From Application to Funds in 24 Hours
When Mrs B spotted three investment properties coming up at auction, she knew the opportunity was too good to miss. Each property represented strong potential for her growing portfolio, but auction purchases come with a non-negotiable deadline: deposits must be paid immediately, with completion typically required within 28 days.
The challenge was clear. Mrs B needed £60,000 to secure the deposits on all three properties before the auction house closed its books. Traditional lenders were unable to move quickly enough — most require weeks of processing, credit committees, and documentation that simply cannot be completed overnight.
Through her mortgage broker, Mrs B was introduced to Mallard Bridging. What happened next demonstrates exactly why speed matters in auction property finance.
The Challenge
Mrs B faced a situation familiar to many property investors who operate in the auction market. She had identified three properties in the West Midlands, each offering solid investment fundamentals. The combined deposit requirement was £60,000, and the funds were needed by the following morning.
- Traditional lenders require weeks of processing — far too slow for auction deadlines
- Multiple property purchases increase the complexity of any funding application
- Deposits must be paid immediately after a successful bid, with no extensions available
- Missing a deadline means losing the properties and potentially forfeiting deposits already paid
The stakes were high. Without rapid funding, Mrs B risked losing all three opportunities — and the profits they represented. She needed a lender who understood the urgency of auction bridging loans and could deliver without bureaucratic delays.
The Mallard Solution
Mallard Bridging assessed the application the same day it was received. The key factors that enabled rapid approval were straightforward:
- Security position: Second charges against two existing properties in Mrs B's portfolio, both with substantial equity
- Clear exit strategy: Refinance onto long-term buy-to-let mortgages once the auction purchases completed
- Experienced borrower: Mrs B had a proven track record in property investment
- Transparent cost structure: All fees, legal costs, and interest rolled into a single gross loan amount — no separate invoices, no surprises
With everything aligned, funds were released within 24 hours of the initial application. Mrs B had the deposits in her account before the auction house opened the next morning.
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Deal Summary
- Loan Amount: £60,000 net
- Loan Term: 3 months
- Purpose: Auction deposits on three investment properties
- Security: Second charge against existing portfolio properties
- Charge Type: 2nd charge
- Completion Time: 24 hours from application
- Exit Strategy: Refinance to buy-to-let mortgages
- Exit Fees: £0
All costs — including setup fees, legal fees, and rolled-up interest — were bundled into the gross loan amount. Mrs B received the full £60,000 net, with a single repayment figure due at the end of the three-month term. A timely repayment discount was available for settling on or before the agreed date.
The Outcome
With funds secured in under 24 hours, Mrs B completed on all three auction purchases within the required timeframe. The properties were added to her investment portfolio, and she began the process of arranging long-term finance to repay the bridging facility.
- All three properties secured within the auction deadline
- Funds delivered in 24 hours from initial application
- No monthly payments required during the loan term
- Single gross repayment figure with complete cost transparency
- Timely repayment discount available
- Exit onto buy-to-let mortgages arranged within the 3-month term
The entire process — from first contact through to funds landing in Mrs B's account — took less than one business day. This is the speed that fast bridging loans are designed to deliver.
In Mrs B's Words
"Via my mortgage broker I applied for an urgent short term bridging loan from Mallard. I have never seen speed like it; I had the funds in 24 hours from application."
Why Auction Finance Demands Speed
Property auctions are one of the most time-sensitive scenarios in the investment world. When the hammer falls, the buyer is legally committed. Deposits — typically 10% of the purchase price — are due immediately, and completion usually follows within 28 days. There is no room for delays, extensions, or renegotiation.
This is why auction finance has become one of the most common reasons borrowers turn to bridging loans. The product is specifically designed for situations where speed is the deciding factor between securing a deal and losing it.
Mallard Bridging understands that auction investors do not have the luxury of waiting. Every application is assessed on its merits, with a focus on the security, the exit strategy, and the borrower's experience. When these elements align, decisions can be made within hours — not weeks.
Preparing for an Auction Purchase
Experienced auction buyers know that preparation is everything. Before the auction day, the most successful investors ensure their finance is lined up and ready to deploy. This means having indicative terms agreed with a lender, solicitors instructed, and documentation prepared in advance.
Mallard Bridging works with borrowers and their brokers ahead of auction day to ensure that when the hammer falls, the funding process can begin immediately. Indicative terms can be issued before the auction, giving bidders the confidence to commit knowing their finance is in place.
The key elements that enable rapid auction completions include having clear title on the security property, a straightforward charge structure, and a well-defined exit strategy. When these fundamentals are strong, the process from auction win to funds released can be measured in hours rather than weeks.
How This Applies to Your Situation
If you are an active auction buyer, or considering your first auction purchase for investment purposes, the speed of your finance provider can make or break the deal. Mallard Bridging provides bridging loans from £25,250 to £8,000,000, with decisions made rapidly and funds available as fast as 24 hours when all details are aligned.
Whether you are purchasing a single auction lot or building a portfolio through multiple acquisitions, the process is the same: speak to us before the auction, get indicative terms, and be ready to move when the hammer falls.
Second charges are accepted where existing mortgages are in place, and the loan-to-value ratio across the combined debt remains within acceptable parameters. For experienced investors like Mrs B, with equity spread across multiple properties, this provides significant borrowing flexibility without disturbing existing mortgage arrangements.
The process is straightforward: contact Mallard Bridging or your broker before the auction, provide details of the security properties, and receive indicative terms. On auction day, you bid with confidence knowing the funding mechanism is already in place. Once the hammer falls, the formal application process begins immediately, with funds released as soon as legal requirements are satisfied — in Mrs B's case, within 24 hours. This preparation-first approach is what separates successful auction investors from those who miss opportunities due to funding delays. With no exit fees and a timely repayment discount available, the total cost remains transparent and competitive throughout.
Every deal is individually assessed, with pricing tailored to the specific circumstances. There are no exit fees, no hidden charges, and all costs are included in a single transparent gross loan figure.