UK Mortgages for Expats Living in Singapore
We can help British expats living in Singapore to secure a mortgage on a UK property. Contact us today to speak with our experienced expat broker team.
Bespoke Mortgage Advice for Expats Living in Singapore
Dolphin Finance is an independent, whole-of-market mortgage broker, specialising in UK expat mortgage advice to a global client base, including British expats in Singapore. We can provide mortgage advice on the entire range of mortgage and property financing products available in the UK.
We specialise in a broad range of mortgage lending to expat clients, from more straightforward mainstream mortgages to high-value complex and specialist property finance in both the residential and commercial space.
Whether you are a landlord looking for a specialist buy-to-let mortgage, a first time buyer or a developer looking for property development finance, you will benefit from our extensive market knowledge and unrivalled professional service.
Our team of experienced advisers will provide expert mortgage advice tailored to your specific circumstances. Whatever your property financing requirements, contact us today for a free initial consultation.
How can we help Expats in Singapore get a UK Mortgage?
Dolphin Finance has extensive experience in helping both UK expats living in Singapore obtain a mortgage to purchase or refinance their existing property.
We can advise clients with the following types of mortgages and scenarios:
- Residential mortgage for a UK expat living in Singapore
- Remortgage of an existing property
- Expat buy to let mortgage for a resident of Singapore
- Mortgage for an expat in Singapore planning to return to the UK
Dolphin Finance is a mortgage broker which specialises in securing finance for expats and foreign nationals across the globe.
An initial 15-minute consultation with one of our brokers will enable us to determine your position and present you with a range of detailed options to consider, with no obligation.
Applying for a UK mortgage for an expat living overseas can be a challenging and daunting prospect. As an expat, your choice of lenders will be more limited, as many major banks and lenders will not consider applications from non-UK residents or foreign nationals.
However, much will depend on your personal circumstances, and we maintain an extensive network of relationships with specialist lenders and private banks who have a lot of experience in more complex cases.
Why use Dolphin Finance for your Expat Mortgage in Singapore?
Dolphin Finance understand that buying a property in the UK can be a complicated and challenging process for an expat or foreign national, especially if you live in a different time zone.
Whether you are an expat living in Singapore looking to buy an investment property in the UK, or to refinance an existing property, we will guide you through the mortgage financing process.
Dolphin Finance are one of the leading independent expat mortgage brokers, and our team is ready to help you at every stage of the property financing process, wherever you may be located.
We don´t work a typical 9 to 5. Our expat broker team are experienced expats themselves and understand the challenges and needs of good communication throughout the mortgage application process.
Our goal is to find the right mortgage for your particular needs and requirements, and to be by your side from the start to finish.
Contact us today for a free initial consultation.
What is the Process to apply for a UK Expat Mortgage if I’m living in Singapore?
Step 1.
Enquire online via our website - you can either call or email us, or arrange a callback at a time convenient for you.
Step 2.
Initial consultation - after a thorough understanding of your needs, we will find the perfect mortgage for you.
Step 3.
We'll arrange all of the paperwork for you - we will work efficiently and proactively all the way to completion.
Applying for a UK mortgage as an expat in Singapore can be a challenging and daunting prospect. As an expat, your choice of lenders will be more limited, as many major banks and lenders will not consider applications from non-UK residents or foreign nationals.
This where Dolphin Finance comes in. We are a leading independent expat mortgage broker, and our team is ready to help you at every stage of the property financing process, wherever you may be located. All of our mortgage advisers are CeMAP qualified, with experience of advising expats obtain financing for their UK property.
Whether you are a British expat living in Singapore or a Singapore national looking to purchase UK property, our goal is to help you to obtain a mortgage that is right for you.
Expat Mortgages in Singapore - Your Questions answered
Yes, it is certainly possible to get an expat mortgage in Singapore. Singapore has been a popular location for British expats for many years, with a large expat community. Many people move there from the UK for lifestyle reasons, a tax-free salary, a high standard of living, and an excellent educational system.
Many expats living in Singapore choose to buy a property in the UK, either as an investment, or a place stay when they visit the UK. And, whilst it is possible to obtain a UK mortgage, it is not without its difficulties and challenges.
This is where Dolphin Finance comes in. We help find the best UK mortgage deals for British expats and foreign nationals living around the world. Luckily, the UK expat mortgage market is well developed, with several lenders who are prepared to lend to expats living in long established expat destinations such as Singapore.
If you are a UK expat living or working in Singapore, then our specialist team of brokers can help you get a mortgage to purchase or refinance a UK property.
Finding the right mortgage broker can be difficult as an expat in Singapore, as it is a very specialised field. Not many brokers will have the necessary experience, expertise, or the network of specialist lenders to help you secure your mortgage.
Most online mortgage brokers and comparison websites do not offer expat mortgages for non-residents, or non-UK citizens. Similarly, most High Street banks and lenders will not consider applications for non-UK residents or nationals.
Dolphin Finance specialises in expat mortgage advice, it’s what we do best, and we know the market inside out. We have access to specialist expat lenders and exclusive offers from private banks that other brokers simply do not have access to.
Contact us today for a free consultation, and let our team help you secure financing for your new home or investment property.expat
In general, mortgage interest rates will be more expensive for an expat living in Singapore than for a UK resident borrower. However, our team of qualified and experienced mortgage brokers will work to find you the best possible expat financing for your circumstances.
Every client is different, and the right lender for you will depend on your particular circumstances, as each lender will have different lending criteria for expat and non-resident mortgages. These criteria include variables such as minimum and maximum loan size, employment status, income, and the currency of that income (for example whether you are paid in Sterling, Euro or Dollars).
As a resident of Singapore, you will need to provide the following documentation to accompany your mortgage application:
- Employment contract with your employer in Singapore
- Bank statements going back 6 months showing your income and expenses
- If self-employed, proof of earnings for at least 12 months
In addition, every lender will have different lending criteria and requirements. For example, some lenders will require these documents to be certified by a local lawyer or notary in Singapore. We will be able to guide you on the exact requirements of the lender once we obtained a Decision in Principle for your mortgage.
When budgeting for a UK property purchase as an expat in Singapore, a buyer needs to consider the following costs:
- Stamp Duty – depending on the purchase price of the property, stamp duty will be payable at the prevailing rate. In addition, if it is a second home, then additional tax will be payable.
- Deposit – generally expats in Singapore will be required to put down a deposit of at least 25% of the price of the property, although this amount varies from lender to lender.
- Legal fees – you will require a lawyer to handle the legal aspects of your property purchase. If you do not already have a UK based lawyer, then Dolphin Finance can recommend a lawyer who has experience of advising expat clients.
- Land registry fees – your lawyer will arrange payment of the appropriate land registry fees.
- Local notary fees – depending on the lender, you may be required to get certain documents notarised by a local notary in Singapore. Again, these requirements vary from lender to lender, and we will advise you of these requirements after we have recommended the most appropriate mortgage for your circumstances.
- Survey costs – depending on the type of property you are purchasing, you may be advised to get a more comprehensive house survey, as the survey carried out by the lender will only cover the basics, to ensure that the property is adequate security for the loan being offered.
- Associated mortgage expenses – these will include all the costs associated with arranging your expat mortgage from Singapore, and may include application fees, booking fees and legal and/or valuation fees. We also charge a fee and will let you know how much this will be prior to you engaging our services.
If you are an expat who has been living in Singapore for several years, then you may have a limited UK credit history. Dolphin Finance works with specialist expat lenders who will be aware that borrowers living in Singapore will not have the same ‘footprint’ as a UK resident borrower and will take this into account when assessing your application.
Yes, it is possible to apply for a UK expat mortgage if you are self-employed in Singapore. Most expat lenders will require that you are in full time employment overseas, however there are some lenders who will consider an application from a self-employed expat in Singapore provided that they can show steady and consistent revenue backed up by accountants signed off by an accountant whose qualifications are recognised by the lender.
Yes, as an expat living in Singapore, you can remortgage your existing UK property. Remortgaging your existing property can be used to lock-in to a better interest rate, or to release funds from the existing equity in your home. Your Dolphin Finance adviser will advise you as to whether a remortgage is suitable, and if so, recommend the best deal for your circumstances.
Lenders will require a larger deposit for UK non-resident borrowers, and expats living in Singapore looking to buy property in the UK are no exception. In general, most lenders will require at least a 25% deposit. However, each case is different, and our advisers will recommend the most suitable mortgage for your circumstances.
As an expat in Singapore, in order to find the best UK expat mortgage deal for your specific circumstances, it is advisable to seek advice from a specialist mortgage broker. Dolphin Finance has access to over 30 expat lenders and can help you find suitable options based on your circumstances. Most mortgage comparison websites do not cater to Singapore residents, and so you will need the help of a specialist broker to access the whole of the market.
