Overseas Property Investors

Many people who are based overseas dream of buying property in the UK, and this includes expats. Investing in property in the UK can be very lucrative, and there is a chance to make a significant profit if you buy a quality home in a good area. You might also want to buy property in […]

Unlock the secrets of expat buy-to-let mortgages and discover how rental income impacts your application! In this informative video, we break down the essential factors that expats need to consider when applying for a buy-to-let mortgage in the UK. Learn how rental income can strengthen your application, the importance of having a solid rental strategy, […]

Brexit brought far-reaching changes for British expats across financial planning, including the property market and mortgage availability. Now that the UK has left the European Union, expatriates face new pressures when trying to secure an expat residential mortgage. Changes to UK regulation, lender criteria and interest rates have reshaped how overseas buyers approach UK property. […]

The UK property market offers real opportunities and challenges for expats looking to invest or settle in the country. With diverse regional trends and a dynamic economic landscape, understanding the market is crucial to making informed decisions, and our guide to foreign investment in UK property is a useful starting point. Expats benefit from researching […]

Buying property in the UK as an expat can be tricky. Many lenders have strict rules for non-residents, making it hard to get a good deal. That’s where expat mortgage brokers come in handy. These specialists know the ins and outs of getting UK mortgages for people living abroad. Expat mortgage brokers can often find […]

The UK property market continues to evolve, presenting both opportunities and challenges for Australian expats. For Australians considering a UK property purchase, buying a primary residence rather than an investment property may be a smart move. Energy prices and the cost of living remain key factors affecting buyers’ ability to enter the market. London and […]

The UK property market offers exciting opportunities for expats looking to invest. Cities across the country are attracting international buyers with their strong economic growth, cultural appeal, and promising returns. Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield, and Edinburgh stand out as top choices for expat property investment in 2025. These cities boast growing populations, thriving job markets, […]

Moving to the UK from Australia can be exciting, but it may also bring financial challenges. One common issue is applying for a mortgage without a UK credit history. Fortunately, some banks are now making it easier for newcomers to use their Australian credit records. A high street lender has recently introduced a system that […]

Buying property in the UK as an Australian resident can be an exciting opportunity. Many Aussies look to invest in British real estate or secure a home for future plans. While it’s possible to get a UK mortgage as an Australian, there are some key things to know. UK lenders have special rules for foreign […]

Getting Your Money Into the UK Safely and Cost-Effectively Buying property in the UK from overseas eventually comes down to one moment: a large amount of money has to arrive in a sterling account, cleared and sitting with your solicitor. How you get it there, and who you trust to handle it, affects the final […]

Essential Steps and Considerations Securing a mortgage in the UK as an expat can seem daunting, but it is entirely possible with the right knowledge and preparation. Working with a specialist mortgage broker who understands expat needs is crucial. They can help navigate the complexities and find lenders willing to work with individuals living abroad. […]

With another excellent year ahead for UK expat buy-to-let property investment, the North of the UK stands to perform best in 2024. Contact us today to discuss Expat Mortgages and how we can assist you. 2024 looks to be another great year for UK expat and foreign national investors to buy UK buy-to-let properties. Discover our Expat Mortgage […]

The UK property market has long been a hub for both domestic and international investors, characterized by its resilience and dynamic nature. Recently, a significant development has emerged in the form of mortgage rate cuts, particularly notable with HSBC’s decision to offer rates partly under 4% for the first time since the TRUSS mini budget. […]

UK Housing Market Ripe for Overseas Buy-to-Let Investment With good-value property prices and rental growth exceeding wage growth, UK houses are attracting huge interest from overseas investors. Read on for more information on how this affects buy-to-let property markets in the UK. How Many Chinese Investors Want to Buy UK Property? Chinese investors are getting […]

According to law firm Irwin Mitchell’s latest FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) report, the North West property sector is primed to see significant investment from overseas buyers. Irwin Mitchell has compiled the summer 2023 report in collaboration with leading economic consultancy Cebr. It offers foreign investment analysis and ‘on the ground’ commentary on the UK’s largest […]

Interest rates have dominated the headlines in 2023. As inflation remains sticky and well above its 2 per cent target, the Bank of England’s monetary policy committee has voted on 14 consecutive occasions to hike the base rate. The impact on mortgage customers has garnered a great deal of political and media interest. Understandably, the […]

Overseas buyer appetite for London’s housing market is set to climb this year despite the mortgage crisis, offering a boost to prices as figures revealed the estimated value of foreign-owned homes in the capital stands at £55.2 billion. There are 103,425 homes in the capital, including houses and flats, that are currently registered with an […]

What’s Happening to Mortgage Rates? Mortgage rates are on the rise again, with the Bank of England continuing to increase interest rates to combat high inflation. The Bank of England’s base interest rate is now at 5%. The future outlook does not look to bright either, with analysts now predicting that interest rates will peak […]

THE downturn in house prices is likely to lead to a fall in demand from foreign buyers in the UK property market, a leading expert has predicted.New data revealed earlier this month revealed that more than 70 per cent of ‘prime central London’ properties sold so far this year have been bought entirely in cash.The […]

House hunters from Hong Kong have been found to be the most prolific overseas buyers operating in the nation’s residential market, accounting for over 13% of all foreign-owned homes in England and Wales, according to newly released market analysis. London lettings and estate agent, Benham and Reeves, submitted a Freedom of Information request to the […]

The war in Ukraine and the mini-budget of former Prime Minister Liz Truss last year had caused a jump in interest rates which left domestic buyers struggling. The property market in the United Kingdom is becoming increasingly attractive for foreign buyers, but it is widening the divide between richer homeowners and high-interest mortgage holders. The […]

Despite house prices climbing considerably over the last year, buyers from overseas currently looking for UK property are saving huge sums due to the weaker pound with discounts as high as £40,000. The latest research by lettings and estate agent, Benham and Reeves, looked at current property market values and how they compare to this […]

Suffolk Building Society has announced a series of product and criteria changes to help brokers place more complex cases for their landlord and expat clients. Expats and non-UK nationals Suffolk Building Society will accept applications from first-time buyer expat landlords who are working and residing abroad and who have not owned a property before but […]

Following a turbulent 2022, it is reassuring that an upward turn is already being evidenced this year, with many indications that we are getting back on track. But what of international interest in UK property? The good news is that current market conditions mean there’s a lot to be optimistic about on that front, too. […]

The UK government should double the stamp duty surcharge overseas buyers must pay when purchasing a property in England, an industry lobby group has said. The National Association of Property Buyers (NAPB) said doubling the stamp duty surcharge would “level the playing field” amid an influx of “wealthy foreign buyers”. Under current rules, overseas buyers […]

A shortage of rental homes and huge numbers of renters in the market are combining to create the perfect rental storm for UK Expat Investors. The ‘Perfect Rental Storm’ continues for UK expat and foreign national investors in 2023 as a shortage of rental homes combine with huge numbers in the rental market to make […]

One Global Group predicts that the United Kingdom (UK) will experience a return to the buyer’s market in the coming year and that demand from Malaysia and other international markets will increase even more. The company is optimistic about 2023 since the year’s market circumstances would be perfect for foreign purchasers wishing to buy a […]

A property tax consultant has hit back at suggestions of a housing market crash, suggesting that overseas investors will help sustain growth. David Hannah, group chairman at Cornerstone Tax, has predicted that price growth will slow but said he is confident that it won’t turn negative. It comes as a survey of 2,000 people by […]

The government is urging all overseas entities who own property in the UK to register at Companies House. The Register of Overseas Entities came into force in August this year and requires all entities in scope to register with Companies House before the deadline of January 31 2023. The registration process involved them declaring the […]

Carter Jonas predicts that 2023 will be an exceptional year for the prime central London (PCL) market following a recent spike in the number of cash buyers registering to purchase property in the heart of the capital. Most recently, the Marylebone and Mayfair office has seen all cash buyers, many of whom are dollar buyers […]

There are increasing numbers of Hong Kong residents who are looking to buy UK property. This is largely as a result of the evolving political situation in Hong Kong. Many Hong Kongers seeking UK property are taking advantage of the UK’s visa scheme for BNO passport holders, which was introduced in 2021. The visa programme […]

When the mini-budget tanked the pound to record lows against the dollar, overseas buyers again began circling UK property in increasing numbers. While many overseas investors are better off when buying UK property compared to the start of 2022, the same is not true for domestic buyers who are contending with a number of difficulties […]

Demand in London property from foreign investors is at “new levels” as they rush to make the most of the weaker pound. The pound steadied in early trading in Asian markets on Tuesday, recovering ground slightly from the record low of 1.0327 against the dollar on Monday morning. Sterling was standing at around $1.08 early […]

Sterling’s weakness could boost overseas investment in a “resilient” Scottish commercial property market, industry experts believe. Property consultancy Knight Frank found that investment volumes in commercial property north of the Border rose by 37 per cent during the first nine months of 2022 compared to the same period last year, increasing to £1.46 billion from […]

UK housebuilders rallied on Wednesday following a report that Friday’s mini-budget could include a plan to cut stamp duty. According to The Times, prime minister Liz Truss will announce the move in the mini-budget in an attempt to drive economic growth. It was understood the PM and chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng have been working on the […]

One lettings agency in London says that tenant demand is so great in the capital for rental properties that many homes are being let within minutes of becoming available. Benham and Reeves point to demand created by the return of professionals and international students, along with the growing shortage of available properties to rent, for […]

Despite measures and additional taxation to curb overseas investors in UK property, the asset class still holds great allure for a number of reasons. On 1 August 2022, a new register of overseas entities was launched in the UK. This means anyone investing in or acquiring property in the UK from abroad will need to […]

The UK property market continues its upward trajectory as recent data from Halifax shows that the average house price now stands at £294,845, which represents a 6.8% rise, or £18,849 since the start of the year. Supply-demand imbalance continues to be the main contributor to the rising prices. With inflation in the UK rising to […]

Scottish commercial property enjoyed its best first half of the year for investment volumes since 2018 as the market continued its recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, according to new analysis from Knight Frank. The independent commercial property consultancy found that £1.2 billion of commercial property deals were agreed between January and June 2022, up 54% […]

Overseas nationals own almost 250,000 homes across England and Wales, the latest research by London lettings and estate agents Benham and Reeves shows. In the current market, that is £90.7bn worth of property, suggesting that the UK remains a safe haven for foreign homeowners. On a regional basis, London is home to the highest value […]

The UK expat buy-to-let market creates a busy news cycle. Liquid Expat Mortgages will often pick the most important headlines to break down. The continued activity in the UK expat buy-to-let mortgage market is partly due to increased interest coming from Hong Kong as the political situation continues to evolve there. Despite the rises in […]

The past two years of economic uncertainty, induced by the global pandemic, have impeded strong performances across most industries. Certainly, all will be glad to see the back of the restrictions and lockdowns that strained growth as businesses seek to recover. Yet, amongst the volatility, the UK property market once again flourished, highlighting the sector’s […]

‘Visa’ was the most searched term by brokers in April, shows data provided by Legal & General’s SmartrCriteria tool. This is the second month in a row that Visa has topped this chart, with search volumes falling by only 4% on a monthly basis. Visa was also the most searched term overall in 2021 and […]

London’s millionaire mansions are set for ‘a long overdue recovery’ in house price growth, agents have predicted. A report by real estate advisory company, London Central Portfolio, has indicated the prime central London residential market has continued to witness positive signs over the past three months. This is despite the uncertainties caused by the Omicron […]

UK property has long been seen as a stable store of value, providing attractive yields in a politically stable environment. Foreign ownership of properties in England and Wales has trebled since 2010 to around 250,000, with 8,500 properties purchased in 2021 according to the Centre for Public Data. This demonstrates the continuing attraction of UK […]

Hong Kong developers are increasing their investments in London, betting on higher yields as more Hongkongers head to the UK under the British National (Overseas) visa scheme. There has been a surge of Hong Kong money going into the UK’s property markets in the last two years, according to Kino Law, chief executive officer and […]

Global investors, including those emigrating from Hong Kong, are flocking back to London’s prime areas to snap up properties as the world gradually moves on to living with Covid-19. Several districts in London are recording higher property sales in recent months, according to real estate agents as workers return to their offices amid easier travel […]

Wealthy Chinese investors have long been reliable investors in the market, and have frequently looked to the UK, specifically London, as a stable and reliable point for investment. Twice as many homes were sold in Central London for more than £15 million in 2021 as in 2020, the latest figures revealed, and it is anticipated […]

Buyers from overseas continue to seek UK property investments, and obtaining an expat mortgage is no longer the barrier it once was. British citizens who do not reside in the UK have been increasingly seeking loans to purchase property here, according to Dudley Building Society. As a result, the lender has enhanced its expat mortgage […]

The return of overseas buyers means expensive central London houses should lead the British property market next year when it comes to price growth, according to estate agent Winkworth. Prime London real estate suffered during the pandemic as overseas buyers fled and some Londoners moved out of the capital. But international buyers are now returning, […]

With increasing numbers of overseas buyers looking toward UK property, we look at the reasons for this rise and where to look. Increasingly, UK expats and foreign nationals have been looking towards UK property for investment purposes. Those living and working in the US, Canada and the Far East are facing strong investment prospects, emboldened […]

There is a new wave of overseas investors looking to buy into the UK rental market. We are seeing an emerging trend of moderately wealthy individuals who are looking for a relatively safe place to invest with a strong currency. These are not the Pandoras Papers billionaires looking to hide cash in premium property, these […]

Wealthy overseas investors are still honing in on the UK property market as a key investment location, with Hong Kong buyers leading the trend. Property investors based abroad are continuing to see the benefits of the UK housing market as a “safe haven“. New data based on HM Land Registry statistics shows that foreign ownership […]

Since the first UK national lockdown in March 2019, the presence of overseas buyers in the London market has been severely impacted, however, with the return of international travel, demand is returning to pre-pandemic levels, where two-bedroom apartments are proving most popular. According to research by London buying agency Astute Property Search, overseas buyers are […]

A sudden spike in interest in the prime central London property market is being reported by a leading high-end developer, which has seen a dramatic uplift in sales at its showcase luxury development in the UK capital. Trends that unfolded during the pandemic have seemingly shifted into reverse with the centre of the city re-emerging […]

A lettings agency with links to Saudi Arabian investors has produced a case study of how faith is returning to the long term lettings sector after the worries of the pandemic. London and Manchester agency Orlando Reid cites one Saudi Arabian client, for whom they manage 26 properties in apartment blocks located in Belgravia and […]

After last year’s depressed city centre rental market, city centre rents are steadily rising again. This trend is of particular interest to new UK expat buy-to-let investors, who are now starting to see the value to be had from city centre investments, whether off-plan or on a resale property. Contact us today to discuss Expat Mortgages and […]

A forecast made on Tuesday by estate agents Knight Frank suggests that property prices in prime outer London will grow by nearly 4 per cent over the rest of 2021, double the rate of prices in prime central London. This trend is partly driven by the return of overseas buyers to the London property scene […]

Interest from China in the UK property is bouncing back, according to experts on the Chinese buying market in Britain. Domenica Di Lieto, chief executive of Chinese planning and marketing consultancy, Emerging Communications, says a new round of restrictions designed to cool down China’s housing market is leading to growing interest in UK residential property […]

There has been a significant surge in the number of overseas buyers and tenants expressing interest in UK property, the latest figures from property agent Knight Frank show. So, why is demand for property rising among foreign buyers and tenants? And what implications could this have for the UK property market? Let’s take a look. […]

More overseas investors could be poised to enter the UK property market following the disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic, figures from an estate agent suggest. Knight Frank said its web traffic data showed nearly a quarter (24%) of users looking at sales and lettings properties in August were based abroad. This was the highest […]

For years, overseas property investors have concentrated mainly on the London property market. However, this is beginning to change. Indeed, Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia investors saw the potential in the regional markets outside London and have taken advantage of excellent price gains since 2020. For the last 30 years, overseas property investors have pumped […]

Overseas investors ranked the UK as the best residential property investment hotspot for 2021. What makes investing in UK property so appealing? For a number of years, the UK property market has been a prime target for overseas investors, and this has continued at strong levels. Property investors from Asia, Europe and the US have […]

Overseas investors significantly contributed to a sharp rise in investment in Scottish commercial property in the first half, according to analysis from Knight Frank. There was a 35% surge in deals to £688 million in the six months to the end of June, against £510m in the same period of 2020 – the height of […]

A “WALL” of overseas investment is continuing to target Scotland’s “best long-income assets”, according to a report which underlines the recovery of the commercial property sector. The volume of commercial property transactions jumped by 71 per cent in the second quarter versus the quarter before, with £300 million of deals traded. While activity is still […]

There has been significant increase in the number of people from Hong Kong purchasing homes in the capital since the UK government announced a new visa welcoming residents from the former British colony, earlier this year. According to new figures from Chestertons, which has 31 branches across London, sales enquiries from Hong Kong buyers have […]

Buyers from the Middle East are playing a more active role in the UK property market, snapping up 16 per cent of all real estate by volume sold to overseas buyers in the first three months of this year, according to property consultancy Knight Frank. The proportion of properties bought by Middle Eastern investors was […]

Mortgage brokers, banks and property market professionals have reported rising interest from foreign buyers and expats looking to snap up homes here in the UK. UK nationals living or working abroad and foreign investors from the US, Canada and East Asian countries are cashing on a weaker pound, a price slump in London’s new-build market […]

Investors from the Middle East are beginning to return to the UK’s property market, according to the latest data compiled by global property consultancy Knight Frank. The firm’s data highlights that 16 per cent of all sales to overseas buyers in the first three months of 2021 were to Middle Eastern buyers, up from less […]

The stamp duty holiday – which began in July last year and will continue in its current format until the end of June, before applying to lower-priced properties until September 30 2021 – triggered significant activity last year among Chinese residential buyers in the UK. Such activity has continued through into this year, with Chinese […]

Hongkongers are among the keenest buyers of homes that have been owned or rented by Hollywood actors, pop stars and tycoons, seeing them as a sound investment whose resale value is likely to be boosted by their celebrity associations, according to a London-based luxury property agency. “Hong Kong and mainland Chinese buyers love buying prestigious […]

If the latest figures highlighting the number of overseas landlords owning property in the UK is anything to go by then Brexit hasn’t deterred investment in the UK property market. According to the most recent data, the figure stands at a five-year high of 184,000 – marking an increase of 19% over five years, when […]

Chinese investment in UK assets like businesses, infrastructure and property has reached an estimated £135bn – almost double what was previously thought. About £44bn of this investment has come from state-owned firms, with many of the purchases happening over the past two years. An investigation from the Sunday Times found that Chinese and Hong Kong […]

An increase of 19% will now see the number of overseas landlords hit a five-year high of 184,000. Despite the implications of Brexit, the COVID-19 pandemic and recent tax changes preventing such moves from happening in the first place, the UK property market has thrived. And, these factors have not been a deterrent for foreign […]

Brexit has not put overseas property investors off investing in UK property, London property agent ludlowthompson has reported. In fact the number of overseas landlords owning UK property has hit a five-year high, said the firm. At 184,000, the number represents a 19 per cent increase over five years. Many overseas investors made the most […]

On 31st January, millions of Hong Kong residents were offered a new route to move to Britain. Already 5,000 have signed up for a visa that allows them to settle in the UK, with some estimating as many as two million may eventually move here. For London’s property market, which has had a tough few […]

Investment in UK property by overseas landlords has hit a five-year high, according to property management company, ludlowthompson. Data shows that 184,000 overseas nationals own property in Britain, representing a 19% increase over the past five years. The property management company stated that the rise in the number of foreign buyers shows that Brexit has […]

Non-UK residents are now required to pay a 2% Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) surcharge, but demand in Central London is unlikely to dampen. UK resident companies that are controlled by non-UK residents may be required to pay, and the surcharge applies to freehold and leasehold purchases and on rents on the grant of a […]

A Chinese businessman has snapped up a high-end residential complex in Hull in the latest example of foreign investment in the city. Anchor House has been sold by Hull property company, Westfield Homebuyers, the multi-million-pound deal being handled by city legal firm, James Legal. Westfield founder Mike Clayton purchased the iconic property, in Anlaby Road, […]

There are reasons to be optimistic over property investment in 2021 and the UK market moving forward, according to Paresh Raja. It’s safe to say that there will seldom be another year like 2020. It seemed like there was be no end to the unprecedented developments that caught businesses, consumers, and investors completely off guard. […]

Purchasing an overseas property can be daunting and complicated at the best of times, and this is even more so the case with the economic and travel uncertainty caused by the ongoing global pandemic. According to the research team at online letting agency Mashroom, choosing the right location is the best place to start for […]

There has been a significant increase in the number of people from Hong Kong buying property in the UK, estate agents report. Research shows that Hong Kongers became the fifth largest foreign investors in central London as of last August and have been driving up prices in some popular districts outside the capital. Some people […]

Hong Kong residents are buying more houses and apartments to lease out for income in Britain, property agents say, a trend that coincides with what many expect to be a wave of emigration after China passed a national security law last year. Hong Kongers became the fifth largest foreign investors in central London as of […]

With UK house prices at their highest since 2017, we look at where this growth is most concentrated and what it means for UK expats looking to invest. According to Zoopla, one of the world’s leading property portals, UK house prices are nearing their highest levels in four years – an average of £223,700. As […]

The share of overseas investors in the UK commercial property market reached its highest ever level in 2020, accounting for 50 per cent of the GBP44 billion total for the year. December saw investment into the UK commercial property market reach GBP6.7 billion, more than 80 per cent above the 2020 monthly average. The industrial […]

With Hong Kong residents with BNO status able to apply for a new British visa from January 31st, will this correlate with an increase in demand for UK homes? From 5pm local time on Sunday 31st January, Hong Kong citizens with British National Overseas (BNO) status can apply online for the new UK visa scheme […]

Overseas investors ranked the UK as the best residential property investment hotspot for 2021. What makes investing in UK property so appealing? For a number of years, the UK property market has been a prime target for overseas investors, and this has continued at strong levels. Property investors from Asia, Europe and the US have […]

Overseas property buyers could look to get a bargain this year, owing to potential savings caused by the pandemic and Brexit, said Fabrik Invest. Investors are expected to mainly come from the Middle East, Hong Kong and South Africa. Dale Anderson, managing director, Fabrik Invest, said: “The UK remains a promising and active market for […]

Generally, the UK is considered to be a very good place for Property Investors seeking buy to let properties, but changes to regulations and the property market can affect whether it is the right time to buy UK property. Covid-19 and Brexit have had a big impact on the UK economy and the property market, so […]

New landlords and investors from both the UK and overseas are hoping to enter the UK housing market. What’s behind the rise? The number of people searching for property in the UK for buy-to-let purposes is booming, according to new research from Legal & General. And the biggest increase in demand has been from first-time […]

COVID-19 cases might be steadily decreasing, though this does not mean we have overcome all of the fundamental challenges posed by this global pandemic. Market uncertainty has made it difficult for investors to plan for the future. While it looks as though we are on the path to recovery, there is nothing to suggest a […]

The Prime Central London (PCL) property market is the busiest it has been for over five years, according to estate agency Dexters. The firm, which has a larger presence in the heart of the capital than any other agency, reports that the number of sales agreed for properties priced over £2 million between mid-June and […]

Mortgage brokers and estate agents have reported increased demand from Hong Kong buyers following new security laws in the region as well as UK stamp duty changes, low interest rates and a weak pound. Estate agents Chetertons says that the ongoing tension between Hong Kong and China resulting in Boris Johnson’s offer of British citizenship […]

With flights grounded and uncertainty hanging over the global economy, it would be easy to think that foreign buyers have paused their activities in London’s property market. Yet despite the fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic, deals are still being done. As a buying agent for overseas investors, we’ve exchanged on several prime residential properties and […]

The share of overseas investment in Scottish commercial property has doubled since the last financial crisis, according to Colliers International. The real estate advisor said finance had flooded in to the country from Middle East and Asian investors seeking stable assets and from many in mainland Europe in search of value for money. Colliers’ report, […]

According to up-market estate agency, Beauchamp Estates, Hong Kong and mainland Chinese investment in luxury Prime Central London residential property has soared to new levels, despite the global COVID-19 pandemic. This group now accounts for 15% of international buyer home sales above £1million across pime central London and 20% of deals above £10 million. The […]