The Intermediary – March 2025 - Flipbook - Page 27
MEET THE BDM
finace loan for a new-build house in
desirable village in Essex – this was
our client’s 10th project with us, and
testament to the strong relationship
we’ve built with them over the years.
Our ability to move quickly and
truly understand their needs has
meant they’ve continued to trust us
to support their developments time
and time again.
Plus, we don’t just sit behind a
desk, we’re out on-site, meeting
developers face-to-face and seeing
projects first-hand. Regular site visits
allow us to understand the client’s
vision and challenges, and stay
actively involved in the progress,
providing real-time support when
needed. We really take the time to
get to know our clients and their
projects inside out. We’re not just
here for one deal – we’re invested in
long-term partnerships, supporting
developers throughout their journey
and helping them grow.
What are the challenges
facing BDMs right now?
One of the biggest challenges BDMs
face today is the the length of time
it takes to finalise finance for clients,
particularly due to solicitors and
planning delays.
Managing client expectations can
be a constant balancing act, too, as
many clients have diverse income
streams or non-traditional financing
needs, and it’s a BDMs job to ensure
that they are on-hand, offering
solutions to any problems so that the
client secures the right deal.
Standing out is more challenging
than ever now, too. With more
lenders entering the market, BDMs
need to go beyond just talking about
their products, they need to provide
flexibility and certainty to brokers
to make themselves stand out from
the crowd.
What are the current
opportunities for BDMs?
The development finance sector is
constantly evolving, creating plenty
of new opportunities for BDMs to
add value and support.
Mainstream lenders have
tightened their lending criteria,
making it more challenging for
developers – especially small to
medium enterprises (SMEs) and firsttime developers – to secure funding.
This shift presents an opportunity
for BDMs. We should be on-hand
to support those brokers unfamiliar
with the development finance
process, working closely with them
to quickly secure the right funding
solution and keep their clients’
projects on-track.
As banks pull back, brokers need
reliable funding partners more than
ever. BDMs who strive to provide
ongoing support can unlock new
lending opportunities, helping both
brokers and developers succeed in a
changing market.
How do you work with
brokers to ensure the best
outcomes for borrowers?
Every development finance deal is
different, and we work closely with
them to understand their client’s
needs and structure the deal with a
fresh approach.
Providing certainty is a big focus
at Magnet Capital – we keep our
brokers fully informed at every stage,
providing realistic expectations and
timelines and ensuring there are no
surprises along the way.
That said, while we always strive
to structure a deal that works, we
know that not every deal will fit our
criteria. Instead of leaving brokers
without options for their client, we
are upfront from the outset and will
point a broker in the direction of a
lender that may be able to help. Our
goal is to ensure that our brokers can
still help their clients secure the right
finance, even if it’s not with us.
As mentioned previously, we also
like to get on-site, meeting the client
and seeing the project. This gives us
a better understanding of the scope,
potential, and challenges, allowing
us to make faster, more confident
lending decisions.
What advice would you
give potential borrowers
in the current climate?
Rather than focusing solely on the
cheapest deal available, the best
thing borrowers can do right now is
build long-term relationships with a
team they can trust.
In the current climate, having the
right team around you can make or
break a project – especially when
confronting challenges like shifting
interest rates, stricter lending
criteria, and market uncertainty.
A good broker will match them
with the right lender and make
sure an application is presented
to that lender in the best possible
way. They’ll also help streamline
the process, negotiate terms, and
access lenders that truly understand
development finance.
Whether it’s their broker, lender,
or construction team, if a borrower
surrounds themselves with
experienced, reliable partners it
will provide certainty when it’s
needed most. ●
Magnet Capital
Established 2018
Products
Barn conversions
Semi-commercial
Heavy refurbishment
Part-built
New-builds
Office to residential
Contact details:
brian@magnetcapital.co.uk
02080753255
March 2025 | The Intermediary
27
