What do you do when bank financing is not available in your destination country? This article explores other options to finance your foreign property investment.

You’re not getting the same mortgage deal you’re used to

Bank financing abroad will be different from what you’re used to at home. Here are some ways in which the terms will likely be different:

1. Loan-to value ratios will be around 50 to 75 percent of what you're used to.

2. Terms may be shorter. It's almost impossible to get a 30-year loan when buying abroad.

3. You will be offered adjustable interest rates, rather than fixed.

4. You might be required to get a life insurance to secure your loan for foreign property. This isn't good news if you're already around 60, as banks wouldn't borrow you loans of more than 15-year terms. The reason being that insurance companies, as a rule, wouldn't cover you when you're above 75 years old.

Hence, there is need to check out other financing sources.

Financing tips from experts

Generally, here are some financing tips from foreign property experts:

1. If possible when starting out; start small and pay in cash. If this isn't possible, you can use your current home as collateral, without having to rely on banks or regular mortgages. Depending on the amount of equity in your home, you might get lower rates.

2. Research bank financing terms, requirements and laws in your destination country to decide which financing option would work for you. 

3. Since most of what you know about real estate might be ineffective in your destination country, it would be wise to get a partner or local agent. You'll need someone who can offer useful advice regarding financing and home ownership laws in the country.

4. If you'll be transferring funds denominated in your domestic currency, either to make a down payment, full payment or mortgage payments, don't go through the local bank. Local banks, with their wide dealing spread and limited transaction sizes, offer poor Forex services. Foreign exchange services would offer a better deal. 

Options to finance foreign property without using the local bank

Here are three options for foreign property investors who don't want to go through the local bank:

1. Personal loans.

Potential buyers with excellent credit will often fund an overseas purchase with an unsecured personal loan for foreign property. Interest rates can be in the single digits for qualified buyers.

Financing with a personal loan avoids the risks that go with leveraging property with a HELOC or cash refinance. This type of financing is particularly attractive when you are investing in a developing country where mortgage rates are high, and the cost of property ownership is relatively cheap.

2. Seller financing.

Some private sellers might be willing to pay part of the price. The conditions will be whatever you and the owner decides, and an average term is up to five years. In most cases, the longer a bit of property has been on the market, the better conditions you can negotiate. Much like bank funding, don't expect the owner to provide the deed until you've finished paying the loan.

3. Home equity (HELOC).

When cash is not an option, tapping into your home equity is one of the easiest ways to finance a property abroad. If you are investing in a country without a developed banking industry, it can also be the cheapest. Getting a HELOC has the added benefit of making you a cash buyer, which provides leverage when negotiating price.

The most important aspect of agent-client relationship is communication. A house seller or buyer can find it stressful dealing with an agent or buyer who is not a good communicator. An agent that stays in constant contact with clients and answers their questions proves his or her proactivity.

Yes you need to let buyers and sellers know where they stand quickly so they can move on to another property or potential buyer. Real estate is time sensitive. Buyers and sellers need the right information and need it fast. Hence, one of the qualities of a good agent is the ability to give the right information to the right kind of buyer at the right time. What an experienced agent might deem insignificant information might be important information to clients who are new to the real estate game. Putting the right information in front of clients communicate that you're an agent who puts clients first.

It's the responsibility of a good agent to sort out what clients need to know and provide this information. Hence it's important that an agent has a well updated website complete with valuable information. You don't really need to pressure your clients with too much information. Just the right information will do. Here are five content types that real estate buyers and sellers find valuable.

REAL ESTATE CONTENT TYPES THAT WORK

When correctly done, real estate content marketing can be a game changer for your real estate business. You have the chance to attract thousands of new leads through well-researched, helpful content. This is why effective real estate bloggers put a lot of plan and effort into creating the right content for their real estate website. Here are some of the real estate content types you should be posting for your real estate business.

1. Market Reports. Writing a recap of real estate activity in your community for the month shows you as a knowledgeable real estate agent in the community. Buyers and sellers want to be informed about the real estate market in their area of residence. Even if they aren't going to take action immediately, when you post fact-based market reports, they know whom to approach for questions. Also, Google ranks market reports high. Since few realtors are posting them, your posts have less competition.

2. Local Community Information. A local community guide includes details about a neighborhood such as detailed information about the local real estate market, local economy, housing and population, local school information, parks and restaurants and attractions. This type of content is important because it increases your real estate website's SEO value and helps the area residents see that you have strong knowledge of the community.

3. Home buyer and seller tips. Both buyers and sellers have a lot of questions on their minds about real estate. Providing helpful information on your site can be timely and help you gain more leads. However, when covering the questions, your visitors would find it much more helpful if you cover the topic in 'extreme' detail and they'll love you for it.

Cold calling for sale by owners or door knocking is old school. A much better way of gaining trust and new leads is through helpful content.  When you consistently post content that real estate buyers and sellers love, you'll start reaping the benefits of real estate content marketing.

If you're in the market to buy or sell a home in 2023, you may be wondering what the forecast is for the housing market. With predictions of a housing market correction on the horizon, it's important to stay informed on the latest trends and predictions.

In this article, we'll dive into the 2023 housing market correction: forecast for the rest of the year. From what's causing the correction to how it will impact buyers and sellers, we've got you covered.

Introduction

The housing market has been booming for the past few years, with low interest rates and a high demand for homes driving up prices. However, experts are predicting that the market will experience a correction in 2023, which could have significant impacts on the real estate industry.

2023 Housing Market Correction: Forecast for the Rest of the Year

The housing market correction in 2023 is expected to be driven by a combination of factors, including rising interest rates and an oversupply of housing inventory. As interest rates rise, it will become more expensive for buyers to take out mortgages, which could lead to a decrease in demand for homes.

Additionally, there has been a surplus of housing inventory in certain markets, which could lead to a decrease in home values as sellers compete to sell their properties. This oversupply of inventory could be attributed to a combination of factors, including a decrease in immigration and an increase in new home construction.

Overall, the 2023 housing market correction is expected to lead to a decrease in home values and a decrease in demand for homes, which could impact both buyers and sellers.

How the Housing Market Correction Will Impact Buyers and Sellers

For buyers, the 2023 housing market correction could mean lower home prices and less competition. As home values decrease, it may become more affordable for buyers to purchase a home, and there may be fewer bidding wars and multiple offers.

However, buyers may also face higher interest rates, which could make it more expensive to take out a mortgage. This could impact the overall affordability of buying a home, and buyers may need to adjust their budgets accordingly.

For sellers, the 2023 housing market correction could mean lower home values and an oversupply of inventory. This could make it more difficult to sell a home, as sellers may need to compete with other properties on the market. However, sellers may also benefit from lower interest rates, which could make it more attractive for buyers to take out a mortgage.

Overall, the 2023 housing market correction is expected to impact both buyers and sellers, and it's important for both parties to stay informed on the latest trends and predictions.

Top 10 Housing Market Trends for 2023

While the 2023 housing market correction is expected to have a significant impact on the industry, there are other trends and predictions to keep an eye on. Here are the top 10 housing market trends for 2023:

1. Interest rates will continue to rise, impacting affordability for buyers.
2. The oversupply of housing inventory will continue in certain markets.
3. Home values will decrease, making it more affordable for buyers.
4. The demand for single-family homes will continue to increase.
5. The rental market will remain strong, with high demand and low vacancy rates.
6. Technology will play a larger role in the real estate industry, with more online tools and virtual tours.
7. Sustainable and energy-efficient homes will become more popular among buyers.
8. Cities with lower cost of living and job opportunities will see an increase in population growth.
9. Luxury home sales will remain strong, with high demand from wealthy buyers.
10. The real estate industry will continue to face challenges with affordability and accessibility.

ALSO READ: Home values will decrease, making it more affordable for buyers.