Real Estate Holding & Financing Lawyers
PBL Law Group is the premier law firm for structuring the ownership & financing of high-value real estate assets.
- Sophisticated Holding Structures
- Cross-Border Financing & Security
- Real Estate Tax & Asset Protection
- UHNW Residential & Commercial Transactions
Speak to Our Real Estate Holding & Financing Lawyers Now
We will call you within 24 hours.
Who Our Real Estate Holding & Financing Lawyers Help
UHNW Families
We create bespoke structures to acquire, hold & protect your high-value residential properties.
Single Family Offices
We act as your counsel for direct real estate acquisitions, structuring your holding vehicles & financing.
Foreign Investors
We advise on compliance & design tax-efficient structures for your acquisition of real estate.
Property Developers
We structure your development projects, from land acquisition & financing to titling & off-the-plan sales.
Commercial Investors
We advise on the acquisition, financing & structuring of your high-value commercial property portfolio.
End-to-End Real Estate Holding & Financing Services
Asset Protection Structuring
We structure trusts & bespoke corporate vehicles to shield your property portfolio from personal & commercial risks.
Real Estate Tax Advisory
We design your ownership to legally minimise Land Tax, Stamp Duty & Capital Gains Tax on your property portfolio.
Cross-Border Financing
We advise on the complex legal & security arrangements for financing high-value real estate across multiple jurisdictions.
FIRB Applications & Compliance
We manage the entire FIRB application process for foreign investors to ensure the compliant acquisition of Australian property.
Complex Transactions
We advise on the acquisition & sale of high-value residential & commercial properties, from due diligence to settlement.
Development & Project Structuring
We structure the complete legal architecture for your property development, from acquisition & financing to titling, subdivisions & sales.
Real 5-Star Client Reviews
Speak to Our Real Estate Holding & Financing Attorneys Now
We will call you within 24 hours.
Our Real Estate Holding & Financing Process
1
Strategy & Due Diligence
We define your objective & conduct rigorous due diligence on the target asset, identifying all legal & commercial risks.
2
Structuring & Financing
We design the optimal ownership structure & advising on financing arrangements to maximise tax efficiency & asset protection.
3
Transaction Management
We manage the entire transaction, from contract negotiation to liaising with financiers & authorities for a seamless process.
4
Settlement & Activation
We execute a flawless settlement & activating the long-term ownership structure to secure your high-value asset.
Elite Counsel for Premier Real Estate
For UHNW families & investors, a high-value property is not just a transaction; it is a cornerstone of your legacy. Standard conveyancing ignores the critical architecture of ownership, leaving your property exposed to tax inefficiencies, litigation & succession disputes.
PBL Law Group provides the complete, multi-disciplinary counsel required. Our team, led by George Halikiotis on transactions, Anthony Watson on tax, Raea Khan on legacy & Mark Lea on trusts, engineers sophisticated holding structures that protect your most significant tangible assets, ensuring they are a secure foundation for your legacy.
Speak to Our Real Estate Holding & Financing Lawyers Now
We will call you within 24 hours.
Why Choose Our Real Estate Holding & Financing Lawyers
1
Sophisticated Structuring
We go beyond the transaction, engineering bespoke ownership structures to deliver superior asset protection & tax efficiency.
2
Elite Tax Counsel
Our top-tier strategic advice on Stamp Duty, Land Tax & CGT to legally minimise tax leakage on your entire property portfolio.
3
Partner-Led Execution
Your high-value transaction is managed directly by a Partner, ensuring unmatched expertise & accountability.
4
Integrated Legacy Advice
We ensure your property assets are seamlessly integrated with your broader estate plan, protecting them for generations.
Visit Our Private Client Lawyers
We provide expert private client advice internationally. Meet with our team at our CBD offices in Singapore or Sydney.
Speak to Our Investment & Growth Structures Lawyers Now
We will call you within 24 hours.
Legacy at Risk
Holding a landmark property in your personal name is a catastrophic vulnerability. It links your most significant tangible asset to every personal & commercial risk you face, exposing it to lawsuits, creditors & matrimonial disputes that can force a sale.
PBL Law Group engineers a bespoke holding structure. We create a legal fortress that severs this link, shielding your property from external threats & securing your family’s legacy for generations.
The Wealth Drag
Without elite structuring, your property portfolio has a permanent tax drag. Stamp Duty, Land Tax & CGT are not just costs; they are a constant, silent erosion of your family’s capital, putting a permanent brake on the compounding growth of your legacy.
Our elite tax counsel designs your ownership for maximum efficiency. We legally minimise tax at every stage, from acquisition to succession, preserving the capital value of your portfolio.
Speak to Our Investment & Growth Structures Advisers Now
We will call you within 24 hours.
The Divestment Risk
Acquiring Australian real estate as a foreign investor is a high-stakes gamble against a complex regulatory regime. A flawed FIRB application or non-compliant structure can lead to forced divestment orders & severe penalties, causing financial & reputational damage.
We provide certainty in this minefield. Our team expertly navigates the entire FIRB process & designs compliant, tax-efficient structures, guaranteeing your acquisition is secure & successful.
The Lender's Trap
Financing high-value real estate is a negotiation for control. Standard loan documents are filled with hidden risks & covenants designed to benefit the lender, not you, threatening your financial sovereignty over your entire portfolio.
Our commercial expertise ensures your interests are protected. We negotiate complex financing & security terms that align with your structure, preserving your control & shielding you from hidden risks.
Speak to Our Investment & Growth Structures Attorneys Now
We will call you within 24 hours.
FAQs for Real Estate Holding & Financing
Why is a special holding structure needed for high-value property?
A bespoke structure, like a trust or company, is essential for asset protection. It creates a legal shield that separates the high-value property from your personal or business risks, such as lawsuits or creditors.
What is the best way to own property for asset protection?
The optimal structure is typically a discretionary trust, often with a corporate trustee. This provides a high degree of protection by separating legal ownership (the trustee) from beneficial ownership (the family).
How does ownership structure affect tax?
The ownership structure has a major impact on Stamp Duty, Land Tax & Capital Gains Tax (CGT). Expert structuring, such as using specific types of trusts, can legally minimise these liabilities.
What is FIRB approval?
FIRB (Foreign Investment Review Board) approval is a mandatory government clearance required for most foreign nationals seeking to acquire Australian real estate. A non-compliant purchase can lead to severe penalties.
Can a trust reduce my Land Tax bill?
Yes, in some circumstances. Using different trusts to hold different properties can, in some jurisdictions, allow each property to be assessed individually, potentially accessing separate tax-free thresholds.
What is a "bare trust" in real estate?
A bare trust is a simple structure where the trustee holds the legal title to a property for a single, named beneficiary. It is often used in property transactions for tax or structuring purposes, particularly with superannuation funds.
How do I protect a property from a child's divorce?
Leaving a property directly to a child exposes it to family law claims. Holding the property in a discretionary trust, of which the child is a beneficiary, is a far more robust asset protection strategy.
Why is a shareholder agreement important for co-owned property?
When a property is owned by a company, a shareholder agreement is critical. It sets out the rules for funding, control &, most importantly, exit strategies, preventing costly disputes between co-owners.
What is "stamp duty"?
Stamp duty is a significant state government tax levied on the purchase of property. The amount varies by state & is a major transaction cost that requires careful planning.
Can foreign investors get a mortgage in Australia?
Yes, but the lending criteria are much stricter than for local residents. Foreign investors typically face lower loan-to-value ratios (LVRs) & a more complex approval process.
Why is expert legal advice crucial for financing?
Expert legal counsel is essential to negotiate the terms of complex loan & security documents. This protects you from hidden risks & ensures the financing aligns with your ownership structure.
How does PBL Law Group differ from a conveyancer?
A conveyancer manages the standard transfer of title. PBL Law Group acts as your strategic counsel, designing the optimal legal & tax architecture for the ownership of your entire high-value portfolio.
What is "due diligence" in a property transaction?
Due diligence is the comprehensive investigation of a property before purchase. It includes legal searches, title reviews, building inspections & financial analysis to identify any hidden risks.
Can I buy property with my superannuation fund (SMSF)?
Yes, but it is governed by very strict rules under a “Limited Recourse Borrowing Arrangement” (LRBA). Non-compliance can lead to severe financial penalties from the tax office.
What are "off-the-plan" purchases?
This is the process of buying a property, typically an apartment, before it has been built. These transactions carry unique risks & require specialised legal review of the contract.
How Our International Private Client Lawyers Can Assist You
Cross‑Border Tax & Residency
We architect & defend your optimal global tax & residency strategy, turning complexity into a powerful strategic advantage.
Wealth Protection & Privacy
We engineer multi-layered legal fortresses to shield your wealth & privacy from the complex risks of a transparent world.
Investment & Growth Structures
We structure the institutional-grade architecture to professionally deploy, manage & grow your private capital.
Global Mobility & International Residency
We develop the legal & operational framework for a life of global freedom, built on a foundation of absolute security.
International Estate Planning & Legacy
We architect the legal framework to protect your family, business & wealth across borders & generations.
Family Office for UHNWI
We provide the elite counsel to transform your wealth from a collection of assets into an enduring family enterprise.
Speak to Our Real Estate Holding & Financing Lawyers Now
We will call you within 24 hours.
Latest International Estate Planning & Private Client Insights
Introduction For an OnlyFans creator, the world of content creation presents a unique set of challenges that extend beyond producing adult content for
Introduction For many influencers operating as a business owner, the default structure is often a sole tradership. While simple, this approach creates significant
Introduction Choosing the right business structure is one of the most important decisions an Australian content creator will make, as it directly impacts
Introduction Singapore’s reputation as being a tax optimisation jurisdiction, built on low tax rates and attractive incentives, makes it a prime destination for
Introduction For many Australian content creators on platforms like OnlyFans, generating a significant income has become a reality. This success, however, brings complex
Introduction The landscape of taxation for the European Union’s (EU) content creator community is undergoing a significant shift with the implementation of DAC7.
Expert Legal Help For All Your Needs
Strata Law
Strata by-laws, strata disputes, building defects claims, setting up new Owners Corporations & more...
Construction & Building Law
Construction & building projects, disputes & litigation, building defects, delays & claims, debt recovery & more…
International Estate Planning
Cross-border estate planning, international wills & trusts, tax-efficient wealth transfer strategies & more…
Wills & Estates
Creating, updating & contesting wills, estate planning & administration, probate applications & more…
Commercial & Business Law
Starting & scaling your business, banking & business financing, bankruptcy & insolvency & more…
Planning & Environment Law
Environment & planning regulation, land and environment court disputes, sub-divisions & more…
