Equity Release: Use What You Already Own
Most established property owners are sitting on hundreds of thousands of dollars in trapped equity — without realising it can be put to work. The equity release strategy is how Maple's clients fund their next property purchase without selling what they already have.
Your Next Deposit is Probably Already Sitting in Your Existing Property
If you've owned property for more than five years, the chances are good that the property is worth materially more than you paid for it. The difference between today's value and your remaining loan balance is your equity — and a portion of that equity can be unlocked through refinancing to fund the deposit on your next investment.
The mechanics are straightforward: an updated valuation confirms the current property value, the lender refinances up to 80% of that value (avoiding mortgage insurance), and the cash difference is drawn down into a new loan split. That cash becomes the deposit and costs for your next acquisition — typically allowing you to add another property to the portfolio without spending a dollar of saved cash.
Maple's equity release service handles the valuation strategy, the loan splits, the lender selection and the broader portfolio implications — making sure each release is structured for maximum tax deductibility and minimum disruption to your existing finance.
4 Benefits of Releasing Equity
Used correctly, equity release is the single most powerful accelerator of portfolio growth.
No New Cash Required
Fund the next deposit, stamp duty and costs from existing equity rather than from out-of-pocket savings.
Acquire Faster
Skip 3–5 years of deposit saving — typically the biggest single barrier to investors adding their next property.
Compound Across Properties
Equity released to buy a new property generates its own growth — which can be released again later. Compounding equity is how portfolios scale.
Tax-Effective Structure
Structured correctly, released equity used for investment purposes carries fully tax-deductible interest.
Our Equity Release Process
Equity release looks simple on paper but the structure matters enormously. Get it wrong and you compromise tax deductibility for the life of the loan.
Equity Position Review
Confirm your existing property values, remaining loan balances and the gross equity available across your portfolio.
Valuation Strategy
Choose the right lender and the right valuation type (desktop, kerbside or full valuation) to maximise the assessed value.
Loan Split Design
Structure the equity release as a separate loan split — never blended with existing investment or owner-occupier debt — to preserve clean tax treatment.
Drawdown & Acquisition
Draw the released equity into an offset or holding account, ready to fund the deposit and costs on the next purchase.
Portfolio Re-Test
Re-test serviceability and gearing position before each release to ensure the portfolio remains structurally sound.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most lenders will refinance up to 80% of the current property value without mortgage insurance. The released amount is (80% of new value) minus current loan balance, minus any deductions for valuation or refinance costs. We model the exact figure during the initial review.
Yes — if structured correctly, releasing equity for an investment purpose creates a new, fully tax-deductible loan. If structured poorly (e.g. drawing into a mixed-purpose loan), you can permanently compromise deductibility. The structuring is where the value of a specialist broker really matters.
No — but interest is only tax-deductible if the funds are used for income-producing purposes (investment property, shares, business). Funds used for personal purposes (renovations, holidays, cars) carry non-deductible interest. We typically only recommend releasing equity for clear investment use.
Yes — and it's actually one of the most common starting points. Owner-occupier homes typically carry the most equity, often the lowest interest rate, and the cleanest valuation. Releasing equity from the family home to fund an investment is a well-established strategy.
Your loan balance is fixed at drawdown — it doesn't fluctuate with property value. A value drop reduces your equity buffer but doesn't trigger a margin call or repayment demand. We structure each release with a conservative buffer to absorb normal market volatility.
Typically every 18–36 months, depending on capital growth. The trigger isn't the time elapsed — it's whether the value has grown enough to make the next release worthwhile after costs. We re-test annually.
Related Investment Approaches
Property Duplication
Equity release is the engine that funds most duplications — they're the strongest pairing in our toolkit.
Learn MorePortfolio Optimisation
Optimisation often surfaces large equity-release opportunities that investors had no idea were available.
Learn MoreBuy & Hold
Equity from existing Buy & Hold properties funds the next Buy & Hold acquisition. Compounding wealth in action.
Learn More
Want to Unlock Trapped Equity?
Speak with Maple about how much equity you have available across your portfolio — and how to deploy it for the next strategic acquisition.