In short: GNT Finance is a Bundoora mortgage broker based 25 minutes north in Mickleham. Bundoora is shaped by La Trobe University and RMIT, so we arrange investment loans for units and townhouses rented to students and staff, first home buyer loans on apartments and townhouses, and refinancing for families in the 1970s and 1980s homes north of Grimshaw Street. No cost to you for our home-loan service in most cases.
Bundoora is split across three councils and home to two university campuses, which gives it a two-speed market: investor-driven units around the campuses and family homes further out.
Buying in Bundoora: what is different
Housing stock
Around La Trobe University, RMIT Bundoora and the Plenty Road tram, the stock is dense: 1970s walk-up flats, 2000s apartments, townhouse developments and student-focused buildings, plus the Polaris precinct's newer apartments. North of Grimshaw Street and towards Greensborough Road, Bundoora is 1960s to 1980s brick-veneer family homes on 600 to 800 square metre blocks, many now being renovated or replaced by two or three townhouses. Prices are above Mill Park and the growth corridor, with units the most affordable entry.
Transport
Tram route 86 runs down Plenty Road from Bundoora RMIT to the city, and buses connect to Reservoir, Macleod and Greensborough stations. The Metropolitan Ring Road crosses the north of the suburb and the CBD is about 16 kilometres, or 25 to 40 minutes by car.
Schools, shops and lifestyle
Beyond the universities, Bundoora has Parade College, Bundoora Secondary College and several primary schools. Bundoora Square, Uni Hill and Polaris cover shopping, and Bundoora Park and Gresswell Forest give the suburb its green edge. The Northern and Austin hospitals are both close, which underpins rental demand from health workers.
Loans and grants that matter in Bundoora
| Buyer | Loan and considerations |
|---|---|
| Investor buying a unit near campus | Investment loan, interest-only option, land tax on the land component, lender rules on small apartments |
| First home buyer on a townhouse or unit | Duty exemption to $600,000, concession to $750,000; First Home Guarantee to $950,000 |
| Buying off-the-plan in Polaris or near RMIT | Temporary off-the-plan duty concession ends 20 October 2026; see buying off the plan |
| Family in a 1970s home | Refinance, equity release for renovation or a dual-occupancy build |
Worked example: an investor buying a two-bedroom unit near La Trobe
An investor buys a 1980s two-bedroom unit in a small block off Plenty Road for $480,000, using equity from their home for the deposit and costs.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Land transfer duty (general rate) | $2,870 + 6% of $350,000 = $23,870 |
| Deposit (20%) plus costs, drawn from home equity | about $122,000 |
| Investment loan, interest-only, for illustration at 6.00% p.a. | $384,000, about $1,920 per month |
| Rent, for illustration at $450 per week | about $1,950 per month |
| Owners corporation, rates, insurance, management (estimate) | about $5,000 per year |
| Land tax on the unit's share of land value | Small, often nil under the $50,000 threshold for an older unit |
Before depreciation and tax, the unit runs close to neutral cash flow. Our investment property cash-flow calculator and negative gearing guide show the after-tax picture.
How GNT Finance helps Bundoora buyers
Our office at 23 Astbury Crescent, Mickleham is about 23 kilometres from Bundoora, a 25 to 30 minute drive via the Hume Freeway and Metropolitan Ring Road. Gorakh Timilsina meets Bundoora clients at home, by video, or at the office, including evenings for academics and hospital staff on rotating hours.
As a former senior credit officer, Gorakh knows the policy detail that matters here: minimum floor areas, how much of one building a lender will hold, student-accommodation exclusions, and how rental income is shaded. For families in older homes, he structures equity releases with a clear line between deductible and non-deductible debt.
Nearby suburbs we also serve
Bundoora borders Mill Park, Reservoir, Thomastown and Preston, and we also serve South Morang, Epping and Lalor.
Frequently asked questions
Will lenders finance a small apartment near La Trobe University?
Most will finance a standard one or two-bedroom apartment. Studios under about 40 to 50 square metres, apartments in buildings marketed as student accommodation, and serviced apartments face restrictions, often a maximum 70% or 80% LVR or exclusion by some lenders. We check the building and floor plan before you sign.
Can I buy a Bundoora unit for my child to live in while studying?
Yes. You can buy as an investor and charge your child rent, buy in joint names, or act as guarantor while your child borrows. Each has tax and lending implications: rent from a family member may be scrutinised, and a guarantee ties your home to the loan. We walk through which structure fits your family.
Does the off-the-plan duty concession apply to Bundoora apartments?
Yes, at the time of writing. Victoria's temporary off-the-plan concession reduces the dutiable value by the construction cost yet to be incurred, for all buyers including investors, on contracts signed before 20 October 2026. For a first home buyer it can bring a $700,000 apartment under the $600,000 duty exemption threshold.
Is a 1970s Bundoora house a good subdivision prospect?
Often, yes, on blocks of 650 square metres and up in the residential growth zones, subject to council. The finance is a construction loan on your existing land if you keep the properties, or a small development loan if you sell. Get a planning assessment before paying a premium for "potential".
Talk to GNT Finance
Bundoora rewards investors and buyers who understand the lending rules for units, townhouses and older homes. Call Gorakh on 0426 403 703 or Book a free consultation and we will map out your borrowing, at home, by video or at our Mickleham office.
Written by Gorakh Timilsina
Founder, CEO & Senior Mortgage Consultant at GNT Finance. Gorakh started as a broker assistant, spent years as a senior credit officer assessing loan applications, and now helps Melbourne families get the right loan approved. English, Nepali and Hindi spoken.