SMSF Investment | SMSF Property Investment | Investment Property | Self Managed Super Funds Property | SMSF Residential or Commercial property investment

At Superannuation Warehouse we specialise in helping those with a SMSF purchase an investment property using finance from the bank. This is done through the use of a Bare Trust structure with a Corporate Trustee. The typical structure is set out below:

The SMSF can invest in commercial or residential property, but this can't be your residence. You can't have any dealings with a related party when investing in residential property. So you can't live in the property, use the property as a holiday house or have a family member live in it. It should be for the sole purpose of investment of your SMSF.

Some important points regarding the use of a SMSF for property investment are as follows:

• To invest in property, it is important to set up the SMSF first, including the structure above. A SMSF itself can't borrow money, and therefore a Bare Trust structure is put in place to facilitate the loans

• The only purpose of the Bare Trust (also referred to as a Property Trust) is to keep title over the investment property until the loan is paid off

• All property related costs can be paid by the SMSF

• The SMSF receive rental income and pay for all operating expenses and loan repayments

• Only one property can be added into a structure like this

• The property will revert back to the SMSF when the loan is repaid

• Funds can be borrowed from the Trustees or the bank, or a combination of yourself and the bank

• The loan type a bank would give the SMSF is a limited recourse loan, meaning the bank does not have a recourse on the SMSF should the loan default

• For this reason banks usually ask for a personal guarantee over the property from Trustees

• The maximum Loan to Valuation Ratios (LVR) is usually around 80% with residential property and 70% with commercial property when members guarantee the loans

• When there's a bank loan and a  60% LVR, the bank might not require guarantees from Trustees

• The lender to the SMSF can be the Trustees as well, so you don't have to use a bank

• Trustees can borrow from the bank and then on-lend to the SMSF - this option might make the administration easier

• The Bare Trust and Corporate Trustee are merely legal entities for holding the property and all transactions take place in the SMSF

• Superannuation Warehouse charges a once-off fee to set up these entities but there is no fee payable to Superannuation Warehouse for the maintenance of these entities (included in your monthly fixed fee) 

A SMSF can normally not incur any loans. To purchase a property, a SMSF can use a Limited Recourse Borrowing Arrangement. This is where the Trustees would provide a guarantee to the bank for the loan. You might want to use a mortgage broker to help you find the best suitable loan for your circumstances from a panel of lenders.

When we set up a Limited Recourse Borrowing Arrangement for a SMSF, we issue a new  Trust Deeds from Cleardocs. These Trust Deeds are regarded as the best in the industry as it is generally acccepted by all the banks for SMSF property loans. This will make the loan approval process at the bank a smooth process.

Audio presentation

Attached is an interview by Lee Woodward of the Real Estate Academy talking about purchasing property using a SMSF. This will give you some comfort in the property investment part with a SMSF. To listen, CLICK HERE and follow the link to "The new Australian Dream".

 Prices up or down

Some doomsdayers say the property market will crash. Others are of the opinion the property market is stable or will rise. In a balanced market, there's always two side. Click on the links to read different points of view.

Property Information

Click on this link to see some tips on buying property as well as YouTube and online presentations.

 Repair and Maintenance

When repairs and maintenance are undertaken in an investment preperty, these costs can be deducted in the SMSF. See these guidelines from the ATO for the difference in repairs vs. improvements. 

What name should the SMSF use with property investment?

Use the Custody Trust's name, for example:

•if individual trustee "John Summers ATF ABC Custody Trust"

•if corporate trustee "ABC Pty Ltd ACN number ATF ABC Custody Trust"

Land registries generally do not accept any reference to a Custodian Trust. Therefore, the transfer of land should simply be registered in the custodian's legal name, for example:

- when the SMSF uses an individual trustee, use the names of the individuals e.g.  "John Summers and Sarah Summers"

- when the SMSF uses a corporate trustee, use the name of the corporate trust, e.g. "ABC Pty Ltd ACN number"