Solicitors can make or break your finance deal

Getting a commercial mortgage can be complex

You’ve been searching the market to buy your business and you have probably worked with a specialist finance broker such as Stewart Hindley & Partners who specialise in raising commercial mortgages for the hospitality and leisure sectors, only to find that once your offer has been agreed and accepted the real work is only just beginning!  You ask yourself, rightly so, why is it so difficult and complex for what is essentially a property purchase.

So why is it so complex and does it need to be this way?

The answer is it doesn’t.  If your firm of solicitors has more than 3 SRA Partners, then in most instances your firm can act for you and the lender, removing another link of complexity in order to make communication more transparent.

However, for a smooth and seamless transaction, your firm of solicitors ideally must be experienced in the commercial mortgage sector, so they’ll know what the lender’s requirements are such as Report on Title, more often than not referred to as RoT, which forms the foundation for the lender’s security.  The misconception is that all solicitors are experienced in these matters, which isn’t always the case.

Commercial property mortgages have time constraints

Instructions are generally timeline dependent as you may be selling your property to raise the capital to make up your deposit. The vendor also is probably under similar time constraints, because they, like you have to move!

Stewart Hindley & Partners understand that a number of factors come in to play from your perspective as well as the lenders and the vendors solicitors, all with differing priorities that have to be addressed, to ensure a timely completion.  This more often or not is the cause for heightened tension between the property purchaser and the property vendor, when last minute information requests to respective solicitors can derail an agreed completion date that worst case may result in the deal not proceeding.

It has to be said that not all solicitors will communicate timely and effectively and often they are seen as a law unto themselves, which isn’t helpful when you are trying to complete your purchase.

How can a specialist mortgage finance broker help?

This is where a firm of specialist hospitality brokers such as Stewart Hindley can assist in their capacity, not only as commercial property mortgage brokers, but in the crucial role of intermediaries acting as the conduit between all parties to ensure the deal gets done.  We at Stewart Hindley understand the complete process from start to finish and we often brief both sides’ solicitors on what the lender requires for RoT to ensure there are no delays that are often the primary cause for one side or the other pulling out of the property transaction.

Stewart Hindley & Partners’ panel of solicitors are experienced in the hospitality and leisure sectors so you can be assured of a timely outcome; inevitably issues will occur during the conveyancing process but Stewart Hindley & Partners is at hand to resolve these before they become unsurmountable and can lead to your purchase falling through.

Hotel Finance Specialists – Commercial Mortgage Experts

For more information on how we at Stewart Hindley & Partners can assist with your finance requirements and how to avoid the pitfalls of “solicitors being solicitors” defending their turf, just get in touch on 01488 684834 without obligation to see if we’re able to help.

 

 

 

What are the benefits of refinancing a commercial mortgage?

Buying a commercial property can be a prudent investment. And, over recent years, the popularity of commercial property investment has increased rapidly, with investors looking for new opportunities to make substantial returns on their investments.

For businesses or individuals who own commercial property, refinancing their commercial mortgage can allow them to free up funds and change the terms of the mortgage.

If you’re a commercial property owner looking to refinance your commercial property, you have certainly landed in the right place. Within this article, we’ve taken a look at the benefits of refinancing a commercial mortgage.

 

What is a commercial mortgage?

A commercial mortgage is a mortgage used to purchase a commercial property. The repayments can be structured either with fixed or variable interest rate payments, depending on the terms of the lender.

As well as purchasing a commercial property, this type of mortgage can also be used to develop new premises, buy land, expand business premises, complete commercial developments and projects, or develop an existing property.

 

How does commercial mortgage refinancing work?

Many commercial property owners choose to re-mortgage their commercial premises as a way of accessing additional funds.

But what does the process involve?

Refinancing a commercial mortgage involves paying one mortgage off in order to replace it with another. This process allows commercial property owners to not only secure a better interest rate, but it can also free up more cash to invest in their business.

Whether you own or part-own a commercial property, you can re-mortgage and negotiate new terms with your lender, providing that you have a proven track record for making your mortgage repayments. You may also choose to look elsewhere for better deals but, if you’re switching to a new lender, they will expect you to pass their affordability and eligibility checks.

 

Why refinance a commercial mortgage?

Property owners choose to refinance their commercial mortgages for a number of reasons, including:

Releasing equity from the commercial property

Refinancing a commercial mortgage will allow you to release any equity you have built up since you took out the initial mortgage. This capital can then be used to invest in the business, improve cash flow, or buy additional properties.

Secure a better deal

Refinancing your commercial mortgage may allow you to access a better interest rate or better terms. If, for example, your fixed rate is coming to an end, refinancing may help you secure a better deal than being switched over to the lender’s standard variable rate.

Keep in mind that, if you switch to a new lender, you may be liable to pay an early exit fee.

 

Borrow more

If the value of your commercial property has increased since you took out your current mortgage, you might be able to borrow more against the value of the property. This can be useful if you want to free up funds to carry out renovations or maintenance on the property or expand the business.

 

Change the type of mortgage

If you are planning to change the mortgage from an owner-occupier agreement to a commercial investment, refinancing can allow you to do this. This can be useful if, for example, your business has outgrown the property and you want to let it yet rather than sell it.

 

What are the pros and cons of refinancing your commercial mortgage?

 

The pros

The benefits of refinancing a commercial mortgage are:

  • Access better deals
  • Reduce monthly outgoings
  • Release equity from the property
  • Access funds needed to grow and expand businesses

 

The cons

Of course, as with any type of financing, there are also potential downsides to consider if you’re thinking of refinancing your commercial mortgage, including:

  • The repayment period may be extended
  • Additional fees such as broker fees, valuation fees, and legal fees

 

Find out more

If you’re looking to refinance a commercial mortgage, it’s important to speak to someone experienced in the sector to ensure that you are aware of all the funding options available to you. Speak to one of our skilled and experienced team; we are always on hand to answer any of your queries regarding commercial mortgages. Get in touch today.