Real estate finance lawyers

Financing real estate transactions requires a specialised understanding of property law, financial structures and up-to-date industry practice.

Whether you are a borrower or a lender, having the right legal guidance can make all the difference. Our real estate finance lawyers are experienced in navigating the complexities of property finance, providing clear, practical advice to help secure the best possible outcomes for our clients.

With decades of experience advising across property and finance, Moore Barlow brings the joined-up capability you need to get real estate funding over the line. Combining real estate, banking and finance, construction, planning and disputes expertise in one team when required.

We act for mainstream and challenger banks and specialist lenders as well as borrowers and developers. As members of the Bridging and Development Loan Association (BDLA) , we understand the pace, commercial drivers and risk controls behind modern lending. Recognised in leading legal directories, we focus on structuring transactions that are both commercially workable and legally robust – anticipating issues early, keeping documentation tight, and guiding you from term sheet to completion (and, where needed, restructuring or enforcement) with clear, pragmatic advice.

Our expertise in real estate finance

We advise on securing finance for property transactions, including development projects, purchases, sales, and refinances. Transactions cover a wide range of financial arrangements, from traditional mortgages to more complex structures such as bridging finance, mezzanine loans, and alternative lending.

Ensuring that financial agreements are properly structured and legally sound, but at the same time delivered in a human-first and pragmatic way, is essential for mitigating risk, protecting assets, and facilitating successful projects.

What is real estate finance?

Real estate finance is the funding of property transactions and development through secured lending and structured finance arrangements. It underpins the acquisition, development, refinancing and management of real estate assets, from single properties to complex portfolios and large-scale development projects.

In practice, real estate finance involves more than simply borrowing against property. Transactions typically require careful structuring to reflect the commercial objectives of the parties, manage risk, comply with regulatory requirements and ensure that lenders’ security is effective and enforceable. This is achieved through a suite of legal documents, including facility agreements or loan agreements, security documentation and, where relevant, intercreditor and priority arrangements.

Real estate finance can take many forms, ranging from traditional mortgages and investment lending to bridging finance, development finance and mezzanine funding. Each structure brings different risk profiles, timescales and legal considerations, particularly where development activity, multiple lenders or complex ownership structures are involved.

What does a real estate finance lawyer do?

The team, which encompasses property, corporate, banking and disputes expertise, advises on the legal aspects of property financing. They advise on funding arrangements for property transactions, such as mortgages, loans, and investment deals. Their role includes drafting and reviewing loan agreements, ensuring compliance with financial regulations, negotiating terms with lenders, due diligence on the underlying assets, dealing with lender requirements including conditions precedent and protecting the interests of clients in real estate finance matters.

How we assist

Our real estate finance team provides comprehensive legal support across a range of property finance matters. We understand that every client has unique needs and work to ensure your financial agreements are optimised to suit your situation.

We can assist with:

• Securing development finance: Whether for residential, mixed use or commercial projects, we guide you through the process of securing finance, ensuring the terms are favourable and aligned with your goals.
• Property acquisition finance: We help structure and negotiate the legal aspects of financing property purchases, working with both borrowers and lenders to achieve smooth transactions.
• Refinancing portfolios: If you’re looking to refinance an existing property portfolio, as lender or borrower, we provide advice on the most suitable financial structures and assist with the legal documentation required.
• Bridging and mezzanine finance: We offer expertise in bridging loans and mezzanine finance, ensuring you have access to the capital needed while protecting your interests.
• Loan agreements and security documentation: We draft, review, and negotiate loan agreements, ensuring all terms are clear, compliant, and protect your long-term financial health.
• Inter-creditor agreements: Where multiple lenders are involved, we assist in negotiating inter-creditor agreements to clarify and protect the interests of all parties.

Our approach is pragmatic and results-driven, ensuring that your financial transactions are handled efficiently and with minimal disruption.

Sectors we advise & specialise

Real estate finance is rarely one-size-fits-all. The legal, commercial and regulatory considerations vary significantly depending on the type of asset, funding structure and parties involved. Our real estate finance lawyers specialise in advising a broad range of sectors, supporting lenders, developers, investors and asset managers at every stage of the transaction lifecycle.

Property lenders and alternative finance providers

We act for institutional lenders, challenger banks, private lenders and alternative finance providers on secured lending transactions. Our work includes lender due diligence, loan structuring, regulatory compliance, security documentation and enforcement strategies. We regularly advise on bridging finance, mezzanine finance, intercreditor arrangements and loan restructuring, ensuring lending arrangements are robust, enforceable and commercially effective.

Property developers and development-led businesses

We support property developers across residential, mixed-use and commercial schemes, advising on development finance, acquisition funding and risk mitigation. Our experience includes development management agreements, building contracts, collateral warranties, step-in rights and Section 106 agreements, helping clients balance funding requirements with delivery risk and long-term project viability.

Investors and portfolio owners

For investors acquiring, refinancing or restructuring property portfolios, we provide strategic advice on acquisition finance, facility agreements, loan security structures and overage arrangements. We work closely with clients to ensure transactions align with investment objectives, exit strategies and asset management plans.

Borrowers using short-term and structured finance

We advise borrowers accessing bridging finance, mezzanine funding and other structured lending solutions, ensuring terms are clearly understood and appropriately negotiated. This includes advice on deeds of priority, subordination agreements, blocked and designated account arrangements, and rent deposit deeds.

Regulated and compliance-focused lending

We have significant experience advising on regulatory and compliance issues affecting property lenders, including FCA considerations, and risk management requirements. Our advice helps clients meet regulatory expectations while continuing to lend with confidence.

Development and land promotion structures

We act on option agreements, promotion arrangements and overage agreements, including options entered into for development purposes. Our team advises on funding implications, lender protections and the interaction between finance documents and land agreements.

Distressed property finance and enforcement

Where loans come under pressure, we advise lenders and borrowers on loan restructuring, enforcement strategies and LPA receivership. Our experience in contentious and non-contentious property matters allows us to provide commercially grounded advice in high-stakes situations.

Why work with us

Real estate finance transactions succeed or fail on judgement, not just documentation. Clients choose Moore Barlow because we combine technical precision with commercial realism, delivering advice that stands up to scrutiny at completion and throughout the life of the loan.

Integrated expertise where it matters

Our real estate finance lawyers work seamlessly with colleagues across commercial property, banking and finance, construction, planning and dispute resolution. This integrated approach allows us to identify and manage risk early, whether arising from title, development structures, regulatory compliance or enforcement exposure, reducing delays and avoiding issues that can derail transactions post-completion.

A clear understanding of lender and borrower priorities

We act for institutional lenders, specialist and alternative finance providers, as well as developers, investors and asset managers. This dual-side experience gives us a detailed understanding of how funding decisions are made, how risk is assessed, and what documentation needs to achieve in practice. As members of the  Building and Development Loan Association (BDLA), we are closely aligned with the pace, commercial drivers and regulatory pressures of modern property finance.

Proven capability in complex and time-critical transactions

We are regularly instructed on layered funding structures, development finance, bridging and mezzanine arrangements, intercreditor positions and security packages. Our team is accustomed to working at speed without compromising rigour, applying a disciplined, solutions-focused approach to keep transactions moving while protecting our clients’ commercial position.

Independent recognition and trusted relationships

Our real estate finance expertise is consistently recognised in leading legal directories, including Chambers and Partners and The Legal 500, based on independent research and client feedback. Many of our clients instruct us repeatedly on high-value and strategically important matters, reflecting trust built through reliability, responsiveness and sound judgement.

Support beyond completion

Our role does not end at drawdown. We advise throughout the life of a facility, including on amendments, refinancing, restructuring and enforcement. This continuity ensures our clients receive commercially aligned advice as circumstances change, from origination through to exit.