Find the constraint and grow past it
Home, investment and commercial loans
Each page shows how our accounting, bookkeeping, loans and advice fit together for that industry.
Lender policies and LMI waivers for your profession.
Xero Platinum Partner
1,000+ clients helpedShehan’s story →
← Home Loans & Finance
A home for all your house and land package needs.
House and land packages give you the freedom to choose your land and your builder. But the finance behind them is more complex than a standard home loan. We specialise in this process and guide you through every step from pre-approval to final handover.
Best Interests Duty
60+ lenders compared
Reviews after settlement
In short:A house and land package is usually financed with a land loan plus a construction loan that pays your builder in stages. Elephant Advisory's Melbourne finance team specialises in this process and guides you from pre-approval to final handover.
Led by Gavin Hepponstall, Director & Head of Finance · Credit representative 570731.
At a glance
60+
Lenders on our panel
BID
Best Interests Duty: we must act for you, not the bank
1 team
Broker and accountants under one roof
Our Values
Financing your house and land package with values that actually mean something
From the way we assess your borrowing capacity to how we manage your progress payments, our values guide every step.
Related services: Construction loans, First home buyers, Home loan pre-approval
01
BORROWING POWER
Before anything else, we make sure you understand exactly what you can borrow for both the land and construction separately - so there are no surprises at any stage of the process.
02
UNDERSTANDING
House and land packages are more complex than standard home loans. We explain every step in plain language so you always know what's happening, what's required, and what comes next.
03
INDEPENDENCE
With access to 60+ lenders, we take a genuinely independent approach to finding the right loan for your land and construction - no bias, no shortcuts, just the best result for your situation.
04
LENDER MANAGEMENT
From pre-approval through to final progress payment, we manage every interaction with your lender so the process runs smoothly and your builder always gets paid on time.
05
DEDICATION
We stay with you from the first consultation through to handover - managing variations, coordinating payments, and making sure your build is funded correctly at every stage.
TOP LENDERS WE WORK WITH
With over 60+ lenders on our panel, some you've never heard of.
As a mortgage broker, we are governed by our 'Best Interest Duty', which ensures that we are looking out for you, your needs and goals versus a banks bottom line.
What we help with
House and land package services built around your build.
We cover every stage of your house and land package so nothing gets missed.
01
Land Pre-Approval
We source pre-approval for your land purchase across 60+ lenders so you can secure your block and start builder conversations with confidence, knowing your finance is already in place.
02
Construction Pre-Approval
We get your construction loan pre-approved separately so both parts of your package are covered regardless of timing between land settlement and build commencement.
03
Build Contract Review
Before your contract goes to the lender, we review it alongside the progress payment schedule and insurance requirements to make sure everything is in order for a smooth approval.
04
Construction Approval
Once your build contract is finalised, we convert your pre-approval into formal construction approval and manage the process through to confirmation with your builder.
05
Progress Payments
As your builder hits each milestone, we coordinate the release of funds from your lender in line with the signed building contract, managing any variations or issues along the way.
06
Loan Review at Completion
Once your build is finished, we review your rate and structure to make sure you are still on the best deal available. The market changes during a build and we make sure your loan keeps up.
The process
How it works
01
Free chat
Tell us where you are now and what you want to achieve.
02
Borrowing and lender comparison
We assess your borrowing power and compare suitable lenders.
03
Pre-approval and application
We handle the paperwork and keep your application moving.
04
Settlement and reviews
We stay in your corner, from settlement to regular loan reviews.
Our Solution
House and land finance is complex. We make it simple.
The challenges most buyers face and exactly how we fix them.
Without Elephant
Two contracts, two finance processes
Unsure what you can borrow
Build contract delaying approval
No idea how progress payments work
Caught out by variations mid-build
With Elephant Advisory
Land and construction managed as one
Separate pre-approvals, timing covered
We review before it hits the lender
Every payment coordinated, bank to builder
Honest guidance on buffers upfront
“At Elephant Advisory, we take the complexity out of house and land finance so you can focus on designing the home you want, knowing the funding is structured correctly behind it.”
Free tools
Run the numbers first
Your finance expert
Meet your broker
Gavin Hepponstall
Director & Head of Finance
Gav is the person you want in your corner when it comes to property finance. After years in banking and motor trade finance, he joined Elephant early and never looked back. He’s passionate about combining property and finance to help clients achieve their goals through tailored financial structuring, and he’s very serious about snacks at meetings.
FAQ
Let's clear a few things up.
No jargon, no runaround - just honest answers.
Not necessarily. Many land developers allow you to hold the land without building straight away, though most building contracts include a 12-month clause to ensure construction starts within a reasonable timeframe. We recommend getting pre-approvals for both the land and construction separately from the start so timing is never an issue.
Any changes to your original specifications during the build are called post-contract variations. These need to be funded from your own savings and cannot be added to your loan mid-construction. We always advise clients to be as thorough as possible with the initial contract and to keep a savings buffer for any unexpected changes.
They can be. Some lenders apply an interest rate loading during the construction phase, and most charge interest only on the amounts drawn down at each stage. There can also be fees associated with progress payments. We factor all of this in when comparing lenders so you have a clear picture of the total cost before you commit.
Progress payments are released by your lender at key milestones during the build, typically deposit, slab, frame, lockup, fixing, and completion. The amounts are outlined in your building contract and the lender pays the builder directly at each stage. We coordinate this entire process on your behalf.
Yes. Most lenders with strong construction loan products allow interest-only repayments during the build, meaning you only pay interest on what has been drawn down at each stage. Once construction is complete, the loan converts to a standard principal and interest repayment schedule.
A house and land package involves two separate contracts and two separate loans: a land loan that settles first, and a construction loan that kicks in once you are ready to build. Managing both at the right time and with the right lender requires specialist knowledge, which is exactly what we bring.
Home Loans & Property
Read before you apply
Interest rates history in Australia: the cash rate since 1990
How the RBA cash rate has moved since 1990, from the 17.5% peak to the 0.10% low and back up to 4.85% in November 2026, and what each move means for your repayments.
How Much Can I Borrow on My Salary? (2026 Examples)
Rough borrowing power from $60k to $200k salaries in Australia, how banks work it out, and the small things that cut it.
How Lender Policies Affect How Much You Can Actually Borrow
Different lenders, different rules. Learn how lender policy shapes your borrowing capacity.
Related services
Find out what you can borrow, free.
Elephant Financial Pty Ltd (ABN 38 611 576 240) trading as Elephant Advisory is an authorised credit representative (ACR 487962) of Yellow Brick Road Aggregation Pty Ltd (formerly Vow Financial Pty Ltd) (ABN 66 138 789 161), Australian Credit Licence 390261.
Credit Guide
← Home Loans & Finance
A home for all your house and land package needs.
House and land packages give you the freedom to choose your land and your builder. But the finance behind them is more complex than a standard home loan. We specialise in this process and guide you through every step from pre-approval to final handover.
Best Interests Duty
60+ lenders compared
Reviews after settlement
In short:A house and land package is usually financed with a land loan plus a construction loan that pays your builder in stages. Elephant Advisory's Melbourne finance team specialises in this process and guides you from pre-approval to final handover.
Led by Gavin Hepponstall, Director & Head of Finance · Credit representative 570731.
At a glance
60+
Lenders on our panel
BID
Best Interests Duty: we must act for you, not the bank
1 team
Broker and accountants under one roof
Our Values
Financing your house and land package with values that actually mean something
From the way we assess your borrowing capacity to how we manage your progress payments, our values guide every step.
Related services: Construction loans, First home buyers, Home loan pre-approval
01
BORROWING POWER
Before anything else, we make sure you understand exactly what you can borrow for both the land and construction separately - so there are no surprises at any stage of the process.
02
UNDERSTANDING
House and land packages are more complex than standard home loans. We explain every step in plain language so you always know what's happening, what's required, and what comes next.
03
INDEPENDENCE
With access to 60+ lenders, we take a genuinely independent approach to finding the right loan for your land and construction - no bias, no shortcuts, just the best result for your situation.
04
LENDER MANAGEMENT
From pre-approval through to final progress payment, we manage every interaction with your lender so the process runs smoothly and your builder always gets paid on time.
05
DEDICATION
We stay with you from the first consultation through to handover - managing variations, coordinating payments, and making sure your build is funded correctly at every stage.
TOP LENDERS WE WORK WITH
With over 60+ lenders on our panel, some you've never heard of.
As a mortgage broker, we are governed by our 'Best Interest Duty', which ensures that we are looking out for you, your needs and goals versus a banks bottom line.
What we help with
House and land package services built around your build.
We cover every stage of your house and land package so nothing gets missed.
01
Land Pre-Approval
We source pre-approval for your land purchase across 60+ lenders so you can secure your block and start builder conversations with confidence, knowing your finance is already in place.
02
Construction Pre-Approval
We get your construction loan pre-approved separately so both parts of your package are covered regardless of timing between land settlement and build commencement.
03
Build Contract Review
Before your contract goes to the lender, we review it alongside the progress payment schedule and insurance requirements to make sure everything is in order for a smooth approval.
04
Construction Approval
Once your build contract is finalised, we convert your pre-approval into formal construction approval and manage the process through to confirmation with your builder.
05
Progress Payments
As your builder hits each milestone, we coordinate the release of funds from your lender in line with the signed building contract, managing any variations or issues along the way.
06
Loan Review at Completion
Once your build is finished, we review your rate and structure to make sure you are still on the best deal available. The market changes during a build and we make sure your loan keeps up.
The process
How it works
01
Free chat
Tell us where you are now and what you want to achieve.
02
Borrowing and lender comparison
We assess your borrowing power and compare suitable lenders.
03
Pre-approval and application
We handle the paperwork and keep your application moving.
04
Settlement and reviews
We stay in your corner, from settlement to regular loan reviews.
Our Solution
House and land finance is complex. We make it simple.
The challenges most buyers face and exactly how we fix them.
Without Elephant
Two contracts, two finance processes
Unsure what you can borrow
Build contract delaying approval
No idea how progress payments work
Caught out by variations mid-build
With Elephant Advisory
Land and construction managed as one
Separate pre-approvals, timing covered
We review before it hits the lender
Every payment coordinated, bank to builder
Honest guidance on buffers upfront
“At Elephant Advisory, we take the complexity out of house and land finance so you can focus on designing the home you want, knowing the funding is structured correctly behind it.”
Free tools
Run the numbers first
Your finance expert
Meet your broker
Gavin Hepponstall
Director & Head of Finance
Gav is the person you want in your corner when it comes to property finance. After years in banking and motor trade finance, he joined Elephant early and never looked back. He’s passionate about combining property and finance to help clients achieve their goals through tailored financial structuring, and he’s very serious about snacks at meetings.
FAQ
Let's clear a few things up.
No jargon, no runaround - just honest answers.
Not necessarily. Many land developers allow you to hold the land without building straight away, though most building contracts include a 12-month clause to ensure construction starts within a reasonable timeframe. We recommend getting pre-approvals for both the land and construction separately from the start so timing is never an issue.
Any changes to your original specifications during the build are called post-contract variations. These need to be funded from your own savings and cannot be added to your loan mid-construction. We always advise clients to be as thorough as possible with the initial contract and to keep a savings buffer for any unexpected changes.
They can be. Some lenders apply an interest rate loading during the construction phase, and most charge interest only on the amounts drawn down at each stage. There can also be fees associated with progress payments. We factor all of this in when comparing lenders so you have a clear picture of the total cost before you commit.
Progress payments are released by your lender at key milestones during the build, typically deposit, slab, frame, lockup, fixing, and completion. The amounts are outlined in your building contract and the lender pays the builder directly at each stage. We coordinate this entire process on your behalf.
Yes. Most lenders with strong construction loan products allow interest-only repayments during the build, meaning you only pay interest on what has been drawn down at each stage. Once construction is complete, the loan converts to a standard principal and interest repayment schedule.
A house and land package involves two separate contracts and two separate loans: a land loan that settles first, and a construction loan that kicks in once you are ready to build. Managing both at the right time and with the right lender requires specialist knowledge, which is exactly what we bring.
Home Loans & Property
Read before you apply
Interest rates history in Australia: the cash rate since 1990
How the RBA cash rate has moved since 1990, from the 17.5% peak to the 0.10% low and back up to 4.85% in November 2026, and what each move means for your repayments.
How Much Can I Borrow on My Salary? (2026 Examples)
Rough borrowing power from $60k to $200k salaries in Australia, how banks work it out, and the small things that cut it.
How Lender Policies Affect How Much You Can Actually Borrow
Different lenders, different rules. Learn how lender policy shapes your borrowing capacity.
Related services
Find out what you can borrow, free.
Elephant Financial Pty Ltd (ABN 38 611 576 240) trading as Elephant Advisory is an authorised credit representative (ACR 487962) of Yellow Brick Road Aggregation Pty Ltd (formerly Vow Financial Pty Ltd) (ABN 66 138 789 161), Australian Credit Licence 390261.
Credit Guide
← Home Loans & Finance
A home for all your house and land package needs.
House and land packages give you the freedom to choose your land and your builder. But the finance behind them is more complex than a standard home loan. We specialise in this process and guide you through every step from pre-approval to final handover.
Best Interests Duty
60+ lenders compared
Reviews after settlement
In short:A house and land package is usually financed with a land loan plus a construction loan that pays your builder in stages. Elephant Advisory's Melbourne finance team specialises in this process and guides you from pre-approval to final handover.
Led by Gavin Hepponstall, Director & Head of Finance · Credit representative 570731.
At a glance
60+
Lenders on our panel
BID
Best Interests Duty: we must act for you, not the bank
1 team
Broker and accountants under one roof
Our Values
Financing your house and land package with values that actually mean something
From the way we assess your borrowing capacity to how we manage your progress payments, our values guide every step.
Related services: Construction loans, First home buyers, Home loan pre-approval
01
BORROWING POWER
Before anything else, we make sure you understand exactly what you can borrow for both the land and construction separately - so there are no surprises at any stage of the process.
02
UNDERSTANDING
House and land packages are more complex than standard home loans. We explain every step in plain language so you always know what's happening, what's required, and what comes next.
03
INDEPENDENCE
With access to 60+ lenders, we take a genuinely independent approach to finding the right loan for your land and construction - no bias, no shortcuts, just the best result for your situation.
04
LENDER MANAGEMENT
From pre-approval through to final progress payment, we manage every interaction with your lender so the process runs smoothly and your builder always gets paid on time.
05
DEDICATION
We stay with you from the first consultation through to handover - managing variations, coordinating payments, and making sure your build is funded correctly at every stage.
TOP LENDERS WE WORK WITH
With over 60+ lenders on our panel, some you've never heard of.
As a mortgage broker, we are governed by our 'Best Interest Duty', which ensures that we are looking out for you, your needs and goals versus a banks bottom line.
What we help with
House and land package services built around your build.
We cover every stage of your house and land package so nothing gets missed.
01
Land Pre-Approval
We source pre-approval for your land purchase across 60+ lenders so you can secure your block and start builder conversations with confidence, knowing your finance is already in place.
02
Construction Pre-Approval
We get your construction loan pre-approved separately so both parts of your package are covered regardless of timing between land settlement and build commencement.
03
Build Contract Review
Before your contract goes to the lender, we review it alongside the progress payment schedule and insurance requirements to make sure everything is in order for a smooth approval.
04
Construction Approval
Once your build contract is finalised, we convert your pre-approval into formal construction approval and manage the process through to confirmation with your builder.
05
Progress Payments
As your builder hits each milestone, we coordinate the release of funds from your lender in line with the signed building contract, managing any variations or issues along the way.
06
Loan Review at Completion
Once your build is finished, we review your rate and structure to make sure you are still on the best deal available. The market changes during a build and we make sure your loan keeps up.
The process
How it works
01
Free chat
Tell us where you are now and what you want to achieve.
02
Borrowing and lender comparison
We assess your borrowing power and compare suitable lenders.
03
Pre-approval and application
We handle the paperwork and keep your application moving.
04
Settlement and reviews
We stay in your corner, from settlement to regular loan reviews.
Our Solution
House and land finance is complex. We make it simple.
The challenges most buyers face and exactly how we fix them.
Without Elephant
Two contracts, two finance processes
Unsure what you can borrow
Build contract delaying approval
No idea how progress payments work
Caught out by variations mid-build
With Elephant Advisory
Land and construction managed as one
Separate pre-approvals, timing covered
We review before it hits the lender
Every payment coordinated, bank to builder
Honest guidance on buffers upfront
“At Elephant Advisory, we take the complexity out of house and land finance so you can focus on designing the home you want, knowing the funding is structured correctly behind it.”
Free tools
Run the numbers first
Your finance expert
Meet your broker
Gavin Hepponstall
Director & Head of Finance
Gav is the person you want in your corner when it comes to property finance. After years in banking and motor trade finance, he joined Elephant early and never looked back. He’s passionate about combining property and finance to help clients achieve their goals through tailored financial structuring, and he’s very serious about snacks at meetings.
FAQ
Let's clear a few things up.
No jargon, no runaround - just honest answers.
Not necessarily. Many land developers allow you to hold the land without building straight away, though most building contracts include a 12-month clause to ensure construction starts within a reasonable timeframe. We recommend getting pre-approvals for both the land and construction separately from the start so timing is never an issue.
Any changes to your original specifications during the build are called post-contract variations. These need to be funded from your own savings and cannot be added to your loan mid-construction. We always advise clients to be as thorough as possible with the initial contract and to keep a savings buffer for any unexpected changes.
They can be. Some lenders apply an interest rate loading during the construction phase, and most charge interest only on the amounts drawn down at each stage. There can also be fees associated with progress payments. We factor all of this in when comparing lenders so you have a clear picture of the total cost before you commit.
Progress payments are released by your lender at key milestones during the build, typically deposit, slab, frame, lockup, fixing, and completion. The amounts are outlined in your building contract and the lender pays the builder directly at each stage. We coordinate this entire process on your behalf.
Yes. Most lenders with strong construction loan products allow interest-only repayments during the build, meaning you only pay interest on what has been drawn down at each stage. Once construction is complete, the loan converts to a standard principal and interest repayment schedule.
A house and land package involves two separate contracts and two separate loans: a land loan that settles first, and a construction loan that kicks in once you are ready to build. Managing both at the right time and with the right lender requires specialist knowledge, which is exactly what we bring.
Home Loans & Property
Read before you apply
Interest rates history in Australia: the cash rate since 1990
How the RBA cash rate has moved since 1990, from the 17.5% peak to the 0.10% low and back up to 4.85% in November 2026, and what each move means for your repayments.
How Much Can I Borrow on My Salary? (2026 Examples)
Rough borrowing power from $60k to $200k salaries in Australia, how banks work it out, and the small things that cut it.
How Lender Policies Affect How Much You Can Actually Borrow
Different lenders, different rules. Learn how lender policy shapes your borrowing capacity.
Related services
Find out what you can borrow, free.
Elephant Financial Pty Ltd (ABN 38 611 576 240) trading as Elephant Advisory is an authorised credit representative (ACR 487962) of Yellow Brick Road Aggregation Pty Ltd (formerly Vow Financial Pty Ltd) (ABN 66 138 789 161), Australian Credit Licence 390261.
Credit Guide
Phone
OFFICE HOURS
Mon to Fri: 8.30am - 6.00pm
By appointment only.
Elephant Financial Pty Ltd (ABN 38 611 576 240) trading as Elephant Advisory is an authorised credit representative (ACR 487962) of Yellow Brick Road Aggregation Pty Ltd (formerly Vow Financial Pty Ltd) (ABN 66 138 789 161), Australian Credit Licence 390261. Accounting and tax services are provided by Elephant Tax Pty Ltd (ABN 39 626 563 755), bookkeeping by Elephant Bookkeeping Pty Ltd (ABN 49 682 979 139), digital marketing by Elephant Digital Pty Ltd (ABN 72 692 273 091) and offshore staffing by Elephant Teams Pty Ltd (ABN 24 656 874 789). The ultimate holding company is Elephant Ventures Pty Ltd (ABN 86 660 006 771).
Phone
OFFICE HOURS
Mon to Fri: 8.30am - 6.00pm
By appointment only.
Elephant Financial Pty Ltd (ABN 38 611 576 240) trading as Elephant Advisory is an authorised credit representative (ACR 487962) of Yellow Brick Road Aggregation Pty Ltd (formerly Vow Financial Pty Ltd) (ABN 66 138 789 161), Australian Credit Licence 390261. Accounting and tax services are provided by Elephant Tax Pty Ltd (ABN 39 626 563 755), bookkeeping by Elephant Bookkeeping Pty Ltd (ABN 49 682 979 139), digital marketing by Elephant Digital Pty Ltd (ABN 72 692 273 091) and offshore staffing by Elephant Teams Pty Ltd (ABN 24 656 874 789). The ultimate holding company is Elephant Ventures Pty Ltd (ABN 86 660 006 771).
Phone
OFFICE HOURS
Mon to Fri: 8.30am - 6.00pm
By appointment only.
Elephant Financial Pty Ltd (ABN 38 611 576 240) trading as Elephant Advisory is an authorised credit representative (ACR 487962) of Yellow Brick Road Aggregation Pty Ltd (formerly Vow Financial Pty Ltd) (ABN 66 138 789 161), Australian Credit Licence 390261. Accounting and tax services are provided by Elephant Tax Pty Ltd (ABN 39 626 563 755), bookkeeping by Elephant Bookkeeping Pty Ltd (ABN 49 682 979 139), digital marketing by Elephant Digital Pty Ltd (ABN 72 692 273 091) and offshore staffing by Elephant Teams Pty Ltd (ABN 24 656 874 789). The ultimate holding company is Elephant Ventures Pty Ltd (ABN 86 660 006 771).