For many, real estate finance may sound like a highly specialised area, but its principles are fundamental to anyone purchasing property with the aid of a loan or investing in real estate.
From residential homes to vast commercial developments, real estate finance shapes how we monetise properties, plan investments, and navigate leveraged financial arrangements, tailored to diverse needs.
In this blog, we’ll walk through the essentials of real estate finance, the key types of properties, and the role our dedicated team plays in assisting with property finance.
The Essentials of Real Estate Finance
Real estate finance encompasses the analysis, planning, and management of resources tied to real estate transactions.
This includes everything from property acquisition to development, construction, and ongoing operations.
It is an area that touches nearly every facet of property ownership, whether you are securing a loan for your first home or investing in commercial or residential property.
In short, real estate finance is about making informed decisions on financing and managing property assets.
Our real estate finance team brings a wealth of experience to help navigate these property finance arrangements, ensuring that you understand your obligations and can confidently pursue your goals.
Our Real Estate Finance solicitors work solely in Commercial Real Estate, which covers properties used for business and investment purposes. This category includes office buildings, warehouses, retail spaces, private landlord housing sector and land zoned for commercial use.
Financing commercial properties is often more complex than residential finance, requiring an in-depth understanding of valuation, income potential, and market trends.
Financing Methods in Commercial Real Estate
In commercial real estate finance, properties are commonly valued based on their income-generating potential. Popular methods include:
- Capitalisation Rate (Cap Rate): This method values a property based on its annual net operating income (NOI), divided by the cap rate. A higher NOI generally means a higher property value, which is ideal for income-generating assets like office buildings, buy-to-let residential properties or retail spaces.
- Sales Comparisons (Comps): This approach compares recent sales of similar properties to determine a fair market value, useful for assessing current market demand.
- Replacement Costs: Here, the value is based on the cost to replace the property, considering construction and land expenses.
We understand that each method has its place, and our real estate finance solicitors ensure that whichever valuation technique is used, it aligns with your financial goals and the specific requirements of your transaction.
How We Assist in Real Estate Financing for Lenders and Borrowers
In real estate finance, our role is twofold: assisting lenders in structuring secure loan agreements and helping borrowers make informed decisions.
Our team is well-versed in the various aspects of property finance, from bridging loans to development loans and revolving facilities.
We carry out comprehensive due diligence on the security asset and legal terms of the finance documents, enabling both sides to feel confident in the outcomes.
For Lenders
We represent banks, peer-to-peer lenders, bridging loan companies, and challenger banks.
Our goal is to ensure that the loan transaction process is as seamless and transparent as possible, reducing risks and clarifying any issues related to security.
By understanding the needs of both lenders and borrowers, we help build financing structures that meet both operational and financial objectives, minimising potential disruptions.
For Borrowers
For clients entering into finance agreements, we are here to explain every detail, ensuring clarity on how the terms affect your broader property transaction.
Whether you are securing a loan for property development, expanding a buy-to-let portfolio or refinancing existing assets, we provide advice tailored to your goals.
Real Estate Finance and Business Acquisitions
Real estate often intersects with business acquisitions, particularly in industries like hospitality, retail, and logistics.
Here, our real estate finance solicitors work closely with our Corporate Commercial team to structure finance solutions that support broader business objectives.
This collaboration ensures you receive a cohesive service, grounded in both corporate and property finance expertise, making the entire process as smooth as possible.
Whether your acquisition involves land for a new business, office premises, or a distribution centre, our teams align their expertise to provide practical, market-informed advice at every step.
Meet the Team
Partner & Head of Department – Jay Lafinhan
Jay has vast experience in Commercial Property and Real Estate Finance, enabling him to provide efficient, knowledgeable, and user-friendly service to all his clients.
His technical skills equip him to provide commercial and real-world solutions to achieve clients’ objections on time critical matters, enabling clients to grow their businesses. He is recognised as a Leading Individual in the Legal 500 legal directory 2025.
Solicitor – Alishan Khan
Alishan began his legal career with a foundation in residential property, honing his skills and understanding of real estate law before transitioning to the commercial and REF sector.
He is dedicated to providing top-tier service to his clients, helping them navigate REF and commercial property transactions with ease and confidence. He is committed to achieving optimal outcomes for his clients in any area of work.
Paralegal – Ambreen Lafinhan
Ambreen works closely with Jay and Alishan on complex matters as well as dealing with her own bridging finance cases.
She acts for specialist lenders and property investors on sales and acquisitions of residential and commercial properties.
Ambreen deals with the discharge of security, consent to leases, consents to Deeds of Grant and discharges of part. Finally, she acts for private landlords on lease renewals, licences to sublet, assign and alter.
A Partner in Your Real Estate Finance Journey
With our real estate finance team, you’ll find a trusted partner who understands both the legal and financial aspects of property ownership and investment. We are here to provide peace of mind and to enable you to make informed, confident decisions, no matter where you are in your real estate journey.
For anyone exploring real estate finance, our firm offers the expertise, clarity, and commitment to deliver successful outcomes. Contact us today by filling out our online contact form or by giving us a call on 0330 111 3131.