SMSF Lending with Francis Choo

Hi, I'm Francis Choo.

I'm a Senior Mortgage Strategist at ZENRG Finance — and I have two investment properties sitting inside my own SMSF.

I'm not here to sell you a product. I'm here because when I started this journey, I wish someone had explained it clearly, honestly, and without the jargon.

That's what this page is for. Whether you're just curious about what an SMSF actually is, or you're ready to explore whether SMSF lending could work for your situation — start here.

Check Your Eligibility
In accumulation phase — while you're still working:
• Fund earnings including rental income taxed at just 15%
• Capital gains on assets held 12+ months taxed at just 10%
In retirement phase — once the fund moves into pension mode:
• Fund earnings become tax-free
• Capital gains can reduce to zero

General information only. Tax outcomes depend on individual circumstances. Please consult a licensed financial adviser and registered tax agent.

Check Your Eligibility

Want to go deeper? Here's what you need to know.

SMSF setup, LRBA structure, contribution rules, common mistakes — all covered below.

Common Mistakes — What I've Learned the Hard Way

I made one of these mistakes myself. I'm sharing them because I see people repeat them constantly.

Over-depositing on the first property

Putting down a larger deposit to get a better interest rate sounds sensible. But inside an SMSF, cash is your only mechanism for funding future acquisitions. Depleting the fund's cash reserves on property one can delay property two by 12 to 18 months or more. Plan for properties two and three before you buy property one.

Not understanding the sole purpose test

Every decision inside your SMSF must be made for the purpose of providing retirement benefits. Purchasing a holiday home you intend to use, or a property rented to a family member at below-market rates, can breach the sole purpose test and expose the fund to significant penalties.

Ignoring ongoing costs

SMSFs have real ongoing costs — accounting, auditing, administration, and potentially financial advice fees. These need to be factored into your fund's cash flow from day one.

Treating SMSF lending like personal property investing

The rules are different. The structure is different. The tax treatment is different. And the mistakes are more costly because they're happening inside your retirement savings. Get specialist advice before you act — not after.

Ready to Find Out If This Works for You?

Six questions. That's all it takes to get started.

I'll review your answers personally and reach out to book your complimentary SMSF Lending Strategy Session — a genuine conversation about your situation, not a sales call.

Check Your Eligibility — Start Here
This page has been prepared by Francis Choo (Credit Representative 423643) operating under ZENRG Finance (Australian Credit Licence 471677). All content is general information only and does not constitute personal financial advice, credit advice, or tax advice. SMSF establishment and lending involves complex legal, financial and tax considerations. Individual circumstances vary significantly. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Please consult a licensed financial adviser, registered tax agent and qualified SMSF administrator before making any decisions regarding superannuation or property investment.