Development finance in Reading
CoreFi arranges development finance for Reading property projects across a whole-of-market panel, funding new build, conversions and refurbishment for limited-company developers. From town-centre office-to-residential schemes to Thames Valley new build, we match the project to lenders whose appetite fits. We broke; the lender decides.
Development finance funds property projects in stages, releasing money against build progress rather than all at once. In Reading that spans a lot of ground: office-to-residential conversions in and around the town centre, new-build housing on the town's edges, and refurbishment of tired stock in the commuter belt. CoreFi arranges this funding for limited-company developers across a whole-of-market panel.
We are a broker, not a lender. Development lenders care intensely about the site, the costs, the planning position and the exit, whether that is sale or refinance. We help package the scheme so funders can assess it properly. Loan-to-cost, loan-to-value and drawdown timing are all indicative; the lender sets the terms after assessing the project.
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Share the scheme
Tell us about the site, the planned works, the costs and your planning position. The appraisal and exit plan are what lenders assess first.
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We package and match
We help present the numbers and approach development lenders on our whole-of-market panel whose appetite fits the project type, values and your track record.
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You proceed in stages
We support the facility through to terms and staged drawdowns against build progress. The lender sets loan-to-cost, loan-to-value and the exit conditions.
Reading development projects we see
Reading's housing pressure and its stock of older commercial buildings drive a steady flow of conversion and redevelopment. We regularly speak to developers turning redundant office space near the station and the town centre into flats, building out smaller residential schemes in the surrounding suburbs and villages toward Caversham, Tilehurst and Woodley, and refurbishing period stock across the commuter belt. Permitted-development conversions and full new build have very different funding shapes, and Thames Valley land values mean the numbers can move quickly, which is exactly why lender selection matters.
What lenders scrutinise on a Reading scheme
Development funders look hard at the gross development value, the build cost, the planning or permitted-development position, and the developer's track record. They also want a credible exit: in a strong Thames Valley sales market that may be onward sale, or it may be a refinance onto a term facility once the units are complete and let. A scheme near a Reading station with strong commuter demand reads differently to a lender than a rural plot. We help you present the appraisal, costings and exit clearly so the funder can price the risk fairly.
Staged drawdowns and the whole-of-market advantage
Development finance releases funds against monitored build stages, often with a monitoring surveyor signing off progress, so cash flow discipline through the project matters as much as the headline facility. Different lenders sit at different points on loan-to-cost and loan-to-value, and appetite for conversions versus ground-up new build varies a great deal. Because we work whole of market, we can steer a Reading developer towards funders who genuinely support that project type and that experience level, rather than approaching lenders whose criteria will not stretch. Every figure we give is illustrative; the lender decides and prices.
Frequently asked questions
What projects can development finance fund in Reading?
New build, office-to-residential conversions, refurbishment and light redevelopment are all common. The lender assesses the site, costs, planning position and exit before deciding whether and how much to fund.
Do I need planning permission before applying?
It depends on the scheme. Some lenders will look at projects before full planning or under permitted development, but the planning position heavily affects appetite and terms. We help you present it clearly to the right funders.
How does development finance get paid out?
Typically in stages, released against build progress and often signed off by a monitoring surveyor. This keeps drawdowns aligned to the works. The exact structure is set by the lender for your project.
Do I need previous development experience?
Lenders vary. Some support first-time developers on smaller schemes; others want a track record, especially on larger or ground-up projects. Because we work whole of market, we can match your experience to the right funders.
Are the loan-to-cost figures you mention guaranteed?
No. Any loan-to-cost or loan-to-value figures are indicative and illustrative only. The lender assesses the scheme and sets the actual terms. There are no guarantees on any facility.
Get matched with lenders for your Reading business
Tell us what your business needs and we will match you with lenders whose criteria fit. No obligation, no cost to start the conversation, and a straight answer about what is realistic for your situation.
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