What Lenders Look For - How to Make Your Property Deal More Fundable in 2025

Whether you're a seasoned investor or just starting your property journey, one truth remains constant in 2025: your deal is only as good as your ability to fund it. No matter how attractive the opportunity, without the right finance in place, your investment plan can grind to a halt.

At FundMyProperty, we specialise in helping property investors and developers access fast, flexible, and competitive funding. But before finance can be arranged, a lender needs to believe in your project—and that means presenting a fundable deal.

So, what do lenders look for in 2025? And more importantly, how can you structure and present your deal to maximise the chances of approval?

In this guide, we’ll break down the key factors lenders assess—and show you how to prepare your application to stand out from the crowd.

Why Presenting a Fundable Deal Matters More Than Ever

Economic uncertainty, rising interest rates, and tighter regulatory oversight have made lenders more cautious than in previous years. While funding is still available, especially for strong opportunities, deals that are poorly presented or lack critical information are increasingly likely to be declined—or offered on less favourable terms.

Presenting a deal that meets lender expectations can help you:

• Get approved faster

• Access higher LTVs

• Secure better rates

• Build long-term relationships with lenders

Let’s dive into what lenders are really looking for.

1. The Property: Is the Asset Viable and Valuable?

First and foremost, lenders assess the underlying asset you’re buying, developing, or refinancing. They want to understand whether the property is a sound investment in itself.

Key factors include:

• Location: Is the property in a desirable or high-demand area? What’s the rental or resale market like?

• Condition: Is the property structurally sound? Will it need significant repairs or refurbishment?

• Use class and planning: Are there any restrictions or planning issues that could delay or limit the investment?

• Exit value: What will the property be worth after the project is complete? Has a realistic end valuation been estimated?

How to make your deal more fundable:

• Include recent comparable sales (comps) or valuations to support your GDV (gross development value).

• Share your refurbishment or build schedule with cost estimates.

• Highlight any planning permissions or permitted development rights that add value.

2. The Borrower: Are You Experienced and Trustworthy?

Lenders also consider the person (or team) behind the deal. While you don’t need decades of experience to get funded, you do need to show that you can deliver the project successfully and repay the loan.

Lender considerations include:

• Track record: Have you completed similar projects before?

• Creditworthiness: Do you have good personal or business credit?

• Team and advisors: Do you have a builder, architect, solicitor, or letting agent on board?

• Financial position: Do you have the means to cover any required deposit or contingency?

How to make your deal more fundable:

• Prepare a short developer profile or CV highlighting previous projects.

• Be upfront about any adverse credit and explain what happened and how it’s been resolved.

• Provide a realistic appraisal of your own contribution to the deal, whether financial or managerial.

3. The Numbers: Are the Financials Solid?

Numbers tell the story of your deal. Lenders will scrutinise your figures to determine the risk and reward profile. A great idea with weak numbers won’t get funded—but even a modest project with strong margins and a clear exit is attractive to lenders.

Lenders want to see:

• Purchase price and breakdown of costs

• Refurbishment/build budget

• Contingency allowance

• Loan request (amount, LTV, and term)

• Expected end value (GDV)

• Exit strategy and projected returns

How to make your deal more fundable:

• Use a clear deal summary spreadsheet or presentation with all key figures.

• Include a detailed schedule of works with budget estimates.

• Explain your exit strategy—whether it’s refinancing, selling, or retaining the asset for rental income.

4. The Exit Strategy: Can the Lender Be Repaid Confidently?

Lenders are not just interested in what you’re doing with the property—they’re focused on how and when they will get their money back. Your exit plan is one of the most critical parts of the deal.

Common exit strategies include:

• Sale of the developed or refurbished property

• Refinance onto a buy-to-let, HMO, or commercial mortgage

• Sale of units in phases (for larger developments)

Lenders want to know that your exit is realistic and achievable, given the project timeline, market demand, and valuation.

How to make your deal more fundable:

• Research your refinance options and show evidence of mortgage products you're likely to qualify for.

• If planning to sell, show comparables and include a marketing strategy or agent valuation.

• Account for extra time or cost buffers in case the exit is delayed.

5. The Presentation: Is Your Deal Clear and Credible?

Even a good deal can fall flat if it’s poorly presented. Lenders are busy and reviewing multiple applications each week. The clearer and more professional your submission, the more likely it is to instill confidence and move to approval.

What a strong presentation includes:

• Executive summary (1-page overview of the deal)

• Photos, floorplans, or architect drawings

• Timeline of the project

• Detailed cost breakdown

• Realistic profit or yield projection

• Evidence of your experience or your team’s capability

At FundMyProperty, we help our clients package their deals professionally to give lenders the clarity they need to say yes.

How FundMyProperty Helps You Secure Finance

Navigating lender requirements on your own can be time-consuming and confusing. That’s where we come in. At FundMyProperty, we work with you to:

✅ Assess and structure your deal
We provide guidance to help ensure your figures stack up and your deal passes lender scrutiny.

✅ Package your application professionally
We know what lenders want to see and how they want to see it—so we make sure your application ticks every box.

✅ Access the right lender for your needs
We work with a panel of specialist lenders who understand residential, commercial, HMO, and development finance inside and out.

✅ Secure fast decisions and competitive rates
Our relationships mean faster responses, better terms, and funding that aligns with your strategy.

Final Thoughts: Preparation Equals Profit

In today’s cautious lending climate, it’s not enough to have a good deal—you need a fundable deal. That means preparing thoroughly, presenting clearly, and working with the right funding partner.

Whether you’re buying to refurb, converting under permitted development, or undertaking a full ground-up build, the team at FundMyProperty is here to help you structure your deal for success.

Have a project in mind?
Contact us today to speak to our finance experts and learn how we can help turn your opportunity into a fully funded investment.