Mortgages for Expats

Depending on where you live, many lenders have recognised the need to provide a better service to Australian Expats.

Options available now include:

Set up your home or investment loan in Australian dollars.
Borrow funds in a foreign currency for an Australian property.
Repayments payable in Australia.
Pay in your country of residence in the currency of your overseas income.
Mortgage relationship managers based in your country.

Each of the major lenders offer some form of a loan that has foreign currency flexibilities; however, most focus on different countries. For example:

ANZ UK, Asia

CBA UK, USA, Europe

St George Hong Kong dollar (HKD)
United States dollar (USD)
Singapore dollar (SGD)
British Pound Sterling (GBP)
New Zealand dollar (NZD)
Euro (EUR)

This is not an exhaustive list. It is just an example. If you are an Australian expatriate in a country that has not been listed above, it may be worth talking to a mortgage broker that deals with foreign currency loans to find a suitable product.

The St George site will give you a good guide on the current rates and what you will be paying. It is a good starting point. It is not a recommendation to use their products. The web address is: http://www.stgeorge.com.au/mortgage/home_loans/stgeorge_home_loans/foreign_currency.asp

Either way, a mortgage broker is designed to find the best product for you so where ever you are, they are worth considering.