Specialist property finance broker
Bridging, development finance, buy-to-let and commercial mortgages for property investors and developers. We find the right lender from 150+, package your deal the way credit teams need to see it, and see it through to completion.
What do you need to fund?
Independent access to 150+ lenders, including
Why Clear Idea
More than 150 lenders. Criteria that shift month to month. Valuations, legals and exit plans that can sink a deal at the last minute. Managing all of it yourself is close to a full-time job, and one wrong turn can cost you time, money or the deal itself. We cut through the noise, so you can get on with the business of property.
Our founder spent 15 years at Credit Suisse and Barclays, latterly as a Director in the investment bank. We know how credit teams think, and how to present a deal so they can say yes.
With 35+ years spent building, converting and running property, we read a scheme the way a lender's valuer will, and spot the snags before they do.
Independent access to 150+ high-street, challenger and specialist lenders. We work for you, not the lender, so our recommendation is always about the right fit for your deal.
We build the case, then manage the lender, valuers and solicitors until the funds land. You'll always know exactly where things stand.
What we arrange
Buying at auction, breaking ground or refinancing a finished scheme: we'll match you with the right product and the right lender, then negotiate the terms on your behalf.
Short-term finance to buy quickly, fund works or bridge to planning, including auction purchases that must complete in 28 days.
Staged funding for ground-up builds, conversions and heavy refurbishment, drawn as your build progresses. Plus development exit loans to release equity and move on to the next scheme.
Long-term mortgages for single lets, HMOs, serviced accommodation and holiday lets, held in your own name or through a limited company.
For offices, shops, industrial units and mixed-use buildings, whether your own business occupies them or tenants do.
Figures are indicative and depend on the property, the borrower and each lender's criteria. We arrange finance for property investment and business purposes only, and don't advise on regulated residential mortgages.
How it works
One team, one clear process, and a straight answer at every stage.
A free, no-obligation conversation about your deal, your experience and your exit. You'll get an honest view of what's achievable, and what isn't.
We structure the funding and build a lender-ready proposal, with a business plan and financial model where they'll help. Well-presented deals are more likely to be approved.
We take your deal to the lenders most likely to back it, compare what comes back and negotiate on your behalf, so you see the full cost and not just a headline rate.
We work with the lender, valuers and solicitors, and keep you (and your introducer) updated at every step until the funds land.
Case study · Development finance
A Staffordshire developer had agreed to buy a hotel with planning consent to add 14 new apartments, to be run as holiday lets. They needed £900k on day one to complete the purchase, and a further £1.5m to build.
Because we knew which development lenders had an appetite for the scheme, we went straight to them, and had terms back the very next day: 100% of the development costs, at a loan to GDV of up to 48%.
After valuation, legals and checks, the funds were released within four weeks. The exit is a refinance onto a longer-term facility, such as a commercial mortgage, once the building work is finished.
I use Clear Idea for all my property finance needs. Richard is an expert in his field and a pleasure to work with.
Who you'll work with
We're not a comparison site or an algorithm. When you call Clear Idea, you speak to the people who'll work on your deal, from the first conversation to completion.
Founder & Director
Richard began his career at Credit Suisse in New York and London, then spent 12 years at Barclays in London and Hong Kong, rising to Director and Head of Financial Institutions in the investment bank, where he raised debt finance for the bank's clients. An East Anglian at heart, he founded Clear Idea in 2020 to bring that rigour to property investors and developers.
Commercial & Development
Paul is the developer's developer. He started out in asset management at Lombard North Central, then, as Managing Director of Mentor Inns and Mentor Developments, built a portfolio of more than 100 licensed freeholds and converted sites across the UK to residential and commercial use. He knows a scheme from the inside, because he's built them.
Proud members of
Based in Ipswich, working UK-wide. Proud sponsors of Ipswich School Rugby.
Follow us on LinkedIn (opens in a new tab)For introducers
When you refer a client, your reputation goes with them. We treat it like our own.
Decades of blue-chip banking experience, applied with the care you'd give them yourself.
Paid on your introduction and on future business, or passed back to your client if you prefer.
We'll update you at every stage, or simply get on with it. Your call.
We're building lasting partnerships, not chasing one-off fees.
As solicitors, we need to be extremely careful when referring clients to third parties. It's crucial that my clients receive the same gold standard level of service that I provide to them myself. I know my clients will be in safe hands with Clear Idea.
We look forward to talking about how we can help your clients. In the meantime, you can reach us on 01473 598132.
Knowledge centre
Does the failure of a specialist bridging and buy-to-let lender mean the market is broken? No. But it's a serious warning for borrowers.
Forget "when will rates come down?" The better question now is which assumptions lenders are still prepared to believe.
A fatal blow for landlords, or a reminder that buy-to-let is no longer a casual side project?
FAQs
No. Your first conversation with us is free and without obligation. We'll talk through your deal and give you our honest view on the most suitable type of finance, and how likely a lender is to provide it.
No. Clear Idea Finance is an independent commercial finance adviser and broker. We act for you, not the lender: we recommend the most suitable finance, approach lenders on your behalf and manage the process through to completion.
It depends on the lender, the valuation and the legal work. Traditional auctions usually require completion within 28 days, and some modern auctions allow 56. That's achievable with lenders and solicitors who are set up for speed. Talk to us before you bid and we'll line up funding in advance, so you can bid with confidence.
Often, yes. Lenders prefer experience, but there are options for less experienced developers, particularly with a strong professional team, a realistic appraisal and a clear exit. We'll help you present your scheme in the best possible light.
Yes. Buy-to-let mortgages are available for properties held in your own name or in a limited company, and most other property finance products are available to companies as well as individuals.
Yes, that's the job. Once you instruct us, we prepare the application with you and gather the information each lender needs. Where it helps, we can build a business plan or financial model to support it. A well-presented application gives you the best chance of approval.
No. We advise on and arrange non-regulated finance for property investment and business purposes only. We don't provide regulated residential mortgage advice, and non-regulated mortgage products do not benefit from Financial Conduct Authority protections.
Our office is at Saracens House in Ipswich, Suffolk, and we have a London line too. We work with clients, introducers and lenders across the UK.
Get started
Tell us what you're working on. We'll come back with straight answers on what's possible, what it's likely to cost and how quickly we can move.
