Site Acquisition Finance

In competitive development markets, the difference between securing a site and losing it is often days, not weeks. Site acquisition finance is designed for exactly this: fast, short-term funding to settle a development site purchase when a standard bank facility cannot move quickly enough. Settled Funding Group arranges site acquisition finance through non-bank and specialist lenders, and for unique scenarios we can introduce you to private finance options.

Who This Is For

• •Developers needing to move quickly on an off-market site where the vendor requires fast settlement
• •Those who have found a site at auction requiring settlement within 42 days or less, where the bank cannot meet the timeline
• •Investors consolidating adjacent lots for a larger project where speed is needed to lock in all parcels before prices move
• •Developers whose primary bank finance is not yet ready and who need an interim facility to avoid losing the site
• •Those buying a site with strong planning potential in a competitive market, where hesitation means losing the opportunity
• •Borrowers who need certainty of finance before committing to a site purchase, particularly in off-market negotiations

How Site Acquisition Finance Works

Speed is the primary purpose of site acquisition finance. Unlike a full development facility that requires a DA, QS report, and presales assessment, site acquisition finance is assessed on the current site value, the borrower's financial position and experience, and the credibility of the exit strategy. Joseph Farhat reviews the site and the urgency of the timeline, then identifies lenders on the 90+ panel who can meet the required settlement date. Fast desktop assessments and simplified documentation are available through non-bank lenders, with settlement achievable within one to three weeks in many cases.

A strong example of specialist finance securing a large development site quickly: read the Ashfield boarding house case study, which shows how a developer secured finance for a major development project using specialist no-doc lending when standard bank finance was not available. The same speed and flexibility applies when site acquisition finance is used to lock in a development site ahead of a standard bank process.

What Lenders Assess for Site Acquisition Finance

• •Current site value: the lender assesses what the site is worth today on the open market, not the projected development value. This sets the LVR cap for the facility.
• •Development potential: zoning, planning controls, and any existing DA or planning history influence how the lender views the exit and the site's fundability.
• •Borrower financial position and experience: site acquisition lenders want to see that the borrower has the financial strength and development track record to progress to the next stage.
• •Exit strategy: the clearest exits are a refinance to a full development facility once DA is granted, a sale of the site to another developer at a premium, or a development proceeding directly. Weak exits result in tighter terms.
• •Settlement timeline: the urgency of the settlement date determines which lenders and products are appropriate. Some non-bank lenders can settle within a week for a clean application.
• •Documentation position: full doc, alt doc, and desktop assessments are all available depending on the lender and the scenario. Pre-DA sites with limited documentation have more restricted options.

The Site Acquisition Finance Process: What to Expect

1. 1.Initial review of site and urgency: Joseph Farhat reviews the site address, purchase price, settlement date, and the borrower's current finance position. This gives an immediate read on which lenders can meet the timeline.
2. 2.Fast-track assessment: for urgent settlements, Settled Funding Group submits the scenario to lenders who can conduct a desktop or rapid on-site assessment. Indicative terms can often be provided within 24 to 48 hours.
3. 3.Application with streamlined documentation: the application is prepared with the purchase contract, title documents, and a basic financial position summary. The package is matched to what the lender needs for a fast assessment.
4. 4.Valuation or desktop assessment: the lender commissions a valuation or desktop assessment of the site. For fast settlements, lenders who accept desktop assessments are prioritised.
5. 5.Approval and settlement: once the lender is satisfied, approval is issued and funds released to settle the site purchase.
6. 6.Transition to development facility: once the site is secured and DA progresses, Settled Funding Group manages the refinance to a full development finance facility.

Indicative Finance Options

Site Acquisition Finance Broker

Funding a development site purchase, often before construction finance is in place, sits outside standard bank policy. Lenders treat raw land, DA-approved sites, and settlement-ready acquisitions very differently, and appetite turns on zoning, the development pathway, and your holding and exit plan. A site one lender will not fund at the leverage you need is funded by another. A broker who knows which lenders actively fund site acquisition saves you weeks of wasted applications, protects your credit file from unnecessary enquiries, and connects you with non-bank and specialist funders most buyers cannot approach directly.

Settled Funding Group represents you, the borrower, not the lender. Joseph Farhat reviews your site, zoning, development pathway, holding period, and exit, then matches the project to the right lender from our 90+ panel and negotiates terms on your behalf. We prepare and manage the submission end to end, from indicative assessment through to your first drawdown. As a broker, we are typically paid by the lender on settlement, so in most cases there is no direct cost to you. If your project is complex, time-critical, or has been declined elsewhere, talk to us early and we will tell you honestly what is achievable.