Development Funding Capital Structuring for Property Sponsors

Development funding is assessed on structure, discipline and exit clarity.

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Development Funding

Benchmark Mortgages advises property sponsors across New Zealand on structuring and securing development facilities within commercial banking and specialist lending frameworks.
 
 
 
We represent the sponsor’s position throughout the capital process.

Capital Perspective

Development credit is underwritten against:
Total project cost
Forecast realisation value
Leverage metrics
Presale coverage
Sponsor liquidity
Construction framework
Defined exit pathway
We structure proposals with this in mind.
Approval is driven by risk positioning.

Advisory Mandate

We advise on:
Land acquisition facilities
Presale-supported structures
Construction funding with staged drawdown
Residual stock and exit facilities
Sponsor Specialist or non-bank capital where appropriateliquidity
Each engagement is approached with capital discipline and execution oversight

Structural Discipline

Projects encounter pressure where:
Leverage exceeds margin tolerance

Contingencies are insufficient

Presale thresholds are misaligned

Covenants restrict flexibility

Exit strategy is reactive rather than planned
These issues are addressed at structuring stage — not post-approval.

Sponsor Alignment

We work with small to mid-scale residential and mixed-use developers operating within New Zealand’s commercial lending environment.

Our focus is capital durability from acquisition through to completion

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Capital Principles

We operate under three core principles:

Structure before leverage

Protect margin before expansion

Define exit before drawdown

Development capital is designed — not arranged.

Engagement

Development funding discussions are confidential and project-specific

Consultations are by appointment