Signature Property Finance has completed a £204,000 light refurbishment loan to support the auction purchase and upgrade of a two-bedroom terraced house in Llandaff, Cardiff, backing a family-run operation with hands-on construction capability.
Introduced by Ben Gauci of Cornerstone Finance, the facility represents another successful collaboration between broker and lender, demonstrating how consistent partnership delivers results for borrowers.
Family investment with practical skills
The borrowing company is a family venture involving multiple generations, with two directors who hold the majority shareholding alongside their three sons. The family brings practical construction experience, with one director capable of undertaking the majority of refurbishment works directly.
The property was secured at auction for £190,000 in a location the family knows well. Signature’s facility is set at 68% loan-to-GDV and 85% loan-to-cost against a gross development value of £300,000, funding the purchase and improvement costs via staged drawdowns.
The 12-month term splits between refurbishment delivery and subsequent disposal, with works covering essential upgrades including electrical rewiring, damp remediation, new kitchen and bathroom installations, plus full decoration. Specialist trades will handle technical elements while the director manages and completes the general works.
Desirable Cardiff suburb with strong fundamentals
Llandaff sits in northwest Cardiff, adjacent to Hailey Park and the historic Llandaff High Street with its mix of independent shops, cafés and local amenities. The area benefits from exceptional school provision and maintains its village character despite being only four miles from the city centre.
Transport connections are particularly strong, with Llandaff railway station just 0.2 miles away providing regular services into Cardiff Central, and the M4 motorway is accessible within two miles. This combination makes the area popular with both families and commuters working across South Wales.
Open market disposal with refinance option
The primary exit is sale on the open market following completion of the refurbishment programme. The loan term allows approximately six months for works delivery and six months for marketing, providing balanced time allocation for both phases.
As an alternative exit, the property could be refinanced onto a buy-to-let mortgage, with rental comparables indicating achievable monthly rents. The flexibility between sale and refinance gives the family options depending on market conditions and their portfolio strategy at completion.
Ben Gauci of Cornerstone Finance commented: “Working with Josh has become genuinely collaborative. He understands our clients and what they’re trying to achieve, which makes the whole process flow so much better.
“There is a lot of capability and talent within this family – they’re not afraid of getting hands-on themselves, which keeps costs sensible.
“For me, Signature’s focus on partnership sets them apart from other lenders. It’s not just about getting one deal done and waving goodbye – they’re interested in building relationships that work for the long term. That trust and consistency matters when you’re bringing in regular opportunities.”
Josh Barrett, Relationship Manager at Signature Property Finance, said: “Ben and I have developed a good working rhythm now. He knows what Signature look for and presents cases clearly, which means we can move quickly when the fundamentals stack up.
“Llandaff’s an area that performs consistently, and a well-refurbished two-bed terrace at £300,000 sits right in the market. They’ve secured good value at £190,000 at auction.
“Building these broker relationships properly takes effort from both sides, but it’s worth it. When you understand each other’s approach, deals become smoother and borrowers get better outcomes. That’s what we’re aiming for every time.”