Keeping up as buyers move fast

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NON-BANK lender Brighten has seen a sharp rise in demand for short-term lending solutions, with brokers enquiring more than ever about construction loans, vacant land loans and bridging finance. This marks a shift in borrower behaviour as interest rate expectations stabilise and housing supply remains tight at the end of the 2025 financial year. “If I had to choose one word to describe the residential property market right now, it would be ‘urgency’,” says Chris Meaker, Brighten’s head of sales and distribution. “Buyers want to act quickly right now, and they’re asking their brokers for products that enable them to do so. Our short-term lending products are designed to help brokers meet that demand.”

Brighten is an Australian owned and regulated non-bank lender. We are responsible for the origination, underwriting, servicing and funding of our mortgage portfolio. We have well-established warehouse-funding arrangements with multiple top-tier banks, two public RMBS programs and multiple wholesale credit funds to provide further funding diversification. Brighten’s comprehensive set of product offerings includes competitive home loans for prime and near prime borrowers, the self-employed, expats and non-residents, and alternative-documentation loans.

As building costs moderate and confidence in the market returns, more Australians are responding to the supply shortage by building rather than buying. Construction lending is gaining renewed attention, particularly in growth corridors where stock is limited. “Some banks remain cautious with certain construction lending segments,” Meaker says. “Fortunately for non-bank lenders, that’s left a gap that we can help brokers fill with flexible products.” Building remains a strategic move for clients looking to avoid overpaying for existing homes. Meaker points to Western Sydney, outer Melbourne, parts of Perth and Southeast Queensland as hotspots for new construction. “Builders are more available, and buyers want control over the final product to ensure they’re building affordably and with long-term capital growth in mind. Our loans are built around borrower-by-borrower flexibility,” he says.

CHRIS MEAKER, BRIGHTEN

The data supports this observation. The median price of land in Australia hit a record $366,500 per lot in early 2025, up 7.6% year-on-year. Greenfield lot sales rose 25% in 2024, with 38,690 recorded, still below 2021’s peak but clearly trending upwards. “Brokers are on the frontline of these shifts. They need products that match buyer behaviour. This one does,” Meaker says.

Bridging finance is experiencing notable growth in 2025, driven by stabilising interest rates and a tight housing market that encourages buyers to act swiftly. More and more buyers are choosing to purchase their next property before selling the current one, necessitating flexible financing solutions. “People want to buy when the right opportunity presents itself, then sell on their own terms at a later stage. Our bridging loan offers speed and certainty, which traditional lenders often cannot match,” Meaker says. Brighten has simplified the bridging loan approval process to minimise delays and paperwork, which is critical for broker confidence. “Turnaround times, clarity and direct support make a big difference. We’re removing friction so brokers can move fast with their clients.”

Another area where Brighten is seeing growing demand is asset-based lending through its commercial lending division. Part of its commercial product suite, Brighten Lift® is designed for borrowers who need quick access to funds without traditional income verification. This flexible asset lending product is proving invaluable for clients seeking short-term capital for property purchases, business needs or debt consolidation. “It’s a simple, fast solution that gives brokers an edge when speed matters most,” Meaker explains. “Borrowers with strong asset positions but non-standard income scenarios – such as self-employed clients or investors – often face hurdles with mainstream lenders. Brighten Lift® cuts through that red tape, offering a clear, asset-backed path to funding.” With the continued momentum in property transactions and a rising need for flexible financing, Brighten Lift® is becoming a go-to option for brokers needing reliable, fast-turnaround lending solutions.

“Buyers want to act quickly right now, and they’re asking their brokers for products that enable them to do so. Our short-term lending products are designed to help brokers meet that demand”

Construction loans: filling a gap

Land loans gain traction

Published 02 Jun 2025

Brighten’s flexible short-term lending options are helping brokers seize opportunities, with rising demand for construction and vacant land loans, bridging finance and asset lending as borrowers accelerate property plans

High population growth, strong government investment

Median vacant land price nationally (up 7.6% year-on-year)1

$366,500

Brighten’s operating model is built around a smooth broker experience. The focus: responsive service, transparent criteria and tools that help brokers say yes. “We see brokers as partners,” Meaker says. “Our job is to make their job easier: fast decisions, flexible products, clear support. They want to say yes to every quality borrower, and so do we.” Meaker expects short-term lending to remain important as the market evolves. But more than the product, he believes flexibility is the key. “Supply pressures aren’t going away in the next decade. While that’s the case, borrowers are going to want as much flexibility as possible from their lenders so that they can focus on the difficult task of making the right decision in a competitive market. Brokers need lenders who can move with the market and respond to their clients’ needs. “That will always be where Brighten comes in,” Meaker concludes.

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Brighten’s vacant land loan, Brighten Land, has become one of its fastest-growing products since its launch in 2024. Designed to support customers who often need time or flexibility before starting construction, it’s proving especially popular with young families, first home buyers and the self-employed borrowers who can utilise its alternative-documentation option. “As more people recognise the value of building rather than buying, there’s strong demand for land now with plans to build later,” Meaker says. “Clients might be waiting for council approvals or builder availability, or they’re simply planning ahead. Brokers tell us this flexibility is exactly what’s needed.”

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Where Aussies are building most

June 2025

Source: Brighten

Western Sydney

Affordable options, robust infrastructure

Outer Melbourne

Expanding communities, active first home buyer market

Perth

Strong interstate migration, vibrant construction activity

Southeast Queensland

Bridging loans gain momentum

Asset lending on the rise

“Vacant land lending is booming. Buyers in high-growth areas want to secure land first, then build when they’re ready. It’s a powerful product for brokers to offer”

CHRIS MEAKER, BRIGHTEN

Broker focus

Latest construction and land market stats

June 2025

Greenfield lot sales in 2024 (25% increase from 2023)2

38,690

Construction cost inflation in 2024 (down from 11% in 2022)3

3.4%

Sources: 1Housing Industry Association-CoreLogic Residential Land Report 2024; 2Urban Development Institute of Australia, The State of the Land 2025 report; 3CoreLogic Cordell Construction Cost Index, January 2025