Commercial Finance Broker Blog Archives

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How to Present Your Portfolio to a Commercial Lender

Author: Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

21st January 2026, 10 months ago | 0

Strong presentation increases approval odds and improves terms. Commercial lenders assess the business behind the properties, not just the bricks...

Broker Insights – How NACFB Members Solve the Problems That Banks Won’t Touch

Author: Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

11th January 2026, 10 months ago | 0

High street banks prefer straightforward lending – single buy to let properties, long leases, and simple borrower profiles. But the...

A Tale of Two Applications – Why One Got Rejected and the Other Approved

Author: Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

7th January 2026, 10 months ago | 0

On the surface, two landlords submitted similar applications for commercial finance. Yet one was rejected outright while the other sailed...

How One Landlord Restructured £5m of Debt with Commercial Finance

Author: Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

31st December 2025, 11 months ago | 0

Large portfolios can generate significant income – but they also carry significant debt. Managing that debt effectively is crucial to...

From Stalled Project to Success – How a Landlord Used Bridging to Complete a Deal

Author: Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

24th December 2025, 11 months ago | 0

Not every property project goes to plan. Unexpected costs, tight deadlines, and lender withdrawals can stall even the most experienced...

Landlord refinancing with a safety fund lifebuoy, showing cash reserves protecting liquidity during rising interest rates

How to Protect Your Liquidity When Refinancing a Portfolio

Author: Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

17th December 2025, 11 months ago | 0

Refinancing is a critical moment for landlords. It can unlock equity, improve terms, or restructure debt – but it can...

Loan Covenants Explained – Avoiding Traps in Your Commercial Mortgage Agreement

Author: Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

10th December 2025, 11 months ago | 0

Loan covenants are one of the least understood parts of a commercial mortgage agreement. Many landlords focus on rate and...

Understanding Personal Guarantees – Risks and Alternatives

Author: Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

3rd December 2025, 11 months ago | 0

Personal guarantees are one of the most misunderstood aspects of commercial finance. Many landlords sign them without fully appreciating the...

Common Mistakes Landlords Make When Applying for Commercial Finance

Author: Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

26th November 2025, 12 months ago | 0

Applying for commercial finance is not the same as applying for a standard buy to let mortgage. The sums are...

What lenders really think about EPC regulations and ‘green’ finance

Author: Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

19th November 2025, 12 months ago | 0

Energy efficiency and sustainability have become central themes in the property market. For landlords, EPC regulations are not just a...

The Impact of Stress Testing on Landlords’ Borrowing Power

Author: Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

12th November 2025, 12 months ago | 0

Stress testing has become one of the biggest hurdles for landlords seeking finance. Even when rental income is strong, lenders...

Specialist Lenders Filling the Gap Left by High Street Banks

Author: Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

5th November 2025, 1 year ago | 0

High street banks have been retreating from parts of the landlord market, leaving many investors frustrated by rigid criteria and...

How Rising Interest Rates Have Changed the Commercial Lending Market

Author: Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

29th October 2025, 1 year ago | 0

Rising interest rates have transformed the lending landscape for landlords. Deals that looked affordable three years ago may now be...

Development Finance for Landlords – Converting HMOs, Flats and Mixed-Use Properties

Author: Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

22nd October 2025, 1 year ago | 1

For landlords looking to add value, development finance is a crucial tool. Whether converting a house into an HMO, redeveloping...

Bridging Finance Explained – When It Works, When It Doesn’t

Author: Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

8th October 2025, 1 year ago | 0

Bridging finance is one of the most talked about, yet least understood, tools available to landlords. Fast, flexible, and widely...

Funding Portfolio Growth – Using Equity Release and Leverage Wisely

Author: Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

8th October 2025, 1 year ago | 0

For landlords looking to expand, the biggest question is often: where will the capital come from? With property prices and...

Refinancing Options for Landlords Under Pressure – Commercial Solutions Beyond the High Street

Author: Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

24th September 2025, 1 year ago | 0

Many landlords are feeling the squeeze. Rising interest rates, tighter stress testing, and tougher lending criteria mean that refinancing is...

The Lifecycle of a Commercial Finance Deal – From Enquiry to Completion

Author: Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

24th September 2025, 1 year ago | 0

For many landlords, securing commercial finance can feel like a mysterious process. Unlike a standard buy to let mortgage, the...