A £500,000 property was snapped up by a UK buyer for just £350,000 in a deal facilitated by specialist lender Somo. The significant discount arose from the seller's urgent need to relocate overseas and expedite the sale, covering existing mortgage and relocation costs. This opportunity highlights how personal circumstances can create rare below-market deals for buyers.
The borrower accessed conventional mortgage finance was challenging due to six months of accumulated mortgage arrears while caring for an elderly relative. Although they had since returned to work and resumed payments, their adverse credit history prevented them from securing a standard loan. Somo's solution involved structuring a second charge loan against the borrower's main residence, leveraging its independently confirmed market value rather than the discounted purchase price of the new property.
This innovative approach allowed sufficient capital to be released, not only to complete the purchase of the discounted buy-to-let property but also to clear outstanding arrears on the borrower's existing mortgage. The borrower is now current with all payments, and the new property is generating rental income, with plans to refinance the short-term bridging facility into a long-term buy-to-let mortgage.
Rob Johnson, underwriting director at Somo, said: "We focus on the broader picture, looking beyond temporary credit blips to assess a borrower's overall financial stability and commitment." This approach underscores the expanding role of specialist finance providers in the UK property market, particularly for investors seeking opportunities in the buy-to-let sector.
The transaction demonstrates how bridging finance can be a vital tool for property acquisitions where timing constraints or specific credit histories make conventional mortgage approvals difficult or impossible. As mainstream lending criteria continue to tighten, these lenders are stepping in to facilitate deals that fall outside traditional parameters.