Author: Webmaster Pureseo

Funding is one of the most important parts of any property development project. A strong site, capable builder and well-priced end product will not get far unless the funding structure is clear, realistic and aligned with the development programme.

For many developers, the question is not simply how to fund a development project. The better question is what funding structure best fits the site, feasibility, equity position, construction pathway and exit strategy.

This checklist sets out the key steps to work through before approaching a lender.

Step 1: Confirm What You Are Actually Funding

Start by defining the funding requirement clearly. Development finance can be used for different stages of a project, including site acquisition, refinance, civil works, construction, subdivision costs, professional fees, GST timing and capitalised interest.

Checklist: Confirm whether funding is required for land settlement, refinance, civil works, vertical construction, GST timing or all stages of the project. Then confirm the total facility required, how much needs to be advanced upfront, when progress drawdowns will be required, whether the project will be staged and how the loan will be repaid.

This matters because a development project that needs acquisition funding has a different risk profile from a project that already owns the land and only needs construction funding. Lenders will assess the purpose, timing and sequencing of the loan, not just the total amount requested.

Step 2: Build a Credible Feasibility

Knowing how to finance property development means recognising that a development feasibility is the foundation of the funding application. It should show whether the project remains commercially viable after allowing for all project costs, funding costs, contingency and realistic end values.

Checklist: Include land cost or current site value, construction costs, civil works, professional fees, consent and council costs, finance costs, GST assumptions, contingency, expected gross realisation value, development margin and timing from settlement through to repayment.

The key is not to present the most optimistic case. The key is to show that the project still works when the assumptions are tested. Lenders will look closely at whether build costs, sale prices, programme timing and contingency allowances are commercially realistic.

Step 3: Confirm Your Equity Position

Lenders expect developers to have a meaningful stake in the project. Equity helps absorb cost overruns, delays and market movements, and shows the developer is committed to the transaction.

Checklist: Identify the source of equity, including cash contributed to the project, land already owned, verified uplift in land value, shareholder loans, retained project profits or other confirmed capital sources. Also, confirm how much equity remains available as a contingency buffer.

Land equity can be particularly important. A developer who already owns the site, or has purchased it below market value, may be bringing meaningful equity into the project before adding further cash.

The equity position needs to be clear, evidenced and capable of being explained. A lender will want to understand where the equity comes from, whether it is already in the project and whether the developer has enough financial capacity to manage unexpected issues.

Step 4: Choose the Right Funding Pathway

Not every development project fits the same lending structure. The right funding pathway depends on the project, the borrower, the leverage required, presale position, documentation, timing and delivery risk.

Bank lending: Bank funding can be a good fit where a project has conservative leverage, strong presales, full documentation, a clear fixed-price construction pathway and sufficient time for approval.

Non-bank lending: A non-bank lender may be a better fit where the project has strong fundamentals but needs more flexibility around presales, leverage, timing, QS involvement, construction structure or settlement deadlines.

Mezzanine finance: Mezzanine finance may be used where the senior debt facility does not cover the full funding requirement, and the developer wants to reduce the amount of additional cash equity required. It can improve return on equity, but it also increases funding cost and risk.

The practical issue is to match the lender to the project. A transaction may be commercially sound but still fall outside bank policy. That does not necessarily mean the project is weak. It may simply require a lender prepared to assess the transaction on its full merits.

Step 5: Prepare the Funding Pack

A strong funding application is supported by clear documentation. The more complete the information, the easier it is for a lender to assess the project quickly and accurately.

Checklist: Prepare the title and ownership details, sale and purchase agreement if applicable, development feasibility, construction budget, programme, plans, consent status, builder quote or contract, consultant details, valuation if available, sales evidence, presale schedule if relevant, borrower structure, company information and details of existing debt or security.

Not every lender will require the same information in every case. However, providing a clear funding pack from the outset reduces uncertainty and helps avoid delays later in the process.

Step 6: Check the Construction Pathway

Lenders will focus closely on how the project will be delivered. A strong feasibility is not enough if the construction pathway is unclear.

Checklist: Confirm who will build the project, whether the builder has completed similar projects, whether the contract is fixed-price or cost-plus, what exclusions or provisional sums are included, how variations will be managed, whether a QS report is required, how progress claims will be verified and whether the programme is realistic.

For development and construction loans, the key issue is whether the lender can get comfortable that the project can be completed within the approved funding structure. This is why cost-to-complete control is central to most construction funding decisions.

Step 7: Confirm Consents, Staging and Timing

Funding should be aligned with the project programme. Consent status, design maturity, staging, title timing and expected Code Compliance Certificate dates can all affect how a facility is structured.

Checklist: Confirm the resource consent status, building consent status, engineering approvals, title requirements, any staging plan, expected construction commencement date, expected completion date and any timing risks that could affect settlement, drawdowns or repayment.

Having resource consent and confirmed plans in place reduces uncertainty and strengthens the application. Where documentation is still progressing, the lender will usually need to understand what is outstanding, when it will be resolved and whether any funding conditions should apply.

Step 8: Define the Exit Strategy

Every development loan is approved with repayment in mind. The exit strategy should be clear before the loan is advanced.

Checklist: Identify whether repayment will come from completed sales, staged sell-down, refinance, another asset sale, retained stock funding or a combination of sources. Then support the strategy with market evidence, comparable sales, valuation information, leasing evidence or refinance assumptions where relevant.

A vague exit strategy creates funding risk. A clear and evidence-backed exit gives the lender more confidence that the facility can be repaid on time.

Step 9: Stress-Test the Funding Structure

Before committing to the project, test what happens if things do not go exactly to plan. Small movements in cost, timing or sale price can have a meaningful impact on development margin and lender risk.

Checklist: Test the impact of higher build costs, a longer construction programme, slower sales, softer end values, delayed title or CCC, higher interest costs and any additional equity that may be required.

A project that only works under perfect conditions is unlikely to be a strong funding proposition. A project that still works after sensible stress testing is far easier for a lender to support.

Step 10: Manage the Facility Through to Completion

Securing approval is only part of the process. Development finance needs to be actively managed throughout the life of the project.

Checklist: Keep close control over drawdown timing, cost-to-complete, variations, contingency usage, construction progress, sales progress, interest and fees, covenant or condition compliance, title and CCC timing and repayment strategy.

The best funding outcomes usually come from disciplined communication and early issue management. If costs move, timelines change, or sales conditions shift, those issues should be raised early rather than left until they become problems.

Funding Your Development with ASAP Finance

Development funding needs to fit the project. The right structure depends on the site, feasibility, programme, borrower equity, delivery team, risk profile and repayment strategy. At ASAP Finance, we work with developers across New Zealand to structure development and construction loans that reflect the realities of each project.

We assess each transaction on its own merits, including the borrower, site, feasibility, equity position, construction pathway, leverage and exit strategy. For the right project, we can consider funding where bank lending may not be suitable, including transactions where presale requirements, higher leverage, flexible construction structures or time-sensitive settlement requirements need a practical funding solution.

If you are planning a project and want to understand how to fund it properly, contact the team at ASAP Finance to discuss your project.

If you have received a quote for development or construction finance, you may have seen a line fee listed alongside the interest rate. It is easy to overlook, but the charging basis and quoted period can materially affect the total cost of a facility.

Understanding how a line fee works makes it easier to compare offers on a like-for-like basis. This is particularly relevant to development and construction loans, where funds are usually advanced in stages rather than as a single lump sum.

Line Fee Meaning Explained

A line fee is a fee charged for keeping an approved facility available. Depending on the lender and term sheet, it may be calculated on the total facility limit or on the undrawn portion. It is separate from interest, which is generally calculated on the drawn balance.

The distinction matters because a development facility is usually drawn progressively. Interest reflects the amount advanced, while the line fee reflects the lender’s commitment to keep the remaining approved facility available, subject to the loan terms.

Why lenders charge a line fee

When a lender commits a facility, it must maintain the funding capacity and capital allocation needed to meet future drawdowns. A line fee compensates the lender for that commitment, including periods when the approved facility remains partly undrawn.

This is particularly relevant to staged lending. On a construction loan, funds are released through approved progress payments, so the drawn balance may sit below the facility limit for much of the term. Where interest is charged on the drawn balance, a separate line fee may apply to the total or undrawn commitment.

What the fee is charged on

Not all line fees are calculated the same way, and the basis matters more than the headline percentage. A line fee may be charged against the total facility limit, which means you pay on the full approved amount, regardless of how little you have drawn. Alternatively, it may be charged only against the undrawn portion, which reduces as you draw the loan down.

The difference can be significant. On a facility where most of the funds sit undrawn for months, a fee charged on the full limit costs considerably more than one charged on the undrawn balance alone. Before you compare two offers, it is worth confirming which basis each lender is using, because two identical percentages can produce very different costs.

Monthly versus annual line fees

Here is where borrowers most often seek clarification. Some lenders quote a line fee on an annual basis, while others quote it monthly, and the two can look almost identical at a glance.

Consider a line fee quoted at 0.25 percent. If it is 0.25 percent per annum, the annual rate is 0.25 percent. If it is 0.25 percent per month, the simple annualised rate is 3.0 percent per annum before considering the charging base. The number looks the same, but the annualised cost is very different. Never assume the quoted period from the type of lender; confirm it in the term sheet.

Confirm whether the rate is monthly or annual, then calculate the dollar cost against the relevant charging base and expected term. Annualising fees helps place offers on a common basis, but the final comparison should also reflect the likely drawdown profile, extension fees and other conditions.

How a line fee differs from other costs

A line fee is only one part of the total cost of finance. It sits alongside interest on drawn funds and an establishment fee, which is typically calculated as a percentage of the facility and may be paid or capitalised at commencement. Extension, drawdown, valuation, quantity surveyor, legal and early repayment costs may also apply.

Because these costs interact, the headline interest rate does not tell the whole story. A loan with a lower rate and a monthly line fee may cost more than a loan with a higher rate and no line fee, depending on the drawdown profile and term. Our guide to lender’s fees explains how the main charges fit together.

What this means when comparing lenders

The practical takeaway is that a line fee should not be read in isolation. Three questions determine its practical cost: what balance is charged, whether the rate is monthly or annual, and how long the facility is expected to remain available. Confirm each before comparing offers.

More broadly, a funding offer is more than the sum of its rates and fees. The charging basis, loan term, extension provisions and conditions all shape cost and execution risk. Our guide on what to look for in a term sheet covers the wider issues to check before committing to a lender.

Talk to ASAP Finance about your funding costs

Better decisions are made when the cost of finance is clear from the start. At ASAP Finance, our term sheets set out how interest and fees are calculated so borrowers can assess the expected cost over the life of the facility.

If you are comparing development or construction finance and want to understand the full cost of a proposed facility, get in touch with the team at ASAP Finance to talk it through.

When a lender or broker talks about how a loan is structured, they mean the terms and mechanics that determine how the facility works in practice. This includes the facility limit, purpose, security, drawdown conditions, interest and fees, repayment profile, leverage tests, covenants and exit.

For property developers, structure can matter as much as the headline rate. Two facilities with the same nominal rate can produce different total costs, cash-flow demands and execution risks once drawdown timing, fees, interest treatment and repayment conditions are modelled. This guide explains the main components of development finance and how they interact.

What does loan structure mean?

Loan structure is the combined design of a facility: who borrows, what security is provided, how much can be drawn and when, how interest and fees are calculated, what conditions apply, and how and when the debt must be repaid.

Two loans with the same interest rate can produce very different outcomes. The charging base, drawdown profile, term, fees, covenants, prepayment and extension provisions, leverage limits and exit all affect the practical cost and risk.

What is a structured loan?

In this article, a structured loan means a facility tailored to a specific transaction rather than a standard retail product. It should not be confused with structured finance products such as securitisations or derivatives. In development and bridging finance, the tailored terms may reflect the acquisition timeline, construction programme, GST, staged drawdowns or releases, expected sales receipts and exit strategy.

How is a development loan structured?

A development funding structure may combine developer equity and senior debt. Where the senior lender permits it, subordinated debt or preferred equity may sit behind the senior facility. The senior lender usually holds first-ranking security and may fund land, approved project costs and capitalised interest. Mezzanine or second-ranking debt can reduce the developer’s new cash contribution, but it requires senior-lender consent and increases funding cost, leverage and intercreditor or coordination risk.

Interest is often capitalised rather than paid monthly, meaning it is added to the facility balance or drawn from an interest reserve and repaid at exit. This supports project cash flow, but increases the amount due at repayment. Depending on the borrower and project, interest may instead be paid monthly or partly capitalised. Our guide to loan repayment structures explains the main options.

Pricing may include interest on the drawn balance, an establishment fee, and a line or commitment fee calculated on the total facility or undrawn portion. Extension, drawdown, valuation, quantity surveyor and legal costs may also apply. These charges are not interchangeable. Construction drawdowns are usually staged and subject to agreed evidence and cost-to-complete controls, which may include invoices, inspections or quantity surveyor reporting.

Key structural components that affect cost and risk

Capitalised versus paid-monthly interest

Interest can be capitalised into the facility or paid monthly from the borrower’s cash flow. Capitalised interest preserves cash during construction, but increases peak debt and the total amount due at exit. Paying interest monthly prevents the interest charge from being added to the balance, but requires cash flow from another source. It does not keep the overall loan balance flat because construction drawdowns may continue.

Line fee and interest charging basis

Interest and a line fee are different charges. Interest is generally charged on the drawn balance, while a line fee may be charged on the total facility limit or the undrawn commitment. A facility can include both. Total cost depends on the rates, charging bases, drawdown profile and term, so neither should be compared in isolation.

LVR versus loan-to-cost

Loan-to-value ratio (LVR) compares debt or the facility limit with the supportable value of the security, which may be assessed on an as-is and/or as-if-complete basis. Loan-to-cost (LTC) compares debt with the approved total development cost. Lenders often apply both metrics, alongside cost-to-complete and other tests, but the binding constraint depends on the facility. Understanding how loan-to-cost ratios work is important when comparing quotes.

Fixed versus floating rate

Rates may be fixed or floating. A floating rate may reference BKBM or another base rate plus a margin, while a fixed rate provides pricing certainty for the agreed period. The term sheet should state the benchmark, reset frequency, margin and any default or extension pricing. Practice varies across banks and non-bank lenders.

Why loan structure matters as much as the headline rate

Two development facilities with the same nominal rate can produce different total costs, cash requirements and execution risks once the full structure is considered.

A line fee on the full facility may add more cost than the same line-fee rate applied only to the undrawn commitment, but the total outcome depends on all pricing terms. Capitalised interest may improve cash flow during construction, but it usually increases peak debt and the amount payable at exit compared with paying interest monthly. The preferred structure should be tested against the project’s actual drawdown and exit assumptions.

When comparing quotes, model the facility limit, initial advance, drawdown schedule, interest and fees, term, extension and prepayment provisions, covenants and exit. That gives a more reliable view than the headline rate alone.

Talk to ASAP Finance about your loan structure

At ASAP Finance, we structure development and construction loans around the project, borrower, security, drawdown programme and exit. If you are comparing a quote, assess the total cost, cash-flow impact, conditions and execution risk as well as the rate. Get in touch with the team at ASAP Finance to discuss how a facility could be structured for your project.

Equity in property can support short-term business funding where a standard bank facility does not fit the timing or structure required. The security may be an investment property, owner-occupied commercial premises or residential property. The amount available depends on the property, existing debt, loan purpose and repayment strategy.

Non-bank bridging finance can be useful where the transaction is time-sensitive and there is a clear, credible exit. The lender still assesses the borrower, purpose, security, equity position and ability to repay; property security does not replace those fundamentals. This guide explains how property can support business-purpose borrowing and where the main risks sit.

What is property-backed business finance?

Property-backed business finance is a business-purpose loan secured by a registered mortgage over real estate. The property provides primary security, but the lender will also consider the use of funds, borrower and guarantor position, existing debt, serviceability or exit, and any other security required. The property may be residential, investment, commercial or industrial, subject to the lender’s appetite and a supportable value.

How property-backed finance is structured

ASAP Finance generally lends on a first-mortgage basis. The amount available depends on the property type, location and supportable value, existing debt, loan purpose and overall risk profile. Current maximum LVR, loan-size and term parameters are set out in ASAP Finance’s lending criteria and relevant product page; the approved position may be lower for particular assets or transactions.

For example, if a commercial property is worth $2 million and existing debt is $900,000, the gross equity is $1.1 million. At an illustrative 70 percent LVR, total secured borrowing would be $1.4 million, leaving potential gross headroom of $500,000 before interest, fees, transaction costs and any lender-imposed buffer. This is an illustration only; the lender may adopt a different value or LVR.

Property-backed facilities are usually short-term and event-driven. A bridging facility may run for three to six months, or up to 12 months where the risk and exit support it. Interest may be capitalised, paid monthly or structured as a combination. Capitalised interest can preserve cash flow during the term, but it increases the amount due at repayment and must fit within the facility limit.

Facility size varies by lender and transaction. ASAP Finance’s current loan-size, term and LVR parameters are set out in its lending criteria, and should be checked against the proposed security and exit.

What lenders actually assess

A lender will start with the purpose of the loan, the property security, the borrower’s equity and financial position, and the proposed exit. None of these should be considered in isolation.

Security covers the property offered, its supportable value and the debt or other claims already registered against it. Equity is the buffer between that value and total borrowing. The exit strategy explains how the loan will be repaid, whether through a property sale, refinance or another evidenced capital event. The lender will also consider the borrower and guarantors, legal structure, use of funds and whether the exit is achievable within the proposed term.

Whether the borrower is buying commercial or industrial premises, bridging a sale or releasing equity, the same principles apply: a clear purpose, supportable security, sufficient equity and a credible repayment pathway.

Common scenarios

Property-backed business finance suits situations where there is a genuine property-linked repayment pathway. Common examples include:

• Buying your own premises. A short-term facility can help complete the purchase, with the exit usually being refinance to longer-term commercial lending, subject to serviceability and lender criteria.
• Bridging a confirmed sale. You have a property under contract, but the funds are not yet available. A short-term facility releases cash now, repaid on settlement.
• Releasing equity from an investment property. An unencumbered or lightly geared property can be used to raise capital for a defined purpose, with repayment coming from a sale, refinance or another evidenced capital event.
• Funding an acquisition deposit. Property equity may support a deposit or settlement where the lender is comfortable with the purpose and the repayment comes from a defined sale, refinance or incoming equity rather than untested future trading upside.

What gets a deal stuck

A property-backed facility depends on both the security position and the repayment pathway. Common issues that delay or prevent approval include:

• No defined exit: “The business will improve” is not a repayment plan. A lender needs a specific, evidenced pathway, such as a contracted sale or an assessed refinance.
• Treating it as ongoing working capital: Short-term property finance is designed for a defined requirement and exit, not to fund recurring losses or act as permanent working capital.
• A thin equity buffer: If borrowing pushes the loan-to-value ratio too high, there is little room for the lender if values or timing move.
• Undisclosed debt or caveats: Existing mortgages, second charges, or caveats that surface late slow a deal down and erode trust.

Understand the security risk

Using property as security means the lender may enforce its mortgage if the loan is not repaid. This is particularly significant where a home or core business premises is offered. Borrowers should understand the repayment obligations, obtain independent legal advice and make sure the exit is realistic before committing.

Structuring property-backed finance with ASAP Finance

Property security can be an effective way to fund a defined timing gap or business transaction, but it is not a substitute for a clear purpose, realistic exit and sufficient buffer. ASAP Finance assesses each transaction on its commercial merits, including the security, borrower, use of funds, equity position and repayment pathway, rather than forcing your situation into a standard product.

If you own property and are weighing up how it could support your next move, get in touch with the team at ASAP Finance to talk through your options.

True 100% development finance, where a lender funds an entire project with no equity contribution from the developer, is not realistic in the New Zealand market. Lenders generally require the developer to have a meaningful stake in committing capital. It reflects how development risk is shared, and how lenders protect against cost overruns, delays, and market movements that can erode a project’s margins.

The problem developers are usually trying to solve with 100% finance is how to fund a project with less equity. That is a different question, and one with practical answers. Through a combination of land equity, layered debt, and other financing tools, experienced developers regularly structure projects that require significantly less cash upfront than the headline equity requirement might suggest. This guide covers what is available, how each option works, and what is realistic for New Zealand.

What Counts as Equity?

While true 100% development finance is not available in New Zealand, experienced developers can reduce their cash equity materially, particularly where land equity is strong, but the outcome depends on valuation, cost-to-complete, margin, and lender appetite.

Land equity: The most common non-cash equity source in New Zealand development projects. If you already own the site, or are purchasing it below its assessed value, that equity is usually recognised by lenders as part of your contribution to the project. A developer who owns a site worth $800,000, unencumbered, is already bringing meaningful equity to the funding conversation before committing any cash. The higher the land value relative to the total project cost, the less cash a lender will typically require.

Cash equity: Capital contributed directly, either at land settlement or introduced progressively as the project gets underway. Most lenders require developer equity to be in the project before they advance their own funds, and the sequencing of that contribution matters as much as the amount.

Understanding what counts toward your equity position is the starting point for structuring a project efficiently. A developer who approaches a lender with a clear picture of their equity contribution, and where it comes from, is in a significantly stronger position than one who has not worked this out before the conversation starts.

How Developers Reduce the Amount of Cash Equity Needed

Land equity

If you own the site outright or have substantial equity in it, that value can do most of the heavy lifting on the equity requirement. A developer bringing a site worth $1.2 million into a project with a total development cost of $4 million is already contributing 30% equity before touching any cash. Depending on the lender and the project, that land equity position may be sufficient on its own to satisfy the equity requirement, leaving cash reserves available for contingencies and holding costs rather than the initial contribution.

Mezzanine finance

Where land equity alone does not cover the full equity requirement, mezzanine finance can fill part of the gap. A mezzanine facility sits behind the senior loan, secured by a second mortgage, and typically covers 10-15% of the total project cost. In practice, a developer who would otherwise need to contribute 25% cash equity might use a mezzanine facility to bring that cash requirement down to 10%, with the mezzanine lender covering the difference. Mezzanine pricing can be materially different and may involve higher margins, fees, profit participation or preferred equity economics.

No-presale non-bank lending

For projects that do not fit bank credit settings, a non-bank lender may assess the transaction on feasibility, equity, delivery risk and exit strategy rather than requiring presale cover.

This does not reduce the equity requirement directly, but it removes the presale burden as a condition of funding and allows well-structured projects to proceed on their own merits. ASAP Finance assesses development and construction loan applications often without presales, depending on project size, complexity and credit assessment.

Presale underwrites

For developers who want to access bank funding but cannot meet presale cover requirements without discounting off-plan, a presale underwrite is a tool worth familiarising yourself with. Rather than selling properties below market value to satisfy the bank’s presale threshold, a developer can engage an underwriter who agrees to purchase a set number of completed units at an agreed price if they remain unsold by a specified date.

The practical effect on the equity requirement is indirect but meaningful. Please note that underwrites are not equity and do not remove delivery, valuation or saleability risk. They can help satisfy bank presale conditions but are usually priced/discounted and subject to strict eligibility and documentation.

What Is Realistic for Development Finance in NZ?

True 100% development finance is not available in New Zealand, but the cash equity requirement on a well-structured project can be reduced significantly below the headline 20 to 30% most lenders cite. How far depends on the project, the site, and the combination of tools a developer brings to the capital stack.

What is unrealistic is expecting to fund a project with no economic equity. Lenders assess equity as a signal of commitment and a buffer against risk, and a project with no developer equity will not be funded, regardless of its structure. With robust feasibility and a credible exit, the right lender can help identify which tools are most appropriate and how to structure around them.

The more productive framing for most developers is not “how do I get to zero equity” but “how do I make my equity work as hard as possible.” The right lending structure makes that possible, while minimising property development risks.

Funding Your Development with ASAP Finance

At ASAP Finance, we work with developers across New Zealand to structure development and construction loans from site acquisition through to project completion. Our lending managers assess each project individually, drawing on over 20 years’ experience assessing what makes a successful development. If you are planning a project and want to work through how to structure your equity and funding best, get in touch with the team at ASAP Finance to discuss your plans.