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Loan basics

Bridging loans: buying your next home before you sell

Found the next home before selling this one? Bridging finance can cover the gap, if you understand the peak debt and the deadline.

Ram LakshmananUpdated 3 minute read
In this article
  1. How it works
  2. What lenders look at
  3. Alternatives
  4. Frequently asked questions

Key takeaways

  • A bridging loan lets you buy the new home before selling the current one.
  • Lenders assess the combined 'peak debt' of both properties.
  • Interest is often capitalised during the bridging period, which usually lasts 6 to 12 months.
  • Selling first and renting briefly is the lower-risk alternative.

Upgrading families in suburbs like Greystanes, Girraween, Wentworthville and Glenwood often face the same dilemma: sell first and risk having nowhere to go, or buy first and risk owning two homes. Bridging finance is designed for the second option.

How it works

The lender combines what you owe on your current home with the cost of the new one to create a peak debt. Once your current home sells, the proceeds pay down the loan to an end debt, which becomes your ongoing home loan.

ExampleAmount
Current home loan$400,000
New home price plus costs$1,350,000
Peak debt$1,750,000
Sale of current home (net)$1,050,000
End debt$700,000

Figures are illustrative only.

What lenders look at

  • Whether you can afford the end debt long term.
  • A realistic, often conservative, value for the home you're selling.
  • How much equity you have across both properties.
  • A time limit to sell, commonly 6 to 12 months.

Alternatives

  • Sell first, rent short term. Lower risk, but you pay moving costs twice.
  • Longer settlement or a delayed settlement negotiated on your sale.
  • Renovate instead of moving, using equity release.

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Frequently asked questions

Commonly 6 to 12 months, depending on the lender and whether your current home is already on the market.

Often interest on the bridging portion is capitalised, meaning added to the loan, so you may only pay your existing loan. It depends on the lender.

This article is general information only and doesn't consider your objectives, financial situation or needs. Scheme rules, thresholds and lender policies change; figures are current as at the date above. Read our disclaimer and Credit Guide.

Ram Lakshmanan

Written by

Ram Lakshmanan

Founder & Mortgage Broker, Lend Secure. 25+ years across financial services, business management and customer service. Credit Representative 580706.

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