Three top tips for a smooth bridging loan application process

Friday, 27 January 2012 05:19

Get your bridging loan application right

If you get your bridging loan application right, you can usually have the funds in your account within ten to 14 days of applying or even sooner in some cases.

As bridging finance is usually required to maintain one's place in a property chain or to purchase a home before someone else does, speed is of the essence.

That means a smooth bridging loan application process is essential. Applying for a bridging loan is not a difficult process and the criteria you have to satisfy is often not as stringent as those attached to loans from traditional banks.

However, before applying for bridging loans, you need to be absolutely sure that they represent your best option.

This type of borrowing is expensive due to the high interest rates imposed by lenders. As a result, there may be more cost-effective options on the table.

A good way to learn more is to seek advice from bridging loan companies or a financial adviser. They will be able to discuss your options with you and fill in any gaps in your knowledge.

If after this you are certain that a bridging loan is the way forward, the following tips can help ensure your application goes smoothly.

1. Know what type of bridging loan you want

If you have sought the advice of a financial adviser, they will have explained the two types of bridging loan available.

An open bridging loan is one where no repayment date is determined during the application process. Such loans are popular with those who want to buy a new home but lack the funds due to the fact they have not sold their existing home.

A closed bridging loan on the other hand does have a fixed repayment date stipulated. Usually, a bridging loan company will provide such finance for a period of 12 months.

Which loan you need depends on your circumstances and what your intentions are and having a clear idea about this will save you a lot of time when it comes to applying.

2. Ensure your information is accurate

When you apply for a bridging loan, you will be asked to provide several details about your earnings, assets, financial obligations and other relevant information.

While speed is of the essence, it is important that you take a little extra time to ensure the details you have been asked to provide are accurate, otherwise your lender may come back to you and ask you to clarify certain parts, which will delay the whole process.

In a worst-case scenario, they may reject your application on the grounds that you do not satisfy their lending criteria, which is something you want to avoid at all costs.

3. Ensure your property valuation is accurate

In order to secure a bridging loan, you will need to secure the funds against an asset, which in most cases is your property.

You will therefore need to give an accurate valuation of your property.

It may reflect badly on your application if your surveyor produces a figure that is deemed too high and any disputes on this subject will delay your application.

The bridging loan application process is very straightforward provided you are honest and give as much information as possible.

Withholding information or trying to inflate the value of your property will only delay the process and it will be you who ultimately loses out.

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