The U.S. real estate market has been one of the strongest property markets globally with no signs of slowing down. If you are a Hong Kong citizen looking to diversify your portfolio or simply get the most out of the booming U.S. economy, now is the time!
According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), China (including Hong Kong) emerged as the top country among foreign buyers in 2021! Between 2010 and 2021, they purchased an average of $18 billion worth of U.S. property annually, acquiring around 27,000 units each year.
Can Hong Kong citizens buy property in the U.S.?
Yes, Hong Kong citizens can buy property in the U.S.
There are no limitations towards any foreign nationals to purchase real estate in the U.S. If you are ready to invest in U.S. real estate simply apply for a mortgage as a non-citizen.
We’ve noticed an uptick in foreigners from various Asian countries investing in U.S. real estate owing to better housing prices. If you are considering obtaining a mortgage in the U.S. but are cautious about the process, you are not alone.
There are significant differences in how the mortgage system works in Hong Kong vs the U.S. So let’s clear them out. We’ll share the ins and outs of obtaining a U.S. mortgage as a Hong Kong citizen.
How do home prices in the U.S. compare to Hong Kong?
Hong Kong is notorious for its sky-high property prices. In fact, it’s one of the most expensive real estate markets globally. Let’s take a look at the average prices per square meter for comparison, Hong Kong is USD 28,570
In contrast, some major U.S. metro areas have significantly lower prices:
- San Francisco, California: USD 7,180
- Miami Area, Florida: USD 2,660
- Orlando, Florida: USD 1,940
- New York Metro Areas: USD 3,070
- Austin, Texas: USD 2,620
Source: NAR
Difference between mortgages in Hong Kong vs. U.S.
| Feature | Hong Kong | USA |
| Down Payment | Ranges between 40-50% | Ranges between 20-25% for non-residents (foreign nationals and U.S. expats) |
| Loan-to-Value (LTV) Ratio | Between 50-60% | Up to 80% for non-residents (foreign nationals and U.S. expats) |
| Repayment Options | Monthly fixed or floating-rate payments | Monthly fixed or adjustable-rate payments |
| Prepayment Penalties | Common in some loans | Less common |
| Legal Fees | Higher due to stringent regulations | Generally lower, varies by state |
| Tax Considerations | No mortgage interest deduction | Mortgage interest can be tax-deductible |
Types of U.S. mortgages available for Hong Kong citizens
1. Foreign National Mortgage
A mortgage that is designed for foreign nationals, or non-U.S. citizens. So if you don’t have a U.S. social security number or a green card this is the perfect option for you. A Foreign National Mortgage generally has a down payment of 25% of the property value and requires proof of payment and substantial financial reserves.
2. Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR) Loan
This loan is based on the property’s income potential and not the borrower’s income. This means that even if you don’t have a high personal income or a strong credit history, you can still qualify for a loan if the property itself is profitable. It’s a great option for investors who want to leverage rental income to finance their property purchases.
3. Bridge Loans
Bridge loans are a short-term loan used to bridge the gap between purchasing a new property and selling an existing one. They are ideal for acting quickly and seizing the investment opportunities but haven’t yet sold your current property yet.without waiting for your existing property to sell.
4. Portfolio Loans
These are mortgages that lenders keep on their books rather than selling on the secondary market. Since the terms are customizable these loans offer more flexibility. Portfolio loans are especially great for high-value properties, unique properties, or borrowers with unconventional financial profiles.
How Can Hong Kong Citizens Get Mortgages in the U.S.?
America Mortgages helps foreign nationals obtain U.S. mortgages. If you’re interested in learning more, reach out to us at [email protected] or visit our website at www.americamortgages.com.
Additionally, if you’d like to schedule a commitment-free meeting with one of our U.S. loan officers to explore your U.S. mortgage options further, you can do so using our 24/7 calendar link.
FAQs
Can Hong Kong citizens get a mortgage in the U.S.?
Yes, Hong Kong citizens can obtain mortgages in the U.S.
Do Hong Kong citizens need a Social Security Number to get a mortgage in the USA?
No, lenders offer mortgages for foreign nationals without a Social Security Number.
香港市民點樣可以喺美國按揭？
焦點關鍵字：香港人按揭美國，攞按揭美國，香港居民按揭流程，香港人嘅美國按揭，以香港人身份獲得美國按揭，香港人嘅美國房地產投資
美國房地產市場一直係全球最強勁嘅房地產市場之一，亦都冇放緩嘅跡象。如果你係香港市民，想多元化投資組合，或者只係想喺美國蓬勃發展嘅經濟中發揮最大效益，噉就係時候喇！
根據美國全國房地產經紀協會（ NAR ）嘅數據，中國（包括香港）喺2021年成為外國買家中嘅頭號國家！喺2010至2021年期間，佢哋每年平均購買價值180億美元嘅美國物業，每年收購大約27，000個單位。
香港市民可唔可以喺美國買樓？
可以，香港市民可以喺美國買樓。
任何外國人喺美國購買地產都冇限制，如果你準備好投資美國地產，只要以非公民身份申請按揭就得喇。
我哋留意到由於房價較好，來自亞洲唔同國家嘅外國人投資美國地產嘅人數有所增加。 如果你考慮喺美國攞按揭，但係對呢個過程謹慎，你唔係一個人。香港同美國嘅按揭制度運作方式有顯著嘅分別，所以我哋要清除佢哋。我哋會分享作為香港公民攞美國按揭嘅入門知識。
美國嘅房價同香港相比係點？
香港以天價樓價臭名昭著。事實上，佢係全球其中一個最貴嘅房地產市場。我哋睇吓平均每平方米嘅價錢比較下，香港係 USD 28,570
相反，美國部分主要都會區嘅價格明顯較低：
- 加州三藩市：7，180美元
- 佛羅里達州邁阿密地區：2，660美元
- 佛羅里達州奧蘭多：1，940美元
- 紐約地鐵區：3，070美元
- 德州奧斯汀：2，620美元
| 特徵 | 香港 | 美國 |
| 首期 | 40-50 % 之間 | 非居民（外國人同美國外籍人士）嘅介乎20-30 % 之間 |
| 貸款價值比率（ LTV ） | 50-60 % 之間 | 非居民（外國人同美國外籍人士）高達 80 % |
| 還款選項 | 每月固定或者浮動利率嘅付款 | 每月固定或可調整利率嘅付款 |
| 預付罰款 | 喺某啲貸款入面好常見 | 唔太常見 |
| 法律費用 | 由於嚴格嘅法規，所以高啲 | 一般較低，因州而異 |
| 稅務考慮因素 | 冇按揭利息扣除 | 按揭利息可以扣稅 |
香港同美國嘅按揭嘅分別香港市民可以用嘅美國按揭類型
1. 外國國民按揭
專為外國人或者非美國公民而設嘅特別按揭。所以如果你冇美國社會保險號碼或者綠卡，呢個係你嘅完美選擇。外國國民按揭一般嘅首期係物業價值嘅20-30 % ，需要付款證明同大量嘅財務儲備。
2. 債務服務覆蓋率（ DSCR ）貸款
呢個貸款係根據物業嘅收入潛力而唔係借款人嘅收入而計算。咁即係話，就算你冇高個人收入或者冇強大嘅信用歷史，如果個物業本身有利可圖，你仍然可以符合資格申請貸款。對於想利用租金收入嚟資助佢哋嘅物業購買嘅投資者嚟講，呢個係一個好選擇。
3. 橋樑貸款
佢係一個短期貸款，用嚟填補買新樓同賣現有樓之間嘅差距。佢哋非常適合快速行動同把握投資機會
4. 組合貸款
呢啲係貸款商喺佢哋嘅簿上保留嘅按揭，而唔係喺二手市場賣。由於條款可以自訂，所以呢啲貸款提供更多靈活性。 組合貸款對於高價值物業、獨特物業或者財務狀況非常規嘅借款人嚟講特別適合。
香港市民點樣可以喺美國按揭？
美國按揭幫助外國人獲得美國按揭。如果你有興趣了解更多，可以透過 hello @ americamortgages.com 同我哋聯絡，或者瀏覽我哋嘅網站 www.americamortgages.com 。
另外，如果你想同我哋其中一位美國貸款官員安排一個冇承諾嘅會議，進一步探索你嘅美國按揭選項，你可以用我哋嘅全天候日曆連結去做。
常見問題
香港市民可以去美國按揭嗎？
係呀，香港市民可以喺美國攞按揭。
香港市民去美國按揭需要社會保險號碼嗎？
唔係，貸款機構會為冇社會保險號碼嘅外國人提供按揭。
