Bridging lender SDKA has introduced Automated Valuation Models (AVMs) for first-charge residential purchase transactions, in a move aimed at reducing completion times and improving the borrower experience.

The new service uses technology from Hometrack, which combines more than 25 years of property data with AI-driven market analysis to support faster, more consistent lending decisions.

In a further step designed to reassure applicants, SDKA will ask every client to complete a live video walk-around of their property with one of its experienced underwriters. The lender said the process would enhance due diligence while preserving the speed advantages of automated valuations.

At the end of September, SDKA also reduced the rate on its Bridge 75 Residential product by 50 basis points to 0.84% per month. The product is aimed at property investors purchasing or refinancing buy-to-let, HMO or refurbishment properties, with terms ranging from three to 24 months and a maximum loan size of £10m.

Kunal Mehta, managing director of SDKA, said: “We were only going to launch an AVM offering when we found the right partner, and with their extensive expertise and proven track-record, Hometrack ticks all the boxes.

“Coupled with the opportunity to walk around their chosen property via a video tour with one of our highly-experienced underwriters, we can ensure the borrower is in the best position to decide whether to proceed with the bridge.

“And most importantly it again shows that we are always looking at our systems and methods to minimise time-to-cash, because the essence of bridging is speed. Yes we will look at every case on an individual basis, but this is never going to be at the expense of the release of funds.”