Finance This, Property That
Finance This, Property That is your go-to podcast for expert insights and advice on building wealth through property investment.
Hosted by, Dion Fernandes, a seasoned finance professional with over 13 years of experience, each episode delves into the intricacies of property purchasing, offering valuable tips and strategies for those looking to create wealth through real estate.
From basic questions to advanced technicalities, Dion brings on trusted advisors and specialists in their fields to provide listeners with practical knowledge and actionable steps.
Whether you're a first-time buyer, a seasoned investor or simply looking to expand your property portfolio, Finance This, Property That is here to empower and educate you every step of the way.
Finance This, Property That
Episode 65: From Feasibility to Funding - Winning Strategies for Development Finance
In this episode of Finance This, Property That, host Dion Fernandes dives deep into the realities of development finance, cutting through the surface-level chatter to expose what truly makes or breaks a successful funding deal. From feasibility studies to lender negotiations, Dion explains the staged process he uses to secure strategic, profitable lending for property developers — all backed by a real-world case study of a 93-lot subdivision. Whether you're building duplexes or large-scale land subdivisions, this episode equips you with the mindset and strategy required to fund developments the right way.
📌 Episode Breakdown
00:00 – Intro
Dion sets the stage for today’s topic: how to structure funding for residential and commercial developments.
01:00 – The Development Finance Mindset
Why funding a development requires more than just a feasibility and a contract. Funders want to know who you are, what you’ve done, and if you’re capable of executing.
03:00 – Preparing a Funding Submission
Dion breaks down Stage 1: Prepare, covering what goes into a quality submission — developer CVs, asset/liability tables, and why shallow feasibility reports aren’t enough.
05:00 – Choosing the Right Lender
Stage 2: Compare options. Dion outlines how he goes beyond basic rates to assess speed to approval, profit impact, exit strategy, and whether the lender is truly right for the deal.
06:30 – The Power of a Structured Exit
Why working backward from the exit is critical. Lenders look at how you’ll repay, and developers need to know the timeframes and terms to plan for success.
08:00 – Case Study: 93-Lot Subdivision
Dion shares a client scenario that highlights poor broker performance, unnecessary refinance costs, and how strategic planning recovered $560k in extra funding.
11:00 – Lessons in Broker Value
Dion contrasts “spot and refer” brokers with his hands-on, research-driven approach. The right broker can literally be the difference between profit and project failure.
12:30 – Final Thoughts & Where to Find Dion
Dion closes by inviting listeners to reach out if they’re stuck or planning their next development. “It starts with a conversation.”
📲 Connect with Dion Fernandes:
- Instagram: @dionfinancespecialist
- LinkedIn: Dion Fernandes
- Website: www.financethisproperty.com.au
- Firm: www.mergefinance.com.au
💬 Ready to fund your next development the smart way? Start the conversation — Dion’s just a message away.