A mortgage is a loan secured against a property, land, or other real estate. The borrower repays the lender over an agreed period through regular instalments made up of both interest and capital.

An international mortgage works in the same way as a standard mortgage, except the borrower is based outside the country where the property is located.

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Example: A Dubai resident purchasing a property in the UK and financing it with a mortgage.

Can a non-British citizen get a UK mortgage?

Most UK lenders will not lend to non-UK residents, meaning mortgage options can be limited. However, specialist lenders and international banks may be able to assist. They will assess factors such as your age, income, job stability, and credit history.

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Can I buy a house in the UK while living abroad or as an expat?

Yes, it is possible to purchase UK property even if you live overseas. However, many mainstream lenders will not offer mortgages to non-residents, making it challenging to find the right product. Working with specialist brokers increases your chances of success and ensures all requirements are met.

With a capital repayment mortgage, your monthly payments cover both interest and a portion of the loan itself. At the start, most of your payment goes towards interest, but over time more is directed to repaying the loan balance. By the end of the mortgage term, the full loan is cleared.

Example: Borrowing £250,000 over 25 years at an interest rate of 3.5% would mean monthly repayments of £1,251.56. Across the term, you would repay the £250,000 loan plus £125,467 in interest.

An interest-only mortgage requires you to pay only the interest each month. The loan amount (capital) must be repaid in full at the end of the mortgage term, usually through property sale or savings.

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Many landlords prefer this option as it offers lower monthly payments and frees up cash for other investments.

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Example: Using the same £250,000 loan over 25 years at 3.5%, your monthly payments would be £729.17. At the end of the term, you would still owe the full £250,000 but would have paid £218,751 in interest.

Loan-to-Value (LTV) is the ratio of the loan amount to the property’s value. For example:

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• Property value: £100,000

• Deposit: £25,000

• Loan: £75,000

The LTV is £75,000 ÷ £100,000 = 75%.

Financing with a mortgage allows you to grow your investment potential while using less upfront capital. The main benefits include:

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• Affordable purchase: Payments are spread over time (e.g., 25 years), making the cost more manageable compared to buying outright.

• Cost-effective borrowing: Mortgages typically offer lower interest rates than other types of borrowing, with some lenders also offering cashback or discount incentives.

• Liquidity: By using a mortgage or releasing equity from an existing property, you can diversify your portfolio, invest elsewhere, or simply access additional funds when needed.

• Increased leverage: Mortgages amplify your returns. For example, a £20,000 deposit on a £100,000 property that appreciates to £130,000 delivers a £30,000 gain — a 150% return compared to 30% if you had paid cash.

Yes. With property values and lender criteria constantly changing, it is important to review your mortgage regularly. Remortgaging may help you secure a better deal or release equity.

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Releasing equity allows you to raise cash through a lump sum or drawdown facility, which you can then reinvest into further properties to grow your portfolio.

Whether you are self-employed, an expat, a foreign national, or have irregular income, we can help. Our brokers are experienced in working with complex cases and liaising directly with underwriters to ensure a smooth, stress-free process.