Bridging Finance, Skip the Stress of Selling First 

You can apply for a bridging loan online or in person at our office in Christchurch. If you’re buying a new property, your old property will act as the security, so often, it’s an easy process.

With bridging finance for property, we lend up to half a million NZD as the deposit on your new home loan. The amount we will approve for you is calculated based on the value of the security (existing property) you have.

If you’re not wanting bridging finance for property, you can borrow up to 80% of the value of the asset with a bridging loan for equipment or business requirements. You can borrow more as long as asset is able to back it up.

• You must be able to offer something as collateral or security for all loans. We only offer secured loans. We will consider most things; vehicles, boats, or property or land.
• If you don’t have any security, we are happy for a friend or family member to act as your guarantor to provide security on your behalf.
• You need to be over 21 (unless you have a suitable guarantor who is over 21).
• You should have a reasonable credit history.
• You must be able to make the payments on your loan.
• You must live in New Zealand and be a New Zealand resident or a New Zealand citizen (or have guarantors who are).

You can make monthly, fortnightly, or weekly payments via direct debit on a regular date that suits you. We can structure repayments for loans secured against assets such as vehicles for up to four years and up to five years for loans secured against property or land.

We prepare the loan paperwork, and you have to sign it. Most loan paperwork can be signed electronically from your home or work.

Please note, we will need to provide your photo ID before the paperwork is signed off.

Bridge loan repayments can be calculated by using our online calculator, but because the purchase of a house is a higher value than other transactions, it’s likely we give you a better interest rate. Please call us to discuss after submitting your online application, so we have all of the important details. If you’d like to view our terms and conditions, in detail, please follow this link.

No. Although most people prefer to get their money straight away, your loan approval is valid for 14 days once approved.

There are no penalties, fees or costs if you change your mind about accepting the loan before signing the agreement.

Once you’ve built up a good payment record with us (usually after three months of payment history), you may be offered or qualify for loan top-ups.

Anyone in New Zealand who needs to purchase a new property while waiting for the sale of their existing property can apply for this type of loan. This includes homeowners, property investors, and developers.

The amount you can borrow will depend on the value of the properties involved. Typically, bridge loans are for amounts between $50,000 and $1,000,000.

Bridge loans are usually short-term loans with repayment terms ranging from 6 to 12 months.

There are several fees associated with this type of financing, including application fees, valuation fees, legal fees, and early repayment fees. It’s important to factor in these costs when considering this type of loan.

Speak to your lender as immediately if the property doesn’t sell within your expected timeline. Extensions are possible, but they’re not automatic. Some loan contracts apply higher interest rates once the original swing loan has lapsed. Understanding those terms at the outset is important.

If the existing property is sold before the loan is due, you can use the proceeds from the sale to repay the loan. Depending on the terms of the loan, you may be able to save on interest and fees by repaying the loan early.

That depends on how long your existing home takes to sell and settle. Most residential bridges run somewhere between a few weeks and 12 months. A shorter bridge costs less overall, so a realistic sale timeline matters when you’re planning.

It starts with the net equity in your current home, what the property is worth minus what you still owe on it. From there, most lenders will advance up to 75% of that figure. They’ll also check that debt across both properties doesn’t push past their combined loan to value ratio (LVR) limit, usually around 80%.

Bridging loans are priced higher because they’re short-term, arranged quickly, and carry more uncertainty than standard mortgage lending. Upfront costs, establishment fees, legal fees, and a property valuation, will also form part of your total outlay.

In most cases, yes, monthly interest payments are required throughout the term. The borrowed amount itself is then settled in one payment when your home sells. Some lenders do offer a deferred interest option, but this depends on your equity and their specific lending criteria.

Because the sale of your home is how the loan gets repaid. Lenders need confidence that will actually happen within the agreed timeframe. The more evidence you can provide, a current valuation, a listing with an agent, or ideally a signed sale agreement, the more straightforward your application becomes.

Faster than a standard home loan, but the timeline depends on how complete your application is and whether your bridge is open or closed. A well-prepared closed bridge application can move within days. Open applications take longer given the additional assessment required under responsible lending obligations.

This is one of the more common risks with residential bridging. If sale proceeds fall short of what’s owed, the difference needs to be covered somehow, either from savings or additional borrowing. An independent registered valuation before you apply gives you a more reliable planning figure than an informal agent estimate.

Yes. Residential bridging is treated as consumer credit under the CCCFA, which means lenders must make reasonable enquiries into your income, spending, and existing debts, not just look at your equity. The 2024 updates to the Responsible Lending Code gave lenders more flexibility in how they conduct that assessment, but documentation is still required.