When you’re working against a deadline, whether it’s an auction purchase, a prime development plot, or a deal that just won’t wait, you’re likely frantically searching for fast bridging lenders and going with the first option that's offered.
Comparison platforms help borrowers explore specialist property finance with greater speed, clarity and confidence. In this guide, we explain how comparison platforms work in property finance and why they are becoming an important part of the borrowing process.
The bridging market is fragmented, opaque and difficult to access in full, which leaves many investors wondering how to find bridging lenders that are competitive and can fit their deal.
Is there such a thing as a bridging finance marketplace? Many investors start by assuming there must be a central place to compare bridging lenders and loans, only to realise the traditional market doesn’t quite work like that.
Shortlisting bridging lenders is the starting point for every deal. Here, we explore what to look for when filtering lenders specific scenarios, where shortlisting becomes difficult, and how experienced investors quickly narrow the market to focus on lenders that are actually relevant.
From 1 May 2026, the Renters’ Rights Act will introduce significant changes to the private rented sector in England, in what's considered the biggest shake up of the sector for decades.
For so many property investors and developers, trying to comprehensively compare bridging loan lenders in the UK can feel like an uphill struggle.
Researching commercial mortgages in the UK used to be slow and narrow. Most borrowers started with a broker, a bank relationship, or a handful of lender websites. That could work, but it rarely gave a clear view of the wider market.
Short-term bridging finance is often the starting point for commercial property investment. It allows investors to acquire assets quickly, fund refurbishment, or stabilise rental income before moving onto longer-term debt.
In property investment, the margin between success and a failure is often far thinner than most people realise.
When deals go wrong, investors and funders may blame build costs, planning delays, or sudden market shifts. In reality, the biggest losses usually happen long before the first brick is laid.
When comparing refurbishment finance vs bridging loan, it’s important to understand that although the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, they are not exactly the same. Read on to know more.
A bridging loan for office property in the UK is commonly used when a buyer needs to move quickly on a commercial acquisition or when the asset does not yet meet criteria for long-term commercial finance. Read on to find out more about bridging loans for office property in the UK.
Mixed-use property offers strong investment opportunities, but it can also make financing more complicated. Buildings or sites that combine residential and commercial units often fall outside the criteria of standard mortgage lenders, particularly if the asset is vacant, undergoing refurbishment, or being repositioned.
You can finance your first commercial property through a variety of methods, including commercial mortgages, bridging loans, development finance, and even peer-to-peer lending. With Brickflow, comparing lenders and securing funding is faster, easier and more transparent than going through a traditional broker.
After endless build-up and feverish speculation, fuelled by drip-fed leaks, the Chancellor finally delivered her Autumn Budget. With it comes some changes relating to the UK property market.
If you’re building from the ground up or taking on a major refurbishment project, chances are you’ll need development finance to fund it. This type of specialist property loan is designed for developers looking to purchase land or sites and construct residential, commercial or mixed-use buildings.
Funding a property project typically involves a three-layer capital stack: senior debt, equity, and mezzanine finance.
With rising housing demand and an increasing number of vacant commercial spaces, commercial-to-residential conversion is becoming an attractive investment opportunity. Whether you’re a developer, investor, or business owner, repurposing commercial properties into residential units can be a cost-effective and lucrative venture.
Timing is everything when it comes to bridging loans. Whether you're buying at auction, renovating a property, or covering a short-term cash gap, fast access to funding is key.
A commercial development loan, also known as a commercial construction loan, is a short-term financing solution designed to fund the construction, expansion, or major renovation of commercial properties.
If you're looking to establish a base for your business or expand your investment portfolio, commercial real estate can be a game-changer. With the potential for high returns, long-term stability, and valuable tax benefits, it’s a lucrative opportunity, but not without its complexities. Navigating the process requires strategic planning, in-depth research, and savvy financial decision-making.
A commercial mortgage is one of the most effective ways to finance a business property. Are you an entrepreneur looking to buy office space? Or maybe an investor purchasing a rental property? Whatever your goals, securing the right mortgage can be the key to success. However, the process can feel complicated, with complex eligibility criteria, documentation requirements, and lender options to consider.
If you’re looking to finance a property for business purposes, understanding the ins-and-outs of a commercial mortgage is a must.
Are you considering applying for a commercial mortgage? One of the main considerations for many borrowers is the deposit amount needed. Whether you're expanding your business or investing in property, understanding deposit requirements is key to understanding if you are able to afford a loan, and secure the best deal possible.e.
Bridging loans are fast, flexible finance that can facilitate a huge variety of property transactions – and as with everything, you pay for convenience.
In the property industry, bridging loans are now a staple tool for investors and developers, facilitating more market opportunities than otherwise available.
Bridging loans are a popular financing option in the property industry due to their versatility and ability to reach places other finance can’t. However, any savvy investor must examine all plausible finance options before committing to anything.
The freedom to be your own boss, no qualifications required and potential for impressive returns – it’s no wonder you’re wondering how to start property development.
Could a quick, short-term financial solution jeopardise your long-term homeownership goals? We’re exploring whether or not a bridging loan can affect your mortgage application.
Yes, 100% LTV bridging loans do exist — so when and how can you obtain one?
Fix and Flip Loans: Your Ultimate Guide to Property Investing Success.
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.
A short guide covering the key differences between regulated and unregulated bridging loans, for more informed decision-making.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 .
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.
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?
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?
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.
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?
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.
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?
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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%.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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?
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.
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.
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?
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?
There are numerous ways to finance property investments, from buy-to-let and commercial mortgages, to development finance. Another financing solution that has become a critical component in the UK investor or developer's financial toolkit is bridging finance.
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?
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?
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.
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.
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.
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?
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!).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The inside track on property development. Read our views on valuation delays, borrowing with outline planning, cash v funding, self-build procurement & hotels.
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.
The inside track on property development. Read our views on material costs, contingency plans, site bidding, delays, commercial loans, & new developer tips.
Development finance tips include: preparation, timing, financial transparency, risk mitigation, finding the right deal/partner/lender, guarantees & equity.
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.
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.
Find out how to avoid 5 common development finance pitfalls. Covers: shopping around, due diligence, skill gaps, partners & planning for change.
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.