Using his Aussie home to buy a villa in Bali

101 Uses for a Reverse Mortgage

Real stories. Real solutions.

Welcome back to our series, 101 Uses for a Reverse Mortgage, where we highlight the unexpected, practical ways Australians are using reverse mortgages to create security, freedom, and financial independence in retirement.

Each week, we bust the myths surrounding these loans by sharing real case studies* — no hype, no jargon, just real people solving real challenges with the right guidance and advice.

Case Study 7: Using an Australian home to buy a villa in Bali

Client Profile:

• 70-year-old single man
• Australian citizen
• Lives part-time in South Australia and part-time in Bali
• Owner-occupier of an Australian home valued at approximately $700,000
• Wanted to purchase a villa in Bali as a lifestyle (holiday) property

Challenge

Our client splits his time between Australia and Bali, spending several months each year overseas. Over time, he decided he wanted something more permanent — a villa in Bali that he could enjoy as a holiday home.

He considered selling his South Australian home to fund the purchase. But with the property increasing steadily in value, selling didn’t feel like the right move. He wanted to keep his Australian base, maintain exposure to the local property market, and still access the funds needed for the overseas purchase.

What he needed was liquidity — without giving up ownership.

Solution

We structured a reverse mortgage against his Australian home to release equity while allowing him to keep the property.

The loan was set up to provide:

• $100,000 lump sum to fund the Bali villa purchase
• $10,000 cash reserve for contingencies
• Funds to cover all associated loan costs

The reverse mortgage allowed him to access capital without repayments, while retaining full ownership of his Australian property. The loan will be repaid from the eventual sale of the home — at a time that suits him or his estate.

The Outcome

Our client successfully purchased his Bali villa while keeping his Australian home — and the long-term value growth that comes with it.

He now enjoys:

• A lifestyle driven, part time base in Bali
• An appreciating asset in Australia
• No required loan repayments
• A financial structure that supports his lifestyle choices

This strategy gave him flexibility, optionality, and freedom — without forcing a sale or locking him into rigid financial commitments.

Why This Matters

Many Australians don’t realise that a reverse mortgage can be used to:

• Purchase a holiday home
• Buy another property in Australia
• Fund property purchases overseas

In some cases, the reverse mortgage can even be taken out on the new property itself — not just the family home. Used strategically, reverse mortgages can unlock lifestyle opportunities that traditional lending simply won’t support in retirement.

This case is a powerful example of how equity can be used proactively — not just defensively — later in life.

This case study is based on a real client scenario. Names and identifying details have been changed to protect privacy. The information is general in nature and does not constitute personal financial advice. Outcomes described are specific to this client’s circumstances and may not be typical. Please seek advice tailored to your individual situation before making financial decisions.