Knowledge Bank is turning its next Lenders’ Live session over to development finance, as brokers face growing client interest in funding ground-up schemes, conversions and refurbishments.
The specialist criteria search system will dedicate the forthcoming edition of its regular webinar series to the development market, reflecting what it describes as increasing demand for funding among professional developers, portfolio landlords and property investors.
Knowledge Bank argues that, against a backdrop of persistent housing supply constraints and sustained demand for new homes, development finance has moved further into the mainstream of broker conversations.
Investors who previously focused on buy-to-let acquisitions are now more frequently considering smaller developments, change-of-use projects and heavy refurbishments as part of their growth strategies.
The webinar will examine how these shifts are influencing lender appetite and product design, and what this means in practice for intermediaries placing cases in a more complex funding environment.
Among the themes to be explored are the drivers behind rising demand for development funding, the impact of the UK’s housing shortage on underwriting approaches, and the key risk considerations shaping today’s market.
Speakers will also discuss what lenders are prioritising when assessing development proposals, including experience, exit strategies and scheme viability, as well as how brokers can present cases clearly in a market where due diligence requirements remain stringent.
While development finance can offer flexibility and scale for clients seeking to expand or diversify portfolios, it carries a different risk profile from standard residential or buy-to-let lending. For brokers, understanding lender criteria and structuring options is increasingly important as more investors look beyond straightforward acquisitions.
The session is aimed at intermediaries working with developers, landlords and property investors who are considering building, converting or repositioning property assets, rather than simply purchasing completed stock.
Knowledge Bank said the discussion will combine lender insight with practical commentary on how development finance can be used effectively in the current market.
