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Development finance

Development finance across the capital stack.

Developers need more than a bank. Senior debt, mezzanine, preferred equity and residual stock finance all have a place — the question is how the stack is layered and at what cost.

Senior, mezzanine, equity.

A well-structured development is funded across multiple layers. Senior debt, typically from a bank or major non-bank, sits at the lowest cost and the lowest LVR. Mezzanine debt fills the gap between senior debt and the developer's equity contribution, at a higher rate and often with some form of exit fee or equity kicker. Preferred equity and pure equity sit at the top of the stack, taking the highest risk and the highest return.

Hypercube works across the stack — we're not a single-lender desk. That means we can bring a senior lender and a mezzanine provider to the same deal, negotiate the intercreditor arrangement, and structure the project so the developer keeps as much control (and equity) as possible.

Four categories we see constantly.

Small-scale development
2-8 unit townhouse and apartment projects. Bank senior debt + developer equity, sometimes with mezzanine.
Larger residential projects
20+ unit developments, usually with non-bank senior debt and a structured capital stack.
Land banking
Finance against raw or zoned land held for future development.
Residual stock finance
Refinance of completed but unsold stock into a cheaper facility while the units sell down.

Development FAQs

What LVR do banks offer on development?
Typically 65% of the 'as-if-complete' gross realisation value, or 70-75% of total development cost, whichever is lower. Pre-sale requirements apply on larger projects. Non-bank lenders can stretch higher but at cost.
Do I need pre-sales?
For bank senior debt on larger developments, yes — typically 60-100% pre-sales covering debt. Smaller projects and non-bank deals have more flexibility.
How do developer profits get released?
Profit is typically released as units settle, with the senior debt being paid down first, then mezzanine, then equity returns. The release waterfall is negotiated upfront.

Related pages

General advice disclaimer. The information on this page is general in nature and does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider whether it is appropriate for you before acting on it, and seek professional advice where relevant.

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