An ex-pat mortgage is a mortgage product for a British citizen who is currently living and often working outside the UK. It can be difficult getting a mortgage if you are not resident in the UK and especially if you receive your salary in a foreign currency.

As an expat you would only be able to obtain a UK mortgage so, for example if you were living abroad and wanted to purchase a property in the UK to rent out you would need to take out a specific expat mortgage.

Historically, it has been extremely challenging for expats to arrange mortgages, but over the last couple of years, the market has been changing and these types of loans have become more widely available.

Here at PIA, we understand your needs and can help you find a mortgage that is right for you. Our highly experienced advisers will be able to  select a lender based upon their service levels, interest rates and overall suitability. Our technology allows us to process the whole mortgage without the need for you to return to the UK, making life easier for you.

There are two types of Holiday Home Mortgages, the first being a mortgage used to purchase a property which is for your own use. The second is a mortgage which is used to purchase a property which is then rented out to Holiday makers.

Buying a holiday let is an investment so we can advise on the process, rental income required and other considerations that need to be take into account.

Many people also enjoy the benefits of both, so purchasing a Holiday Home which they rent out for part of the year and then take their own holidays there for the other part of the year.

PIA are able to advise and arrange both these types of mortgages and help you choose the right lender.

A self-build mortgage is a loan you take out to fund a property you are building/designing yourself. The main difference from a standard residential mortgage is that you receive the funds in stages, as the build progress’s, with the final stage being paid upon completion.

Building your own home could potentially save you thousands, particularly if you already own land and have planning permission. Building work is exempt from stamp duty, as is the value of the finished house. That means you will only have to pay duty on the value of the land itself if it exceeds £125,000, which is likely to be far lower than the value of the completed property.

Only a limited number of lenders offer self-build mortgages. The qualifying requirements will often differ between lenders, but most will specify whether the completed house can be used for residential or commercial purposes. It is possible for first-time buyers/first time builders to get a self-build mortgage too. Having a larger deposit of between 25- 40 per cent, a good credit history and proof of reliable income will be crucial. Lenders are more cautious when it comes to self-build projects, so getting our expert advice and guidance is crucial for this type of project.

It may be that you are looking to raise capital from an existing mortgage without affecting your current mortgage arrangement. They can be used to fund extensions or home improvements (many schemes, for instance, have no early repayment charges), thus giving customers the chance to repay the charge at an early date. We would compare costs with a remortgage and advise you as to the better option.

Debbie Blower is one of our Specialist Advisers in this area, having over 30 years’ experience in this field.

Debbie can advise Limited Companies, Sole Traders and Partnerships on the best available rates and exclusive products. Commercial Mortgages are very different to Residential as the terms have to be negotiated with the lender individually.

We have connections with both main stream Banks and Building Societies together with smaller specialist lenders which are sometimes more flexible.

Debbie is able to negotiate bespoke terms and arrange complex deals with these providers to help you obtain the finance you need.

There are situations where you may want to purchase another property before the sale of your own. For example, you may wish to buy a property at auction or refinance to purchase a property in need of refurbishment. Feel free to contact us to see how we can offer a solution.