What is development finance?
Development finance offers finance used for developing, refurbishing or constructing a property. The end goal can be to rent out the property to tenants or sell it for a higher price once completed. It is a type of specialist finance commonly used in order to develop residential and commercial properties.
The uses for development finance
There are a number of different reasons why someone may opt for development finance such as:
- To help assist with the funding of a large development project, such as conversion project or a new build
- Residential redevelopments involving considerable structural work
- Smaller development works
- Quick access than applying for a mortgage
- Avoid traditional property chains
- More specialist for buying land and developing it
Properties include:
houses, flats, flats, barns, farmhouses, garages, warehouses, offices, storefronts and more.
Development finance lending criteria
When looking at applying for a development finance loan, you should keep in mind the following, as most lenders will assess you against the following eligibility criteria:
- Terms of the loan: this is typically between 6 and 15 months, but depending on the lender it can be more than this
- Feasibility of the project: if the lender has too many concerns about your development project, the application may be declined
- Security: the level of security for the site or building should be of a good standard
- Level of experience: the applicant should have a good commercial background or experience in property
- Location: this will also be taken into consideration by a property finance specialist.
- Loan to value maximum: the lender will usually provide in the region of 55% of GDV
How can I apply for development finance?
If you are applying for development finance, keep in mind that it does not work in the same way as standard mortgage applications.
In most cases, property development specialists will assess the value of the property, and determine what the loan amount will be based on this assessment, as well as the borrower’s overall eligibility.
Development finance can help to realise your dreams of carrying out a renovation project.
At some point, you may need to provide details such as:
- Development costs
- Development appraisal
- Planning permission details
- Details of the building or site, such as the price of the site/property as well as the location and value
- Gross Development Value details
- Company structure
- Details of all applicants involved
- Asset and liability statement for applicants involved
- Details of the main contractor
- Details of the project manager for the development project
You may also need to provide paperwork to apply, which can include the following:
- All drawings and designs of the development project
- A detailed breakdown of all costs
- A complete schedule of works that will be carried out
- A planned exit strategy
- A completed Asset, Liability, Income and Expenditure Summary (ALIE)
How are development finance funds transferred?
If you are successful with your development finance application, you will receive your loan in stages by Magnet Capital.
There are a couple of reasons why this happens: first of all, payments are given in stages to ensure that the money is always proportionate to the overall value of the work that is being carried out in your project.
Initially, as part of the first stage of how development finance works, you will receive a certain amount upfront in order to secure your site or building. The amount you receive will be determined prior to signing the contract.
Payments are released each time current work on your project has been signed off by a surveyor (who is typically instructed by your lender to manage the site and work undertaken). If all current work is approved and it has met the terms and conditions of the loan, further instalments are provided.
