All the papers are have been full of doom and gloom stories in recent months heralding the death of buy-to-let and a falling housing market.

However, as they say “you shouldn’t believe everything you read in the newspapers” – the UK housing market is still a really safe and lucrative place to invest your hard-earned money. And especially if you are looking for a long-term investment, it’s a safer bet than the more volatile stock market.

Knowledge is key

Always when considering investing be sure of where your funds are coming from and that you have enough to pay deposits, legal fees and stamp duty. Maybe you already have property and are considering re-mortgaging to free up some equity?

The Bank of England base rate is currently very low and there are still some fantastic two, three, five and even 10-year fixed deals to be had.

One of the main ways banks set rates is based on how cheaply they can lay their hands on the money they lend out. This usually comes from savers or by borrowing on the money markets for a certain rate at a certain period, known as the swap rate.

Swap rates dropped last year because of global economic turbulence and Brexit but have since risen and there is a good chance mortgage rates will start to rise as a result. If you prefer the certainty of a fixed monthly repayment as opposed to a variable rate mortgage this could be for you.

Source a specialist expat independent mortgage broker to help you

As an expat investor you might find it tougher to get a mortgage because you don’t fit standard lending criteria.

A specialist broker will be able to search out lenders other than those on the high street and will know what criteria will fit best with your circumstances. As an example, many high street lenders will turn you down if you don’t have a UK credit history or aren’t on the electoral register. But a niche lender will have different criteria under which you could be eligible.

Can we help?

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

A new report just released clearly shows the majority of expats need to review their current mortgage deal.

Figures show the majority of expats do not review their mortgages when a fixed rate or term deal expires. Good news is there are plenty of good deals still available to meet the majority of expat needs. 

Reasons to re-mortgage

• To save money.
• Fix repayments
• Raise extra cash for a project you have planned.
• Your current deal is ending soon

Reasons not to re-mortgage

• You have a penalty on your current mortgage which makes it prohibitive.
• You have had credit problems since taking out your current mortgage.
• You currently have an advantageous rate which may be fixed.

More and more people are looking for ways to reduce their monthly outgoings, one of the biggest expenses most people have every month is the mortgage payment.  It may be a wise move to review your current mortgage to establish if it is still the best deal for you and you are not paying more than you need to. With Brexit looming nobody really knows what the outcome will be and any implications it may have on the mortgage market. If you are an expat with a mortgage which does not have penalties to change you may be very wise to see what fixed deals are on offer, better “safe than sorry” as they say.

This will not be the case for all expats, your current deal may well be very good, but it is most certainly worth checking it out.

Can we help?

If you would like to review your current mortgage or require a first-time deal please do make contact and one of our advisers will be happy to assist.

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

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

Brexit

This is the one unknown area that could affect the property market, if all the experts are correct it is unlikely to have any lasting long-term damage. Facts are whatever happens the UK property market is very likely to remain strong and positive,

Applications

Expat mortgage applications are currently at an all-time high and the outlook for 2019/20 remains positive. It would seem that the high property prices do not deter the investor. Expats seem to have the attitude that investing in savings accounts are a lost cause and property offers far better returns in the long run.

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.

Need assistance?

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

Brokers are reporting the largest number of buy-to-let mortgage applications from expats than ever before. This is not a surprise, in general the buy-to-let market is currently booming for all kinds of reasons.

Expats see this market as value for money, bank interest rates are low and there is real potential for capital growth on any re-sale and a better income than the banks are offering.

Interest in the UK property market has seen an up surge in viewings since the turn of the year. Estate agents up and down the country are reporting an increased interest in property at the lower end of the market from expats living abroad.

Are good deals for expats available?

Well, the simple answer to that is most certainly yes. Expats are always surprised at the very good rates that are available to them. Mortgage lenders currently are fighting to secure business in a very competitive marketplace, reducing both interest rates and fees.

Brokers have seen an increase in longer term fixed rate mortgages recently as clients want to know the outgoings of their investment property. Many other types of plans are on offer and it is prudent to consider all options before deciding.

It is commonly known with buy-to-let mortgages that the larger the deposit you can put down a lower interest rate can be achieved.

Need assistance?

Our professional independent advisers are used to dealing with all types of buy-to-let mortgages and they have vast experience in this area. Please do call to discuss your requirements and we will be happy to assist.

The Bank of England’s monetary policy committee has voted unanimously to keep the base rate at 0.75%.

The rate has now been at this level for nearly a year, having been raised from 0.50% on 2 August 2018. The minutes reveal that the MPC has cut UK growth expectations for 2019 from 1.5% to 1.3%, and for 2020, from 1.6% to 1.3%. The MPC also believes that a no-deal Brexit would result in the sterling falling lower than its current levels along with CPI inflation increases and GBP growth slowing down.

Noting that core CPI inflation came in at 1.8% in June, the minutes add that if a “smooth” Brexit occurs and there is some global growth recovery, the committee “judges that increases in interest rates, at a gradual pace and to a limited extent, would be appropriate to return inflation sustainably to the 2% target.”

It adds that sterling would also rise in this situation.

In the accompanying inflation report for August, the bank revised several targets upwards for Q3 2019 – Q1 2020, namely that: expected mortgage approvals for house purchases was changed from 60,000 per month to 65,000 per month, the prediction that the UK house price index would fall by 1.25% in 2019 changed to rising by “just over” 2% in the year to Q1 2020, and that housing investment would fall by 0.50% per quarter would now fall by 0.25% per quarter.

Facts are we might have a new prime minister but the fundamentals in the UK remain the same, so this wait and see approach makes sense. The country is experiencing enough uncertainty and drama, with Boris Johnson reaffirming the threat of a hard Brexit, and the potential of a general election in the coming months.

The real worry is the strength of the pound, which has now reached a 31-month low. Regardless of the Bank of England’s actions, there will still be a downward pressure on sterling. A lower pound rate will benefit UK exporters, but will also raise the consumer price for imported items such as food and fuel. And since the UK is a net-importer, the poor exchange rate is going to be felt across the board.

Expat mortgages

As an expat 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.