A British expat couple living in the US approached Enness seeking finance for a residential property in North West London. They were first-time buyers with a long-term plan to return to the UK and establish their family home there.
The application involved several factors that made conventional UK mortgage lending more difficult. The couple were living and working in the US and had US tax obligations, while one applicant was a US national. The household income also had a complex structure, with one applicant working as a self-employed contractor before moving into a permanent employed role.
The application was further complicated by the couple’s circumstances at the time of purchase. One applicant was on maternity leave, while the property would initially remain unoccupied as the family continued living in the US. They also needed to structure the borrowing jointly while holding the property title in one name.
OUR SOLUTION
Enness identified a private bank experienced in working with internationally based borrowers and US-connected applicants. The lender was able to take a broader view of the household’s financial position, including the applicant’s employment history and the transition from contracting to permanent employment.
For the applicant on maternity leave, Enness provided supporting confirmation from the employer regarding the expected return to work and future remuneration. This helped the lender assess the household’s anticipated income rather than relying solely on income received during the period of leave.
The private bank was also able to accommodate the requested ownership structure, with the mortgage held jointly while the property title was registered in one applicant’s name, subject to the lender’s and relevant legal requirements.
The resulting residential mortgage provided the couple with a suitable route to purchase their North West London property while they remained based overseas. The structure also gave them flexibility to plan their eventual return to the UK without requiring them to relocate before completing the purchase.
This case demonstrates how specialist international mortgage expertise can help British expats and internationally based borrowers navigate applications involving overseas residency, US connections, complex income and non-standard ownership structures.
Disclaimer:
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