Getting started on your very first property development project is most likely an exciting but also slightly daunting prospect, especially with so many potential options available in terms of funding. To make the decision process a little easier, we’ve broken down the main ways in which you can finance your foray into the property development sector.
Buy-to-let mortgages
If you intend to buy a single property and renovate it with the intention of then renting it out to a tenant for a number of years, it could be well worth your time investigating if a buy-to-let mortgage would be worth considering.
What makes a buy-to-let mortgage is different from a residential one? In many respects, they are similar: you will have certain eligibility criteria you will need to meet in order to qualify for this kind of mortgage. For example, a certain level of income will usually be necessary as this will determine the amount of capital you can borrow from a lender. Buy-to-let mortgages are also limited to one single property too.
The fact that most buy-to-let mortgages are limited to one property means that it is likely you will need to look for funding elsewhere in addition to the mortgage if you would like to expand your portfolio further than one property, or develop a number of properties at once.
Auction finance
Another viable option to getting finance for your very first property development is auction financing. Property auctions are usually considerably more affordable than if these very same buildings were listed in the traditional way, but the caveat is that they often require a lot of work to be carried out on them before being able to sell them on.
Whilst houses at auction tend to be cheaper, you will need to have all the money available to purchase it outright within a month of the auction ending (and your bid was successful). This can pose a problem for some property developers, who may not necessarily have access to all the finance upfront, but at the same time do not want to miss out completely on the possibility of the perfect property to develop.
Auction financing helps to solve this problem, as it a short-term bridging loan that can be arranged very quickly and helps property developers that cover the cost of the building until funds become available at a later point. It can also be agreed in principle before the auction.
Development finance and bridging loans
One of the most popular funding options for property developers tends to be property development finance and bridging loans. But how do these financing options work? This type of short-term funding can help with not only the purchase of a building but also help with the cost of renovating it too. It can be arranged quickly, and funds can be released to you within a very short period of time (within 4 weeks), meaning that it gives developers a great deal of flexibility when it comes to getting access to capital.
For more information about development finance and how Magnet Capital can help, contact our team directly.
Commercial mortgages
Are you or your company looking to expand primarily into the commercial property sector? Then a commercial mortgage may be your best bet instead. However, it is important that you keep in mind that this kind of funding will be limited to commercial properties only: for example warehouses, offices, and shops. In all other respects, it works very similar to a residential mortgage, which also means that if you are looking to develop residential properties or need additional funding then a commercial mortgage may not necessarily be the best option for you.
