Bridging Finance for Expat in Switzerland to Refurbish Two Properties
Featured Snippet: Articus Finance secured bridging finance for expat in Switzerland to refurbish two properties, raising £1.3 million at 65% LTV. Rolled-up interest allowed the client to complete major refurbishment works before exiting onto a competitive long-term mortgage.
Introduction
Short-term solutions such as bridging loans are increasingly essential for overseas investors who need rapid and flexible finance. This case demonstrates how Articus Finance arranged bridging finance for expat in Switzerland to refurbish two properties, enabling significant refurbishment works that prepared the assets for long-term student lettings and long-run profitability.
Client Background
The client, a self-employed British expat based in Switzerland, owned two adjacent properties on a single title in Southern England. Together, they comprised multiple flats intended for the student rental market but required extensive refurbishment to be habitable and attractive to student tenants. Without major investment into the properties, their yield potential would remain capped well below market averages.
Though unencumbered, the properties were unusual in configuration and usage. The client sought to raise capital against the combined £2,000,000 value in order to commence refurbishment. As a self-employed overseas resident without standardised monthly income records, securing traditional lending was highly unlikely, despite significant net worth. For many overseas clients in Switzerland, these conditions are common: lenders are cautious and reluctant without obvious UK-sourced income streams.
The Challenge
This case was complicated by several unique factors:
- Non-standard security: Two adjacent properties, mixed-use potential and block layout.
- Expat borrower profile: No UK credit footprint, based overseas in Switzerland.
- Self-employed income: Complex earnings profile with fluctuating cashflow.
- Refurbishment requirement: Significant works required before student occupancy.
- Exit imperative: Lender confidence needed in long-term mortgage refinance.
Our Solution
Following a structured consultation, Articus Finance identified niche lenders open to expat clients with complex profiles. We prepared a full lending case that highlighted not only property value but also the strategic plan for transforming the flats into a high-yield investment. By carefully articulating the end-goal of refinancing onto a regulated buy-to-let product after works, we reassured the lender of the exit strategy. This was crucial: without it, many lenders would see only risk.
Ultimately, Articus sourced a £1.3 million facility at 65% LTV, structured on rolled-up interest. This relieved the client of monthly payments during refurbishment, preserving cash liquidity for works. The bridging loan term synchronised with the expected completion schedule, ensuring alignment between capital availability and project needs. Furthermore, the flexible facility anticipated unforeseen delays—an important safeguard in refurbishment finance where timescales can shift.
- Facility size: £1.3 million against £2 million valuation.
- LTV achieved: 65%.
- Interest mechanism: Rolled-up, payable only at exit.
- Lender appetite: Specialist bridging bank familiar with expat borrowers and unconventional security.
- Exit plan: Transition to standard buy-to-let with competitive long-term fixed rate.
Key Highlights
- Client: Expat in Switzerland, self-employed with irregular income flow.
- Property: Two adjacent buildings valued at £2 million with combined eight student flats.
- Facility: £1.3 million bridging loan.
- LTV: 65% agreed.
- Repayment: Rolled-up interest at end of loan term.
- Purpose: Fund structural and cosmetic refurbishment to meet student rental demand.
- Exit: Transition onto long-term competitive buy-to-let mortgage product.
Why Articus Finance Delivered
Securing bridging finance for expat in Switzerland to refurbish two properties requires much more than sourcing a lender. It demands the ability to package the case in a way which reassures risk-averse lenders and addresses every concern—from property title complexity to overseas borrower status. Articus Finance delivered by leveraging established broker-lender relationships, anticipating lender questions, and ensuring a clear path to repayment.
The successful outcome rested on three cornerstones:
- Bespoke structuring: Loan design aligned bridging term with refurbishment timetable.
- Risk mitigation: Exit strategy to buy-to-let refinance documented and tested in negotiations.
- Client advocacy: Articulating the strengths of the client’s profile beyond conventional income metrics.
Explore Related Insights
- Remortgage of a £1.8 Million UK Property for a British Expat in Switzerland
- Buy to Let Remortgage for French National to Repay a Bridging Loan
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- Mixed Residential and Commercial Remortgage with High Loan to Value
- High Net Worth Individual Interest-Only Mortgage
- Entrepreneur Purchase First Property in the UK
- Bridging Loan Securing BTL Property for UK Expat
- Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
Final Thoughts
This expanded case of bridging finance for expat in Switzerland to refurbish two properties shows how complex arrangements can be reframed as investment opportunities. Without specialist advice, the client faced rejection from conventional lenders and delay to refurbishment. With Articus Finance, the bridging loan was secured at 65% LTV with rolled-up interest, safeguarding cashflow and ensuring delivery of works. Most importantly, we provided clarity on the onward exit, transforming a short-term challenge into a long-term income-producing strategy. This approach underscores why, in times of financial complexity, expatriates and international investors continue to rely on boutique expertise to secure their property ambitions in the UK market.
