Utilising the skills of someone who specialises in the field of expat mortgages means that you will be guided through the pitfalls that could be encountered amongst the many thousands of mortgages that are available today, most of these are directed to the home buyer. This will apply whether it’s a mortgage for a property you’ve just found, or if you’d like to remortgage an existing home, you will be able to rely on the advice that you will get from the expat mortgage specialist.

You may be an expat already owning a UK property you’d like to rent out, in this case you will get the right help and get the right buy to let expat mortgage for your situation. It is important to understand that buy to let expat mortgages for example differ from a standard mortgage, most lenders will assess your complete situation; they won’t just take your salary into account, but also the potential rental income you will get.

You not only want to get the right mortgage to suit your personal needs, but you want it explained in plain English without a lot of legal jargon that could cause problems if you do not understand the finer points. You also want to be guided by a solicitor who has knowledge in this field and it is here that your specialist in the field of expat mortgages will be able to help. The mortgage broker is dealing with solicitors who have knowledge of the process whether your reason for taking out a mortgage is for investment or income, or as a base for trips back home.

Buying to let is an excellent way to maintain your connection and to keep a foothold here in the UK and for those who will remain subject to UK taxation, buy-to-let, which is considered a business, offers certain tax advantages over residential purchases, particularly if you plan to return and live in the property in the future. For example, despite living abroad, expats subject to UK taxation on a UK property are liable for capital gains tax at 40 per cent on the sale of a property. The only exception is if the property was formerly your main residence. In this case, you are exempt from capital gains if you sell within three years of renting it out to tenants. If the property has never been your main home, you are liable to full capital gains for three years.