Reasons for using a bridging loan

our top 11 uses
Speak to a broker

Reasons for using a bridging loan

our top 10 uses
Speak to a broker

Bridging loans are a type of short term secured mortgage. They can be used to borrow against almost any residential, buy to let or commercial property.

The loans are short term and temporary in nature, allowing you time before they need to be repaid. Bridging loans are available to individuals or limited companies. Usually a maximum LTV of 75% applies but a 100% bridging loan can be sourced.

They are an extremely flexible type of loan and we have listed some of the more popular reasons why people are taking out bridging finance.

Property chain break

When moving house you inevitably end up in a property chain. If the chain is stuck or potentially could break down then a bridging loan can release you to purchase your new property, along with the new mortgage.

If you have exchanged contracts to sell then a closed bridging loan could be used.

The bridging loan is repaid from the sale proceeds of your original home some time later. This puts you back in control and enables you to purchase your chosen property.

Auction property

When buying a property at an auction you need to be very organised as things move fast. If you are a successful bidder you will need to make a deposit payment of 10% the same day. You will then have 28 days before legal completion is due where the remaining money is needed.

By using auction finance you can meet these tight deadlines and avoid having to forfeit your deposit if you cannot complete in time. Fast bridging loans are a popular choice for auction properties as the lenders are fully aware that everything needs to happen quickly.

Most standard mortgage lenders would be unable to meet the short time frames needed for auction purchases.

Read more about Auction Property Finance.

 

Business funding

Businesses can suffer cash flow problems for a number of reasons such as unpaid invoices or seasonal factors.

A business bridging loan will enable the business to quickly access much needed funds on a flexible basis to aid cash flow or provide working capital.

They can also be used to fund company expansion or acquisitions and even to pay an urgent tax bill.

Re-Bridging

Essentially this is refinancing of a property development bridging loan where the exit has been delayed.

There can be many reasons for the delay but typically it will be a development running over time or a buyer pulling out at the last minute.

If the lender is insisting on full repayment then re-bridging to a new lender can help provide funds to clear the debt with extra time until exit.

Unexpected tax bill

This could be for either a business or an individual.

An unexpected tax bill or one larger than you were expecting would always create a stressful situation with consequences for your cashflow.

If you are unable to pay the tax before the deadline then a second charge bridging loan can be used to release funds and avoid a late payment fine.

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Purchase of a new property

For speed and convenience many property buyers and investors will use bridging finance to initially purchase a property because it can be arranged quickly and efficiently.

This allows them to move on a property deal to gain a great price or acquire a property that needed a fast completion. Below market value finance can be arranged to take advantage of BMV opportunities, getting close to no money down deals.

Once owned the investor has time to renovate, refinance or resell the property.

If the intention is to refinance quickly then you need access to a lender that offers a day one remortgage as most lenders want you to have owned the property for at least six months before remortgaging. Alternaively you could look at a bridge to let mortgage, this combines a bridging loan with a long term buy to let mortgage.

Read more on Day One Remortgages.

Funding VAT on a commercial property

Most purchases of a commercial property will be liable for VAT at 20% of the agreed purchase price.

This increases the total price paid and can cause cash-flow issues. For VAT registered companies this VAT payment can be claimed back from HMRC.

But it still has to be paid on completion and the VAT component will not be included in funding from a commercial lender, who lends against the purchase price only.

A VAT bridging loan can help to fund 100% of the VAT element that relates to an opted-in commercial property.

Buying a property with a short lease

The majority of mortgage lenders will require a minimum length of time remaining on a property lease. If it falls short of this then they may class the property as unmortgageable and will not lend.

By using a bridging loan you can purchase the leasehold property and then spend time getting the lease extended and improve its value. The exit could be by sale or remortgage to a standard mortgage.

Read more on Short Lease Bridging Loans.

Meeting financial deadlines

The opportunities where bridging can help are wide ranging.

  • Occasionally funds are needed unexpectedly when dealing with estates and probate
  • Funds can be used to quickly settle a divorce agreement
  • To temporarily replace a standard mortgage application which has been declined

By using an open ended bridging loan you can have a degree of flexibility about when the loan is repaid.

Avoiding mortgage delays

Applying for a standard mortgage takes a certain amount of time until a mortgage offer is issued but lender delays or unexpected problems can also crop up, pushing the timeline further away.

A bridging loan can be used to help avoid a deal falling through due to these delays. The bridge provides the funds needed to buy the property and the extra time needed for the main long term mortgage to be ready.

The main mortgage is then used to fully repay the bridge.

Property developments and conversions

Bridging loans are used by developers and investors of all sizes to provide money to purchase and improve properties, including conversions of houses into flats. These can then be retained or sold.

Sometimes, the condition of a property will not meet the standards of a main lender or the improvements needed have to be started very soon.

Bridging lenders will consider the potential value that the improvements will provide and lend against this uplifted figure. They are also happy to lend on land only and properties without a bathroom or kitchen which will be rejected by mortgage lenders on the basis that they are uninhabitable.

Planning gain finance provides funds to acquire a plot or building so you can then apply for planning permission.

Refurbishment Projects

There are specific types of finance available for projects that require an element of renovation before exit. They are broadly split into two types:

LIGHT

Mostly aesthetic changes rather than structural. eg decorating, new kitchen, bathroom, windows, central heating.

Read more on light refurbishment finance

HEAVY

More involved work including structural changes, anything involving change of use or where consents are needed.

Read more on heavy refurbishment finance

Bridging Advantages

  • QUICK TO ARRANGE
  • ANY PURPOSE
  • ANY PROPERTY
  • SIMPLE
  • FLEXIBLE

Bridging Disadvantages

Speak to an expert about BRIDGING LOANS

We can provide expert guidance and solutions for bridging loans whether they are regulated or unregulated. With over 20 years experience we are well placed to assist all home buyers and property investors.

Call 020 8301 7930 to start your journey with us.