| First step | Speak to your seller and agent, and get finance options checked fast |
|---|---|
| Typical loan | Up to around 70–75% of the value of the property or properties used as security |
| Term | Usually up to 12 months (regulated) |
| Repaid by | Sale of your current home to a new buyer |
| Speed | Often a few weeks; depends on valuation and solicitors |
| Main risk | The new sale takes longer or achieves less |
What to do in the first 48 hours
- Talk to your seller's agent. Ask how long the seller will wait and whether they will still exchange if you can show funding.
- Re-market your home. Ask your agent to relaunch quickly and tell any previous interested buyers.
- Get your finance options checked. Send us the two property values, your mortgage balance and the deadline. We can usually tell you quickly whether a bridge is realistic.
- Warn your solicitor. Bridging needs legal work to start early, so your solicitor should be ready to move.
Your options when a buyer withdraws
- Find a new buyer quickly and ask your seller to wait. Cheapest, if the seller agrees.
- Chain-break bridging to buy now and sell afterwards. Fast, but expensive if the sale drags on.
- Let to buy: keep and let your current home, releasing equity for the deposit.
- A part-exchange or quick-sale offer: fast but usually below market value.
- Walk away and restart your search once your home is sold.
How chain-break bridging works
The bridging lender lends against your current home, the new home or both. You complete on your purchase, then sell your old home to a new buyer and repay the bridge from the proceeds. If you also need a mortgage on the new home, we arrange it so it is ready when the bridge is repaid.
Because you will live in the property, it is a regulated bridge with FCA protections and a term of up to 12 months. Lenders will look closely at your sale price, local demand and what happens if your home takes longer to sell.
Costs and risks
Expect an arrangement fee, valuation and legal costs and monthly interest, usually rolled up until you sell. A bridge only makes sense when the cost is worth saving the purchase. If your home is hard to sell, or the price is ambitious, we will say so. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments.
Check your dealIndicative borrowing, total cost and the questions a lender will ask, in about two minutes.
Open the deal checkerExample cases
Illustrative examples based on the type of case we arrange. Not specific clients; every case is different.
£1.6m regulated bridging loan at 39% LTV to save a chain in Hampstead
£185,500 auction bridging loan at 70% LTV completed in 16 days in Southend
Frequently asked questions
Can I still buy if my buyer pulls out?
Often, yes. If you have enough equity, a chain-break bridging loan can fund your purchase now and be repaid when your home sells to a new buyer. Your seller still has to agree to proceed, so speak to them and to us quickly.
How fast can a chain-break bridge complete?
Straightforward cases can complete in a few weeks. Speed depends mostly on the valuation and on how quickly both solicitors work, so start the legal work as early as possible.
Will my seller wait while I arrange bridging?
Many sellers will wait a short time if they can see you have a credible funding plan. Showing an agreement in principle from a lender, or a written outline of your bridging options, can help.
Is a chain-break bridging loan expensive?
It costs much more than a mortgage, because interest is charged monthly and there are arrangement, valuation and legal fees. The total depends on how long the loan runs, so a realistic sale plan keeps the cost down.
What if I cannot sell my house before the bridge ends?
You may be able to extend or refinance, but this is not guaranteed and costs increase. The lender could ultimately repossess. We look at local demand and pricing before recommending a bridge, and we act early if your sale is delayed.
Important: Bridging and development finance are short-term, secured borrowing and can be expensive. You need a clear, realistic exit plan. Loans secured on a home you live in may be FCA-regulated; most others are not. Your property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments.