Bridging & short-term finance

Whenthedealwon'twait.Neither will we.

Bridging finance moves at a different pace. Decisions in days. Completions possible within weeks. The difference between securing the deal and losing it is often a broker who knows exactly which lender to call — and how to package the case to get a fast answer.

Auction purchases Chain breaks Refurbishment
Exit strategy not confirmed upfront
Interest roll-up cost miscalculated
Wrong lender for property type
Valuation delays missed the deadline
Redemption costs not factored in
Auction deadline missed — deal lost
Exit strategy not confirmed upfront
Interest roll-up cost miscalculated
Wrong lender for property type
Valuation delays missed the deadline
Redemption costs not factored in
Auction deadline missed — deal lost
FCA Regulated Whole-of-market access Independent advice
01 —
Speed without
compromising
the outcome

In bridging finance, the lender matters less than
the broker who knows where to go.

Bridging lenders are not interchangeable. Appetite, speed, security requirements, exit strategy tolerance, and maximum LTV vary enormously between providers — and the market moves fast. Knowing which lender will look at your case favourably, and being able to present it correctly from the outset, is what separates a completion from a failure.

As an independent, whole-of-market broker, we access the full range of regulated and unregulated bridging lenders — including specialist providers not available through comparison sites. We assess your deal, match it to the right lender, and move immediately. No delay waiting for the wrong lender to decline.

"In bridging, speed is everything — but speed without the right lender is just a fast path to the wrong outcome. The two have to go together."

28
Day auction deadline
We work to your timeline
0–14
Days to decision
From lender to credit approval
Whole
market
Independent access
Regulated & unregulated
0+
Years of experience
Complex cases handled
When bridging is the answer

Six situations where
speed changes everything.

Auction purchase
28 days

The hammer has fallen

Auction purchases require completion within 28 days of the fall of the hammer. Standard mortgage timelines don't work. Bridging finance is the established solution — and we have the lender relationships to make it happen within your deadline.

We assess the property, the exit strategy, and your profile before approaching any lender — to ensure the first call gets the right answer.

Chain break
Days to weeks

Your buyer has pulled out

When a property chain collapses, bridging finance can allow you to complete on your purchase without waiting for your sale to proceed — protecting the deal and avoiding the loss of your new home. The bridge is repaid when your property sells.

We structure the bridge to align with a realistic sale timeline and ensure the exit is clean before any funds are released.

Refurbishment
3–18 months

Light to heavy refurbishment

Properties that don't meet standard mortgage lender criteria — due to condition, missing kitchen or bathroom, or structural works required — are ideal for bridging. Buy, refurbish, then refinance onto a standard BTL or residential mortgage at the improved value.

We structure the bridge around the refurbishment timeline and arrange the exit mortgage simultaneously wherever possible.

Development exit
3–12 months

Refinancing out of development finance

When a development is complete but sales or lettings are taking longer than expected, development finance rates become expensive. A bridging exit loan provides cheaper, more flexible short-term finance while the units sell or the long-term refinance is arranged.

We assess the completed development value, the exit strategy, and the remaining timeline to find the most cost-effective solution.

Below-market value
Time-sensitive

A deal that won't wait

Motivated sellers, below-market-value opportunities, and time-sensitive acquisitions all require a buyer who can move faster than the standard mortgage process allows. Bridging finance gives you the speed to compete with cash buyers — without tying up your own capital.

We move immediately — same-day lender calls, credit committee submissions within 24 hours for the right case.

Planning gain
6–24 months

Buy now. Plan later. Refinance when approved.

Purchasing a property with the intention of applying for planning permission — and refinancing at the enhanced value once approved — is an established bridging strategy. The bridge funds the acquisition while the planning process proceeds.

We work with lenders experienced in planning gain cases and structure the exit to align with realistic planning timelines.

———
"The broker who wins bridging deals isn't the one who finds the cheapest rate. It's the one who knows which lender will say yes today — and gets on the phone before anyone else does."
Nathan Lawes — Director & Principal Adviser, Lawes Financial
How it works

Assess. Arrange.
Complete.

Bridging finance moves at a different speed to everything else in property finance. Here is how a bridging case actually works — from initial assessment to funds in place.

Day 1 — Assess

Understanding the deal

Before approaching any lender, we need to understand your deal completely — the property, the purchase price or value, your exit strategy, and the timeline.

Property type, condition, and location
Purchase price vs. open market value
Exit strategy — sale, refinance, or development
Realistic timeline and any hard deadlines
Your background and financial position
Days 2–14 — Arrange

Lender selection & application

We identify the right lender for your specific case — based on speed, appetite, and terms — and submit a fully packaged application immediately.

Lender shortlist based on your profile and security
Application submitted with full case packaging
Credit committee decision — typically 24–72 hours
Valuation instructed on approval
Legal work begins immediately in parallel
Days 7–28 — Complete

Funds released. Deal secured.

Legal completion, funds transfer, and the deal is done. We remain available throughout the bridge term and manage the exit when you're ready.

Solicitor completion and funds transfer
Monthly interest rolled up or serviced
We monitor the bridge term and flag exit timing
Exit mortgage arranged in parallel if needed
Bridge redeemed — transaction complete

Bridging finance — answered plainly

The questions we're asked most often about bridging finance — answered without jargon or unnecessary complexity.

How quickly can bridging finance actually complete?
For straightforward cases with clean security and a clear exit, completion in 7–14 days is achievable. For more complex cases, 3–4 weeks is realistic. The timeline depends on the lender, the valuation, and how quickly the legal work can proceed. We choose lenders based partly on their processing speed for the type of case you have — and we push hard on timescales throughout.
What does bridging finance actually cost?
Bridging interest is charged monthly, typically 0.5–1.2% per month depending on the lender, the loan-to-value, and the security type. Most bridging loans allow interest to be rolled up — added to the loan and repaid at redemption — so there are no monthly payments during the term. Arrangement fees of 1–2% are also typical. We assess the total cost of the bridge, not just the monthly rate, before making any recommendation.
What is an exit strategy and why does it matter?
The exit strategy is how you repay the bridging loan at the end of the term. Lenders will not complete without a clearly defined, credible exit — typically the sale of the property, a refinance onto a standard mortgage, or the completion of a development sale. A weak or uncertain exit is the most common reason a bridging application is declined. We assess exit viability before approaching any lender.
Can I get bridging finance with adverse credit?
Yes — bridging lenders are generally more flexible on credit history than standard mortgage lenders, because the primary security is the property rather than personal income. Significant adverse credit will narrow the lender panel and may affect the rate, but it does not automatically disqualify you. We assess your credit position honestly and identify which lenders have appetite for your profile before making any application.
What's the maximum I can borrow on a bridging loan?
Most bridging lenders will lend up to 75% of the property's open market value — or up to 70% of a property in poor condition. Some specialist lenders will consider higher LTVs with additional security. There is no standard maximum loan size — bridging lenders will consider cases from £50,000 to £50 million or more for the right security. We assess what's achievable for your specific property and circumstances before approaching anyone.
Do I need to use a broker for bridging finance?
You can approach bridging lenders directly, but most of the best bridging deals are available exclusively through brokers — and lenders prioritise broker-introduced cases that are well packaged. A good broker also protects you from approaching the wrong lender first (damaging your case for subsequent applications) and ensures the terms are competitive. In a time-sensitive situation, the right broker makes the difference between completing and not.
Time-sensitive? Start here.

Tell us the deal.
We'll tell you
if it can be done.

Bridging decisions are made fast. Tell us about your situation — the property, the timeline, the exit — and we'll give you an honest assessment within hours. Every conversation is with Nathan personally.

FCA regulated · Whole-of-market · Independent advice