Bridging finance is a type of loan used predominantly in the property development industry. Property developers use it to great effect in their projects, as it is an incredibly flexible and speedy form of finance. These two qualities are invaluable in an industry that prizes speedy decision-making and, more importantly, execution.
However, though bridging finance is centered around speed, there are obstacles that can impede an application. Certain regulations, poor communication, and a range of other factors can determine just how quickly your application can get approved, and that much-needed money lands in your account. In this article, we will be discussing what you can do to speed up the process, and ensure you have access to fast bridging finance.
Use a familiar lender
One of the keys to fast bridging finance is familiarity. You need reliable people you can depend on, people who know your industry and how it works. More importantly, they need to have a good idea of what you’ll need, reducing the amount of questioning and clarification required. Equally, if you know what the lender needs to get the process underway, you’ll be able to supply the necessary information much quicker. With both parties knowing the needs of the other, you’ll find much better chances of success, and a speedy deposit of money in your account.
Choosing a completely new lender, however, is a risk. You don’t know how their process works, what makes them unique, and what they require of you. As such, this increases the likelihood of making a mistake, which can cost you time. In the property development industry, this loss in time can scupper an opportunity to purchase an excellent property.
Ready your documents before making an application
Before you make a bridging loan application, you should ensure you have the necessary paperwork at the ready. Though bridging finance is relatively free from hurdles and hoops, it isn’t an exercise in rubber-stamping. Your lender will approve or deny an application based on your information and the property you intend to purchase, so you should have this information ready to be submitted immediately, rather than waiting for this information to be requested of you.
To ensure your documents are ready for swift submission, you should first complete any and all necessary documents as accurately as possible. Be careful to avoid making errors, as that will likely delay your application. Any signatures, certifications, proof of ID, or other additional documents should be included at the get-go, to avoid any delays or requests for resubmission. You won’t have to submit anything that your lender hasn’t specifically requested, so once you’ve sent the necessary documents, you should be good to go.
Conduct thorough planning and extensive research
One of the key areas a lender pays attention to is the property being used as collateral. It is often a deciding factor in whether an application is successful or unsuccessful, and determines the value of your bridging loan. As such, lenders like to know the details of this property before signing off on a loan.
To obtain fast bridging finance, you’ll need to bring your lender up to speed on the details of the property. First and foremost, you should supply your lender with an accurate valuation of the property. This should be done by a professional valuer, ensuring the valuation is as accurate as possible. Your lender will appraise the property anyway, so intentionally giving an optimistic value will quickly be found out, and likely result in what you have discussed being discounted, and cause your lender to view you with distrust. Even if the value isn’t fantastic, being honest and upfront will only ever be to your advantage.
Supplying other details can also be to your benefit. A thorough pack of details can help your valuer arrive at an accurate decision. These details can include development plans, planning permission, planned expenditure, what has already been done to the property, and so on. These details will help the process, giving your lender a better idea of your project. Even if the valuation isn’t ideal, having a good and realistic idea of what you want to do might be enough to swing a rejection into approval.
Don’t over-emphasise the cost
While it’s always good to be cost-effective, paying too much attention to pricing can slow down the process. If you’re looking for fast bridging finance, it can often pay to make cost a lower priority.
Generally speaking, the cheapest options for bridging finance will be slower than the more expensive options. The difference may even be a couple of weeks, which can significantly impact the speed of a development project. This extension of the process can even cause you to lose a deal entirely, stopping a project before it can even begin. In such scenarios, choosing the cheaper option can lead to costing you more in the long run.
Bridging finance prioritises speed above all else, but is also a confluence of other factors. As such, it is important to judge your bridging loan options against your particular situation. Cost is certainly one factor to consider, but honing in on it too much can act as a blinder. This is demonstrated perfectly in legal fees; costly solicitors will get the job done well at a premium, but cheap solicitors are liable to be nothing more than a bottleneck. Paying a premium in legal fees acts as an assurance that your process will go quickly, given the financial incentive you provide and the professionalism you get in return. This, coupled with a pricier bridging loan, may well bring forward a two-week process to within a week. If you need access to fast bridging finance, you might want to skip over the cheaper options.
Conclusion
All in all, obtaining fast bridging finance is mostly dependent on preparation and readiness on your part. You should take care to plan and research beforehand, just as you would with any project. Having people you can rely on can be of great assistance in this regard, as they have an insight into your needs from the get-go. However, it is strongly advised that you consult a professional for advice before making a decision. They can help you identify your options and help you make the best choice for your situation.