Borrower Tips
Fix and Flip Loans: A Comprehensive Guide For Beginners
Fix and Flip Loans: Your Ultimate Guide to Property Investing Success.
Brickflow Thinks
Borrower Tips
Bridging Loan For Renovation | How To Fund A Renovation
Have you found a prime-location property at a bargain price, but it’s missing a kitchen or even a roof? A bridging loan for renovation could be your solution.
Borrower Tips
Unregulated Bridging Loans Vs Regulated Bridging Loans
A short guide covering the key differences between regulated and unregulated bridging loans, for more informed decision-making.
Borrower Tips
Bridging Loan vs Mortgage: What's The Difference?
You’ve found a great investment property; a diamond in the rough with huge potential - but it needs some work. Do you try the traditional mortgage route, or is there a faster, more efficient way to unlock the opportunity?
Industry Insights
Why Mezzanine and Equity Finance are in High Demand
After highlighting an acute equity shortage in last month’s Industry Insights, it’s no surprise that demand for mezzanine and equity finance is on the up amongst property investors. As more borrowers look to plug the gap, now is the time to get to grips with this type of funding.
Borrower Tips
Everything You Need to Know About Bridging Loan Deposits
Bridging loans are becoming increasingly useful in property investment and development. In order to secure a bridging loan, you’ll need a deposit.
How much is required for your bridging loan deposit can be anything from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of pounds.
Borrower Tips
Bridging Loans for Barn Conversions: Financing Your Dream Project
Thanks to changes to permitted development rights for agricultural buildings in early 2024, barn conversions have become a lot more feasible. In this blog we look at using bridging finance to fund a barn conversion project.
Borrower Tips
How to Secure the Best Property Development Bridging Loan
The bridging loan market is continually growing and evolving, offering proven solutions for overcoming short-term funding gaps in all types of UK property transactions.
Property developers and investors are increasingly using bridging loans because they’re fast, flexible and can significantly improve access to market opportunities.
Borrower Tips
Bridging Loan to Buy a House: Everything You Need To Know
The UK housing market can be tricky, navigating property chains or trying to secure your dream home before selling your existing home. Bridging finance has become a key solution, offering temporary liquidity that can prevent you from missing out on market opportunities .
Industry Insights
Property Development's Next Chapter: Navigating the Liquidity Crunch
After discussing how slow transaction cycles are restricting businesses, we’re now exploring another issue property investors face - a liquidity crunch. Higher interest rates (even with the latest base rate decrease) translate to larger equity inputs on every deal with debt attached. But despite the lack of liquidity, opportunities are out there.
Industry Insights
The Business Killer: Are Extended Transaction Cycles Here to Stay?
Talking to industry colleagues, from lenders, brokers, agents & investors, everyone is asking the same question: Why are property transactions taking so long to complete?
And is this the new normal?
Industry Insights
As the housing crisis continues, has hope sprung in commercial property?
The UK’s housing shortage continues to drive problems throughout the market, from affordability to homelessness, spurring private ventures into action. Meanwhile, could commercial mortgage arrears signify the next opportunity?
Industry Insights
Why the HMO and BTR markets are soaring
Are we out of the woods yet? Well, not really – recession, living costs and mortgage prices continue to hold back the property market. But relaxation of PDR rules has come just at the right time to capitalise on the soaring HMO and BTR sectors.
Borrower Tips
Is property development a good career?
Between the Brickflow team, we’ve completed a fair few successful property developments. We’re speaking to Ina Bakalova, one of our product managers, to talk about her developments and answer the ultimate question – is property development a good career?
Borrower Tips
Biodiversity Net Gain - Navigating the New Legislation
We know from our recent white paper research that 96% of developers are not confident in how to achieve BNG. But with the requirements that came into play in February 2024, it’s essential to understand what is expected of developers. Read our quick guide to understand the basics.
Industry Insights
Industry Insights (January 2024)
2023 ended on a high, and forecasts for the new year ahead indicate more stability, reduced borrowing costs and a handle on inflation. Will it all be plain sailing though, as markets navigate another devastating war, major global elections and the risk of recession not quite quashed?
Borrower Tips
Can You Get A Bridging Loan With Bad Credit?
Bad credit can be a hindrance for many finance options. When it comes to bridging finance, however, it's still possible to secure short-term bridging finance with a less than favourable credit score.
Brickflow News
Brickflow wins 'Technological Innovation of the Year'
We won! We’re absolutely thrilled to announce that Brickflow won the Technological Innovation of the Year Award at the NACFB Commercial Lender Awards 2023!
Industry Insights
Industry Insights (December 2023)
After housing was notably absent from October’s Tory party conference, the Autumn Statement featured funding and reforms to boost development. But is it enough to reverse the impact of multiple failed policies, chronic austerity-driven underfunding of planning departments, NIMBY backbench-pressure, see-sawing housing targets and a merry-go-round of housing ministers?
Borrower Tips
Should I apply for a bridging loan? Risks and opportunities.
Whatever your property development plans, bridging finance is a fast, flexible way to fund your project. But alongside the opportunities comes risks, so we’re looking at both sides of bridging finance, as well as how to get the best deal.
Brickflow News
A Week of the White Paper: Momentum Builds for Solving the UK's Housing Shortage
Last week we launched our comprehensive white paper, Solving the UK’s Housing Shortage and what a week it’s been so far. A first of its kind for our industry, the report examines the core issues that are hindering house building and offers an actionable framework to address our colossal housing deficit, which the government itself has failed to do.
Industry Insights
Industry Insights (September 2023)
A halt to interest rate rises, a decrease in inflation and a resilience amongst mortgaged homeowners to stave off the bank’s bailiffs. Are things looking up? Read this month’s Industry Insights to find out why we believe now is the time for the savviest investors to grab opportunities.
Industry Insights
Why Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) Trumps Profit
Embracing an inner chameleon helps developers to continually adapt to market conditions, but in today’s climate should property investors and developers change how they measure a successful project? This month’s Industry Insights looks at why some property businesses are now focusing on Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) rather than profitability.
Industry Insights
Industry Insights (July 2023)
Planning permission: the dreaded process that's deterring more and more property developers. With recent reports showing drastic drops in applications in England, this month’s Industry Insights looks at the stats and the consequent effect on the future housing market.
Three approaches to Revolving Credit Facilities
Revolving Credit Facilities are a continual line of credit arranged between borrower and lender, where the borrower can access funds as and when needed, rather than drawing down on the entire loan from day one. Here, we look at the three approaches to arranging a Revolving Credit Facility (RCF).
Industry Insights
Navigating a volatile market, a word of caution & some exciting industry innovation
Opinions, forecasts and predictions continue to see-saw around the UK economy with the latest figures released last month now showing that annual inflation in April was higher than expected at 8.7%.
Brickflow News
The New Wave of Embedded Finance that Will Transform the CRE Market
As Brickflow Enterprise, our embedded finance solution, makes waves across the CRE finance market, Brickflow’s CEO and founder Ian Humphreys headed to Fintech Talent’s Embedded Finance and Super-Apps conference to discuss the latest developments and the future of embedded finance.
Industry Insights
Industry Insights (April 2023)
On April 19th the ONS published its most recent report on property market activity. Despite four consecutive months of house price falls, the data reveals a stoic resilience within the UK property market.
Borrower Tips
How to finance your property development?
Have you spotted the perfect site for a project, or come across a quirky old warehouse that’s ripe for conversion? Then you’re probably wondering how to finance your property development? There’s plenty of options out there, and our simple guides are a great place to start gathering information.
Borrower Tips
Are bridging loans a good idea?
We’ve been discussing bridging loans a lot recently at Brickflow, from why and how people use bridging finance, to the benefits and how to apply. Here, we are drilling a bit deeper and asking are bridging loans a good idea?
Borrower Tips
How to get finance for property development?
At Brickflow, getting finance for property development couldn’t be easier and we’re on a mission to make the market more accessible to all. Today we’re discussing development finance options, eligibility criteria and how to secure the best finance for property development.
Borrower Tips
How long does it take to get a bridge loan?
One of the key aspects of bridging loans is the speed with which they can be arranged, but there are a few factors which can delay your application. So we’re taking a look so you can avoid some common pitfalls.
Industry Insights
Industry Insights (March 2023)
March means Spring Budget, so this month we’re looking at any opportunities arising from the Chancellor’s announcement, and of course, the tremors in the global banking sector.
Borrower Tips
What is the difference between bridging and development finance?
Knowing the different types of finance available for property development is key when it comes to choosing the right funding for your project. We're looking at the differences between development and bridging finance and how they are both used.
Borrower Tips
What is an open-ended bridging loan?
Bridging finance can be used for a whole range of property investments so it’s helpful to know the types of bridging loans available. In this article, we’re looking at open-ended bridging loans.
Brickflow News
Brickflow nurtures grassroots property finance talent at Bayes Business School
Brickflow’s CEO and founder, Ian Humphreys, had the great pleasure of being invited to speak as a guest lecturer at the prestigious Bayes Business School to students studying the Masters in Real Estate.
Borrower Tips
Who Can Get A Bridging Loan? Eligibility & Criteria
Property developers are increasingly realising the benefits that bridging finance can offer when financing property development projects. A fast, flexible solution largely used when buying, selling, or refinancing property.
Borrower Tips
How much money do you need for property development?
Property development often seems like a business venture for people with wads of disposable cash. But realistically, how much money do you need? We’re discussing deposit requirements and if getting into property development is worthwhile.
Industry Insights
Industry Insights (February 2023)
Welcome to February’s Industry Insights, the inside track on property development. Read our views on the current economic climate, house price correction, adapting to the new market and why 2023 will hold plenty of opportunities.
Borrower Tips
Who is eligible for development finance?
Property development finance: who is eligible, what is the qualifying criteria and what costs are involved? How Brickflow can help you apply and secure the best development finance loan for your project.
Borrower Tips
Brickflow Guide to Design and Access Statements
A Design and Access Statement (DAS) is an integral part of a planning application and required by planning rules. Every property developer or architect working on anything other than a very small project must submit one.
Borrower Tips
What are the pros and cons of property development?
We’ve all been captivated by the transformation journey of property, whether on the countless TV programmes or the extensive renovations of a neighbour’s home. So what are the pros and cons of property development?
Borrower Tips
How does property development finance work?
Whether it’s a low-key investment or large-scale site, property development projects wouldn’t get off the ground without funding. We’re looking at the key features and main uses of property funding, beginning with how does property development finance work?
Borrower Tips
Reasons why you should use a bridging loan
After 2022’s soaring housing market, things are cooling throughout 2023, meaning less competition and good opportunities for savvy investors. There are various funding options for property purchases, so we’re discussing the reasons why you should use a bridging loan.
Industry Insights
Industry Insights (January 2023)
A new year ahead and an altered property market emerging. Read January's Industry Insights for our views on the back drop to the economic downturn, why interest rates are rising, why we’re facing a liquidity crunch and the outlook for 2023.
Borrower Tips
Why is development finance important?
How a property development project is financed can affect everything from how quickly the project progresses to how profitable it will be. It also impacts how quickly you scale your business. So, why is development finance important?
Borrower Tips
What are the different types of development finance?
Every property development scheme has vast differences in scale, build type and budget, which means developers need different types of finance for each project. So, what are the different types of development finance?
Borrower Tips
What Are The Pros And Cons Of A Bridging Loan?
There are numerous ways to finance property investments, including development finance, commercial mortgages and so on. One financing solution that has become a critical component of the UK developer's financial toolkit is that of bridging finance.
Borrower Tips
Bridging loan eligibility criteria: What do you need to apply?
Bridging loans are a quick, convenient way to fund fast-moving property transactions or plug temporary funding gaps, but what are the bridging loan eligibility criteria and what do you need to apply?
Borrower Tips
What are the differences between commercial and residential bridging loans?
Using a bridging loan for property development has become a key financial tool for most developers, both in commercial and residential builds. So what are the differences between commercial and residential bridging loans?
Borrower Tips
5 tips for property developers to manage risk in a volatile environment
Ian Humphreys, CEO & Co-Founder of Brickflow gives his top 5 tips for property developers to manage risk in a volatile environment. Ian discusses using cash efficiently, phasing, forward sales, interest rates and renegotiating transactions.
Industry Insights
Industry Insights (October 2022)
Welcome to October's Industry Insights, our monthly round up of the conversations we’re having with commercial finance brokers, property entrepreneurs, agents and lenders. This month we look at interest rates, bridging finance and the commercial mortgage market.
Industry Insights
Industry Insights (September 2022)
Brickflow’s Industry Insights is a monthly round up of the common trends and conversations we’re having with property developers, brokers and lenders. With 42 lenders now on our platform, we’re speaking to them daily, which gives us exclusive insight into current market sentiment.
Market Watch
How do changing interest rates affect my development finance?
Interest rates have recently increased again and are forecast to rise further.
Rising rates means increased costs for borrowers, but what do rising interest rates mean for development finance and the cost of property loans?
Industry Insights
Industry Insights (August 2022)
This month we’re trying to make sense of the headlines on the economy for property developers as well as answer the questions that all developers are asking (no prizes for guessing that ‘fixed rates’ is the number 1 topic!).
Industry Insights
Industry Insights (July 2022) - the inside track of what we're seeing in property development
As summer gets into full swing, the property market is sizzling too. Read about how interest rate rises might impact you, lender reactions, build costs and land price predictions.
Market Watch
Have build costs peaked?
Property developers and contractors have been faced with rising build costs for the best part of two years. Find out why they increased, whether or not they’ve peaked and what this means for you.
Market Watch
What is nutrient neutrality?
Do you know about nutrient neutrality? It’s stalling the building of 120,000 new UK homes. Find out more about this growing issue and how it might affect you.
Industry Insights
Industry Insights (Q2 2022) - the inside track of what we're seeing in property development
As spring blooms across the UK, we're seeing some changes in land prices. We're looking at the issues driving the changes, how to calculate residual land values and the impact of interest rate rises.
Industry Insights
Industry Insights (Q1 2022) - the inside track of what we're seeing in property development
The inside track on property development. Read our views on borrowing costs, overages, land payments, whether it’s a good time to buy and looking beyond 2022.
Industry Insights
Industry Insights (Q4 2021): The news & trends you need to know about in property development
The inside track on property development. Read our views on valuation delays, borrowing with outline planning, cash v funding, self-build procurement & hotels.
Borrower Tips
How Phasing a Property Development Can Help You Achieve Success Sooner
Phasing a property development is financial engineering at its best. We’ve crunched the numbers to show how you can maximise equity and scale-up more quickly.
Industry Insights
Industry Insights (Q3 2021): the inside track of what we’re seeing in property development
The inside track on property development. Read our views on material costs, contingency plans, site bidding, delays, commercial loans, & new developer tips.
Brickflow News
Brickflow edges towards £50 million in approved loans since official launch
Having secured nearly £50m in approved loans within 6 months of launch, we know Brickflow delivers a win, win for borrowers and lenders. Find out why.
Brickflow News
Former Paragon Bank Development Finance Director joins Brickflow
Find out more about our non-exec director, Tim Noble. He’s keen to share his 30+ years development finance experience with you.
Borrower Tips
How to get your development finance application approved
Development finance tips include: preparation, timing, financial transparency, risk mitigation, finding the right deal/partner/lender, guarantees & equity.
Borrower Tips
The Development Finance Paradox: Why cheap development finance is a false economy
The cheapest development finance loan may not be the best. Read the facts & figures, and see how we can find a loan that maximises your investment return.
Borrower Tips
How to become a (really good) property developer
Insights into the essential skills needed to be a property developer and how to convince a lender you’ve the right experience to make your project a success.
Borrower Tips
Five development finance pitfalls to avoid
Find out how to avoid 5 common development finance pitfalls. Covers: shopping around, due diligence, skill gaps, partners & planning for change.
Borrower Tips
Cracking The Capital Stack
All you need to know about The Capital Stack. Includes: what it is, how it works in practice and the differences between mezzanine and equity finance.