Free tool
Secured or unsecured? A four-question check
Every industry can use either lane. Your property, trading history, amount and banking habits decide which one to explore first.
How the two lanes differ
| Question | Property-secured | Unsecured cash-flow |
|---|---|---|
| Amounts | $20k to $5m | Typically $5k to $500k |
| What it relies on | Equity in residential or commercial property | Turnover and business bank statements |
| Security type | First mortgage, second mortgage or caveat | No property; director guarantees are common |
| Suits | Larger needs, purchases, shorter histories, credit blemishes | Stock, equipment, working capital, repeat needs |
Your industry shapes this too. Farms, wineries and rent-roll buyers tend to lean towards property security because the amounts are larger and the income arrives in big seasonal chunks. Cafés, salons and electricians with steady card or invoice income often fit unsecured facilities. The industry finder shows the usual lane for 44 industries.
What if the answer is "both"?
Plenty of owners qualify for either. The choice then comes down to how much you need, how long you'll need it for, what the finance costs overall and how comfortable you are offering property. A short conversation sorts that out quickly. Read how it works, then start your enquiry — no credit check when you first enquire, and it isn't passed around a crowd of lenders.
Secured vs unsecured questions
What's the difference between a secured and an unsecured business loan?
A secured business loan is backed by an asset — here, residential or commercial property through a first mortgage, second mortgage or caveat. An unsecured business loan relies on the business's trading performance, measured through turnover and bank statements, with no property pledged.
Do I need to own property to get business finance?
No. Trading businesses with steady banked income can look at unsecured, cash-flow and line-of-credit options, typically $5k to $500k. Property mainly matters for larger amounts, shorter trading histories or more complicated credit.
Can a director's or family member's property be used?
Often, yes, with that owner's full agreement and independent advice. Lenders will want the owner to understand the risk they're taking on, and the property owner signs the security documents.
Does this check look at my credit file?
No. It runs entirely in your browser and nothing is saved or sent. When you enquire there's also no credit check at the first step.
Why does banked income matter so much?
Unsecured lenders size facilities on the cash they can see moving through a business account. Takings that never reach the bank are invisible to them, even if the business is profitable.
See what your business could qualify for
One short enquiry, no credit check when you first enquire, and a real person who calls you back with options that fit.
No credit check to enquire
Not sent to a crowd of lenders
A real person who gets your industry