Tips To Get Mortgage for Your Overseas Property Purchase

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Your overseas property purchase doesn’t need to be stopped by financing. You can apply for a mortgage. However, getting mortgage for foreign property isn’t like getting a mortgage at home. This article considers some ways to tip the balance in your favor.

Why bank financing isn't always available for overseas property

When it is available and comes with no string attached, bank financing is the best option to buy foreign real estate. But alas, it’s not usually available. In many markets, it's hard to get loans as a foreign buyer. In Colombia for example, banks don't care if you're a legal resident, as long as you're a foreign buyer, you're not getting mortgage. It's easy to see why this is so. A foreign buyer isn't tied to the country; he can up and leave at any time, taking the bank's money with him. Banks wouldn't want to take this risk. Hence the hassles of getting mortgage for foreign property. This is one of the things stopping passionate investors from traversing foreign lands.

Resident and non-resident bank financing

So, let's say bank financing is available; it most likely would come in one of the following categorizations:

Ø  Resident financing: Except for countries like Colombia, most local banks would treat your loan application as they would treat that of a citizen if you're a legal resident. You'll have to prove credit worthiness just like any citizen and may not have to go through any other process or requirements. This is called resident financing.

Ø  Non-resident financing on the other hand is difficult to secure. Wherever it is available (countries like France, US, Mexico, Panama, The Dominican Republic, Portugal and New Zealand), it comes with a number of restrictions and requirements. Also, the rate you get may not be favorable, except in France, where it's possible for a non-resident with good credit to access a 20-year mortgage at a rate of just 2.25 percent.

Tips To Get Mortgage When Buying Foreign Property

So, here are some tips to help you secure mortgage when buying foreign real estate

1. Don't go it alone.

Even professional property investors get professional assistance when buying foreign property; this could be through experienced local agents or friends. They understand that investing overseas is a much different ball game. If you're in the UK, you can seek the help of an agent selling property overseas through the following bodies:

  1. The Association of International Property Professionals (AIPP) and
  2. The National Association of Estate Agents International

2. Find a bank that has a presence in your country and the country in which you want to buy a property.

According to Glenn Carter, a Canadian investor who works for Condo Capital "The problem is a foreign credit score does not count for anything, it's just like having no credit score”. This means the interest rates you’ll be quoted will be that of someone with no credit. But a bank with presence in your home country will offer favorable rates. "The interest rate I was quoted from a US Bank was 9%, versus the 3% we got from a Canadian bank with branches in the US.” Carter says.

3. Get an Agreement in Principle

Before signing any contracts or paying deposit, get an Agreement in Principle. Learn more about Agreements in Principle. If you're planning on getting finance on the house, make sure this is explained in the contract, and seek an 'opt-out clause' if the loan is not agreed. This will ensure any first deposit paid is refunded.

 

 

 

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Whats the impact of Brexit on London real estate?

  • 25, September 2023

While some analysts believe Brexit has made the UK housing market porous. Others believe Brexit will pave way for a stronger housing market in coming years

 

The interaction between real estate and foreign policy is clear cut and this is more than proved by Brexit. As the March 2019 final Brexit negotiations approach, a precursor has been set, which might influence London's real estate market in coming years.

 

A recent report from international property firm, Knight Frank, puts London as the top favorite destination for global capital. This is due to the fact that London still presents liquidity and stability, factors attractive to investors.

 

Nick Braybrook, Knight Frank London's head of capital markets says ‘Despite the political turmoil surrounding the UK with Brexit, London is once again the most liquid real estate market in the world. It is more popular as a home for international investment than Paris Central, Manhattan, Munich, and Frankfurt combined,’.https://www.propertywire.com/news/global-news/londons-commercial-property-market-top-draw-international-buyers The influx of foreign investors particularly Asian buyers could be due to a weakened pound sterling, which has led to a slow growth in home prices.

 

According to an article by FT https://www.ft.com/content/87b1f284-1452-11e7-80f4-13e067d5072c "home prices have seen slow growth since the 2016 Brexit announcement. In May 2018, prices fell by 0.4% in London from an annual rate of 12% in 2016."

 

The pre-Brexit rise in home prices, which were growing at above 10 percent year over year before the EU referendum has given way to slower price growth. 2018 so far has seen a price growth of only 3% all over the UK. For millennials and London residents, the pre-Brexit rates had kept them on edge with staggering prices. Now the current fair price increases and a residential market that is more or less slow present better odds of landing favorable home deals.

 

Currently, London's economy is great. There is a low unemployment rate and inflation rates are down. Speculators, however, believe that the thriving economy will lead to higher interest rates soon. This means that first-time homebuyers would need to pay higher down payments on mortgages.

 

And even though foreign investment has decreased in most sectors, due to the uncertain climate surrounding BREXIT, real estate foreign activity is at its peak. Even the tax hikes introduced on foreign landlords, renting out their houses, hasn't diminished London's foreign real estate activity.

 

2019 will definitely be an interesting year for the UK's housing market, depending on the outcome of the final negotiations between the EU and the UK. However, an abrupt Brexit will do no one any good. Mark Carney, the governor of the bank of England has warned that a "disorderly" Brexit will lead to interest rate hikes which might greatly affect the property market.

 

According to FT, Theresa May’s government is actively seeking to avoid such a scenario. The prime minister has softened her position on Brexit in recent months and has agreed to a transition period that would maintain much of the status quo until at least 2021.

 

What changes do you think might take place before 2021? Leave your thought

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Do You Really Save Money When You Buy Or Sell Real Estate On Your Own?

  • 05, September 2023

Despite the ease of access created by the internet, buying a home is still a complicated process. You need third part assistance when making this very important financial transaction. Navigating the complexities of home buying or selling can be especially tough if you're going at it for the first time. While we do not dispute the fact that you can buy or sell your home yourself. Facts reveal that buying or selling a home through a real estate agent would net you more money.

 

For sellers, 4% of the sales price is charged for real estate agent services. This might be thousands of dollars that you would otherwise count as profit. Statistics however reveal that going it alone can cost you more in profits. The average FSBO seller makes $40,000 lesser in profit than an agent-assisted seller.

 

When you hire an agent, you're paying for expertise and information. Real estate agents have an exclusive database, the Multiple Listing service (MLS), which shows them how the prices of properties have changed over time. As a buyer, you might be paying more for a house that you feel attracted to. Without an agent, you might be buying a house that will turn out to be a money pit and paying more than you should for it. Experience, access to the MLS, knowledge of the marketplace makes agents invaluable to new buyers and sellers. Still not convinced? Look at these 3 ways buying or selling real estate on your own will cost you more.

 

1. Shortened range. If you’re going on your own as a seller, buyers with agents might not want to work with you, which limits your reach. Having a real estate agent creates a sense of convenience. The real estate agent's job is to act as liaison between the seller and the buyer. When one party has an agent, the other does not, the party with extra help has the upper hand, since the agent is working in his or her best interest. Also, buyers looking for homes will have a shortened range. Apart from the MLS access, an agent has connections with other agents and can easily match home buyers with a wide range of houses that meet their tastes. A real estate agent will track down homes that meet your criteria; get in touch with seller's agents in charge and make appointments for you to view the homes. You have to play this tag yourself if you're buying on your own.

 

2. Slip ups. An agent's job sells or buys houses full time. A seller looking to sell on his own probably has a job and cannot be 100% committed to the business of home selling, which does require much work. You have to answer calls from interested parties, answer questions and make appointments. There could be occasional slip ups, which will cost you money. Note that potential buyers are likely to move on if you tend to be busy or don't respond quickly enough.

 

3. Tricky negotiations. Buyers and sellers do not always have an easy relationship as each is looking for their own best interests. As a buyer, you might not know how well to express the fact that you find the wood-paneled walls and shag carpet contemptible. Your real estate agent can express your concerns to the seller's agent. Acting as a messenger, he would likely be in a better position to negotiate a discount without ruffling the homeowner's feathers.

 

Buying or selling a home is not a straightforward task, buyers and sellers want to niggle about price, contracts are hard to handle, mortgage issues might crop up. A professional real estate agent can help you achieve a smooth transaction while saving you money in the home deal.

 

 

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20 Highly Effective Real Estate Advertising Slogans to Get Better Results

  • 14, September 2023

A memorable real estate slogan can keep you top on the minds of prospects. Your slogan defines your business, forms an element of all your marketing materials and can be what people associate with you. For Scott Geller, a RE/MAX realtor in Jamison, Pa, with the slogan "Scott Geller, the home seller",  some people probably think his slogan is his real full name. The name and occupation awareness brought him so much business that after a while, he didn't need to advertise to the general public, he had enough repeat customers and referrals.

 

A clever, memorable slogan forms part of your identity. While a good slogan can transform your business; a bad one can harm your business and reputation. Hence you should put more effort into developing the right slogan for your real estate business. Here are a few things good real estate slogans can do for your business.

 

1. Help you appeal to customer emotions

2. Highlights your customer service or care.

3. Reflects your business's personality and character.

4. It is memorable; stays long in the mind of prospects.

Let's look at twenty great real estate slogans and some reasons why they are effective.

 

20 EFFECTIVE REAL ESTATE SLOGANS

 

One important thing slogans and taglines do is helping to distinguish you from the competition. According to Dictionary.com, a slogan is a distinctive cry that separates you from everything else. So, the most important thing you want to maintain is the individuality of your slogan. Here are 20 real estate slogans that work. You can put your creative gear in motion and use these examples to craft something effective for your real estate business.

 

1. Sell for More. Buy for less.

2. A Track record that speaks for itself.

3. The Realtor for You.

4. Turning Dreams into Reality

5. Doing Everything but the packing

6. Your Dream Home awaits.

7. Helping San Diego find where to live.

8. Experts in the local market.

9. Your concern is my priority

10. The agent that works harder after the closing papers are signed.

11. A tradition of (excellence, trust, service).

12. A cut above the rest.

13. Helping New Yorkers move since 1983.

14. I'm never too busy for your referrals.

15. Going above and beyond

16. Beautiful L.A homes

17. Helping clients get more home for less money

18. Beautiful places to live.

19. Helping you close for less.

20. Turning transactions into relationships.

 

What these slogans have in common are that:

1. They focus on the client. Your prospects do not care about you or your business. They want to know how you can help them. Having a real estate slogan that clearly states how you can help them gets you points. Keep your slogans around your clients and you'll keep them around longer.

2. Non-generic. Although you should look around and examine trends in your market and incorporate these in your real estate marketing, don't forget to differentiate yourself from the crowd. Is your slogan helping you stand out?

3. Memorable. Effective slogans have a musical memorability around them. Quality slogans are short phrases that are easily remembered.

Having a high quality real estate slogan will keep you in the minds of clients for a long time.

By Bebuzee Admin Read More