Author: Premela R.

75% LTV U.S. Foreign National Loan.

U.S. Foreign National Loan

Qualifying as a non-citizen has never been easier.

Before you read about our 75% LTV loan program, we would like to note a few differences between U.S., Asia, and European mortgages. In the U.S., mortgages work differently than the mortgages in most of the other countries:

  • There are NO age restrictions
  • The buyer can be 85 + years old and eligible for 30 years mortgage term
  • For our 75% LTV loans, the asset is the determining factor, and not the borrower’s income
  • Life insurance is not required
  • NO pre-payment or redemption penalty
  • No tax returns or liquid reserves are required
  • In many cases, the seller is allowed to pay up to 3% of the purchase price for buyers closing cost

Our minimum 30% down payment foreign national mortgage program enables foreign nationals, non-U.S. residents, or employment transferees to place a minimum 30% down payment and finance up to 75% of the property value. Most of the lenders still require a 50% down payment to obtain a foreign national mortgage loan, but we can arrange financing with as little as 30% down.

Seller or developer can give the buyer up to 3% of the purchase price concession towards the closing cost and or prepays. If that is the case, most of your closing costs would be covered, and you’ll be able to invest less money upfront. The borrower must have verifiable funds for the down payment, closing cost in a verified financial institution in or outside the U.S. Any foreign language accounts would need to be translated and certified by a translation company.

Our 75% LTV mortgage for foreigners does not require Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI), so there is no extra cost. We also offer rate and term foreign national mortgage refinancing with often unlimited cash-out option (restricted by loan limits).

This foreign national refinance mortgage is available as a fixed and or adjustable-rate mortgage. Adjustable rates are 5/1, 7/1 term for 15 or 30 years fully amortized loan. In some cases, interest-only is also available.

Here are some of the loan program features:

  • Minimum 30% down Payment
  • 5.75% Interest rate (right now. Does not include APR)
  • The term: 30 years, 20, and 15 years fixed
  • Loan amounts up to $5M
  • No pre-payment penalty
  • Up to 3% seller contribution towards buyers closing allowed
  • 1- 4 unit single-family residential property eligible
  • Condos eligible
  • 72 hours for underwriting
  • Closing on average 45 days

Here are the requirements for our foreign national loan program:

  • Copy of executed purchase agreement
  • Copy of passport
  • 2 personal Credit References (Credit card, Mortgage, Car lease, Landlord Letter, Utility bill) OR International credit report
  • Last 2 months bank statements showing enough
  • U.S. mortgage application

For more information please visit us online or email us at [email protected].

A Real Estate investor from Canada purchases a retail complex in California.

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The Client

The client had come to us from an online search and told us that he spent 4 months working with traditional commercial lenders with the hopes of obtaining financing for their retail purchase.

How We Helped

Unfortunately, the lender always came back requesting more information, most of which our client did not have, due to not being a U.S. Entity or beneficial owners who are not U.S. Citizens.

We have worked closely with our lending partners over the past 5 years to create financial solutions to accommodate international investors and can structure and underwrite the loan with the information available.

We were able to secure a non-recourse 5-year commercial real estate loan for the purchase of the property with 60% leverage. (Also see Can a Canadian Buy a House in the USA?)

Loan Details

NationalityProperty ValueLoan AmountLTVRate
Canadian$4,100,000$2,460,00060%4.99%
TermStateProperty TypePurposeLoan Type
5 year fixed loan /
25 year amortization		San Jose, CaliforniaRetailPurchaseCommercial

U.S. fashion designer living in Sao Paulo buys a second home in Miami.

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The Client

An up and coming fashion designer with dual Brazilian and U.S. passports wanted to buy a home in Miami, where she grew up. She is self-employed and therefore it doesn’t show on her U.S. tax returns her true ability to service the loan.

How We Helped

For self-employed clients, showing the ability to repay the debt can be challenging. Although the tax returns may not reflect her ability to repay the loan, her cash-flow is significant. We were able to find her a loan that did not require any tax returns and went strictly off the cash-flow (rental amount) from the property.

Loan Details

NationalityProperty ValueLoan AmountLTVRate
U.S. Citizen$1,725,000$1,380,00080%4.50% interest-only payments
TermStateProperty TypePurposeLoan Type
5/1 ARMMiami, FloridaSingle-Family Residence (SFR)PurchaseResidential

What is the ‘Term’ in a mortgage?

America mortgages

A mortgage term indicates the total duration of a mortgage. You will pay the lender monthly installments during this period and finally own the home after clearing off the last installment. The term of a mortgage starts from drawing the funds from the lender institution and ends on the expiry date when you need to repay the lender.

America Mortgages offer loan terms as long as 30 years (for fixed-rate mortgages) and as short as 5 years (for adjustable-rate mortgages). There are even shorter terms available, known as Bridge loans. These special loans can be as short as six months to up to one year and are excellent for procuring immediate cash-flow.

Most financial institutions offer these loans to commercial bodies like investors and constructors, but America Mortgages serves individual clients and the guarantee of some form of collateral.

If you can afford the higher monthly installments, a short-term mortgage saves plenty of money down the road. The explanation is quite simple: the longer the mortgage term, the more is the sum of the payable interest. As the interest rate is primarily front-loaded, the interest amount of a 30-year mortgage would be higher than that of a 10-year loan during the early years.

Similarly, ARM is more financially beneficial than fixed-rate loans if you can pay off the loan during the first interest cap. However, fixed-rate loans are better for people with a limited income. So, you should choose a mortgage term carefully, considering your future plans and current income sources.

America Mortgages Introduces U.S. Bridge Lending.

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A bridge loan is short-term financing used to facilitate the financing of a property for a short period. It is used to either acquire, maintain or improve a property with quick access to funds while more permanent financing is being arranged.

America Mortgages Bridge is a unique arrangement with various funds globally that gives America Mortgages the ability to source immediate asset-based capital in most countries worldwide. America Mortgages has funds and lending partners specializing in U.S.A., SE Asia, Central Asia, Europe, Central America, and the Caribbean. These unique relationships and volume give America Mortgages a lot of negotiating power on behalf of the client.

“Regardless if you’re in the U.S., Singapore, Hong Kong, HCMC, or Phnom Penh, America Mortgages Bridge is a viable short-term financing option to assets you may own globally and wish to keep but have a short term liquidity issue. In many cases, these events are unforeseen and can be resolved in a few months to a year. We understand the situation and the implications and, in most cases, take a loan from application to funding in a matter of 10 days. In most cases, we don’t like to exceed 55%LTV (loan-to-value); however, in some cases, we have been able to secure as high as 70% LTV. Anyone that knows bridge financing – that is extremely aggressive.”Robert Chadwick | America Mortgages

AMERICA MORTGAGES OFFERS BRIDGE FINANCING ON A VARIETY OF PROPERTY TYPES:

  • – Commercial buildings
  • – Hotels and casinos
  • – Land
  • – Warehouses
  • – Retail shopping centers
  • – Mixed-use residential
  • – Apartment buildings
  • – Luxury homes
  • – Multi-family commercial

REASONS COMPANIES OR INDIVIDUALS APPLY FOR BRIDGE FINANCING:

  • – Avoiding foreclosure
  • – Quick close on the property
  • – Partner Buy-Out
  • – Financing a project beyond standard bank limits
  • – Pay off debt

“When America Mortgages issues a bridge loan, a viable exit strategy is in place before the loan ever funds. Normally America Mortgages Bridge loans, regardless if they are in Vietnam, Cambodia, Hong Kong, or the U.S., the terms are relatively the same. 12-36 months interest-only payments with rates ranging from 9%-15% depending on the location, the rule of law, and the collateral. More often than not, with the proper time frame, we can refinance these assets into long-term financing through America Mortgages’ commercial or residential mortgage programs.”Robert Chadwick | America Mortgages

Often America Mortgages Bridge financing is a cheaper alternative to the standard hard money or private lending options, while just as flexible underwriting and fast with the turn around to fund. Both are non-standard loans acquired due to short-term or uncommon situations. A bridge loan term may be closed, only available for a pre-determined time, or open with no fixed payoff date. There may be a required payoff after a specific date. America Mortgages Bridge has normal terms of 12-36 months with interest-only payments.

America Mortgages provide bridge loan financing for companies, developers, and individuals on a global scale. These interim financing services have been designed to assist real estate investors with financial solutions that offer quick relief in challenging times when liquidity or cash-flow is an issue.

As one of the leading International property bridging finance companies in the market, we pride ourselves on creating long-term client-lender relationships.

Get in touch with us today to learn more about the structures and options of short-term bridge financing solutions [email protected].

U.S. Marketing Executive in Paris purchases investment home in Los Angeles.

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The Client

Having lived in Paris for the past few years, our client was rejected by two large U.S. banks for foreign earned income regardless of whether her credit score was 812. She had excellent credit, high income, and a sizeable down payment, yet the bank couldn’t see beyond her income being earned outside of the U.S. and not having a W2.

How We Helped

Our only focus is foreign nationals and U.S. Expats. We know exactly what banks, lenders, and finance companies need in order to view her situation just as if she was living and working in the U.S. The loan was closed in 37 days with ease.

Loan Details

NationalityProperty ValueLoan AmountLTVRate
U.S. Citizen$920,000$736,00080%3.35%
TermStateProperty TypePurposeLoan Type
30 year fixedLos Angeles, CaliforniaSingle-Family HomePurchaseResidential

The ‘Debt-To-Income (DTI) Ratio’ determines your qualifying ability.

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The debt-to-income (DTI) ratio equals your total fixed monthly debts divided by your total monthly gross income.

DTI is essential for mortgage lenders to determine the applicant’s financial capacity of paying off the borrowed money in time. Several studies suggest that borrowers with a high DTI ratio are likely to struggle more in making the monthly installments. In this case, the breakeven point is 43, which means this is the highest ratio that a lender will still approve for a mortgage. However, some lenders may consider up to 50% DTI too.

All mortgage lenders check the front-end and back-end ratios to determine the DTI. The front-end ratio covers the house-related debts, including home loans, homeowners’ insurance, property taxes, and other expenses. On the other hand, the back-end ratio mostly includes the bills and debts on your credit cards.

The ideal front-end and back-end ratios should be lower than 28% and 36%, respectively. However, a loan approval does not solely depend on this ratio. Mortgage lenders will also take your credit score, percentage of down payment, assets, and a few other things into consideration. If these figures turn out well, you can get a loan with a slightly higher DTI.

Regular household expenses will not be considered as debts. Some other big expenses that will be exempted are healthcare costs, child support, and insurance premiums.

American research professor at the National University of Singapore buys an apartment in New York.

advisor mortgage group

The Client

Our client is a clinical research director at a top university in Singapore for the past 12 years, and his kids are all studying in the U.S. Being abroad for an extended period of time, he no longer had any credit history in the U.S. or FICO score.

How We Helped

He no longer had any credit history in the U.S. or FICO score. Although he tried with several local and international banks, he was unable to get a loan due to the lack of credit. As we see similar situations often, we knew what loan program would work best for our client. He was able to get a great loan and begin to reestablish his U.S. credit again. Something vital to him when he retires back in New York.

Loan Details

NationalityProperty ValueLoan AmountLTVRate
U.S. Citizen$3,400,000$1,870,00055%5.125%
TermStateProperty TypePurposeLoan Type
5/1 ARMNew York City, New YorkApartmentPurchaseResidential

What Is Bridge Financing, And How Does It Benefit Investors?

Bridge Financing

For those who are new to investing in real estate, the common question is, what is bridge financing? A better question is, what is bridge financing, and how does it benefit commercial Real Estate investors?

For investors that are well versed in bridge financing, you understand the importance of having access to reliable and reputable bridge lenders. Bridge financing is short-term financing, sometimes referred to as private money, smart money, or hard money. Private individuals and not banks typically make bridge loans, so the interest rates on bridge loans are higher than bank loans. International bridge lending allows non-U.S. citizen / Foreign Nationals to invest in the U.S. or other global Real Estate projects by quickly and efficiently providing the needed capital.

Many commercial real estate investors who were able to purchase distressed commercial properties in recent years made out very well. To act on multiple opportunities simultaneously, many real estate investors have turned to bridge financing.

BRIDGE FINANCING BENEFITS INVESTORS IN 3 IMPORTANT WAYS:

– Bridge financing allows investors to make their money go further. For example, if two properties come together at the same time, an investor can purchase both properties using a bridge loan on each purchase.

– Bridge financing removes partners or family members from a deal. Investing with family members or business partners can be tricky. Bridge loans can remove other partners from the equation, allowing an investor more freedom and flexibility with a newly acquired asset.

– Bridge loans fund faster than bank loans. If an opportunity is good, it won’t last long. Bridge loans have fewer requirements than bank loans and thus close quicker. Bridge financing allows investors can grab a fleeting opportunity before another investor snatches it up.

INTERNATIONAL BRIDGE FINANCING FOR GLOBAL / INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE PROJECTS?

America Mortgages’ extensive network offers numerous options for Bridge Financing regardless of your citizenship. Whether for a hotel project in Spain, land in Thailand, or a dairy farm in India, America Mortgages is your solution for reliable capital sourcing.

OUR CAPITAL NETWORK AND EXPERIENCE FOR INTERNATIONAL BRIDGE LENDING EXPANDS BORDERS.

With over 70 combined years of experience in the mortgage and investment banking industry, and with access to funds worldwide, America Mortgages will consider most international bridge funding requests. Currently, we offer bridge lending on international and foreign borrowers with a minimum loan amount of US$3mm with no maximum with a maximum of 50% LTV/LTC.

Get in touch with us today to learn more about the structures and options of bridge financing solutions at [email protected].