Navigating Development Finance Requires a Specialist Advisor

Development projects are complex, high-risk, and fundamentally different from standard property investment. Lenders require rigorous feasibility analysis, structured drawdowns, and expert oversight.

With over 25 years of senior banking experience, Hareen Wijesena provides the strategic financial guidance and access to specialised capital necessary to get your project out of the ground and across the finish line.

Bank-Level Expertise on Your Side

Senior Banking Pedigree

Hareen’s experience as a Director of Business Banking means he understands exactly how lenders assess development applications, from feasibility studies to risk mitigation.

Access to Specialist Capital

We have established relationships with non-bank lenders, private funders, and high-net-worth circles who specialise in development finance and offer more flexibility than traditional banks.

Strategic Structuring

We don’t just find a loan; we help structure the entire financial package, including land acquisition, construction, and exit financing.

Project Advocacy

We act as your representative, presenting a compelling and professionally packaged proposal to potential funders to secure the best possible terms.

Financing Solutions for Every Stage

We provide advice and access to capital for a range of projects:

  • Land Acquisition: Finance to secure the site for future development.

  • Construction & Development Loans: Finance for the build phase, typically drawn down in progressive stages.

  • Subdivision Finance: Funding for the single title into multiple titles.

  • Small-to-Medium Density Projects: Townhouses, apartment complexes, and terrace housing developments.

  • Commercial & Industrial Developments: Office, retail, or warehouse projects.

  • Mezzanine & Gap Funding: Bridging finance to cover any shortfall between the senior debt and the total equity required.

A Structured Approach to Funding

  1. Initial Feasibility Assessment: We review your project’s financial viability, including projected Gross Development Value (GDV), build costs, and potential profit margins.

  2. Documentation Preparation: We advise on the required documentation—e.g., resource consent, building consents, fixed-price building contracts, sales appraisals, and detailed costings—to present a robust case to lenders.

  3. Lender Selection & Submission: We match your project with the most appropriate funder(s) and manage the entire application process.

  4. Term Sheet Negotiation: We negotiate the key terms on your behalf: loan-to-cost ratio (LTC), interest rates, drawdown schedules, and pre-sale requirements.

  5. Settlement & Drawdown Management: We work with your solicitor and project manager to facilitate initial settlement and manage the ongoing drawdown process.

Understanding Development Finance

We provide clear advice on the critical metrics and costs:

  • Loan-to-Cost Ratio (LTC): The maximum a lender will advance as a percentage of the total project cost (land + build + soft costs). Typically ranges from 50% to 70%.

  • Loan-to-Value Ratio (LVR): The loan amount as a percentage of the completed Gross Development Value (GDV).

  • Interest Capitalisation: The ability to add the interest costs onto the loan facility during the build phase, preserving your cash flow.

  • Pre-Sale Requirements: Many lenders require a percentage of the units to be pre-sold before releasing funds.

  • Exit Strategy: The plan for repaying the loan, typically through the sale of the developed properties or refinancing onto a long-term investment loan.

Questions? You’re Covered

Rates are higher than standard residential mortgages due to the increased risk and are typically tailored to the specific project. We work to secure the most competitive terms available for your project’s risk profile.

Most specialist lenders will require a significant equity contribution from the developer, typically between 30% and 50% of the total project cost. This can be in the form of cash or equity in the land.

A robust application requires detailed costings from a quantity surveyor, fixed-price building contracts, resource and building consents, sales appraisals, and your experience profile. We will provide a comprehensive checklist.

Yes, but the bar is high. Lenders will heavily scrutinise the team’s experience (e.g., project manager, builder). We help you build a compelling proposal that mitigates perceived risk by leveraging experienced professionals.

Our Testimonials

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Working with Hareen has been an exceptional experience from start to finish. He initially assisted my parents with refinancing their home, and the entire process was handled with incredible professionalism and ease. Seeing how smoothly everything was managed, I had no hesitation in engaging Hareen for my own project—a complex development involving six houses and a loan facility worth over $3 million through a second-tier lender.

Hareen guided me through every stage of the process, offering clear advice, timely updates, and expert handling of all the paperwork. Once the project reached the next stage, Hareen also facilitated a seamless transition by resettling the loan with the banks, again making what could have been a complicated task feel effortless. His knowledge of the lending landscape, attention to detail, and dedication to delivering the best outcomes are truly impressive. I highly recommend Hareen to anyone looking for a reliable, professional, and highly capable mortgage broker.

Keshav

Refinance

Contact Us

Ready to unlock your financial potential?

Have a mortgage or business loan question? Simply ask us with no obligation!

We’re here to listen and guide you. Whether you’re buying your first home, refining your investment strategy, or seeking business finance, our expert team is ready to provide personalised advice tailored to your goals.

Reach out today for a free, no-obligation consultation—let’s start the conversation about your success.

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