Spokesperson:

Nadine Connell, Founder and Specialist Commercial Finance Broker

Nadine Connell is an Australian female entrepreneur, business owner and specialist commercial finance broker. She founded Smart Business Plans in 2009 together with Chris Connell (Co-Founder & Director), and since then she has helped over 3,300+ Australian business owners and investors nationwide.

Unlike generalist mortgage brokers, Nadine is an expert in commercial property and business finance including complex commercial property transactions, SMSF commercial lending, medical and industrial finance, and construction & development finance.

With deep knowledge of lender appetite across all commercial property types and geographies, Nadine provides journalists with insights beyond generic market commentary.

Nadine Connell, Founder and Spokesperson for Smart Business Plans Australia
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Areas of Expertise

Nadine offers authoritative commentary on:

Commercial Property Market Trends

• Regional vs metro commercial property performance
• Yields by property type (office, industrial, retail, medical)
• Lending appetite shifts across different sectors
• Emerging opportunities in metro and regional markets

SMSF Property Investment

• SMSF borrowing trends and statistics
• Compliance challenges and opportunities
• Tax-effective property ownership structures
• Business premises purchase via SMSF
• Medical professionals using SMSFs for practice ownership

Business Finance & Lending

• Commercial lending criteria changes
• Interest rate impacts on business investment
• First-time business property buyers vs leasing decisions
• Multi-property portfolio expansion strategies
• Equipment and asset finance trends

Property-Specific Insights

• Medical and allied health centre financing
• Childcare property investment structures
• Industrial and warehouse property demand
• Retail property challenges and opportunities
• Hospitality and tourism property finance

Economic & Regulatory Commentary

• RBA rate decisions impact on commercial borrowing
• APRA regulatory changes affecting commercial lending
• First home buyer competition for small commercial premises
• Foreign investment in Australian commercial property
• Regional development and infrastructure impacts on property values

Current Market Insights & Data

What We’re Seeing in the Market – 2025

SMSF Property Lending:

• There has been a 120% increase in SMSF property enquiries 
• Average SMSF property loan: $1.2m – $1.8 million
• Medical centres remain the most sought-after SMSF property type

Commercial Property Types:

• Industrial/warehouse properties seeing strongest demand
• Office properties in CBD locations facing increased scrutiny from lenders
• Medical centres commanding premium yields (6-8% gross)
• Retail premises are making a surprising recovery, particular in the Perth market

Geographic Trends:

• Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast commercial property finance enquiries up 40%
• Brisbane industrial corridor attracting interstate investors
• Regional NSW towns with population growth showing strong commercial activity
• Perth market recovery creating opportunities for eastern states investors

Lending Environment:

• Overall lender sentiment for commercial property remains strong 
• Average commercial property loan rate: 5.80% – 8.50% (variable)
• Typical LVR for established properties: 65-70%
• Settlement timeframes: 6-8 weeks for standard transactions
• Lender appetite strongest for: industrial, medical, owner-occupied premises

Note: Data based on Smart Business Plans’ application volumes and settled loans. Available for journalists with proper attribution.

Recent Media & Publications

SBS Podcast Example Media Appearance >

Guest Contributions Available

We regularly publish authoritative content and tools for commercial property finance topics. Recent pieces suitable for republication or adaptation include:

• First time commercial property buyers guide >
• Should you buy or rent commercial property >
• Guide to SMSF commercial property rules >

Sample Story Angles & Expert Quotes

Pre-Written Commentary Available for Attribution

On SMSF Property Investment:

“I’m seeing sophisticated investors use SMSFs to purchase their business premises, effectively having their business pay rent to their retirement fund. It’s a powerful wealth-building strategy, but requires careful structuring to meet compliance requirements. The tax benefits can be substantial – rental income taxed at just 15% instead of marginal rates (though this may change from 2026), and potentially zero tax in pension phase.”

On Regional Commercial Property:

“The Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast are experiencing unprecedented commercial property demand. We’re seeing 6-7% gross yields on quality properties – figures you’d struggle to achieve in Sydney or Melbourne. Combined with population growth and infrastructure investment, regional Queensland represents compelling value for commercial property investors.”

On First-Time Business Property Buyers:

“The most common question we hear is ‘Should I buy my business premises or keep renting?’ The answer depends on multiple factors, but consider this: after 10 years of paying rent, you own nothing. After 10 years of mortgage payments, you own an appreciating asset. For established businesses with stable cash flow, ownership often makes strategic sense.”

On Medical Centre Financing:

“Medical centres are the ‘blue chip’ of commercial property. Long leases, professional tenants, essential services that operate through economic cycles. We’re seeing yields of 6-8% gross, which beats most residential property, with arguably lower risk. The challenge is finding stock – there’s more buyer demand than properties available.”

On Commercial Lending Challenges:

“The biggest mistake business owners make is approaching commercial property finance like a home loan. Banks assess commercial lending completely differently – it’s about the business’s ability to service debt, the property’s income potential, and the overall deal structure. Going in unprepared often means rejection. Having a broker who knows what each lender wants to see dramatically improves approval odds.”

Legal Information:

Smart Business Plans Australia
Authorised Representative (CR 553930) of Loan Market Services Pty Ltd (ACL 517192)
Member: Mortgage & Finance Association of Australia

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