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Buy To Let Mortgages for UK Ex Pats

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Expat UK buy-to-let’s still offer very solid and profitable returns.

 Expat buy-to-let investments will continue to offer attractive rates of return compared to other asset classes, expat investors have increasingly searched out cheaper and higher yielding properties, research has found.

 The expat private rented sector has grown substantially in recent years. One in five (4.7 million) households in England now rent privately.

Nearly half of 25- to 34-year-olds live in the private rented sector (46%), almost double the percentage in 2006 (24%). There has also been a considerable increase in the proportion of 35-44-year-olds in the private rented sector over the past decade, rising from 11% to 29%.

The wise expat will use an independent broker!

Borrowers going through an independent mortgage adviser have access to many more mortgages than those going direct to the lender, including specialist mortgages for the self-employed and later life lending solutions such as lifetime mortgages.

Expat UK homeowners who benefitted from an independent mortgage adviser searching the market for the best expat mortgage deal were more likely to have switched in the last five years (39%), compared to just 22% of those who went direct.

Expat borrowers who used an expat independent mortgage adviser were also overwhelmingly in favour of doing so again. 98% said that they found the support of a mortgage adviser ‘invaluable’ and a further 95% said they would recommend using an independent mortgage adviser to family or friends.

Help required?

If you would like to review your current expat mortgage or apply for the first time, please do make contact and one of our expert independent advisers will be happy to guide you.

EXPAT MORTGAGE

Fixed Rate Expat Mortgage

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Fixed rate expat mortgage and re-mortgages. Expats with a mortgage in the UK should avoid the “wait and see” approach

Expats who avoid reviewing their current mortgage deal could well pay for this error in the long term as interest rates look to be going upwards. Not everybody will benefit from changing their mortgage, but it certainly makes sense to check how your existing deal stands up to the future.

 Fixing for the longer term could prove prudent

Popularity of longer-term deals had waned at the start of the year with expat borrowers opting to fix their mortgage for two years.

Greater competition from lenders keen to lure in borrowers for longer terms and rate rises on five-year deals increasing far less than those of the two-year options has caused a shift.

In June this year demand for five-year fixed-rate re-mortgages went up 40%. Thus representing half the market according to the report. In April they made up just 28% of this market.

It also emerged the number of expat borrowers using a broker to re-mortgage has also hit a record high. So now is the time for a fixed rate expat mortgage.

Lenders are eager to attract longer-term business which has created a competitive landscape for expats. This has ensured five-year average rates have remained relatively flat month-on-month.

Role of the UK broker

More expats are turning to a broker. This is perhaps because choosing a mortgage is one of the biggest challenges they will face whilst residing overseas.

Help required?

If you are an expat looking for a new or re-mortgage, please do get in touch. One of our independent advisers will be happy to assist.

expats uk property london

Expats enter the UK buy-to-let market?

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Expats enter the UK buy-to-let market. As such a large number of expats are entering this market for many reasons as below.

Firstly Buy-to-Let properties offer…

Interest only mortgages.

Good potential returns on capital invested.

Tax efficiency.

Attractive mortgage interest rates.

Potentially better returns than on offer at high street banks.

Finally these are just a few reasons why expats are considering the buy-to-let market.

If you are considering entering this market, always seek advice. As such we offer advice on the types of mortgages available that best suit your needs.

You will need a deposit of at least 25%. However this varies from lender to lender, so do contact us to discuss your options.

Valuable top tips on buy-to-let properties

  • Choose an area you know for your buy to let investment.
  • Make sure the area has potential for growth in the future.
  • Do the figure work and be sure of the level of rental income you can expect.
  • Think about the type of tenant you are looking for and match the property to fit.
  • Check with an accountant your own tax position if you went ahead.
  • Make sure the mortgage deal is the right one for you.

Renting property is set to increase in 2025

Home ownership in the UK is set to fall below Europe. And for the first time after the boom in buy-to-let lending in the last 10 years.

More and more people in the UK are pushed into the rental sector right now. Additionally this is allowing our continental neighbours to catch up, according to latest figures. Expats enter the UK market and can take advantage right now.

Can we assist?

If you require help with your new or re-mortgage, please do call or contact. One of our fully qualified independent advisers and they will be happy to assist.

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Expat Landlords Expand UK Holdings

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Expat Landlords expand UK holdings. One in five expats intend to expand their buy-to-let portfolios in 2024/25, according to research. Also the Northwest is emerging as the most tempting region.

The study found more than one in three expat landlords (33%) plan to buy in the Northwest, beating the Southeast and Yorkshire & The Humber.

Regions reporting a higher proportion of buyers than sellers in the next 12 months included the East and West Midlands plus the Southwest and Northeast.

Mostly expats will release equity from existing properties to buy more rental properties, although 76% of expat landlords with more than 2 properties plan to fund purchases this way.

Expats see the value using a broker

Brokers continue to dominate the market – almost 73% of expats used a mortgage broker or intermediary to arrange their last BTL mortgage. Just a fifth went direct to a lender.

Expats with 2 to 3 properties or more were the most likely to use brokers as they have seen the benefits in the past.

This would confirm the increasing professionalisation of the expat buy to let market meaning landlords are becoming more focused and selective in where they buy properties and how they fund their purchases.

Recent rate reductions across the expat buy to let market are highlighting the opportunities to increase portfolios and profitability as well as underlining the need for expert advice from brokers particularly among landlords with bigger portfolios.

Can we help?

If you wish to review your current or future mortgage planning do call.  One of our fully qualified independent advisers. We look forward to helping you.

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Expat buy-to-let Investors Increase

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Expat buy-to-let investors increase again. This is a growth area for expat investors as more people see the buy-to-let and holiday let market as a sound option for the future.

Traditional forms of investment such as banks and building societies are still producing poor returns so investors are looking elsewhere.

The house rental market in the UK is very buoyant. Therefore people are trying to get onto the property ladder find it more difficult due to rising house prices.

The demand for good rental property has increased over the last 12 months and would seem to be continuing.

Expat Buy-to-let Holiday hotspots

The areas in the UK where holiday let rental growth was fastest in the first six months of 2024 were: South of England (+18.3%) Cornwall (+14.5%) Devon (+9.9%)
The rise in rental income is being boosted by international and domestic visiting looking for short-term stays in popular UK holiday destinations.

There were a record number of visits to the UK in 2023. And over (37m) and overseas visitors contributed more £22bn to the UK economy.

The number of overseas visitors increased 4% in the first three months of 2024 (compared to the same period in 2023) and the amount they spent increased 11%.

The weak pound and Brexit issues are persuading millions of Britons to remain in the UK this summer and attracting more overseas visitors to the UK.

The strength of the UK tourist industry is paying dividends for expat holiday property owners in abundance.

Can we assist?

As an expat If you are looking for a new or re-mortgage do get in contact. One of our qualified independent advisers will be happy to help.

 

EXPAT MORTGAGE

Record High Expat Mortgage Applications

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Record high expat mortgage applications are showing in figures. Expat first-time buyer activity reached a 2 year high at the end of July this year after soaring more than 40% on the same period in 2023. In July alone the expat mortgage industry saw an increase in applications for new mortgages rise by 38%. These figures go to prove that expat’s still see property in the UK as their number one investment, and it is little wonder when you see the growth the market has shown over the last 10 years.

The UK housing market keeps going from strength to strength. This growth is likely to continue due to the chronic shortage of quality homes for sale. If this continues to be the case in the future property prices will remain high and increase accordingly.

Record High Demand

Estate agents around the country are reporting a high demand for low end quality properties with first-time expat buyers being very active.

The UK property market continues on an upward spiral with record high expat mortgage applications. This offers longer term growth and security. Mortgage lenders are offering good interest rates to attract new business, so if you are contemplating investing now would seem a good time to buy in the UK.

 There is little doubt the attractive mortgage interest rates currently on offer have played a key role in driving these figures.

Expat borrowers have taken advantage of the current rates and used a re-mortgage in particular to their benefit.

Interest rates are certainly in the borrower’s favour at present but there is always a lot of debate of how long these rates will last. All of this in mind it could be a very shrewd move to consider your own mortgage position. It is very commonplace for clients with a mortgage to just leave it as they are not aware of the savings that could be achieved with a re-mortgage.

As an expat do check your current mortgage as you could be paying more than you need to!!

Can we assist you?

If you are looking for help with your new or re-mortgage, please do contact us. One of our fully qualified independent advisers and they will be happy to guide you.

 

holiday let mortgages for expats

Expat Re-Mortgage Deals

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Expat Re-Mortgage Deals Available Now.

Buy-to-let re-mortgage activity very high and increasing rapidly. Expat re-mortgage deals and activity has increased significantly in recent months.

Expat buy-to-let landlords still can re-mortgage to a lower interest rate. Thus saving vast amounts on repayments in the process, so it is no wonder re-mortgaging has reached record levels.

The proportion of expat buy-to-let re-mortgages has risen by 11% over the last 12 months. Mainly thanks to an increase in mortgages available to landlords.  As such presenting them with an opportunity to switch mortgage firms to find more attractive rates!!

Re-mortgaging overall is up almost 20% year-on-year, supported in part by the fact that expat lenders have launched some new products widening criteria to more niche markets, helping to drive re-mortgaging.

Many expat landlords who have been saddled with lenders on less than competitive interest rates, or stuck on higher standard variable rates, have been able to switch to new lenders.

It is expected that demand for re-mortgaging will continue to rise in 2024. And also into 2025, especially if there are further rate rises.

There is likely to be a shift towards more consumers considering longer term fixed rates, as the risk of rate rises remain for the time being.

Need Re-Mortgage Assistance?

Our professional team of fully qualified independent advisers are used to dealing with all types of expat re-mortgage/mortgage business. Please do call to discuss your requirements and we will be happy to help.

uk property invetsment when living abroad

UK Expat Property Investment

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UK Expat Property Investment

UK Expat Property Expats are very keen on the UK market

Estate agents around the country are reporting a high demand for low end quality properties. And first-time expat buyers being very active.

One agent in Manchester said, “We are getting a lot of enquiries from people living abroad (Expats). They want a property at the low end of the market in good condition”.

The UK property market continues on an upward spiral and offers longer term growth and security. Mortgage lenders are still reducing interest rates to attract new business, so if you are contemplating investing now would seem a good time to buy in the UK.

There is little doubt the attractive mortgage interest rates currently on offer have played a key role in driving these figures. Expat borrowers have taken advantage of the current low rates and used a re-mortgage in particular to their benefit.

Expat mortgage brokers are also reporting high levels of business this year with the main interest in buy-to-let and holiday lets.

Independent Mortgage brokers

Not only can brokers offer a far wider range of products and options for consumers which they may otherwise not have access to, or the time to find, but their invaluable expertise will be able to help you secure a great deal on your mortgage.

What a broker will do for you?

The broker will take control of the mortgage process, therefore relieving you of the stress and paperwork. They will be able to deal with the mortgage company supplying the loan and answer any queries they may have, saving you time and money.

Help required?

If you are an expat looking for a new or re-mortgage, please do get in touch. One of our fully qualified independent advisers will be happy to assist.

 

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What Is A Ltd Co Mortgage ?

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What is a Ltd Co Mortgage ?

2025 will be the year for buy-to-let and the limited company experts say! So what is a Ltd Co Mortgage ?

Independent research reveals expat lenders are expanding their product range for buy-to-let limited company mortgages.

Limited company buy-to-let mortgages now account for nearly 38% of all products on offer to the expat investor.

Not all lenders offer buy-to-let mortgages to limited companies. But we can confirm this is changing all the time. More lenders are recognising limited company business is going to become a great deal more popular than years gone by.

The cost of a limited company mortgage is on average 0.4% higher than the normal product. Plus some set-up fees are higher. Most of the fee’s payable are on a percentage basis and range from 0.5% to 1.5% and an investor should be very careful of their choice.

Around 50% of the products currently on offer are available at 75% loan to value and as always better deals are on offer at lower loan to values.

Is it complicated to apply?

The application process takes slightly longer than the regular one.

There are a few more questions to be answered on the application form but nothing serious.

New expat limited company products are appearing on a regular basis. Additionally it’s strongly recommended potential borrowers seek advice of an independent adviser as products vary in so many different ways.

Also, expats should seek advice from an accountant as this route may not be the preferred way forward for you as an individual.

Can we help?

If you would like to know more about limited company mortgages, please do make contact. One of our independent advisers will be happy to assist.

expats uk property london

Expats is it time to re-mortgage?

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Expats is it Time To Re-Mortgage?

In order to re-mortgage effectively, it’s important to first establish the purpose of re-mortgaging.

While most UK expat and foreign national investors will re-mortgage to avoid higher rates or to better devise a stable financial plan for their investment. There are also other ways to utilise a UK expat or foreign national mortgage. So expats is it time to re-mortgage?

Some UK expat and foreign national investors might take the opportunity to use their re-mortgage to fund further property purchases and build a larger portfolio.

This will likely be a better strategy for more experienced investors, those who have made strong capital gains or for those who have a lower loan to value, as negotiating a preferential deal will be made easier as they are in a stronger bargaining position.

Get professional Mortgage help, save time and money

It’s a fact that expat borrowers going through an independent mortgage adviser have access to far more advantageous deals 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-mortgaging, please do make contact. One of our fully independent advisers will be happy to assist.