Why Foreign Buyers Choose Altgage
Predictable Payments
Fixed Payments
Choose a 30-year fixed rate and your principal and interest payment never changes. Property taxes and insurance can still change each year.
Foreign National Mortgages: Buy in the USA
No SSN, green card, or U.S. credit needed
Built for non-U.S. residents buying property in the United States.
Qualify with your passport
Use your passport and foreign income documents. Plan on about 30% down.
Second homes and rentals
Finance a vacation home or investment property anywhere we lend.
Foreign National Guidelines
Meet these criteria to qualify, but apply if you're close and we'll help you!
Credit Score
No U.S. credit score needed. Lenders use international credit references or a clean payment history instead.
Home Type
Second homes and investment properties. Most programs don't finance a primary residence.
Income
Qualify with foreign income documents, or with the property's rental income on a DSCR-style program.
Loan Amounts
Not capped at the conforming limit. Loan sizes often reach $1 million or more, depending on the lender.
Reserves
Expect to show 6 to 12 months of payments in reserves, held in a U.S. or foreign account.
Down Payment
Plan on 25% to 30% down. Some programs allow less for borrowers with strong assets.
Mortgage Insurance
None. With 25% or more down, foreign national loans don't carry PMI.
No U.S. Credit History Needed
Qualify on your global profile
Lenders look at your passport, international credit references, foreign income, and assets. You don't need a U.S. credit score or a Social Security number.
Fixed or Adjustable
Pick the structure that fits
Choose a 30-year fixed or an adjustable-rate loan, with interest-only options on some programs. We compare lenders to match the loan to how long you plan to own.
Prepayment Terms
Know your exit costs
Investment property loans often carry a prepayment penalty for the first 1 to 5 years. Second-home loans may have none. We show you the terms before you commit.
Borrow More
Financing for higher-priced homes
Foreign national programs aren't limited to the conforming loan limit, so you can finance homes in high-cost markets like Miami, Boston, and Los Angeles.
How It Works
Open a U.S. Bank Account
Most programs need a U.S. bank account to make payments and verify funds. Some lenders let funds stay abroad until closing. We'll tell you what your lender requires.
Gather Your Documentation
You'll need a valid passport, foreign income documentation (employer letter, business financials, or home-country bank statements), proof of funds for down payment and reserves, and an international credit reference.
Get Approved
Apply through Altgage. We'll match your profile to the right wholesale lender program, order a property appraisal, and guide you through the U.S. closing process.
Close and Take Ownership
Close in person, or by power of attorney if you're abroad and your lender allows it. The title is recorded with the county, and the property is yours.
Do's and Don'ts
Do
Obtain Pre-Approval Early
This strengthens your offer and speeds up the closing process.
Budget for Closing Costs
Expect to pay around 2-3% of the home’s price in closing costs.
Compare Loan Estimates and APRs
Shopping lenders is your right. Ask for a Loan Estimate before you choose.
Don't
Open New Credit Accounts
New debt in any country can raise questions during underwriting.
Make Large Unverified Deposits
Lenders must document where large deposits came from, including international transfers. Keep a paper trail.
Wait to Move Your Funds
International wires can take days and need source documents. Move your down payment and reserves early.
How foreign national loans compare
See how a foreign national loan compares with DSCR and conventional loans.
Foreign National
DSCR
Conventional
Credit Score
No U.S. score needed
Typically 620+
620+
Down Payment
25–30%
20–25%
As low as 3%
Income Documents
Foreign income or rent
Rental income only
W-2s and tax returns
Property Types
Second home or rental
Rental only
Any, incl. primary
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Every home has a story
Get a mortgage in week, or a year - with you every step of the way
Sukesh was great from start to finish. I first reached out to him in June of 2023 and he got me pre-approved same day. I ended up putting in an offer on a new construction in July and Sukesh was on it every step of the way. He was always available, didn't matter the time of the day. He was also very knowledgeable, answered all of my questions and offered the best suggestions with concrete reasoning to back it up. I ended with a rate lower than market and I couldn't have been happier. My home was eventually completed in March 2024 and the closing process was fast and smooth. With Sukesh there's no such thing as a standard 30 or 45 day close, it felt more like one week close. I highly recommend Sukesh and Altgage, you won't regret it.
5-Star Review
I felt confident moving from California to Texas for a much needed fresh start to a new life
I had an excellent experience working with Sukesh Shekar at Altgage Inc. From start to finish, he was professional, knowledgeable, and incredibly helpful. He took the time to explain every step of the process, and helped me through a tricky signing day with an ex. I felt confident in my loan options. His dedication and attention to detail made the entire experience smooth and stress-free. I highly recommend Sukesh to anyone looking for a reliable and supportive loan officer.
5-Star Review
Gopala lowered his costs and moved into her dream home
I wanted to thank and appreciate Sukesh for his help and support starting from the loan application process till closing of our new home. Sukesh is very transparent and provided us with eligible incentives that helped in lowering our closing costs.
He has great knowledge about different areas of mortgage needs and he works with core customer centric values to help clients fulfill their Mortgage needs.
5-Star Review
We got the the lowest rate after searching from California to Colorado
Sukesh was really awesome throughout the whole process of purchasing our new home in Boulder county Colorado. We got the lowest rates possible, and he was always looking for additional ways for us to save money. Everything was super fast, and super easy. Communication was always clear and quick. We highly recommend Altgage!
5-Star Review
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Learn what you need to know before buying property in the U.S.
Frequently asked questions
You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers
Yes. Federal law doesn't stop foreign nationals from owning U.S. real estate, and you don't need citizenship, a green card, or a visa. Some states, including Florida and Texas, restrict purchases by people from certain countries, so we check before you make an offer. Most programs qualify you with your passport, not a Social Security number.
Typically 25 to 30 percent. Some programs offer 20 percent down for borrowers with strong assets and international credit references.
Yes. Expect a rate above a conventional loan, often by 1 to 2 percentage points. Your rate depends on your down payment, the property type, and the lender.
Typically 45 to 60 days from application to closing. Translating documents and moving international funds takes longer than a domestic loan.
Yes. Many foreign nationals buy rental properties for income. You'll file a U.S. tax return on the rent, and withholding rules apply, so talk to a cross-border tax advisor.
You can refinance into a conventional or standard non-QM loan once you have a U.S. credit history. This typically results in a lower rate.
