Guides
Property finance, explained.
Plain-English guides to bridging, development and commercial property finance — what each option is, how it works, and what it typically costs.
Commercial
Commercial mortgage for a limited company
Buying commercial or investment property through a limited company is common. A plain-English guide to how lenders assess a company borrower.
Bridging
What is refinancing?
Refinancing means replacing one property loan with another. A plain-English guide to why people refinance and how it works as an exit.
Development
What is development exit finance?
Development exit finance refinances a completed or nearly-finished scheme to buy time to sell. A plain-English guide to how it works.
Bridging
Bridging finance for buy-to-let
Bridge-to-let lets investors buy and refurbish a property, then refinance onto a buy-to-let mortgage. A plain-English guide for landlords.
Bridging
What is an exit strategy in property finance?
An exit strategy is how a short-term property loan gets repaid. A plain-English guide to what an exit is and why lenders care most about it.
Commercial
Commercial mortgage vs buy-to-let
A buy-to-let mortgage and a commercial mortgage overlap but aren't the same. A plain-English guide to where the line falls and which you need.
Bridging
How quickly can bridging finance complete?
Bridging can complete in days, not weeks — but what actually sets the pace? A plain-English guide to the speed of a bridge and how to keep it moving.
Bridging
What is rolled-up interest?
Rolled-up interest is added to the loan and paid at the end, not monthly. A plain-English guide to how it works and where it helps.
Development
Development finance vs bridging
Bridging and development finance suit different projects. A plain-English guide to how they differ and which one your scheme needs.
Commercial
What is a semi-commercial mortgage?
A semi-commercial mortgage funds mixed-use property, part commercial and part residential. A plain-English guide to how it works and who it suits.
Bridging
Bridging finance to break a property chain
A chain break lets you buy the next property before yours sells. A plain-English guide to how bridging finance keeps a purchase alive.
Development
What are drawdowns in development finance?
Drawdowns release development finance in stages as a build progresses. A plain-English guide to how staged funding and interest work.
Commercial
How to get a commercial mortgage
A plain-English guide to getting a commercial mortgage: what to prepare, how lenders assess you, and the steps from enquiry to completion.
Development
Ground-up vs refurbishment development finance
Ground-up builds and heavy refurbishments are funded differently. A plain-English guide to how each works and which suits your project.
Bridging
What is a first charge?
A first charge is the lender's legal claim that ranks ahead of all others. A plain-English guide to charges, first and second, and why order matters.
Bridging
Refurbishment bridging finance
Refurbishment bridging funds the purchase and works on a property before you refinance or sell. A plain-English guide to light vs heavy works.
Development
What is GDV (gross development value)?
Gross development value is the finished value of a scheme, and the number development lending is sized against. A plain-English guide to GDV.
Commercial
Owner-occupier vs investment commercial mortgage
The two types of commercial mortgage are assessed very differently. A plain-English guide to owner-occupier vs investment, and which applies to you.
Development
How development finance works, stage by stage
Development finance is released in tranches as a build progresses. A plain-English walk through the stages, from site purchase to completion and exit.
Bridging
Bridging loan exit strategies
The exit is how a bridge gets repaid, and the first thing a lender checks. A plain-English guide to the main exit strategies and how to evidence them.
Bridging
Bridging finance for auction property
Auction purchases usually complete in around 28 days. A plain-English guide to how bridging finance helps you meet the deadline and repay after.
Bridging
What can you use bridging finance for?
Bridging finance is used wherever property timelines and bank timelines don't line up. A plain-English guide to the most common uses.
Bridging
Bridging vs a mortgage
Bridging and a mortgage solve different problems. A plain-English guide to how they differ on speed, term and exit, and when a bridge fits better.
Bridging
Open vs closed bridging
Open and closed bridging differ on one thing: whether the repayment date is fixed. A plain-English guide to which is which and why it matters.
Commercial
What is a commercial mortgage?
A commercial mortgage is a long-term loan secured against business or investment property. A plain-English guide to how it works and who it's for.
Development
What is development finance?
Development finance funds building and heavy refurbishment projects, released in stages. A plain-English guide to how it works and what lenders look at.
Bridging
What is bridging finance?
Bridging finance is short-term lending secured against property. A plain-English guide to how it works, what it's used for, and what it typically costs.
Bridging
What is loan-to-value?
Loan-to-value is the single number that shapes most property lending. A plain-English guide to what LTV means, how it is worked out, and why it matters.
Housn Capital Limited. Not FCA regulated. B2B non-regulated lending only. Company No. 16418877. General information, not financial advice.