The UK property market continues to grow at a rapid rate and offers better longer-term security. Expats are very keen to get a foothold in the UK property market and we have received a lot more enquiries of late.

We have also seen an increase of existing property owners adding to their portfolios, indicating client concern for the future.

With expat mortgages being offered at such advantageous rates it seems like the right time to be considering the future. There are some exceptionally good fixed and tracker deals on offer to the expat with fees being reduced and lenders competing for business.

Mortgage providers are making it easier for expats to enter the UK market which is good news so please contact us for details of what is available.

What you will need to apply

Contact details.

Deposit available

Mortgage required.

Certified proof of address

Certified ID (Passport)

Bank statements (Normally 3 months)

Wage slips (Normally 3 months)

These requirements vary from lender to lender and the above is just to give you a guide to help speed up the process. Contact us for any assistance you may require. 

Like to know more?

Please do not hesitate to call one of our independent advisers who are on hand to assist. We pride ourselves on attention to detail and speed of service, we look forward to hearing from you.

Expat successful mortgage applications are up from 2020, a new report has highlighted.

It also seems that expat first-time buyers are the ones with the most activity. Over two-thirds of mortgage applications by expat first-time buyers were successful in the last four months of 2020.

The average number of expat enquiries has also risen dramatically this financial year as expats looking to get a foothold on the UK property ladder.

Even with all the uncertainty around the world, the UK property market is still seen as one of the most lucrative. The majority of working expats living abroad always want to retain and add to their UK property portfolio as markets in other European countries simply do not return the same profits.

Rising levels of mortgage enquiries, applications, and completions show that a significant number of expat first-time buyers are still both willing and able to get a foot on the UK property ladder.

UK property values remain stable which is a testimony to the long-term potential growth this market offers. Even with all the uncertainty in Europe and the UK, the market remains resilient and profitable, which is why expats see this area as good financial security.

Mortgages are not as easy to obtain as in the past but there are still good options open to the new investor and people wanting to re-mortgage.

Can we help?

If you are looking to invest in the UK, please contact us, and one of our independent qualified advisers will be happy to assist.

Expats are in ever increasing numbers trying to either get on the ladder or increase their current UK holding. The majority of expats see property in the UK as a “pension fund or long-term investment” or a way of laying financial security for the future.

Bricks and mortar have always been a national obsession. The wisdom that property is fundamentally an exceptionally good long-term investment has been passed down from generation to generation.

Expat mortgage applications are currently at an all-time high and the outlook for 2021 remains incredibly positive. It would seem that the high property prices do not deter the investor.

According to recently released figures the UK property market has been the best performing in the whole of Western Europe. It is therefore not surprising that so many people want to invest in an ever-shrinking market.

Is it a good time to buy in the UK?

The very quick and simple answer is most certainly YES, if you have the funds for a deposit now would seem the right time to buy. The affordable properties that are available to purchase seem to be diminishing on an annual basis, which without doubt will mean higher prices to pay in the future.

Leaving the EU.

This is the one only unknown area that could affect the property market, if all the experts are correct it is unlikely to have any lasting long-term damage.

Need assistance?

If you require help with your current or new mortgage please call one of our experienced advisers who will be happy to assist.

Thousands of expat borrowers could be missing out on a better mortgage deal by not speaking to an independent adviser, research has found.

The survey of over 1,200 expats revealed that 33% who went direct to a lender did not understand how an independent mortgage adviser could help with their search.

The findings also showed that 66% of borrowers who went straight to a lender hadn’t re-mortgaged in the last five years, while 74% stayed put because they felt they had a ‘good deal’.

Without seeking independent mortgage advice, individuals would have missed out on the extra mortgage deals that are only available through an independent mortgage adviser.

The analysis showed that the mortgage industry still needs to demonstrate the value of independent mortgage advice to expat borrowers – just 30% of those who went direct to the lender said that they would likely speak to a mortgage adviser next time.

Meanwhile, 60% who didn’t seek advice when they took out their last mortgage didn’t know mortgage advisers were there to help the borrower, and just over a third (34%) thought an independent mortgage adviser was there to support the lender.

What is more, borrowers going through an independent mortgage adviser have access to far more mortgages than those going direct to the lender.

Expats who benefitted from a mortgage adviser searching the market for the best mortgage deal were more likely to have switched in the last five years (29%), compared to just one in five (19%) of those who went direct.

Expats who used a mortgage adviser were also in favour of doing so again. Nearly all (98%) said that they found the support of a mortgage adviser ‘valuable’ and a further 95% said they would recommend using an independent mortgage adviser to family or friends.

Can we help?

If you are looking for a new or re-mortgage please do make contact and one of our fully independent advisers will be happy to assist.

A major shift in housing needs driven by the pandemic and lockdown has pushed house prices up to their highest levels ever, Nationwide has reported today.

According to the building society’s latest house price index, prices grew by 6.9% annually in February.

This followed a slight slowdown in January when annual prices climbed by 6.4% and prices dipped compared to the previous month.

But February experienced something of a rebound according to Nationwide, with month-on-month growth of 0.3% which ‘more than erased’/ the small decline experienced in January.

It means the average house price in the UK in February was £231,061 which, according to the building society, is the highest on record.

This rise has indeed been a surprise, it seemed more likely that annual price growth would soften further ahead of the end of the stamp duty holiday, which prompted many people considering a house move to bring forward their purchase. While the stamp duty holiday is not due to expire until the end of March, activity and price growth would be expected to weaken well before that, given that the purchase process typically takes several months.

Changing housing preferences

The shift in housing preferences might be responsible for this increase in demand.

Indeed, the lockdown and increasing numbers of people who have begun working remotely, has prompted a shift in preference towards more spacious properties in less densely populated areas.

Far from surrendering its gains, the housing market has launched a surprise attack on previous highs, aided by armies of people who still want to shed the home they discovered was too small for them during repeated lockdowns.

Record high agreed sale prices are a sign that the market is still being buffeted by the unshakeable desire of many to move to larger, more spacious, and more expensive homes.