How to buy land at short notice

More land, and especially more land adjacent to your existing fields, can mean more profits. It can be the key to enjoying economies of scale, getting more use from workers, machines and facilities.

But land is a costly purchase. You may not always have the cash you need to hand, especially when it is a large-holding that has become available. You may need to move fast to secure the plots you want - especially if you are concerned that it could be lost to developers.

Most farmers find banks are slow to approve finance for agricultural borrowing - if they will lend at all.

The solutions can be found with Bridging Finance, which can offer you the funding you need fast.

What is a Bridging Loan?

The traditional answer for funding land purchase - an Agricultural Mortgage - may simply take too long to arrange when there is a bargain to be had.

Bridging Loans are large-scale, short-term loans. Like a mortgage, they are loans secured on the value of the land itself but, unlike a mortgage, they can be arranged quickly. They can be set up in a matter of days, and then can be used to seize an opportunity before a long-term source of funding can be arranged. They “bridge the gap” in funding until long-term finances can be put in place.

So, you could take out a Bridge Loan to buy land at auction, or whenever a quick sale is required. With your new land secured, you can then take your time to arrange an Agricultural Mortgage. Use this to repay the Bridging Loan, and repay the cost of your investment in the land over the years when it is already generating returns for you.

Bridging Finance has several advantages:

• Quick: Bridging can be arranged and drawn down in days.
• Versatile: loans can be tailored to your income and cash flow. Terms can be extended, interest rolled up repayment schedule planned on an individual basis.
• Scalable: Bridging Loans can be from as little as £10,000, up to £millions.

Some lenders will accept a second charge security, meaning that the loan can be against a property which is already under finance, such as a mortgage.

How much will a Bridge cost?

The cost of bridging is relatively high compared with long-term lending solutions - but remember, they are only designed for short-term use, which makes the costs more reasonable.

Several factors will influence the cost, including the “exit strategy” - this is how you intend to repay the loan.

So you can use them for the short-term to buy additional productive acreage at an auction or at a private sale.  For the longer term, you can arrange a mortgage as an exit strategy. Bridging providers will work flexibly with their customers to determine whether their exit strategy is viable.

In addition to a monthly interest cost, lenders may charge a lender arrangement fee – a fee for setting up the loan - but all costs will be agreed when the loan is set up.

Why you need Rangewell to set up a Bridge

Bridging Loans are intended to give you urgent funding solutions. Large sums of money are involved and getting the right solution is essential.

At Rangewell, we can help you to get the right arrangements and to find the most competitive deal for the loan you want. We have the expertise to help you use Bridging Loans as a tactical source of funding when you need to buy land at short notice, then we can work to find you the most competitive source of long-term funding to replace them.

Our knowledge of funding solutions for the agricultural sector can be an important asset for your business. Call us to find out more.