[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]If you need money for a short period of time, a bridging loan (sometimes known as a ‘bridge loan’) can help. If you wish to buy a new house before selling your old one, it can help you ‘bridge the gap.’ Bridging loans can also be employed if you’re buying a property at auction and need money right away but haven’t sold your current home.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]If you want to buy a new home but haven’t sold your old one, a bridging loan may be able to assist you bridge the gap.

A bridging loan is typically a short-term loan designed to bridge a cash gap until your house sale – or other transaction – is completed. If you buy a property at auction and need cash right away but haven’t sold your present home, bridging loans can help.

Be aware that, like other types of secured loans, a bridging loan is secured against your property, which means that if you fall behind on your payments, your house may be at risk.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”8303″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

What can you use a bridge loan for?

Bridging finance could be used for lots of reasons. These include:

  • Buying a property

  • Property development

  • Buy-to-let investment

  • Business ventures

  • Paying a tax bill

  • Divorce settlements.

Bridging loans are also used by property developers at auction. This is because they often need to pay a deposit to secure their purchase at short notice.

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Using a bridging loan to develop a property

Bridging finance is popular among landlords and developers that need to fund projects on properties that will be sold immediately after completion.

Bridging loans are also common among those who are relocating. We’ll take a look at a few of the most common bridging loans.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Bridging loans are divided into two categories.

Open bridge loan
There is no predetermined termination date for these. This implies you can pay them back whenever you have money. They normally last up to a year, but depending on the provider, they can last even longer.

Closed bridge loan
There is a set end date for these. This date is normally determined by when you know you’ll be able to repay what you owe. They’re typically used by people who need to borrow money for a short period of time, such as a few weeks or months.

Because they are more flexible, open bridging loans are frequently more expensive than closed bridging loans. Before you take out a bridging loan, you must have a ‘exit route,’ or a strategy to repay the debt, regardless of the type.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

How to choose the best bridge loan

There are a few things you should consider before you begin comparing bridging loans. The following are some of them:

  • How much money do you need to borrow? Bridging credit is available from £5,000 to £10 million and beyond, depending on the lender.
  • The value of your home determines how much you may borrow and the bridge loan rates you’ll receive, so you’ll need an accurate valuation.
  • The length of time you need to borrow: Bridging loans might range from one month to two years.
  • The amount you can borrow through a bridge loan is determined by whether or not you have a mortgage on your home. It also influences whether you’re eligible for first- or second-charge loans.

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First charge or second charge loan?

When you apply for bridging financing, the lender places a charge on the property you’re using as collateral. If you are unable to repay your loan, these fees determine the priority of your debts. A first charge loan would have to be paid first before a second charge loan could be paid back if a property was seized and sold to pay off outstanding loans.

The bridge loan is the first or only borrowing secured against your property with a first charge loan. In most cases, mortgages are first-charge loans. If you don’t have a mortgage or other outstanding debt on your home, a different type of loan, such as a bridge loan, can be your first charge loan.

When there is already a loan or a mortgage on the property, it is referred to as a second charge loan. Before a second charge lender may be added, the first charge lender must typically give consent.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Fixed rate vs. variable rate

Bridging loans, like other loans, have fixed or variable interest rates.

The interest on a fixed rate bridge loan is fixed for the duration of the loan. This implies that all of your monthly payments will be consistent.

The interest rate on a variable rate loan might fluctuate. The variable rate is established by the lender and is usually based on the Bank of England base rate. As a result, your payments may fluctuate.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Fixed rate vs. variable rate

Bridging loans, like other loans, have fixed or variable interest rates.

The interest on a fixed rate bridge loan is fixed for the duration of the loan. This implies that all of your monthly payments will be consistent.

The interest rate on a variable rate loan might fluctuate. The variable rate is established by the lender and is usually based on the Bank of England base rate. As a result, your payments may fluctuate.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

What do bridging loans cost?

Bridging loans can be a costly method to borrow money, so make sure you understand all of the expenses before taking one out.

Interest rates on bridge loans
Bridging loans typically have hefty interest rates. They might be anything between 0.4 and 2 percent. However, these can vary based on the lender and your credit history.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Bridge loan interest rates

Bridging loans typically have hefty interest rates. They might be anything between 0.4 and 2 percent. However, these can vary based on the lender and your credit history.

Bridging loans are just meant to ‘tide you over’ for a few weeks or months, so they don’t last long. Bridging loans typically have monthly interest rates rather than yearly percentage rates because they are short-term (APR). This means that even a little variance in interest rate might have a significant influence on your bridge loan’s ultimate cost.

However, interest is not usually levied on a monthly basis. It can be charged in three different ways. These are the following:

  • Monthly – The interest is paid on a monthly basis and is not added to your bridging loan.
  • Deferred or rolled up — At the end of your bridge loan, you pay all of the interest. There are no interest payments due on a monthly basis.
  • Retained – You borrow the interest for a set amount of time and then pay it back in full at the end of the bridge loan.
    Some lenders allow you to mix and match these alternatives. You may, for example, choose retained interest for the first six months and then monthly interest after that.

Don’t forget that, in addition to the interest, you’ll have to pay a slew of other fees and levies. Before you proceed, you should double-check the expenses.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Bridge loan fees

Aside from interest, here are some of the other costs you may have to pay:

  • The amount you pay to set up the bridge loan, also known as the arrangement fee or facility fee. It normally amounts to 1% to 2% of the overall loan amount.
  • Exit fees: If you pay off your bridge loan early, you’ll be charged about 1% of the total amount borrowed. Exit fees are not charged by all lenders.
  • Fees for administration or repayment: These are the fees you pay to have the paperwork handled at the end of your bridging loan.
  • Legal fees: This covers the legal fees incurred by the lender. It’s normally billed at a predetermined rate.
  • Fees for surveying: This covers the cost of having your property valued by a surveyor.
  • Introducer or broker fees: If you employ a broker, this compensates them for their time spent researching and selecting the finest bridging loans for you.

There might be other fees too, so bear this in mind before you decide if bridging finance is right for you.<[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

How to apply for a bridge loan

Here’s how to find the finest bridging loans and bridging finance rates, as well as how to fill out your application.

  • Determine what you require from a bridge loan. How much money do you require? What is the length of time you need to borrow it?
  • Gather all of the pertinent information about your current circumstance. What is the value of your home? Do you have a home loan? What is the amount of your mortgage and how much equity do you have in your home? To locate low-cost bridging loans that meet your needs, you’ll need all of this information.
  • Compare bridging loans using the table at the top of the page to get the best bridge loan rates for you.
  • Choose whether you want to speak with a broker or submit an application online. A broker may be able to assist you in obtaining a loan, but make sure you are aware of any fees that may be incurred if you choose to hire one.
  • Choose which bridge loan you want to apply for. To learn about all of the charges and fees, read the fine print.
  • After you’ve submitted your application, you’ll need to wait to see if it’s been approved. This may take up to 24 hours.
  • If you’re approved, and you accept the loan, the bridge loan money will be transferred to your bank account.This could take up to two weeks.

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How long does it take to get a bridge loan?

Applying for a bridge loan is a simple process. You can apply for a bridging loan online after you’ve compared bridging loans and found the best bridging loan rates. Within 24 hours, you should know if your application has been approved.

The money might be in your account in two weeks if your application is approved. This is due to the time it takes to have your property appraised, for the lender to conduct their due diligence, and for the funds to be transferred.

You may be able to pay a fee to get your bridge loan approved faster if you need the money sooner.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

How much can I borrow on a bridge loan?

The majority of lenders provide loans ranging from £5,000 to £10 million. It all comes down to your credit score, as well as the value of the property you’re using as collateral and the value of the property against the bridge loan. Bridging loans of above £100 million may be possible in specific instances.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Bridging finance with bad credit

Even if you have low credit, many lenders may examine your application for bridging finance. However, because you’re a higher-risk consumer, your loan may have a higher interest rate. It will get more expensive as a result of this. If you have bad credit, you won’t be able to acquire the best bridging loan rates. It can be worthwhile to work on your credit score before applying.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Bridge loan lenders

A bridge loan can be obtained from a number of different sources. These include everything from huge global banks to small, niche lenders. In the comparison table at the top of this page, you can find a list of the best bridging loans and compare bridging loans from different firms.

A broker might be able to assist you in finding a suitable bridging loan. They may charge a fee, but they are well-positioned to obtain competitive rates because they are specialists in this industry and have a network of connections.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]