Can I get a construction loan if I'm self-employed?

Yes. Some lenders are more flexible with self-employed borrowers than others. We work with specialist lenders who assess applications based on a broader view of your finances, including your business performance, rather than relying solely on payslips.

How much deposit do I need for a construction loan?

Most lenders require a minimum of 10–20% of the total project cost (land plus build). The exact amount will depend on the lender, your financial position, and whether you're using Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI). We'll give you a clear picture of what's required before you apply.

What happens if my build goes over the original cost estimate?

Cost overruns are more common than people expect. If your build costs increase beyond your approved loan amount, you'll need to cover the difference from your own funds or apply for additional finance. Having a contingency buffer built into your budget from the start is strongly recommended. We can help you think through this when structuring your loan.

Can I use a construction loan for a knock-down rebuild?

Yes. Knock-down rebuilds are a common use for construction loans, particularly in established suburbs where land is scarce but existing homes are dated. The process is similar to building on vacant land, though there may be additional costs involved in the demolition that need to be factored into your budget.

How long does it take to get a construction loan approved?

Approval times vary depending on the lender and the complexity of your application. Generally, you should allow two to four weeks for conditional approval once all documentation is in order. Having your building contract, plans and permits ready before you apply can speed up the process considerably.

Can I live in a property my SMSF buys?

No. A property purchased by your SMSF must satisfy the sole purpose test, which means it must be held solely to provide retirement benefits. Fund members and their relatives cannot live in a residential property owned by the fund.

How much deposit do I need for an SMSF loan?

Most lenders require at least 20% for residential property and 25–35% for commercial property. On top of the deposit, your SMSF will also need sufficient funds to cover stamp duty, legal fees, ongoing maintenance and cash flow requirements.

Can my SMSF borrow to buy any type of property?

Not quite. There are restrictions, for example, you can't buy a property that requires significant improvements before settlement, as LRBAs must relate to a single "acquirable asset" in its current state. Development projects generally cannot be funded this way.

Can I use my SMSF to buy a commercial property that my business already occupies?

Yes, in many cases. Business real property can be purchased from a related party at market value, making this a popular strategy for small business owners. The fund must lease the property back to your business at commercial market rates, and the arrangement must be properly documented.

Do SMSF loans have higher interest rates than normal investment loans?

Generally, yes. SMSF lending is more complex for lenders, and rates typically sit higher than standard investment loan rates. There are also fewer lenders in this space, which means your broker's ability to access the full market makes a real difference.

Do I need a financial adviser before applying for an SMSF loan?

Yes. Under Australian law, you should obtain advice from a licensed financial adviser before implementing an SMSF strategy. Your accountant, financial planner and mortgage broker all play important roles in making sure the structure is set up correctly from day one.

Success built by a team of experts

Meet the Madd Loans team, nationally recognized experts in mortgage broking. Dedicated to client dreams, they’ve facilitated financing for over two thousand individuals. Owner George Samios prioritizes a stress-free, enjoyable, and educational loan process, building the business on referrals. Numerous awards highlight their success, but their true achievement is transforming a vision into a thriving enterprise, despite a humble start in a small East Brisbane office. Madd Loans’ success story is a testament to their devoted clientele.

George Samios

FOUNDER / MORTGAGE BROKER

George Samios is immensely proud of how far his business and his team have come. An innovator and influencer within the finance and mortgage industry.

Tia Niarhos

OPERATIONS MANAGER

Tia lives and breathes the Madd motto of ‘Making A Difference Daily. With her infectiously positive personality Tia is tasked with ensuring customer satisfaction levels stay at the highest possible tier.

Emily Madden

Head of Onboarding and Marketing

With an extensive background in customer service, Emily brings valuable insights to the Madd Team. She is dedicated to delivering exceptional service and ensuring our clients receive outstanding support during the on-boarding process and throughout their journey. Her marketing expertise, coupled with her innovative approaches, fuels successful engagement with both our clients and target audience.

Tina Palazzotto

DIRECTOR OF FIRST IMPRESSIONS

With a background in vocational, education & training and over 25 years experience working in retail services, Tina is an excellent addition to our team. She especially has a passion for developing and maintaining positive working relationships to ensure every client has a Madd journey.

Marnie Dalrymple

DIRECTOR OF FIRST IMPRESSIONS

With a diverse background in advertising, account management, administration and customer service, Marnie brings valuable experience and a friendly, approachable attitude to the Madd team. Her skills ensure clients feel well-supported throughout their experience.

Emily Elsdon

Director of First Impressions

Emily has a keen focus on customer service, bringing her experience in teamwork, coaching and tutoring to the MADD team. With her friendly, approachable and helpful attitude, Emily aims to ensure that every client receives the welcoming Madd experience.

Liam Burge

DIGITAL MEDIA PRODUCER

With 6 years of working within the film industry, Liam has a passion for showcasing and storytelling. His expertise in media capture, both video and photo, and a diverse knowledge in marketing and strategy allow Liam to utilise these skills across all platforms of social media and broadcasting, which gives Madd Loans its voice and social footprint. Whether it is event capture, cinematic interviews or trendy TikToks, Liam is always there with a camera in hand and a smile on his face.

Deanna Koveos

Finance Manager

As the Finance Manager for Madd, Deanna brings a happy, bubbly personality to the office while ensuring financial accuracy and efficiency. With a Bachelor of Applied Science from the University of Queensland and now a qualified BAS Agent, Deanna has a decade of experience in business and bookkeeping and now applies her expertise at Madd.

Paul Habib

Compliance Manager

Paul Habib’s professional path in finance began in 1998 when he ran an independent finance broking business in Sydney. He then moved Brisbane in 2000 and continued to build on his extensive experience across finance, developing a strong understanding of lending, compliance and structuring. Over the years, Paul developed a keen interest and considerable expertise in property development, including residential and commercial project management, development funding and property investment strategies. This broad experience gives him a well-rounded perspective on both the lending and regulatory sides of the industry. Now as Compliance Manager at Madd, Paul plays a key role in ensuring the business maintains the highest standards across all areas of compliance and regulatory requirements. Paul is known for his thorough approach, clear communication, accessibility, reliability and persistence. Paul was a 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 Broker of the Year award recipient and is also a project manager for construction at St Mary and St Joseph Coptic Orthodox Church.

Costa Demetriou

MORTGAGE BROKER

Costa Demetriou brings a calm, considered approach to helping clients secure the right home loan. Holding a dual degree in Law and Commerce (Accounting), he’s a natural problem-solver who takes the time to truly understand each client’s needs. Whether it’s a first home or an investment property, Costa makes the process feel clear and straightforward from start to finish.

Alex Vasiliou

CREDIT ANALYST

Alex is committed to making his clients feel like part of the Madd Family. With a friendly demeanour and a genuine passion for finance, he builds strong, lasting relationships with everyone he works with. Clients value his reliability, straightforward approach and unwavering dedication to getting things done right.

Tom Tellis

CREDIT ANALYST

Tom Tellis holds a Bachelor of Business, majoring in Management and Marketing from QUT and brings a strong background in business management to the Madd Loans team. With a passion for both business and sport, Tom thrives on helping people reach their personal and financial goals. His genuine approach and drive to make a difference ensure every client feels supported and empowered on their journey to success.

Cathie Gandy

MORTGAGE BROKER

Cathie is a dedicated mortgage broker, known for her genuine care and clear communication. With a background in finance and law and a strong foundation in customer service from her days as a barista, she blends people skills with sharp attention to detail. Cathie is a trusted partner on every client’s journey, helping them navigate the home loan process with confidence and ease.

Suzy Clelland

SENIOR CREDIT ANALYST

With 30 years experience in the finance industry Suzy loves sharing her knowledge with our Madd customers and assisting with their lending journey. She is well versed in this field with extensive knowledge spanning from a 20 year career with Suncorp working through all stages of new and existing loans. Her skillset is complimented by experience in operations and compliance, reviewing, implementing and providing support for banking, product, system and legislative policies and changes. Suzy is absolutely passionate about our industry, in particular mortgage lending and is always happy to chat and assist you with your lending journey through Madd.

Michael Noonan

CREDIT ANALYST

Before stepping into the world of finance, Michael spent several years managing specialised inventory and equipment within hospital procedural suites. It was a fast-paced environment where attention to detail, quick problem-solving skills and a patient care focus made all the difference, qualities he now brings to Madd. Having bought his first home at 20 before working in the industry, he knows the value of clear communication and being empowered through financial understanding when facing such a major milestone. He is passionate about making the process clear, supportive, and stress-free, so that Madd customers feel confident every step of the way.

Nick Davis

CREDIT ANALYST

Nick is a diligent worker with several years of prior experience as a Tax Accountant and a passion for finance and economic trends. Majoring in Accounting in his Bachelor of Business degree at Griffith University, Nick enjoys using his experience to help his clients maximise their financial positions through progressive investment strategies and tailored monetary advice. He prides himself on providing exceptional customer service and continuous assistance for his clients.

Jun Kim

MORTGAGE BROKER

Jun brings warmth, precision and a strong service ethic to his role as a mortgage broker. Having completed a Bachelor of Advanced Business at the University of Queensland, Jun combines his finance knowledge with a genuine passion for helping people. He’s dedicated to doing things the right way, delivering celebrity customer service and treating every client like family as they work toward their version of financial freedom.

Yejun Won

CREDIT ANALYST

Yejun comes from an insurance background, with solid experience in customer-focused roles. He has a genuine interest in property and finance and is committed to learning and growing within the industry. With a calm and thoughtful approach, Yejun supports clients and the team with care and reliability.

Lydia Kim

CREDIT ANALYST

With a background in both healthcare and customer-focused roles, Lydia brings strong people skills and a keen eye for detail to the mortgage industry. New to the field and eager to grow, she is committed to making the home loan process as straightforward and stress-free as possible, supporting clients every step of the way.

Jess Kim

CREDIT ANALYST

Jess is currently studying a Bachelor of Business Management majoring in Marketing at the University of Queensland. She is passionate about supporting clients’ financial goals and aims to deliver a smooth process from start to finish. Known for her genuine care for clients, she approaches every application with attention to detail and efficiency, ensuring each client feels supported and confident throughout their financial journey.

Sergio Demetriou

ASSET FINANCE BROKER

Having a degree in Property Economics and Construction Management, Sergio begun his career as a Contract Administrator in the construction world before becoming a Registered Commercial Valuer and selling retail investment properties with CBRE for a number of years. Being an avid lover of cars and machinery, Sergio began an acquisition business for 4 years, Milia Acquisitions, before joining Madd Loans to pursue his passion for asset finance.

Matt Prentice

FINANCIAL PLANNER

Matt is a Certified Financial Planner with a Bachelor in Business majoring in Finance and has a genuine love for simplifying the complexities that may surround his client’s financial matters.

Sylvanna Alithinos

COMPLIANCE AND PROJECT MANAGER

Sylvanna brings a wealth of experience in financial services to her role as a Paraplanner. Holding a Bachelor of Commerce with majors in Finance and Financial Planning, she works closely with clients to shape financial plans that reflect what matters most to them. Sylvanna is passionate about delivering clear, practical advice and is dedicated to supporting clients on their journey toward financial security.

Ethan Neuendorf

PARAPLANNER

With diplomas in Psychology and Business, Ethan has furthered his education by undertaking dual bachelor’s degrees in Applied Finance and Psychology. These studies have complemented his experience of over half a decade in the financial planning industry. Beginning in customer service roles, Ethan advanced to head the Paraplanning and Strategy departments in both boutique and large companies, working with a diverse and unique clientele. With a commitment to continuous learning and ongoing development, Ethan aspires to become a financial planner and later pursue a Master’s in Portfolio and Investment Management. Through this, he aims to deepen his proficiency in advanced investment strategies to help our clients gain more from the Madd Formula.

Sean Hardwick

CLIENT SERVICES OFFICER

With over five years of experience in client-facing roles within financial planning businesses, Sean is dedicated to delivering a seamless and supportive experience for every client. Sean’s favourite part of the financial planning process is seeing clients’ reactions to finding out a few simple tweaks can get them back on track to smash their goals. From your initial meeting through to implementation and beyond, he is committed to being your first point of contact to support you with your financial planning journey and takes pride in making the complexities of financial planning simple and clear. No question is too big or too small, he is here to listen empathetically and take the time to truly understand you and your needs.

Daniel Judge

Financial Planner

Daniel is a dedicated Financial Planner committed to helping clients build secure and prosperous futures. Holding a Bachelor of Business (Finance) and a Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning, Daniel applies this extensive knowledge to craft strategic and highly personalised advice. He is experienced in helping individuals from a range of financial backgrounds, driven by a belief that every individual deserves the benefit of expert financial planning.

Pablo Sanchez

Client Services Officer

Pablo is a Client Services Officer with the Madd Life Team and brings with him a strong interest in understanding how the economy works on both a small and large scale, which led him to study economics at university. Originally from the UK, Pablo has a background in fast paced, customer facing roles, both in person and over the phone. He is passionate about making a difference to the customer experience and ensuring every interaction is enjoyable and memorable. He takes pride in his attention to detail and is committed to delivering the Madd factor from the very first interaction through to implementation and beyond. Pablo is always happy to help where he can and guide clients through their Madd experience.

Cici Yang

MORTGAGE / COMMERCIAL BROKER

Cici holds a Master’s degree in Professional Accounting and a Bachelor of Business and Law. With a decade of extensive experience in the banking industry, she began her journey as a personal banker and later transitioned to become a home loan lender. Prior to joining the Madd family, Cici served as a business banker in her most recent role. Her expertise lies in various areas, including catering to self-employed clients seeking home loans, providing SMSF loans, offering business overdraft facilities, facilitating business loans for mergers and acquisitions, assisting with cash flow finance, supporting commercial property purchases and investments, managing equipment finance, and overseeing fit-out finance.

Ken Fan

CREDIT ANALYST

Ken holds a master’s degree in professional accounting and has over 15 years’ banking experience in Australia and Hong Kong. He specialises in home lending and business lending for self-employed customers and is passionate about helping people achieve their business and personal goals. Prior to joining Madd, Ken worked as a business banker at one of the major banks.

Leora Shapira

CREDIT ANALYST

Leora holds a Bachelor of Business, majoring in Marketing and Management. She has over a decade of experience in business banking across New Zealand and Australia. Throughout her career, she has closely partnered with business owners, helping them navigate lending solutions to achieve both their business ambitions and personal financial goals. Leora brings a strong understanding of lending structures, credit analysis, and relationship management, allowing her to support clients through complex finance decisions with clarity and confidence. She’s passionate about finding the right solutions to support client’s long-term success.

Jen Tiangsing

Executive Assistant

Jen studied Information Technology before building a strong foundation in customer care through roles in sales and technical support. She later spent nearly a decade supporting real estate property managers, sharpening her skills in organisation, communication and operational support. With additional training in marketing, Jen brings creativity and precision to her role as Executive Assistant.

Jo Baylon

Client Support Officer

With a background in education and experience in administrative support and people management, Jo brings a strong mix of organisation, reliability, and positivity to the team. She’s skilled at building strong relationships and keeping things running smoothly, all while creating a warm and uplifting atmosphere in the workplace.

Angelica Figueroa

Client Support Officer

Angelica holds a degree in Computer Engineering and brings a blend of technical skill and organisation to the Madd team. After completing a remote web development internship, she developed strong communication skills and a thoughtful, structured approach to problem-solving. Known for her accuracy and efficiency, Angelica is committed to supporting clients and the team by streamlining processes and ensuring every step feels clear, smooth and reliable.

Kate Roncesvalles

Team Leader

With a Bachelor’s Degree in Tourism Management, Kate brings a strong background in client service and organisation to the mortgage broking world. Starting in the industry as a virtual assistant, she’s grown into an integral part of the team. A Team Leader of the Home Loan Review Team, Kate is known for her leadership, attention to detail and unwavering support for her team and clients alike. She helps keep the process running seamlessly behind the scenes, ensuring every client feels supported and every team member stays on track.

Jericho Apostol

Home Loan Specialist

Echo is a committed and meticulous team member who is focused on making sure our clients have a seamless experience. Having a degree in Engineering, he has a passion for numbers and problem solving, enabling him to provide efficient administrative support. He is committed to providing good and consistent service which makes the home loan process more straightforward.

Mike Arcipe

Home Loan Specialist

With a background in Accounting Technology, Mike is known for his focus on speed, accuracy, and consistently meeting service standards. He brings that same energy and dedication to mortgage broking, always eager to learn and grow. Mike lives and breathes the Madd value of Make a Difference Daily, helping clients secure the most competitive rates possible through proactive home loan reviews.

Andrea Abug

Home Loan Specialist

Andrea is fascinated by how the mortgage industry helps people achieve their dreams and build stronger futures. Her curiosity and drive to grow professionally push her to continuously expand her knowledge and skills. With a degree in Psychology, she brings empathy and insight to her role, always aiming to support both clients and the team in any way she can.

Andrea Alolor

Home Loan Specialist

With a degree in Management Accounting and a lifelong passion for numbers, Andrea brings strong analytical skills and a love for learning to her role. She’s dedicated to helping others and approaches every task with curiosity and care. Her adventurous spirit and eagerness to grow make her a valued part of the team.

The Foundation of Our Business

Client Focus

We prioritize our clients’ needs and goals, providing personalized service and building long-term relationships. We are committed to acting in their best interests.

Expertise

We are nationally recognized experts in mortgage broking, constantly learning and adapting to the ever-changing financial landscape. We provide knowledgeable guidance and innovative solutions.

Integrity

We operate with honesty, transparency, and ethical practices in all our interactions. We build trust through our commitment to doing what is right.

Passion

We are passionate about helping our clients achieve financial freedom. We approach our work with enthusiasm and dedication.

Collaboration

We believe in the power of teamwork and collaboration, both within our organization and with our clients and partners. We work together to achieve shared success.

Community

We are committed to giving back to the communities we serve. We believe in making a positive impact beyond the world of finance.

Loan Approval Rate

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years of experience

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Demonstrates expertise and proven track record.

happy Customer

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Brings wisdom and unmatched expertise.

Bank partners

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Expands your financial reach and options.

Looking To Join Team Madd

Ready to join an amazing team passionate about exceptional results? Let's create something extraordinary together! Explore exciting career opportunities at Madd and start your journey with us. Contact us today!

Costa Demetriou

Mortgage Broker

Looking To Join Team Madd

Costa Demetriou

Mortgage Broker

More Than A Mortgage Broker.

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More Than A Mortgage Broker.

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Success built by a team of experts

George Samios

Tia Niarhos

Emily Madden

Tina Palazzotto

Marnie Dalrymple

Emily Elsdon

Liam Burge

Deanna Koveos

Paul Habib

Costa Demetriou

Alex Vasiliou

Tom Tellis

Cathie Gandy

Suzy Clelland

Michael Noonan

Nick Davis

Jun Kim

Yejun Won

Lydia Kim

Jess Kim

Sergio Demetriou

Matt Prentice

Sylvanna Alithinos

Ethan Neuendorf

Sean Hardwick

Daniel Judge

Pablo Sanchez

Cici Yang

Ken Fan

Leora Shapira

Jen Tiangsing

Jo Baylon

Angelica Figueroa

Kate Roncesvalles

Jericho Apostol

Mike Arcipe

Andrea Abug

Andrea Alolor

The Foundation of Our Business

Client Focus

Expertise

Integrity

Passion

Collaboration

Community

Loan Approval Rate

years of experience

happy Customer

Bank partners

Looking To Join Team Madd

Looking To Join Team Madd

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