In this episode of Finance This Property, That, mortgage planner Dion Fernandez dives deep into one of the most misunderstood areas of lending: how self-employed professionals can improve their chances of securing finance. Drawing on 13+ years of experience and real-world client examples, Dion unpacks the biggest hurdles self-employed individuals face with banks, and reveals the strategies that actually work to overcome them. If you’re a doctor, lawyer, business owner, or contractor struggling with inconsistent income or outdated advice, this episode is your blueprint to better borrowing outcomes.

📌 Episode Breakdown:

00:00 – 01:30
Intro & Ideal Client Profile
Dion introduces the episode and outlines his ideal clients: time-poor professionals like doctors, lawyers, and business owners who are often told "no" by banks due to their self-employed status.

01:30 – 03:45
Why Banks Treat Self-Employed Borrowers Differently
Explores the high-risk perception of self-employed clients, the complexity of company/trust structures, and the distinction between financials for tax vs lending purposes.

03:45 – 06:30
Presenting Income Properly to Lenders
Covers the importance of consistent financials, red flags like declining income, and how to tell your story through interim financials and BAS to avoid rejection.

06:30 – 09:30
What is Alt-Doc Lending and When Does It Work?
Dion explains alternative documentation lending—how it can be used when traditional financials aren’t ready, and the compliance required to make it viable.

09:30 – 12:00
Case Study: From PAYG to Business Owner & Dream Home Purchase
A powerful real-life example showing how Dion helped a long-term client transition from employee to entrepreneur and still secure their dream property using Alt-Doc lending.

12:00 – 13:30
Tactics to Improve Serviceability
Quick wins: pay yourself consistently, reduce expenses, cut unused credit cards, and plan financials in advance to support future loan applications.

13:30 – 14:00
Final Thoughts & How to Connect
Dion offers ways to connect, reiterates the value of planning with experts, and encourages listeners to share the episode if they found it valuable.

🎯 Key Takeaway:
Self-employed doesn't mean unlendable. With the right strategy, documentation, and expert guidance, your business growth can fuel your property goals—not hinder them.

🔗 Connect with Dion Fernandez:

• Instagram: @DionFinanceSpecialist
• Website: www.financethispropertythat.com.au
• LinkedIn: Dion Fernandez
• Company: www.emergefinance.com.au