Saffron for Intermediaries has launched a wide range of specialist lending updates to create an "end-to-end property development finance proposition", alongside major enhancements across its buy-to-let ranges.
Saffron has strengthened its buy-to-let proposition to provide broader support for expat clients, portfolio landlords and limited companies. Expat buy-to-let now offers lending up to 80% LTV, making higher-leverage borrowing more accessible for overseas clients, and is available to first-time buyers and first-time landlords where at least one applicant meets minimum income requirements.
The range also now includes expat limited company buy-to-let, while the wider limited company proposition has been enhanced to accept newly registered companies, with no personal guarantees required up to 55% LTV.
Across the broader buy-to-let range, Saffron will accept first-time buyers and first-time landlords (product dependent), offer loan sizes up to £3 million, and continue to provide interest-only or repayment options with no external exposure limit.
As part of the wider buy-to-let enhancements, Saffron has introduced a new HMO product, available to both individual landlords and limited companies.
Development finance overhaul
Saffron says it now offers a "full end-to-end property development finance solution", supporting brokers and their clients from the earliest stages of a project through to completion and sale.
The new pre-development bridge category allows developers to secure land, which can be accepted without planning, with lending available up to 65% LTV with planning approval and up to 50% LTV pre-approval, for terms of up to 18 months.
This leads seamlessly into Saffron’s strengthened development finance product, which offers up to 90% loan-to-cost (LTC) and up to 70% GDV, with both land purchase and construction costs accepted within the facility.
To support the final stages of a project, Saffron has launched a dedicated exit bridge, offering lending up to 75% LTV for up to 18 months. This allows developers to refinance completed or near-completed schemes while awaiting sale, smoothing cashflow and giving additional flexibility at the back end of a project. When combined with the pre-development bridge and development finance categories, this creates a connected funding pathway for developers, enabling brokers to keep the entire journey under one lender with consistent criteria.
Residential criteria boost
Saffron has also introduced targeted improvements across its residential criteria to support more complex properties and living arrangements.
Annexes with separate utilities are now accepted, offering greater flexibility for multi-generational households or self-contained spaces used by non-borrowing family members.
Properties featuring up to two kitchens are also now acceptable, supporting more adaptable layouts, dual-use spaces and modern living arrangements
Tony Hall, head of business development at Saffron for Intermediaries, said: “This is one of the most significant specialist lending developments we have delivered, and reflects the changing needs of the market. Our new end-to-end property development proposition gives brokers a fully connected pathway from site acquisition through to project completion, with a bridge at the start, development finance in the middle, and an exit bridge at the end. This creates a seamless journey that removes friction and ensures clients have support at every stage of their development project.
“At the same time, we have strengthened our buy-to-let offering to provide greater flexibility for expat clients, limited companies and experienced landlords. These changes allow brokers to service a wider range of complex and investment-based enquiries.
“At Saffron, we believe progress is achieved through continuous refinement, careful expansion and solutions that reflect how brokers are supporting clients today. These updates sit at the heart of that philosophy.”
