Bridging Loans & Development Finance
Bridging loans for property buyers and developers
Finance that moves at the speed of the deal
Short-term funding to buy quickly, break a chain, refurbish a property or fund a build, with a clear plan for how the loan is repaid.
At a glance
- Who it is for
- Investors, developers, landlords and buyers who need to move fast
- Typical term
- Bridging usually 1 to 24 months, development usually 6 to 24 months
- Typical advance
- Often up to around 75% of value, and a share of build costs on development
- The key question
- How the loan gets repaid, usually a sale or a refinance
Short-term finance, explained simply
When speed matters more than term
A bridging loan is short-term finance secured against property. It is designed to be repaid quickly, usually when you sell the property or move onto a longer-term mortgage. People use it to buy at auction, to break a chain, to buy something a normal lender will not touch yet, or to fund works before refinancing.
Development finance works differently. The lender advances money in stages as the build progresses, with costs released against the work completed. Both are priced on risk, speed and the strength of your exit, which is why presenting the case properly makes a real difference.
What we arrange
Short-term funding for every stage of a project
From a quick purchase to a full ground-up build, we match the project to lenders who are comfortable with it.
Auction finance
Funding arranged to meet tight auction deadlines, often where a standard mortgage could never complete in time.
Chain breaks and quick purchases
Buy before you sell, or rescue a purchase when the chain collapses, then repay once your sale completes.
Refurbishment finance
Light works through to heavy refurbishment, with funds for both the purchase and the works.
Ground-up development
Staged funding for new builds, with money released as the project progresses.
Conversions and change of use
Office to residential, barn conversions and similar projects that need a lender who understands planning.
Development exit finance
Replace development funding once the build is finished, reduce your monthly cost and give yourself time to sell.
What we can fund
The projects we see most often
If your project is not on this list, ask anyway. Short-term lenders take a view on things high street banks will not.
- Auction purchases
- Chain breaks
- Buy, refurbish, refinance
- Heavy refurbishment
- New build housing
- Conversions and change of use
- Unmortgageable property
- Land with planning
- Development exit
- Second charge bridging
Before you apply
What lenders look at
Short-term lending turns on the exit. Get that right and the rest usually follows.
01
Your exit
How the loan will be repaid, whether that is a sale or a refinance, and how realistic the timescale is.
02
The security
The property itself, its condition and what it is worth now, as well as what it will be worth after the works.
03
Your experience
What you have done before. First-time developers can still get funded, often with a little more structure.
04
Your contribution
How much you are putting in, and whether there is enough headroom if the project runs over.
How it works
A clear route from first call to funds released
1
Initial conversation
We talk through the project, the timescale, the numbers and how you plan to exit.
2
Terms and agreement in principle
We approach suitable lenders and come back with indicative terms and the real costs.
3
Valuation and legals
We package the application, instruct the valuation and keep your solicitor moving.
4
Drawdown
Funds are released, and on development deals we help manage the staged payments.
Bridging can often complete in a few weeks when everyone moves quickly, and development finance usually takes longer because of the extra due diligence. We will give you a realistic timescale at the start, not an optimistic one.
Helpful to have ready
- Details of the property and the purchase price
- A schedule of works and costings if there are works
- Planning permission or drawings where relevant
- Your exit plan, with evidence where you have it
- A summary of your assets and liabilities
- Details of similar projects you have completed
Do not worry if you do not have everything yet. We will tell you exactly what your lender needs.
Why Vantage
Personal advice, not a call centre
Vantage is run by husband and wife team Charles and Melanie. Charles has spent nearly 20 years helping people with their mortgages, and together they bring that experience to business owners, landlords and investors.
You deal with us directly from the first conversation to completion, and we can draw on specialist support and a wide range of lenders when your case needs it.
FAQs
Common questions
Can’t see your question? Send us a message and we will be happy to help.
We arrange bridging loans for businesses across Hampshire, including Fareham, Portsmouth and Southampton. For ground-up builds and conversions, see our development finance page.
What is a bridging loan?
A short-term loan secured against property, designed to be repaid within months rather than years. It is used when speed matters or when the property is not yet suitable for a normal mortgage.
How quickly can bridging complete?
Often within a few weeks, and sometimes faster where the legal work is straightforward and the valuation is quick. We will be honest with you about what is realistic for your case.
What is an exit, and why does it matter so much?
The exit is how the loan gets repaid, usually a sale or a refinance onto a longer-term mortgage. Lenders focus on it because it is how they get their money back, so a credible exit usually means better terms.
Can I borrow for the works as well as the purchase?
Yes. Refurbishment and development lenders will usually fund a share of the works alongside the purchase, releasing money in stages as the work is done.
Can I get development finance as a first-time developer?
Often, yes. Lenders will want to see a strong team around you, such as an experienced builder or project manager, and may lend a little less than they would to a seasoned developer.
Is bridging expensive?
It costs more than a standard mortgage because it is short-term and fast. The right comparison is what the finance makes possible, and we will always show you the total cost, not just the headline rate.
Get in touch
Let's talk about your plans
Tell us a little about what you would like to fund and Charles or Melanie will come back to you to talk it through.
Helpful to have ready
- A short outline of what you want to fund
- The approximate amount and timescale
- Property, asset or business details if you have them
Send us an enquiry
We will only use your details to respond to your enquiry. Please read our privacy notice before you send us your information.
Calculators and guides
- Bridging loan calculatorGross loan, interest and redemption
- How bridging loans workA Hampshire buyer's guide
- Bridging exit strategiesPlan the repayment first
- Commercial mortgage calculatorMonthly payment, LTV and rental cover
- Development finance calculatorProfit, loan to cost and loan to GDV
- Business loan calculatorMonthly payment and total cost