Although one may not be an Australian national, that does not mean he or she should be denied the right to own property within the country. There are a number of ways one may go about obtaining a mortgage when he or she is not an actual citizen of Australia although there are some ways that will increase one's chances of obtaining the loan. Temporary residents in the country of Australia may be living within the country for a number of reasons such as school, employment, or even relationships. For those that may be looking at an extended stay, he or she may be interested in purchasing property instead of renting.
What are the Stipulations?
There are a few things to keep in mind when looking to purchase property in Australia if one is not a citizen. For instance, a non-citizen may not be able to find a loan for 100% of the property value. Presently, most temporary resident mortgages only loan up to 80% of the total loan amount although some may be offered less financing than 80% by more conservative lenders. The amount of financing received greatly depends on what type of visa the person has. Most visa programs are issued for international students. Some students feel that it would make better financial sense to purchase a home or condo instead of renting for a number of years. For these students, they can expect to find lenders willing to lend 80% of the property value.
For people on a subclass 457 working visa it may be possible to borrow up to 90% of the purchase price, as an exception to normal bank policy. They will need the assistance of a specialist mortgage broker to put forward a case to the right lender, otherwise it is unlikely that they will be approved.
For people who are married to Australian citizens, he or she has the option to purchase property that is financed at a much higher percentage rate. Many times, the spouse of an Australian citizen can find financing for property purchase up to 95% of the total home loan. Visas that are issued for spouses of Australian citizens are in the following subclasses:
- 310/110
- 826/814
- 309/100
- 820/801
There are a few reasons behind why those who are married to Australian citizens have the ability to have 95% loans. Those who are married to Australian citizens are considered to be less of a default risk than other people. Although students studying internationally are considered some of the smartest and most responsible of students, there is still a large risk of defaulting on their loans. For married spouses, there is also a greater chance that he or she will gain citizenship status, which is another green flag for lenders. One thing to keep in mind for anyone looking to secure a property loan in Australia, he or she must be able to prove they have the funds to afford the loan. This means that the person will have to have some type of equity, existing employment, or a co-signer that could keep up payments if the student or spouse could not.
There are a few other classes of citizens that lenders in Australia will consider citizens although the government may not. A few of these visa classes are:
- Interdependency Visa
- Spousal Visa
- Working Holiday Visa
- Sports Visa
- Entertainment Visa
- Skilled Exchange Visa
One should contact a specialist mortgage broker to find out how their particular visa will affect the purchase of Australian property.
Governmental Review (FIRB)
For non-citizens of Australia, he or she will have to affirm government approval before he or she is able to purchase property. The individual will have to undergo a review from the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB). This review is required for non-citizens who may be in the country for 12 months or less. The reason this review is required is due simply to the fact that the government does not want property ownership for non-citizens to get out of hand because most of these properties are purchased for investment purposes.
Also, one should keep in mind that Australia has a number of programs that give assistance to first time home buyers. However, there are very few of these grants that are available to those purchasing property that are non-citizens. For those who are looking to purchase property and are the spouse of an Australian citizen, he or she may actually qualify for a few of these government subsidies and grants.
What to Do
What are the Stipulations?
There are a few things to keep in mind when looking to purchase property in Australia if one is not a citizen. For instance, a non-citizen may not be able to find a loan for 100% of the property value. Presently, most temporary resident mortgages only loan up to 80% of the total loan amount although some may be offered less financing than 80% by more conservative lenders. The amount of financing received greatly depends on what type of visa the person has. Most visa programs are issued for international students. Some students feel that it would make better financial sense to purchase a home or condo instead of renting for a number of years. For these students, they can expect to find lenders willing to lend 80% of the property value.
For people on a subclass 457 working visa it may be possible to borrow up to 90% of the purchase price, as an exception to normal bank policy. They will need the assistance of a specialist mortgage broker to put forward a case to the right lender, otherwise it is unlikely that they will be approved.
For people who are married to Australian citizens, he or she has the option to purchase property that is financed at a much higher percentage rate. Many times, the spouse of an Australian citizen can find financing for property purchase up to 95% of the total home loan. Visas that are issued for spouses of Australian citizens are in the following subclasses:
- 310/110
- 826/814
- 309/100
- 820/801
There are a few reasons behind why those who are married to Australian citizens have the ability to have 95% loans. Those who are married to Australian citizens are considered to be less of a default risk than other people. Although students studying internationally are considered some of the smartest and most responsible of students, there is still a large risk of defaulting on their loans. For married spouses, there is also a greater chance that he or she will gain citizenship status, which is another green flag for lenders. One thing to keep in mind for anyone looking to secure a property loan in Australia, he or she must be able to prove they have the funds to afford the loan. This means that the person will have to have some type of equity, existing employment, or a co-signer that could keep up payments if the student or spouse could not.
There are a few other classes of citizens that lenders in Australia will consider citizens although the government may not. A few of these visa classes are:
- Interdependency Visa
- Spousal Visa
- Working Holiday Visa
- Sports Visa
- Entertainment Visa
- Skilled Exchange Visa
One should contact a specialist mortgage broker to find out how their particular visa will affect the purchase of Australian property.
Governmental Review (FIRB)
For non-citizens of Australia, he or she will have to affirm government approval before he or she is able to purchase property. The individual will have to undergo a review from the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB). This review is required for non-citizens who may be in the country for 12 months or less. The reason this review is required is due simply to the fact that the government does not want property ownership for non-citizens to get out of hand because most of these properties are purchased for investment purposes.
Also, one should keep in mind that Australia has a number of programs that give assistance to first time home buyers. However, there are very few of these grants that are available to those purchasing property that are non-citizens. For those who are looking to purchase property and are the spouse of an Australian citizen, he or she may actually qualify for a few of these government subsidies and grants.
What to Do
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