Loans to buy land

Land loans to buy land in the UK. Everything you need to know about land financing

If you want to purchase land with a mortgage or development loan, we have access to many lenders who can help get you approved quickly.

We have a range of expert brokers who facilitate lending for a wide range of land purchases from agricultural, developments, construction sites, residential and much more.

Start your application below now to get approved for land finance:

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What are land finance and land mortgages?

Land finance, also known as a land loan, falls under the category of bridging finance: those short-term loans primarily used to purchase commercial or residential property whilst waiting on the sale of one’s current residence or any other owned property.

However, this context is used to purchase or develop raw land.

What can a loan to buy land be used for in the UK?

Land finance is necessary when you need to:

• Immediately purchase a piece of raw/undeveloped / semi-developed land
• Raise necessary capital for different use, e.g., development loans
• Fund an ongoing planning application which will eventually lead to the land’s development; or
• Complete a purchase previously agreed upon based on plans already made.

How much can I loan to buy land?

The maximum amount you’ll be borrowing will depend on the standards set by your lender of choice. In the UK, lenders can usually bridge between 65 to 80 per cent loan to value (LTV) against the land; indeed, some can lend up to 100 per cent of the LTV with additional security.

Again, note that the amount you can borrow depends on the security value you offer.

In some cases, lenders can give you the option of securing against a second property on top of the land to be purchased. If the additional security is in reasonable demand, borrowers may be given reduced interest rates.

On average, lenders can let clients borrow between £25,000 – £100,000 with no maximum loan size within a week of application. Still, check with your broker, bank, or any relevant financial authority before securing a bridging loan to buy land.

How do I get a bridging loan to buy land?

As with any other form of bridging loan, land finance can be availed of by any of the following:

• Individuals seeking to self-build on the site or to work on agricultural land
• Offshore companies seeking a location upon which to build corporate or industrial structures;
• Partnerships;
• Limited companies, LLPs, and other corporate/industrial entities; and
• Pension funds are authorised to borrow monies for different initiatives.

Can you get a mortgage to buy land?

Mortgages for land are quite common but can be more complex than a simple property mortgage. It’s quite easy to get financing for land purchases, and mortgages for land are quite a popular option if this line of finance is required.

If you are looking for a mortgage for land, then apply online with the below link; where one of our mortgage experts in the land department will contact you within a few hours to discuss your application.

How much will land finance cost?

The total cost of land finance is dependent on how much you lend, but also the below points can affect the costs:

• Property Location
• How will the land be used and developed, and
• If it has the proper planning permission for its planned use or development

For land considered an excellent location with the relevant planning permission for building or development, interest rates can run to about 0.95 per cent monthly.

On the other hand, if a plot of land is in a less desirable location or doesn’t have the right planning permission, one can expect to pay 1.25 to 1.5 per cent monthly.

(Note: interest rates tend to be higher when buying land rather than developed property. This is mostly because the land is a less liquid asset than property developed for residential or business purposes. Also, note that interest rates depend on the overall quality and desirability of the site in question.)

On top of the monthly rate, some lenders will charge clients a fee for arranging the loan – and the value of this fee can run between 1.5 and 2 per cent of the total loan amount. Check with your lender, as they can give a 1% discount on larger loans.

Apply online for land finance now below:

If you are going to develop on the land and are under a company – apply online here

If it is for domestic and personal use, then it would be a mortgage – apply online here

Is it hard to get a mortgage for land in the UK?

Take note that while securing land bridging finance is no harder than applying for any other form, planning permission may spell a great deal of difference.

In most cases, getting finance for land without planning permission is more challenging than getting it for a site with full planning permission.

This is due to the inherent risk. Yet, keep in mind that some factors can help increase the appeal of land without planning permission. Among them are lapsed planning permission, the property’s inclusion in civic development plans, or a potentially lucrative alternative use.

Note, however, that if planning permission is granted, you may need to refinance to development finance to proceed with construction or development.

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Should I get planning permission before buying land?

Some lenders can release funds even without planning permission. However, most property investors, developers, and potential homeowners will only agree to purchase land subject to planning. In this case, the potential buyer can only complete their land purchase once planning is granted.

Therefore, planning gain can add great value to the land even before you buy it. In such cases, some lenders can fund loans based on the augmented value and often require only a minimal down payment or don’t require a deposit for the transaction to push through.

Criteria to get a loan to buy land

In general, lenders will ask potential borrowers or developers for the following information when they apply for land finance:

• The individual or entity’s current financial information;
• Detailed plans regarding how the raised funds will be used, along with the impact these may have on the borrower’s finances;
• Proof that the borrower can make repayments should they choose to pay monthly interest;
• The borrower’s credit history and credit score may be taken into consideration;
• Proof of relevant experience from similar transactions; and
• An actionable exit strategy.

Note that some lenders can offer to fund clients so long as the LTV is acceptable. However, one should understand that there is a chance that the loan application can be turned down if:

• Some of the required information is lacking;
• Previous issues regarding one’s credit score;
• The dubious state of one’s finances and a low individual or corporate net worth
• A lack of experience regarding bridging finance, loans in general, or even buying land or property.

Will The Lender Take The Suitability/Desirability Of The Site Into Consideration?

Yes, they will. Lenders usually ask the following questions when you apply for a loan:

• Is the land you aim to purchase suitable for security?
• What is the current or projected value of the land?
• Do you have planning permission for the land?
• Do you have an exit strategy involving the property, and is it realistic?
• Do you have an alternative plan for the land if your exit strategy fails?

How quickly can I get a loan to purchase land?

Realistically, if the loan is to be used for buying land and you have yet to get started with the legal work, funds can be released within fourteen (14) days from the date of application.

On the other hand, if you seek to release equity from the land and/or require a valuation, funds can be released in as early as seven (7) days from the date of application, pending your lender’s approval.

Loans to buy land – Quick Summary

• Potential borrowers should ensure that their lenders or brokers have relevant answers when asked about the following criteria:
• Loans that cover up to 80 per cent LTV Loan, or even up to 100 per cent with additional security;
• Funds raised can be used for a range of purposes, including agricultural development, barn conversions, self-build, development plots, car parks, corporate sectors, retail enclaves, and residential clusters;
• Monthly interest rates begin at 0.95 per cent;
• Loans from a minimum of £25,000 with no maximum loan size;
• Borrowing/maturity period ranging from one month to as long as 24 months (two years);
• The loan can be secured with or without planning permission;
• Interest can be rolled into the loan;
• No early repayment charges as much as possible;
• Can be availed of even by those with less-than-desirable credit scores;
• Any exit routes are acceptable
• Loans are available anywhere within the UK.

Exit strategies for land finance mortgages

As with any bridging loan, a proper exit strategy helps mitigate the risk of getting one’s application approved. In this context, the following options may be presented as a viable way of closing costs on loan:

• Depending on how the land will be used, the borrower may opt to refinance to a commercial bridge loan;
• Homeowners or developers can refinance the loan to a self-build mortgage for a home or to property development financing for more elaborate projects.
• The borrower can sell the land once planning permission is granted.

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What to look for in a broker or lender for land loans and mortgages?

We’ve discussed the requirements lenders will ask of you if and when you apply for bridging loans to purchase land. Now, let’s look at what you should look for in a potential broker aside from the services they offer:

• The one you choose must have proven experience in handling loans and other financial instruments related to property purchase and development;
• Proven user experience evidenced in online reviews of the company’s service or through professional and personal referrals; and
• Financial Conduct Authority-regulated company with the relevant documents regarding their legitimacy.

Get a personal loan to buy land in the UK if you are not a business

If you are looking for land loans for personal purchasing, this would be considered a personal residential mortgage, which is quite common.

Our brokers can help you access the best personal lenders for loans to buy land but only for UK land. We can not offer personal plan mortgages for overseas and international land.

Start your personal mortgage for land enquiry below now:

Why use Loan Corp for your land mortgages?

Whether bridging loans for an immediate land purchase, financing for construction or refurbishment, financing to buy property at auction, or the necessary funds for purchasing a new home, the Loan Corp has products to suit your needs.

Working with over 200 of the UK’s best-bridging development lenders, we offer numerous options for asset financing, auction finance, development finance, overseas bridging finance, and even home equity loan solutions.

From the most straightforward loan applications to more complex transactions, our highly qualified and licensed team of registered brokers is on hand with the relevant information and expertise you need to make informed and prudent decisions when it comes to property.

Our team has decades of experience in the field, enabling us to provide a seamless service to our clients.

In doing so, we try to make the lending and borrowing process as simple and efficient as possible, steering you towards appropriate financial tools and instruments to make decision-making easier.

Get quotes for a land mortgage in the UK within hours of your enquiry

At Loan Corp, we make it a point to take all the guesswork and stress out of bridging finance.

Supply us with the necessary information to get your loan underwritten right on time and within your budget.

Use our development loan calculator to give you guidance on figures.

Apply online for land finance now below: