Commercial mortgage brokers in Solihull
3 independent, FCA-authorised advisers covering Solihull and the wider West Midlands area who handle commercial mortgage cases. Contact them directly — we never sell your details.
Commercial mortgages in Solihull: what to know
Commercial mortgages cover premises used for business — shops, offices, industrial units, and mixed-use buildings with a residential element above. Unlike residential lending there is very little standardised pricing: terms are negotiated case by case on the strength of the business, the asset and the covenant. Deposits of 25–40% are typical. For Solihull businesses, a broker with genuine commercial lender relationships matters far more than it does on a straightforward residential case.
- Pricing is individually negotiated. Two businesses buying similar units can be quoted materially different rates depending on trading history and sector.
- Lenders will want two to three years of accounts, and usually projections. Newer businesses can still borrow but should expect a larger deposit and possibly personal guarantees.
- Owner-occupier cases (you trade from the property) are generally viewed more favourably than commercial investment where you are letting to a third party.
- Semi-commercial and mixed-use properties fall between residential and commercial criteria, and are a common source of declines when placed with the wrong lender.
What matters locally in Solihull
Knowle, Dorridge and Barston sit at the top of the market with substantial detached houses and village character. Olton, Shirley and Solihull Lodge are more mixed, with interwar semis and a broader price range. Chelmsley Wood and Kingshurst to the north are considerably more affordable and include significant former local-authority stock. The borough has seen sustained new-build activity, and proximity to the airport, the NEC and the future high-speed rail interchange keeps demand from professional buyers steady.
- Remortgaging with substantial equity, where the choice is between rate, fee structure and flexibility rather than simply the lowest headline rate.
- Porting an existing deal on a home move within the borough, which preserves an existing rate but still requires a full reassessment.
Does a big bonus help me borrow more in Solihull?
It helps, but rarely pound for pound. Most lenders count 50% of a regular bonus, some count 100% with a two-year track record, and a few disregard it entirely. On the loan sizes typical in this borough, that difference in treatment can amount to a very large sum, which is why the choice of lender matters as much as the rate.
Questions worth asking a commercial broker
- What deposit do I need for a commercial mortgage in Solihull?
- Typically 25% to 40% of the purchase price. Owner-occupiers with strong trading accounts sit at the lower end; investment purchases and less established businesses at the higher end.
- How long do commercial mortgage terms run?
- Commonly 15 to 25 years, though shorter terms of five to ten years are frequent for investment cases. Rates are more often variable or linked to a reference rate than fixed for long periods.
- Will I need to give a personal guarantee?
- Frequently, yes — particularly for limited-company borrowing or newer businesses. The guarantee may be capped at a proportion of the loan, and that cap is usually negotiable.
- Can I get a commercial mortgage for a business I am buying?
- Yes, though lenders will underwrite the business you are acquiring as well as the property. Sectors such as hospitality and care are treated as specialist and have a narrower lender pool.