If there’s one thing 2020 has brought about, it’s the increase in people moving further from urban areas to rural areas. The global pandemic caused everyone to social distance and work from home, meaning the need to be close to the city and workplace was no longer there. With the freedom to move to cheaper areas and benefit from more land, more space and larger properties, more and more people are exploring rural property loans.
Rural property loans
It’s no secret that many Australians dream of escaping the hustle and bustle of city life and escaping to the country. The appeal of fresh air and plenty of space to roam is enough to convince many Australians to take the plunge and make a change. Rural property loans can help bring that dream to life.
What exactly is the difference between getting a mortgage in a big city and a mortgage in the country?
Many lenders can be much stricter when it comes to large properties or properties that are far from a major city. Here are some things you need to consider while taking rural property loans.

Rural Real Estate Loans: What You Need to Know
When it comes to taking out a rural property loan, there are a number of things you need to consider when looking for a lender.
- Property Size: Many lenders only grant rural real estate loans for properties up to 10-15 acres in size. At the same time, other lenders will add up to 50 hectares. You’ll need to shop around to find out what restrictions apply from different lenders. Why is that? Many lenders use your property as security for the mortgage. You want a property that can be easily resold if you don’t make the repayments. Unfortunately, selling large properties can take much longer and is considered much riskier.
- Residential or commercial: Next, you need to consider what you want to use the property for. If you plan to farm and make a profit from the land, you will need to apply Loans for the agricultural industrywhich can result in significantly higher interest rates. The fact is that the lender needs to know whether you will rely on the profits from the property to repay the loan. This is also seen as a risk.
- Location: The less remote you are, the higher your chance of being able to get a loan. Some areas have lending restrictions and zip code restrictions on lending.
- Services: The last thing you should pay attention to is how well the property is connected to electricity, water and sewage. All of this increases the value of the home and makes it easier to sell in the future.

Why is rural real estate seen as a greater risk?
While moving abroad sounds ideal with cheaper prices and lots of fresh air, it also comes with a downside. Whenever there is an economic shift, like we have seen with the COVID-19 pandemic, farms tend to lose value.
For this reason, many lenders can be much more hesitant and apply stricter guidelines when it comes to offering rural property loans. But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to get a loan. There are many lenders who are willing to take the risk and finance your country project.
How do you take out a loan?
The best idea is to get one detailed valuation on the property you are interested in so that the lender can see how worthwhile the investment will be. You must also be able to provide security for the loan. This can be your farm, but also the equipment such as tractors, livestock or other income-generating factors on your farm.
The last thing you want to have ready is a deposit. Lenders may require a down payment of as little as 5% up to 30%. Do your research to find the best lender for your unique circumstances.

Get the help you need
If you are ready to move to the country, then get in touch with us ALC commercial Today. We’ll help you find the best rural property loan for your needs, so you can start a whole new life worry-free. With our expert knowledge, you can finance your dream home in the country and get to work building a completely new life.
