DA-Approved Site Finance

A development approval changes the lending equation. Once a DA is granted, the planning risk has been removed and the site has a clear, documented development potential. Lenders recognise this. DA-approved sites attract better LVRs than pre-DA land, and the financing options are broader. Whether a developer is acquiring a DA-approved site, refinancing land ahead of construction commencing, or consolidating multiple lots under a single approved project, the right finance structure depends on the DA status, the site value, and the timeline to commencement. Settled Funding Group works with developers at all stages of the pre-construction process. Joseph Farhat reviews the DA, the site position, and the development timeline, then identifies the right lender from the 90+ panel.

Who This Is For

• •Developers wanting to acquire a DA-approved site that is ready to build, where the planning process has already been completed.
• •Investors purchasing a shovel-ready site at a premium to undeveloped land, where the DA approval justifies a higher lending position.
• •Those who have been granted a DA and need to refinance the land ahead of construction commencing to release equity or replace a short-term facility.
• •Developers consolidating DA-approved lots for a larger project and needing a facility structured across multiple titles.
• •Those who want to hold a DA-approved site while finalising builder contracts or achieving the presales coverage required by the development lender.
• •Buyers purchasing a DA-approved site at auction or through an off-market transaction who need fast finance to meet settlement timelines.

How DA-Approved Site Finance Works

DA-approved sites command better LVRs than pre-DA land because the planning risk has been removed and the site has a documented development potential that an independent valuer can assess. The closer to shovel-ready, the stronger the lending position. Lenders assess the DA conditions and any residual approval risk, the current site value on an approved basis, the proposed development and its feasibility, and the developer's income and serviceability. Joseph Farhat reviews the DA status, identifies the right lender for the site and timeline, and coordinates the valuation and application to move efficiently from site acquisition or refinance through to construction finance when ready.

What Lenders Assess for DA-Approved Site Finance

• •DA approval status: whether the DA is current, unconditional, and covers the full intended development scope. Outstanding conditions that affect the development potential reduce the lender's comfort.
• •Site value on an approved basis: the independent valuation of the site incorporating the development approval. DA-approved sites are valued higher than equivalent pre-DA land, supporting a stronger lending position.
• •Development feasibility: a preliminary feasibility confirming the viability of the approved development, the expected GRV, and the development cost. Lenders want to see that the development stacks up before committing to land finance.
• •Developer experience and income: the developer's track record with similar projects and their income position. Alt doc options are available through non-bank lenders for developers with complex or variable income.
• •Timeline to commencement: how long the developer expects to hold the site before construction commences. Lenders need to understand the holding period and whether the DA approval will still be current at commencement.
• •Exit or transition: whether the site finance will be repaid from construction finance, from a sale of the site, or from another source. The transition path to a development facility is assessed at the land finance stage.

The DA-Approved Site Finance Process: What to Expect

1. 1.Initial review: Joseph Farhat reviews the DA status, the site value, the development timeline, and the developer's income position to identify the right lender and structure before any application is prepared.
2. 2.Application submitted with DA approval documentation, title details, purchase contract or existing mortgage details, income documents (full doc or alt doc), and a preliminary feasibility.
3. 3.Independent valuation of the DA-approved site ordered by the lender. The valuation incorporates the development approval in the assessed value.
4. 4.Approval issued. Settlement of the site purchase or refinance of the existing land loan completed.
5. 5.When ready to commence construction, the site finance transitions to a construction or development facility. Settled Funding Group arranges the development facility and manages the transition.

Indicative Finance Options

DA-Approved Site Finance Broker

A DA changes the lending equation, but lenders still differ sharply on how much they will advance against an approved site, how they treat the timeline to commencement, and whether they will fund consolidation of multiple lots. LVRs, terms, and appetite for pre-construction land vary widely between banks, non-bank lenders, and specialist funders. A broker who knows which lenders give the best terms against a DA-approved site saves wasted applications, protects your credit file from needless enquiries, and reaches non-bank and specialist funders most developers cannot approach directly. For time-critical settlements or sites declined elsewhere, a broker knows where the deal will actually get done.

Settled Funding Group represents you, the developer, not the lender. Joseph Farhat reviews your DA, the site value, and your timeline to commencement, then matches the situation to the right lender from the 90+ panel and negotiates terms on your behalf. We prepare and manage the submission end to end, and for unique scenarios we can introduce you to private finance options. As a broker, we are typically paid by the lender on settlement, so in most cases there is no direct cost to you. If you are acquiring or refinancing a DA-approved site, talk to us early and we will tell you honestly what is achievable.