Start with your timeline and your exit. If you need short-term funding to buy, refinance or bridge a purchase, bridging finance is usually the right place to start. If you're buying at auction with a fixed completion deadline, auction finance is designed for that certainty. Refurbishment and development finance are more appropriate where value is being created through works or new build projects.

Both are short-term, but auction finance is time-critical by nature. Once the hammer comes down, you're committed to completing it within a fixed period. Bridging finance is more flexible and can be used for purchases, refinances or capital raises where the timeline isn't dictated by an auction contract.

If the primary goal is to improve or create value - whether through refurbishment works or ground-up development - then a dedicated refurbishment or development facility is often more appropriate. These are structured around the project lifecycle rather than simply bridging a transaction.

Generally, Tradelend works best with experienced property investors, traders and developers who understand short-term finance and have a clear plan. The focus is on supporting well-thought-through deals, not on first-time or speculative projects.

Start with the product that most closely matches your situation - purchase timing, asset type and exit strategy. Each guide explains how that type of finance works in practice, what it's typically used for, and when it makes sense to explore it further.