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Compare Bridging Loan Brokers

Connect with the UK's top bridging finance brokers

What is a Bridging Loan Broker and What Do They Do?

A bridging loan broker specialises in securing short-term bridging loans, acting as an intermediary between you (the borrower) and the lender. Typically, the broker is responsible for sourcing a suitable finance product for your circumstances, negotiating terms with the lender on your behalf, and steering the whole application and all parties to a successful completion.

Brokers will do a lot of the legwork, i.e. the paperwork, involved in securing the loan, dealing with all of the third parties involved (lender, valuer, both sets of lawyers) from start to finish. They will ensure compliance on both sides and maintain effective communication between you, the lender and third parties. 

Working with a broker that has experience in the bridging loan niche can make the process quicker and more efficient and help you get the best deal. They will be able to help you with varying types of bridging loans, for example, auction finance, fast bridging loans, land bridging, development exit and more.

How Does a Bridging Loan Broker Work?

A bridging loan broker is constantly plugged into the market, fostering relationships with lenders, learning the tricks to a successful application and gaining insights into things like which lenders have just received new funding lines.

By contrast, a property investor or developer might be in the market once or twice per year. In a continually changing market, it’s therefore impossible to keep up, especially since the market lacks transparency, lenders don’t publish their criteria, and there are few live price comparison sites – Brickflow’s bridging comparison is one of the few.

Bridging loan brokers offer borrowers access to the market (and their in-depth knowledge of it) and their networks to find the best-fit solution for you, ensuring you work with the right lender to meet your criteria.

When you’re working with a bridging loan broker, the process will go along these lines:

  • Consultation: The broker will initially discuss your financial situation and project requirements to determine what type of bridging loan you need.
  • Loan search: The bridging loan broker leverages their network of lenders to find available loans. Using our tech, Brickflow broker partners search loans from over 50 bridging lenders instantly.
  • Secure the loan: The broker will package your application and negotiate with lenders on your behalf to secure the most favourable terms and rates.
  • Post-loan support: Brokers may also provide ongoing support after the loan is secured, managing any challenges that may arise.

At Brickflow, we’ve revolutionised how brokers search for and secure bridging loans. Using our platform, Brickflow partner brokers can instantly perform a market-wide search to find the best loans for their clients. Combining our tech with their industry knowledge, they can help you select the most suitable lender for your needs, secure multiple DIPs (Decision in Principle) within minutes, and apply directly from the platform—all in a single digital journey.

We’re happy to connect you with any of our broker partners, or you can introduce your own broker to Brickflow.

How Much Does a Bridging Loan Broker Cost?

Broker fees are generally paid by the lender, not the borrower. 

Where a lender charges an arrangement fee, they will share some of that fee with the broker. Sometimes a bridging loan broker can charge a fee on top of this - commitment fees to prepare the application are commonplace - you should ask your intermediary about their fees at the outset.
 
Less common is the situation where lenders charge a smaller arrangement fee and give the broker no procurement fee. In this case, the broker will charge their own fees, which might typically be 1% of the loan amount. 

Benefits of Using a Bridging Finance Broker

Securing a bridging loan can be time-consuming, from conducting due diligence to creating an application to filling out paperwork and engaging with solicitors. 

Most property investors and developers are happy to outsource this to a bridging finance specialist, just as they outsource other aspects of a property project, from architects to planning consultants. 

Handing over the process of the loan application to a bridging finance broker has many benefits:

  • Expertise and guidance: Your bridging finance specialist can offer tailored solutions, advice, and guidance and answer any queries you have throughout the process.
  • Inside knowledge: Brokers understand the sources of funding that underpin a lender (e.g. private capital, bank funding, non-bank funding), so they understand lender limitations, how flexible they can be and approximate completion timelines.
  • Negotiating power: Bridging loan brokers can often negotiate better terms on your behalf, especially if they have a good relationship with the lender or access to exclusive rates or products.
  • Time-saving: Knowing your broker is progressing your application leaves you free to get on with other things.
  • Personalised services: Brokers offer personalised support throughout the loan process.

How to Find a Good Bridging Loan Broker

At Brickflow, we work with the best bridging loan brokers in the UK and we can connect you with your preferred intermediary. Alternatively, tell your own bridging loan broker about Brickflow so you can benefit from our live-market bridging loan search and seamless digital application process.

Some other things to look for when choosing a bridging loan intermediary:

  • Experience and Expertise: For the most efficient loan process, working with a bridging loan broker who understands and knows the loan type will help.
  • Research and Reviews: Look for brokers with positive client reviews and testimonials.
  • Transparency: Brokers should always be upfront about their fees, including any fees you have to pay at loan completion and at the application stage. To find out more, take a look at our article that covers the true cost of a bridging loan.
  • Accreditation: Brokers who are members of accredited bodies, such as FIBA (Financial Intermediary and Broker Association) or NACFB (National Association of Commercial Finance Brokers), must meet certain standards of professionalism and adhere to a strict code of conduct. 
  • Are they a Brickflow partner: If a broker isn’t using Brickflow, then they’re not able to perform a full market search so are unlikely to find the best deal. Suggest Brickflow to your broker if you want to secure the best deal.

What is the Best Way to Compare Bridging Loans?

Before every property investment, you need to check your finances to find out how much you can borrow and how much it will cost. Financial due diligence helps you ensure your deal stacks, accurately calculate profit and the maximum price to pay for the property/site.

The fastest, most accurate way to check your finance is using Brickflow’s bridging calculator. It takes seconds to enter your details and see live loans from 50+ bridging lenders, including banks, non-banks, challenger banks and specialist lenders.

When you search and compare bridging loans on Brickflow, you’ll see like-for-like details on:

  • Loan to Cost (LTC) or Loan to Value (LTV)
  • Gross and Net loan
  • Land and Build loan
  • Rates & Fees
  • Lender borrowing costs

Growth minded investors may compare the opportunity cost rather than focusing only on comparing rates. For example, a bigger Net Loan can save you tens or hundreds of thousands in deposit requirements, freeing up your capital to invest elsewhere simultaneously, but it might not be the cheapest option.

Bridging Finance Broker FAQs

How do bridging loan brokers find the best deals?

Without Brickflow, bridging loan brokers will leverage their network and ask a handful of lenders what loan they can offer. They will typically reach out to 4 - 5 lenders.

At Brickflow, brokers can instantly search over 50 bridging lenders from banks, challenger banks, non-banks and specialist lenders. They can then apply directly from the platform to multiple lenders, compare DIPs (Decision in Principle) offered and secure the best T&Cs with the lender.

We’ve revolutionised the way bridging loan brokers find and secure the best bridging loan deals for their clients, creating a seamless digital journey from start to finish. It’s really this easy:

  1. SEARCH & COMPARE loans from 50+ bridging lenders, instantly
  2. RECEIVE a same-day DIP
  3. APPLY directly from the platform

Can a bridging loan broker assist with complex financial situations?

Yes, bridging loan brokers are experienced in handling complex financial situations and structuring debt to meet clients' needs.

It’s essential to work with the right bridging finance broker. For example, if you need to borrow £30 million on your next project, working with a bridging loan broker who has experience and expertise in arranging large bridging loans will help deliver the best outcome for you.

 

What should I look for in a bridging loan broker's credentials?

Look for brokers with relevant industry qualifications and memberships in professional organisations such as FIBA or NACFB. It is also important to find a broker who is a bridging finance specialist with experience in the type of bridging loan that you need.

Key to securing the best bridging loan though is working with a bridging loan broker who uses Brickflow. Brickflow broker partners can instantly search and compare bridging loans from 50+ lenders from the breadth of the UK bridging market, apply directly from the platform for their clients and secure multiple DIPs within minutes.

How long does it take for a bridging loan broker to secure a loan?

Timelines depend on the complexity of the loan and the asset or assets it is secured against.

If the bridging lender is willing to work with an automated valuation model (AVM), or desktop valuation, and accept title insurance without requiring searches, completion can happen in just a few days.

However, it will more typically take between 1 and 4 weeks, depending on how long it takes the lender’s valuer to complete their report and for the solicitors to complete their titles searches. Working with a broker as well as a solicitor who specialises in bridging finance will speed up the process.

Are there risks associated with using a bridging loan broker?

Taking out a bridging loan inherently carries risk, as with any large financial commitment. The loans are secured, either against the asset you’re buying or refinancing with the loan, or against additional assets. If for whatever reason you are unable to repay the loan, you are at risk of losing those assets.

Working with a bridging loan broker can help ensure that you have the right product for your needs and that your exit strategy is viable, minimising, as much as possible, the risk of defaulting on the loan.