GMG International Bridging Loans Team
What Is a London Bridging Loan?
A London bridging loan is a short-term, asset-based financing solution secured against UK property — enabling you to access capital quickly when traditional mortgage timelines are simply too slow.
The UK is one of the world's most active and well-developed bridging loan markets, with over 60 specialist lenders competing for quality transactions. Yet navigating this market as an international buyer, expat, or complex-income borrower requires specialist expertise. GMG delivers that expertise — globally.
✅ No income verification required
✅ Open to overseas buyers, expats, and foreign nationals
✅ Approval in 24–48 hours
✅ Funding in 5–10 business days
✅ Available to individuals, companies, and offshore structures
Perfect for homeowners, investors, and developers who need to move fast in London's high-velocity property market.
Why London? Why Now?
London remains one of the world's premier property investment destinations for international high-net-worth individuals and family offices:
- Global safe haven asset class with deep liquidity
- Currency opportunity: GBP remains attractive for USD and SGD-denominated investors
- Prime and super-prime markets: Mayfair, Knightsbridge, Chelsea, Kensington, Belgravia
- Emerging growth corridors: Battersea, Nine Elms, Canary Wharf, Stratford
- Auction market: A significant volume of London property trades at auction with 28-day completion requirements
- Development pipeline: Refurbishment and conversion opportunities requiring fast, flexible finance
Traditional UK mortgage lenders take 4–8 weeks to process applications — and often struggle with non-standard income, offshore ownership structures, or complex international profiles. Bridging finance closes this gap.
Why Choose a GMG London Bridging Loan
| Advantage | GMG Bridging Loan | Traditional UK Mortgage |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Approval in 24–48 hrs | 4–8 weeks to process |
| LTV | Up to 75% of property value | Typically 60–75%, stricter for non-residents |
| Eligibility | Based on asset value + exit plan | Income proof, credit history, UK footprint |
| Borrower Profile | Non-residents, expats, offshore structures | UK residents strongly preferred |
| Loan Structure | Interest-only, roll-up options available | Capital repayment |
GMG's London bridging loans are particularly powerful for Asian and international HNW clients who hold London property as part of a diversified global portfolio and need capital access without disrupting long-term investment positions.
When to Use a London Bridging Loan
- Auction Purchases — UK property auctions legally require completion within 28 days. No traditional mortgage can meet this deadline. A bridging loan can.
- Buy Before You Sell — Purchase your next London property now; repay when your existing asset completes.
- Chain Break — Your onward purchase is ready, but your buyer has withdrawn. Bridging keeps the chain intact.
- Refurbishment and Heavy Renovation — Properties not currently mortgageable due to condition. Bridge to refurbish, then refinance.
- Development Finance Bridge — Approaching project completion? Bridge out of expensive development finance while you sell or refinance.
- Equity Release — Unlock equity from an existing London property for investment, business capital, or international acquisitions.
- Pre-Probate — Bridging loans can unlock value from estates during the probate process.
- Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) — Fund tax obligations quickly without liquidating investment assets.
Interest Rate Structure
London bridging loans are priced on a monthly basis, reflecting their short-term nature:
- Rates from approximately 0.55% per month for strong cases with low LTV
- Interest roll-up available — no monthly payments required; interest added to the loan and settled at exit
- Monthly serviced — pay interest monthly, reduce total cost
- Open or closed bridge — open (no fixed exit date, typically better for property sales); closed (fixed end date, typically lower rate)
The interest-only structure keeps monthly costs low while you execute your exit strategy.
Exit Strategies
Every bridging loan requires a clear, credible repayment plan:
- Property sale → Repay with proceeds from London or international asset sale
- Refinance to UK mortgage → Transition to long-term buy-to-let or residential finance
- Refinance to international mortgage → GMG operates across 23 countries for seamless refinancing
- Liquidity event → Business sale, inheritance, en-bloc, or portfolio rebalancing
- Rental income conversion → Refurbish and re-let to qualify for standard mortgage
Eligible Properties
- Prime Residential: Apartments, townhouses, terraced homes, mews properties, mansions
- Commercial: Offices, retail units, mixed-use, semi-commercial buildings
- Development: Land with planning, partially completed projects, conversion sites
- Non-Standard: Properties not currently mortgageable — GMG's specialist network can help
- Geographic coverage: Greater London, Prime Central London, commuter belt, and major UK cities
Example: Winning at Auction Without Missing the 28-Day Deadline
You bid successfully on a £3.5M Kensington apartment at a London property auction. The legal requirement: complete within 28 days. Your Singapore-based income and offshore ownership structure mean UK banks cannot move in time. GMG structures a bridging loan against the property (up to 75% LTV), funds within days, and you complete on time. Over the following 6 months, GMG helps transition you to a long-term international mortgage — keeping your London asset and your capital position intact.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can non-UK residents access London bridging loans?
A: Yes. GMG specializes in arranging bridging finance for international buyers, expats, and foreign nationals. Offshore ownership structures are also accommodated.
Q: How fast is approval?
A: Decision in principle typically within hours; approval in 24–48 hours; funding in 5–10 business days.
Q: What's the minimum and maximum loan size?
A: Minimum £500,000; GMG regularly facilitates transactions of £5M–£25M+ for prime London properties.
Q: Do I need to make monthly interest payments?
A: No. Interest roll-up is available, meaning interest is added to the loan balance and repaid in full at exit — ideal for investors managing cash flow across multiple markets.
Q: What ownership structures are eligible?
A: Individuals, UK companies, international companies, and complex offshore structures can all be accommodated. Speak to GMG's team for your specific situation.
Q: How does SDLT (Stamp Duty) affect my transaction?
A: SDLT is payable on purchase and must be funded separately. GMG's advisors can help structure the overall financing to account for this.
Why GMG for London
- Global platform with deep London market expertise
- High LTV up to 75% based on property value
- No income proof, no UK credit history required
- Interest roll-up for maximum cash flow flexibility
- Open to offshore structures and complex international ownership
- Seamless refinancing through GMG's international mortgage network across 23 countries
- Specialist knowledge serving Asian HNW investors and family offices in London
Get Started Today
GMG specializes in asset-based bridging finance for international investors navigating one of the world's most complex and fast-moving property markets. Whether you're acquiring a prime Mayfair apartment, refurbishing in Chelsea, or unlocking equity from a Canary Wharf investment property, GMG gives you the speed and certainty to compete.
1️⃣ Book a Free Consultation – Discuss your London property and exit strategy.
2️⃣ Receive a Loan Estimate – Preliminary LTV and cost breakdown within 24 hours.
3️⃣ Fund Your London Property – Close in days, not months.
