgages, so we put a mortgage on your mortgage so you can home while you home.

As the name implies, second mortgages are when you borrow money a second time around with the same property acting as security. This can provide additional funding if you need more cash, especially when regular refinancing is difficult.

The main negatives are you’ll probably get a higher interest rate because the perceived risk for the lender is greater. In addition, you’re essentially indebted twice for the one property. This poses problems if you’re running behind or defaulting on your payments. The first lender will collect what’s theirs, potentially leaving you in the lurch with the second lender.

Pros and cons of private fund loans

Like most things in life, you need to take the good with the bad. There are a few things to weigh up with private loan lenders before you jump in.

Pros

  1. Another option for funding: Another avenue for funding could be a good thing, and these lenders typically cover gaps in the market mainstream lenders do not.

  2. Can help in a bind: Quick funding can help you in a bind, such as if you find your new home purchase settles quicker than your old home’s purchase.

  3. Unlock cash in your property: Caveat loans and second mortgages can be means of accessing equity in your property. This offers opportunities to invest in other things or fund other purchases.

  4. Quick settlements: These lenders tend to act quickly, with money in your bank account delivered within days.

Cons

  1. Higher interest rates: The enhanced risk of these alternate funding options means you’ll probably face a higher interest rate.

  2. Fewer options: There are probably fewer lenders to choose from, which theoretically lowers competition and drives up cost i.e. interest rates.

  3. Short loan terms: These loans are typically required to be paid back anywhere from 62 to 90 days, maybe six months in some circumstances.

  4. Things could go wrong: These financing sources are often taken out when there are other loans in place. This heightens a lot of risk if you fall behind on payments. For example, if you default on your first mortgage, the home goes to them first, meaning you’re holding the bag with the second mortgage. With bridging finance, if your old home doesn’t settle within about 90 days, you could also run into some problems.


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In the market for a personal loan? The table below features unsecured personal loans with some of the lowest interest rates on the market.

Update resultsUpdate
LenderCar LoanInterest Rate Comparison Rate* Monthly Repayment Interest Type Secured Type Early Exit Fee Ongoing Fee Upfront Fee Total Repayment Early Repayment Instant Approval Online Application TagsFeaturesLinkCompare
6.57% p.a.
7.19% p.a.
$614
Fixed
Unsecured
$0
$0
$250
$22,090
Featured Loan amounts from $2k to $75k
  • No ongoing or early exit fees
  • 1-7 years loan terms. Pay monthly, fortnightly, or weekly
  • Get quick decision. Funds in 24 hrs if approved
7.24% p.a.
7.24% p.a.
$620
Fixed
Unsecured
$0
$0
$22,311
7.24% p.a.
7.24% p.a.
$620
Fixed
Unsecured
$0
$0
$22,311
NO ONGOING FEESAPPLY ONLINE
11.24% p.a.
12.29% p.a.
$657
Variable
Unsecured
$0
$150
$23,654
Important Information and Comparison Rate Warning

All products with a link to a product provider’s website have a commercial marketing relationship between us and these providers. These products may appear prominently and first within the search tables regardless of their attributes and may include products marked as promoted, featured or sponsored. The link to a product provider’s website will allow you to get more information or apply for the product. By de-selecting “Show online partners only” additional non-commercialised products may be displayed and re-sorted at the top of the table. For more information on how we’ve selected these “Sponsored”, “Featured” and “Promoted” products, the products we compare, how we make money, and other important information about our service, please click here.

The comparison rates in this table are based on a loan of $30,000 and a term of 5 years unless indicated otherwise. The comparison rates are for unsecured personal loans only for the relevant amounts and terms. The comparison rates for car loans and secured personal loans are for secured loans unless indicated otherwise. WARNING: This comparison rate applies only to the example or examples given. Different amounts and terms will result in different comparison rates. Costs such as redraw fees or early repayment fees, and cost savings such as fee waivers, are not included in the comparison rate but may influence the cost of the loan. Comparison rates are not calculated for revolving credit products.

Monthly repayment figures are estimates only, exclude fees and are based on the advertised rate for the term and for the loan amount entered. Actual repayments will depend on your individual circumstances and interest rate changes. Rates correct as of . View disclaimer.

Important Information and Comparison Rate Warning

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