Bridging loans are another term for short term financing. It is meant for real estate financing until permanent financing is secured. Commercial real estate transactions require bridging loans to “bridge” in cash gaps.



Bridging loans can serve to fill up temporary shortfall while buying property, business or even paying for renovation. Bridging loans can serve the same function if you are buying property at an auction.

Bridging loans are secured loans, secured on property. The borrower would be required to place significant collateral. A Bridging loans lender would accept the following as security for the loan –

• Residential properties

• Auction properties

• Commercial and semi-commercial properties

• Development sites

• Sites with planning permission

• Buy to let properties

• Retail shops

• Overseas property

Heavy machinery, business equipment, inventory can also function as collateral. Bridging loans can be secured by getting a mortgage on the new property and taking out a second mortgage on the property being sold.

Bridging loans involve an evaluation of property. Bridging loans are offered on the value of the property and not the purchase price. Bridging loan approval process is the beginning of getting a bridging loan. If this is your first time at loan borrowing, start looking around for loan lenders that you are at ease with. Getting pre approved would give you an idea of how much you can get. Being pre approved, enables you to act quickly when the property is available. Loan amount on bridging loans can range from £25,000 to £500,000. The loan amount usually depends on loan lender so shop around for better deals. Higher amount can be arranged but usually takes longer time.

Bridging loans, loan term that can be anywhere between a week and six months. The maximum term is two year. The borrower must be certain of his situation and that he can repay it within a short period of time. Speedy finance is probably the most sought after benefit of bridging loans. Bridging loan can be made available within 24 hours, if you have all the necessary documents ready. Most bridging loan lenders do not ask for upfront legal and arrangement fees. Usually there are no redemption penalties with bridging loans. Self certification in the context of bridging loans is also possible.

Be prepared to pay more on bridging loans. A bridging loan poses a sizeable risk to the loan lender because the old home may not sell for some time. The interest rate on bridging loans is comparatively higher than conventional mortgages. The typical interest rate is one half of a percent. The interest rate is generally dependent on credit history, value of collateral placed and loan term. The borrower starts making interest payment at the end of the term, in case, the old property is not sold. After the old home is sold, the bridge loan is paid back. If the house is sold within the term limit, all the unearned interest is credited back to the borrower.

It is a short term mortgage and bridges in temporary shortage of finances in the face of a real estate transaction. The bottom line is bridging loans are for short term financing. They are devised for a specific purpose and therefore not meant for everyone. It is also available for bad credit. Thus, bridging loans can assist in forming a record so that you can apply for conventional mortgages. Having a trust relationship with the loan lender makes bridging loans process highly uncomplicated. However, if you can't boast of such an association, don't sign anything related to bridging loans without completely understanding the loan process. The market for bridging loans is constantly increasing. Healthy competition has resulted in keeping the bridging loans interest rate low. This has made bridging loans a realistic option for those who need funds quickly.