Purchasing auction property with Bridging finance

Purchasing auction property with Bridging finance

8:59 AM, 7th February 2024, About 3 months ago

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If you are interested in purchasing property at auction and you are looking to finance this through a bridging loan, there are some considerations to make before application.

What is your exit strategy? Are you looking to refurbish the property to sell or are you looking to keep the property and convert to a BTL?

Whatever the exit path you are looking to take to pay off the bridging loan, you must think about how long this could take so you do not exceed the term of the loan. If you are looking to sell, how long could this take? If you are looking to convert into a BTL, will the property be mortgagable?

For the BTL option we always speak to other BTL lenders to express my client’s plan for the property and, subject to the normal survey and underwriting, could they potentially accept this property. A Decision in Principle with that lender would also check the client meets their lending criteria.

Download the auction catalogue, and identify the property or properties you are looking to bid on. The website should also allow you to download the relevant legal packs.

Visit the property with whoever you need for the project. This could be a builder, surveyor, electrician, or architect.

The bridging lender will want a detailed breakdown of costs and schedule of works. The more detail the better:

  • What will be your maximum bid for the property?
  • What will the price be once the work has been completed?
  • What will be the time frame to complete the works?
  • If keeping to transfer to a BTL property what will the monthly rent be and what type of tenant/tenancy will you have set up, eg student, professional, will the property be an HMO?
  • Will this be set up in a limited company or personal name?

For the Bridging finance, you will need a minimum deposit of 25% – 30% plus any legal costs, money to do the works, professional fees and lender fees

Lenders will almost want to see a business plan detailing the above. I would always recommend having a DIP in place with a bridging lender before going to auction so you are “good for the money”.

If you would like to discuss Bridging finance or any other type of property finance, please do not hesitate to get in contact using the form below.

Contact Howard Reuben

Mortgages, Commercial and Bridging Finance, Life Insurance, Wills, Trusts and LPA's

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