Loans used to purchase land and buildings and are usually secured on such property. Banks and building societies may advance up to 75 to 85% of the value of the property which must be paid back over an agreed period of time – frequently 5 to 20 years, (although they are often in excess of 20 years). Repayments are usually monthly and rates can be fixed or variable. The interest rates are often fixed for 2, 5, 7 or 10 years and at the end of the fixed time period agreed, the business can opt to change to a variable rate. If the interest rates are variable to begin with, the business can usually change to fixed rates at any time. Some banks and building societies will allow the business a ‘holiday’ period where they just pay the interest and no part of the lump sum borrowed, for instance, in their first year.