Found the right property but haven't sold yet? WJ Home Loans helps you secure short-term bridging finance so you can move forward with confidence — without missing out while you wait for your current home to settle.
Bridging finance is a short-term loan that bridges the financial gap between purchasing a new property and receiving the proceeds from the sale of your existing one. It allows you to complete the purchase of your next home before your current property settles — so you don't miss out on the right opportunity.
A bridging loan typically runs for up to 6–12 months and is secured against one or both properties. During the bridging period, you may pay interest only on the loan — with the principal repaid when your existing property sells and settles.
WJ Home Loans compares bridging loan options across our lender panel to help you find the most suitable structure for your situation. Bridging finance can be complex, so it's important to understand the costs and risks involved — we'll walk you through everything before you commit.
There are different ways to structure a bridging loan. Understanding the options will help you choose what suits your timeline and cash flow.
You have an unconditional contract on your existing property with a confirmed settlement date. Lower risk for the lender — typically offers better rates. The loan ends at settlement of your outgoing property.
Your existing property hasn't sold yet. Higher risk for the lender as the end date is uncertain. Typically available for up to 6–12 months, with the loan repaid when the property sells.
Your lender calculates your "peak debt" — the total of your new loan plus your existing loan balance. Serviceability is assessed against this combined figure during the bridging period.
Some bridging loans allow interest to be capitalised (added to the loan balance) during the bridging period rather than paid monthly — reducing cash flow pressure while you carry two properties.
Once your existing property sells, the bridging loan converts to a standard home loan for the remaining balance (the "end debt"). We'll help you pre-arrange this product so the transition is seamless.
In some cases, we can coordinate simultaneous settlement of both properties — eliminating the need for a bridging loan entirely. We'll assess whether this is feasible in your situation.
Bridging finance removes the pressure of having to sell first — giving you the freedom to secure your next home on your timeline, not the market's.
Bridging loan policies, rates and maximum terms vary significantly between lenders. We identify the most suitable options across our panel for your specific situation.
We'll calculate your peak debt, estimate your ongoing loan amount, and model repayments under different sale price scenarios — so you understand your position before committing.
If your existing property takes longer to sell than expected, or sells for less than anticipated, your end debt could be higher than planned. We'll walk you through the scenarios honestly.
We're paid by the lender, not you. All commissions are disclosed upfront as required by our credit licence obligations.
Tell us about your situation — the property you're buying, the one you're selling, and your timeline — and we'll identify the most suitable bridging options across our panel.
Or call us on 0412 224 254
hello@wjhomeloans.com.au
Bridging loans move quickly — often because settlement timelines are tight. Here's how WJ Home Loans guides you through the process efficiently.
We review both properties — the one you're buying and the one you're selling — along with your timeline, existing loan and estimated sale price to assess your bridging position.
We identify lenders whose bridging products suit your timeline, peak debt level and end loan requirements — and present a clear recommendation with the numbers.
We prepare and lodge your bridging loan application with urgency, manage lender queries and coordinate valuations on both properties to meet your settlement date.
When your existing property sells, the bridging loan is repaid from the proceeds and converts to your ongoing home loan. We coordinate this transition with both lenders and your conveyancer.
Bridging finance is a short-term loan that allows you to purchase your next property before your current one has sold. The lender typically takes security over both properties. During the bridging period you may pay interest only (or capitalise it), and once your existing property settles, the proceeds are used to repay the bridging loan — leaving you with a standard home loan for the remaining balance.
Peak debt is the maximum amount you'll owe across both properties at the same time — your new purchase loan plus your existing loan balance. Lenders assess whether you can service this combined debt during the bridging period. The "end debt" is what remains after your existing property sells — this becomes your ongoing home loan.
Most bridging loans are available for up to 6–12 months, depending on the lender. Closed bridging loans (where you have an unconditional contract on your existing property) may have a shorter, fixed term. Open bridging loans (where your property hasn't sold yet) typically run for up to 6 months, with some lenders extending further in certain circumstances.
This is the key risk of bridging finance. If your property doesn't sell within the loan term, you may need to extend the facility (subject to lender approval), reduce your asking price, or in the worst case, sell under pressure. We'll discuss contingency scenarios with you before recommending a bridging loan so you go in with eyes open.
Generally yes — bridging loans carry higher interest rates than standard home loans due to the short-term nature and higher risk profile. However, the interest is often only charged for a matter of months, so the total cost can still be modest relative to the benefit of securing the right property. We'll model the total cost for you before you proceed.
Yes — this is an "open" bridging loan. The lender will assess your serviceability at the peak debt level and evaluate your existing property's estimated sale value. You'll need to demonstrate that the end debt is serviceable once your property sells, and the lender may require the property to be listed for sale before approving the facility.
Not always. Depending on your equity position and both settlement dates, it may be possible to negotiate simultaneous settlement (both properties settle on the same day), or to use a deposit bond to secure the new purchase while your sale progresses. We'll assess all available options for your situation before recommending bridging finance specifically.
Our team is happy to talk through your situation — no obligation and no pressure.
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No-obligation bridging finance assessment. Mortgage brokers comparing options across our lender panel on your behalf.
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