Rent or buy a house abroad?

One of the first important decisions to make is whether you will rent or buy a house abroad.

Renting

If this is your first international move you may find renting to be the best option for you. Renting will offer you flexibility should the move not quite work out as planned. Renting will also be a good option if you are unfamiliar with the area. You can then make a more informed decision about where would be the best area for you to permanently settle during your stay. If the move is indeed a permanent one.

In some countries you may simply not be allowed to buy property straight away, leaving renting as your only option. Financially, buying a property may simply not be feasible for you at the point of moving. Perhaps you have a house back in the UK that, once you have settled in your new country, you plan to sell to finance a new house purchase. Again in this situation renting temporarily at least would be the answer.

House property market abroad

Quite simply, the market for buying or renting a property is going to differ greatly from place to place. You will also have your own set of requirements that you wish your next home to fit of course. You should do as much research as you possibly can to establish your best options.

Relocation companies or estate agents can help, and if you are being relocated by your employer then there is a good chance that services such as this are being provided. If not, then you may want to consider finding a relocation expert to help you with the process.

Expat mortgage advice

It is not uncommon for expats to think that there is a shortage of lenders to match expat mortgage requirements. While it can be a complex situation and take time to get the agreement in place, there are a number of mortgage products and lenders that are specialists when it comes to helping with your borrowing requirements and circumstances.