If you’ve been watching the Australian property market lately, you might be getting a strange sense of déjà vu.

Loan applications are piling up, banks are taking weeks to assess deals, and buyers are scrambling to go unconditional just to compete.

It feels a lot like the COVID property boom all over again.

In the latest episode of the Australian Property Investment Podcast, Aaron Christie-David sits down with Atelier Wealth’s own Nate Condie to unpack what’s really happening behind the scenes in lending, why trust structures are dominating, and how smart investors are using equity to scale even faster in 2025.

The Market’s Gone Bonkers (Again)

During COVID, Australians witnessed one of the most chaotic property markets in modern history. Auctions were packed, properties sold before hitting the market, and buyers were making offers without cooling-off periods just to stay in the game.

Fast forward to today and we’re right back there.

Banks are overloaded, with some taking up to four or five weeks just to pick up a new application. That’s not even approval time… that’s just to open the file. When turnaround times stretch like that across multiple lenders, it’s a strong signal that the entire market is in overdrive.

Buyers are once again going unconditional to secure deals, sellers are confident enough to reject pre-auction offers, and FOMO (fear of missing out) is creeping back into the conversation.

As Aaron puts it, “People will look back and realise this was a sweet spot in time. We’re living it right now.”

Why This Boom Feels Different

While the headlines may look familiar, the driving forces are a little different this time around. Interest rates have steadied, buyers have adapted, and confidence has quietly crept back into the market.

But the biggest shift we’re seeing is strategic. Investors are smarter. They’re diversifying across assets, using trusts, and leveraging every bit of equity they can access.

And that’s where things get interesting because trust lending has become the buzzword of 2025.

Trust Lending Takes the Spotlight

If there was one phrase that defined the lending landscape this year, it’s “trust lending.”

Before this boom, only a small percentage of loans were written in trusts. Now, Aaron and Nate estimate that over 90% of their new purchases are being structured this way.

Why? Because investors are scaling aggressively. Setting up a trust gives flexibility, asset protection, and until recently more generous borrowing conditions.

However, the banks are starting to catch on.

Non-bank lenders and major players like Macquarie had been leading the way with policies that allowed multiple trusts to be treated more favourably for servicing. But as volumes spiked, those policies tightened. Macquarie has already revised its position, signalling that the golden era of easy trust lending may be coming to an end.

In Aaron’s words, “We knew this golden patch wouldn’t last forever. At some point, the banks were going to cotton on.”

For investors, that means timing is critical. Those who act now, before further restrictions or lower LVR limits come in, will likely have more options on the table.

Equity Is the Real Game Changer

While the public obsesses over interest rates, top brokers know that equity is what truly drives growth.

As Aaron and Nate explain, the question isn’t “Can I get a cheaper rate?” It’s “How do I unlock more usable equity so I can keep growing?”

Here’s a real example from the team:

A client wanted to tap into the equity of their first investment property to buy a second. After running multiple valuations, most banks came back at around $64,000 in available equity. But by pushing through several valuations and comparing lender policies, Atelier Wealth secured $164,000 instead – an extra $100,000 they could use to scale faster.

That additional funding allowed the client to go from one to three properties, without dipping into cash reserves.

It’s a perfect illustration of why strategic brokers focus on structure, not shortcuts. As Nate puts it, “We’re not chasing rates, we’re chasing outcomes.”

Refinancing into Trusts: A Powerful but Complex Strategy

One advanced move gaining traction is refinancing existing investment loans from individual names into a trust.

When done correctly, this can ring-fence debt, protect assets, and maintain negative gearing, provided there’s a loan agreement between the individuals and the trust.

But it’s not without risk.

Only a handful of banks currently support this structure, and moving a property into a trust can reduce borrowing capacity since negative gearing benefits often can’t be applied in lender calculators.

It’s not a one-size-fits-all solution, and as Aaron warns, “Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.”

The key is to plan ahead. If you’re already capped out on borrowing power, this strategy could actually set you back rather than help you scale.

Behind the Scenes at Atelier Wealth

While the property market may be chaotic, the Atelier Wealth team thrives on precision, structure, and teamwork.

Every client scenario is reviewed by multiple sets of eyes, with daily team stand-ups ensuring nothing slips through the cracks. The brokerage runs like a finely tuned machine – one built on collaboration rather than competition.

Interestingly, none of the team members originally came from banking. Each has been trained from the ground up in Atelier’s unique approach: strategy first, service always.

That internal culture of accountability and care is what keeps turnaround times tight, even when the industry as a whole is struggling. As Aaron puts it, “If you want a job done, give it to a busy person.”

Why Great Broking Is a Team Sport

Mortgage broking isn’t a solo game – it’s a team sport.

Each deal involves multiple layers: valuations, policy checks, pricing negotiations, and compliance reviews. Having different team members with unique strengths allows Atelier to move quickly and deliver consistent results.

Daily WIP meetings cover every loan in flight, ensuring constant communication between brokers, analysts, and strategists.

For clients, that means one thing: confidence. You’re never left wondering where your deal stands or when you’ll hear back.

In fact, Aaron notes that one of the biggest compliments the team receives is simply being responsive. It sounds basic, but in a market where many brokers go silent for weeks, it’s a competitive advantage.

The Secret Behind Scaling in 2025

With property demand surging and bank policies shifting, the winners this year will be those who act strategically, not reactively.

Here’s what separates top-tier investors from the rest:

  • They value equity over rates. The right valuation can unlock six figures in usable capital.
  • They structure loans intelligently. Trusts and lending strategies matter more than most people realise.
  • They work with a team that sees the full picture. One broker can’t do it all but a great team can anticipate issues before they happen.

For serious investors, it’s about playing chess, not checkers.

Next Steps

If you’re feeling stuck with your borrowing capacity, wondering how to scale your portfolio, or curious about whether a trust structure is right for you, now is the time to act.

The Australian Property Investment Podcast continues to share real insights like these every week, helping investors cut through the noise and make smarter, data-driven decisions.

To explore your own lending strategy or discuss how to unlock more equity, reach out to the Atelier Wealth team. Our door is open (even if the banks’ inboxes aren’t).