Client background & challenges
The product’s unique format – townhouses without garages or on-site parking – created hesitation among traditional lenders, despite the location offering ample street parking and proximity to a major bus terminal. As a break from Auckland’s traditionally car-centric developments, the project needed an alternative path to financing and securing interest.
The project’s independent builder had issued a quote, but the final construction price and programme would depend on the issuance of BC. Without pre-sales in place and with several cost variables still in play, securing traditional bank funding was not feasible. These uncertainties required a bespoke approach, which is ASAP Finance’s area of expertise.
The project faced a mix of product-specific challenges:
- Lack of Building Consent: With the BC not yet approved, total build costs and timing were unknown
- No pre-sales achieved: The project’s niche, car-free townhouse design made it a specialised product
- Final price and construction program pending: The final BC would determine costs, despite the client’s independent builder providing a quote
ASAP’s solution
ASAP Finance took a hands-on approach to understanding the project’s risk profile and market position. The team conducted independent research into the local area, confirming demand for this style of transport-oriented housing. ASAP also worked directly with the client’s builder to quantify the maximum potential increase in construction costs and timeframe once BC was finalised.
Based on this analysis, ASAP structured a tailored pre-construction facility that provided:
- Ample contingency: Giving room to accommodate for cost fluctuations.
- Flexible drawdowns: Each payment aligned with consent milestones.
- A six-month deferred pre-sale condition: giving the developer time to achieve sales once construction was underway.
Outcome
The funding package allowed the developer to continue progressing the project while awaiting BC approval, avoiding costly downtime and maintaining build readiness. With contingencies in place and sales targets deferred until the development reached full construction, the client could focus on delivery – confident their funding structure would adapt with them.
Looking beyond rigid lending criteria, ASAP Finance stepped in to provide practical funding solutions for real-world challenges.