Conversion & Refurbishment Projects
Development Finance for Property Conversions
Converting an existing building to residential use can be a strong property development opportunity, but it is not always straightforward to finance. Banks and other mainstream lenders often struggle to assess conversion projects, particularly where the current use, condition or planning position falls outside their standard criteria.
Hunter Finance works differently. As an independent lender who uses our own funds, we have the knowledge and experience to assess each project on its own merits. If your proposed project is well-planned, realistically costed and has a clear exit strategy, we want to hear from you.
Property Conversion Projects We Consider
Our conversion finance is suitable for a wide range of property developers and projects across the South East, including:
- Commercial to residential conversions, including offices, retail units and industrial buildings
- Barn conversions and rural building conversions
- Single properties converted into multiple residential units
- Larger properties reconfigured to create new homes
- Refurbishment projects that significantly change or add residential value
Whether you’re an experienced developer or taking on your first conversion, we’ll look at the strength of the project, your team, the costs and your exit strategy.
How Hunter Finance Can Help
Development Finance
Development finance for private residential property developments in the South East UK.
Bridging Loans
Bridging loans for developers to provide short-term finance to ‘bridge the gap in projects.
Equity Finance
Equity finance for property developers in return for a share of the development’s profit.
Pre-completion Loans
Pre-completion finance loans for property developments that are very close to completion.
Exit Finance
Exit finance is used to repay outstanding development finance so that it's ready for sale.
What We Need From You
To finance a conversion project, we’ll want to understand:
- The property type and its current use
- Planning permission status
- The purchase price or current value of the property
- Forecast budgets, including contingency
- Realistic build timeline
- Estimated GDV once the unit(s) are complete
- Your previous development experience, if any
- Details of your design and construction team
- A clear exit strategy
We understand that conversion projects can involve more complexity than new builds. Because of the potential for delays and unwelcome surprises, the more detail you can provide about planning permission, projected costs/timelines, and your exit strategy, the more it will help us assess your application.
Why Banks Can Struggle With Conversion Projects
Mainstream lenders often prefer straightforward, low-complexity projects. Conversion projects, especially commercial to residential or barn conversions, can be harder to assess because:
- The current use or condition of the building makes valuation harder
- Planning permission may have conditions that are unfamiliar to standard mortgage underwriters
- Build costs and timescales can be more unpredictable than a new build
- The project may be smaller or more specialist than a mainstream lender wants to take on.
This is where we come in. We’re happy to consider proposals that fall outside the standard template because we know they can still be successful projects, as long as the fundamentals are sound.
Why Choose Hunter Finance for Your Property Conversion Project
Fast Decisions
Most decisions are made within 7 days, and an agreement in principle as fast as 24 hours.
Up to 100% of conversion costs
Our loans can support up to 100% of the build costs, helping you keep work moving without tying up unnecessary capital.
No broker or upfront fees
No middleman, and an agreement in principle costs nothing.
Independent lender
Deal directly with Hunter Finance. We use our own funds and make our own decisions.
South East Experience
We’ve worked with more than 500 property developers, lending over £75 million.
Cases considered on merit
Your project is assessed on its strengths, not just a template.
Our Successful Conversion Projects
We’ve funded a range of residential conversion projects across the South East, including a £1.2m Farm House Conversion in Hobbs Farm, West Sussex, taking place over two phases.
The first involved converting three Grade II Listed barns into individual properties, while the second converted a separate Grade II listed outhouse into a single property. The £1.2m loan covered the full build and conversion of all four properties, which were quickly sold for a total of £2.4m.
View our other case studies to find out how we’ve helped developers like you.
Conversion Finance FAQs
Can I get development finance for a conversion without a long track record?
Do I need full planning permission before applying?
Can conversion costs be included in the loan?
How quickly can you make a decision?
Ready to Discuss Your Conversion Project?
If you have a residential conversion project and need finance from a proven and reliable local lender, get in touch today. There are no commitments and no fees.
What Our Developers Have To Say
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