When Rachel Reeves talks about getting Britain building again, she isn’t just making political noise. She is signalling a once-in-a-generation shift in how the government intends to support housing delivery, local growth and the construction sector. For anyone looking to become a first-time property developer, her message is clear: opportunity is coming, but it will reward those who step forward with confidence, not those who wait on the sidelines.
Over the past few months Reeves has outlined a direction of travel that matters to SME developers. She is pushing for planning reform, encouraging faster decision-making, and accepting the need for a healthier development pipeline. The Office for Budget Responsibility suggests these changes could lift GDP by almost £7 billion within five years. Combined with the ambition to deliver more than a million homes this Parliament, the landscape feels very different from the constrained development market of the past decade.
However, the Chancellor is also realistic about the challenges ahead. The sector is facing skills shortages, rising costs and an economic environment that remains uncertain. This is not a frictionless climate. It is one that rewards developers who plan well, structure their projects sensibly and partner with organisations who know how to navigate uncertainty.
For serious first-time developers this is a moment worth paying attention to. Political announcements alone rarely build houses, but they do create momentum. And momentum creates openings.
Some may see this as an invitation to speculate. But for experienced business owners, entrepreneurs and individuals with relevant industry backgrounds, this is the moment to step into development with the right structure, the right support and the right level of expertise around them. Not every first-time developer is created equal. Not every project is suitable for funding. At Assetz Capital, we welcome the former. We avoid the latter.
A moment for capable first-time developers, not casual opportunists
Today’s market favours those who bring genuine capability to the table: business acumen, a strong financial profile, an ability to manage people and operations, or prior experience in development or construction in a professional role. These are the individuals who can deliver well-planned, well-managed homes with the right lender behind them. They are exactly who Assetz Elevate was designed for.
This is not a product for speculative “have-a-go” developers. The sector is too complex and too operationally demanding for that. What the country needs, and what we back, are well-resourced first-timers who are prepared to build properly.
Who Assetz Elevate is for
Assetz Elevate supports first-time developers, or those with fewer than two completed schemes, where the borrower has demonstrated real capability. That may come from industry experience within a development or construction business, from owning a successful income-generating company, or from a professional background that equips them to manage risk, people and delivery.
The strength of the project team is equally important. In today’s climate, delivery certainty often depends on the people around the borrower just as much as the borrower themselves. Our ideal Elevate customer comes to us with a competent Project Manager, an experienced third-party contractor, a straightforward and saleable scheme within a strong local market, sensible financial contingencies at around 12.5 percent, and appropriate guarantees and asset coverage, with 35 percent as a minimum.
These criteria are deliberate. They separate genuine new entrants who are ready to deliver safely from those who are simply exploring development as an idea. We want to support the former, not the latter.
The gap Assetz Elevate fills
Traditional development finance often leaves capable first-time developers with nowhere to go. High street lenders want a portfolio. Specialist lenders often want several completed schemes. Some private lenders oversimplify credit decisions by looking at equity alone.
Assetz Elevate takes a more intelligent view. A well-structured project delivered by a strong business owner with the right contractor and a clear exit plan can be just as robust as a scheme from an “experienced” developer whose support network is weaker. That distinction matters.
What these serious first-time developers need is clarity of funding, transparent pricing, flexible drawdowns aligned to the build programme, early engagement on risks, and confidence that their lender understands the realities of a first project. This is where Assetz Capital excels.
A structured path for those ready to build properly
Assetz Elevate is designed to help capable first-time developers deliver their first scheme safely and professionally. We bring the underwriting experience of hundreds of SME developments, the commercial judgement to identify risks early, the flexibility to support real-world drawdowns and the certainty of decision-making that matters in a market where timing can define success.
We are not here to inflate expectations or promise easy wins. We are here to partner with well-resourced individuals who want to build homes with discipline, commitment and a team that stands up to scrutiny.
Why now, and what happens if you wait
The market is not booming, but it is moving. Planning conversations are shifting. Demand for modest-sized, good-quality housing remains strong. Contractors are stabilising. And credible first-timers are finding more space to enter the market before competition increases.
Those who wait for the perfect moment often find themselves priced out, boxed out or outpaced. Those who act now with the right scheme and the right backing can establish themselves early, build a track record and position themselves strongly for the growth phase ahead. There is an element of first-mover advantage here: more choice of land, reduced planning friction and better access to support for those who do not wait for the masses to react.
If you are serious, we are ready
Assetz Elevate exists to bring capable new developers into the market safely. Not speculators. Not chancers. Not opportunists. But real businesspeople and emerging developers who have proven their capability elsewhere and are ready to take their first step into development with professionalism.
If that sounds like you, we would be pleased to talk. For the right borrowers this is the start of something significant, and we are ready to support you every step of the way.
When you are ready to take your first step, we are ready to support you. Let’s get Britain building together.
Ready to Elevate Your Next Project?
If you’re a small developer looking for a finance solution that truly fits your world, discover how Assetz Elevate can help you take your next step with confidence.
We’re offering property finance loans from £250k to £1.5 million, specifically tailored for smaller residential schemes. Backed by our extensive experience in development finance and supported by a newly established specialist New Business Team, Assetz Elevate gives brokers and developers a clear route to fast, expert-backed lending.
Key Features
✔️ Loan sizes from £250k to £1.5m
✔️ Up to 70% LTGDV and 85% LTC
✔️ Tailored for ground-up developments of 1–15 units
✔️ Dedicated New Business Team for all enquiries
✔️ 24 hour credit-backed terms
✔️ Available across England and Wales
Designed for Speed. Delivered with Certainty.
Let’s Talk
If you’re eyeing a new site, scaling up your pipeline, or simply want a partner who listens, we’re ready. Reach out to your local Relationship Director or speak to our new business team today.
📞 0800 470 0430
📧 [email protected]
