Auction finance for the 28-day completion timeline
I need auction finance structured around the catalogue timing, lot, contribution, works and exit. Vortex compares suitable bridging routes before I decide whether to bid or apply; the provider controls its valuation, underwriting, conditions and approval.
Compare auction finance for my property
Share the property or site, finance required, purpose, deadline and exit. Vortex will review the case and compare suitable routes before I decide whether to apply.
Buying property at auction starts with the contract, not a generic promise about speed. Many auction properties require the buyer to complete the purchase within 28 days, although the legal pack and auction house conditions control the actual timeline. A bridge for an auction purchase is a type of bridging loan: a short-term loan secured on the property purchase. This type of finance may suit someone purchasing property at auction where a standard mortgage does not fit the condition of the lot or the contractual timetable.
We are a broker, not a finance provider. We compare suitable auction funding routes for the lot and intended exit, including specialist finance for property outside mainstream mortgage policy. our fee model is confirmed upfront before any application, disclosed in writing before you commit. The selected provider confirms the amount, auction finance rates, conditions, credit checks and timing after reviewing the property and application.
Key facts
- Indicative monthly interest from 0.55% to 0.95%; the rate depends on the lot, the LTV and your exit
- Up to 75% of the price or open-market value, whichever is lower; plan for a 25% deposit
- Loan size £50,000 to £5m, subject to provider criteria, a value report, legal work and approval
| Scenario | Indicative rate | LTV |
|---|---|---|
| Residential lot | 0.55–0.85%/mo | 75% |
| Commercial lot | 0.70–0.95%/mo | 70% |
| Refurb project | 0.65–0.95%/mo | 70% |
Cost calculator
Compare auction finance by what you need
Auction finance is fast and flexible short-term funding to purchase an auction property, whether you buy a house at auction as an investment or a commercial unit, and whether you are in the room or bidding online. Start with the angle that fits your deal.
Bridging loans
The parent product behind property auction finance, for any fast-completion deal.
Explore ›Refurbishment finance
Fund heavy works in tranches alongside the buy, with a sale or term-mortgage exit.
Explore ›Commercial mortgages
The exit onto a term facility once a commercial lot is mortgageable.
Explore ›Bridging loan calculator
Frame the monthly cost and total over the term before you bid.
Explore ›How auction finance works, from the fall of the hammer
How does auction finance work? The application process starts ahead of the auction. Share the lot, legal pack, expected price, cash requirement, works and exit so suitable auction bridging loans can be compared against the date in the contract. After a successful bid, the selected provider may require a survey, underwriting documents and legal work. Bridging finance is designed for short contractual timetables, but no intermediary can guarantee approval or completion.
The provider assesses the property, borrower, contribution, credit position and exit strategy. Depending on the facility, interest may be serviced, retained or rolled up, which affects net cash and total repayment at the end of the term. Some lots do not meet mainstream mortgage criteria in their current condition, so short-term property finance may be considered while the planned works and exit are assessed.
What it really costs to borrow
The headline monthly rate is only part of the picture. A realistic cost of borrowing combines the interest rate, arrangement fee, legal fees and any exit fee over your term.
- Interest: indicatively 0.55% to 0.95% a month; specialist cases carry higher interest rates.
- Arrangement fee: usually 1% to 2% of the loan, often added to the advance.
- Third-party costs: the survey and legals, by property type and value.
- Exit fee: 0% to 1% with some lenders; many waive it.
Lower LTV almost always means a cheaper rate. A 1% a month loan over three months costs roughly 3% of the loan in interest, the number to weigh against losing the lot. Every figure is confirmed by the lender on application.
Types of properties you can fund at auction
Plenty of lots fail a habitability check: no working kitchen, structural issues, fire damage, a short lease, non-standard construction. A mainstream lender will not touch them. These are the types of properties this funding solution is built for, and often the best auction opportunities.
- Residential property. Houses and flats to refurbish and let or sell, including ex-local-authority and probate stock.
- Commercial properties. Shops, offices and industrial units, with an exit onto a commercial mortgage.
- Mixed-use and investment property. A shop with a flat above, an HMO conversion, or a yield play for property investors.
- Repossession lots. Below-market opportunities a slow mortgage would lose.
Your exit strategy drives everything: every lender will ask how you intend to repay the loan, so a credible repayment plan is what gets a case approved. Most buyers take longer-term finance once the property is mortgageable, or sell the property after adding value. We stress-test that exit first.
Choosing the right lender for your lot
Going direct to one finance provider gives you one set of criteria. Vortex compares suitable auction finance lenders, including providers that may consider property condition or disclosed credit issues outside mainstream policy. A CCJ or default can affect fit, pricing and conditions, so it should be disclosed at the start.
We explain when the selected provider may run a credit search and package the application around the actual lot, borrower, contribution, catalogue date and exit. The provider decides the search type, survey requirements, underwriting outcome and whether it can issue an offer.
Common worries, answered straight
Is auction finance expensive? +
What if my exit slips? +
I have been turned down before. +
When auction finance fits
Complete inside the window with a buffer.
Request a free auction finance quote so you know what is realistic before you bid.
No kitchen, structural issues or a short lease, exactly what bridging is for.
Buy now, carry out the works, then move onto a term mortgage.
Move fast on a below-market lot before it slips.
CCJs, defaults and discharged bankruptcies, with the right specialist.
Questions buyers ask before they bid
Can auction finance complete within 28 days? +
How much can I borrow to buy a property at auction? +
The property is unmortgageable. Can you still fund it? +
I have not bought yet, I am just bidding. Can you help? +
Can I get auction finance with bad credit? +
When might a finance provider check my credit? +
Get a free auction finance quote before you bid
Tell us the lot, price, funding need, catalogue deadline and exit. We compare suitable auction finance routes before you decide whether to apply, and a regulated adviser confirms the position of any regulated case.