Bridging finance opportunities

As the specialist lending market continues to expand, bridging finance is playing a more prominent role – but some outdated perceptions remain. 

Here, one of Market Harborough Building Society’s bridging experts, Alex Doveston, cuts through the noise, shares how the market has shifted – and what that means for brokers. 

The reality – Bridging finance isn’t just for specialists 

Bridging isn’t just for specialists anymore. 

With more lenders in the market and a broader range of products available, it’s never been more accessible. There are now more products available, driving increased flexibility in how it can be used. Bridging finance, usually for a period up to 12 months, has become a credible, flexible option for placing cases that don’t fit the mould. 

We’re seeing more brokers take their first step into bridging – whether that’s to support an existing client or to broaden their proposition. 

It can feel unfamiliar at first, but you’re not expected to do it alone. With the right lender support, bridging becomes far more straightforward. Specialist lenders increasingly work closely with brokers throughout the process, guiding both broker and client from enquiry through to exit, with proactive updates along the way. 

The reality – Bridging finance is not limited to broken chains 

Yes, bridging is commonly used to repair broken chains. But that’s only part of the story. 

Today, it’s being used across a far wider range of scenarios – from selling unusual properties, raising capital for business purposes to funding refurbishments to managing more complex transitions between properties. 

We’re also seeing increased use of re-bridging, where clients extend or restructure their borrowing while they execute a longer-term plan. 

The key difference with bridging finance is the focus. It’s less about affordability and more about the strength of the security and the exit strategy. 

That’s why we take a flexible view, considering a wide range of property types – including complex residential cases, non-standard constructions, multi-title properties and listed buildings (Grade I & II), with Grade II properties frequently appearing in searches. ⁱ 

The reality – Exit strategies are more flexible than you might think 

It’s crucial to have a sound repayment plan or exit strategy when preparing a bridging finance application. Although sale of property is one of the most common repayment methods, it’s certainly not the only one.  

Strong cases are built around well-thought-out, sometimes multi-layered exit strategies. These can include: 

• Sale of background properties or assets, including those abroad 
• Sale of high value non-property assets  
• Sale of a business  
• Sale of investments or shares
• Refinancing  
• Or a combination of different methods 

At Market Harborough, we support complex exits and are comfortable structuring cases where multiple repayment routes are in play. 

A growing role in specialist lending  

Bridging finance continues to play an increasingly important role within the specialist lending landscape, giving brokers more flexibility to support clients with complex or time-sensitive needs. 

With the right support and a clear understanding of how it works, it can become a valuable addition to a broker’s toolkit – opening up opportunities that may otherwise be difficult to place. 

For more information on how bridging finance can be used in practice, brokers can explore lender websites, including Market Harborough Building Society’s bridging finance guide - www.mhbs.co.uk/document/bridging-finance-snapshot/  

_{Sources: 1. Bridging Trends – Quarterly Infographic}

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