Buying a Florida Home from the UK or Overseas

Foreign national mortgage options are available for buyers who do not live in the United States and do not have U.S. permanent residency. The right loan depends on whether the property will be a personal second home or an investment property.

Compare Loan Options

Mortgage Options

What Is a Foreign National Loan?

A foreign national loan is a mortgage option for a buyer purchasing property in the United States while living outside the U.S. and without U.S. permanent residency. For many UK buyers, the two most common Florida options are a second home loan or a DSCR investment loan.

Simple Starting Point

A foreign national loan is for a buyer purchasing property in the United States while living outside the U.S. and without U.S. permanent residency.

The loan choice depends on the intended use of the property: personal second home or rental investment.

Second Home

Foreign National Second Home

Starts at 25% down.
Used as a personal second home or vacation home.
Cannot be rented out.
Can qualify using UK income and/or verified assets.
No prepayment penalty.

Investment Property

Foreign National DSCR

Starts at 30% down.
For long-term rental or short-term rental investment properties.
Qualifies based on market rent or rental income potential.
Does not require borrower income or borrower credit qualification.
Includes a prepayment penalty.

Difference	Second Home	DSCR Investment
Best Use	Personal Florida home for vacations or part-time use.	Florida investment property intended to produce rental income.
Down Payment	Starts at 25% down.	Starts at 30% down.
Rental Use	Not allowed.	Long-term rental or short-term rental may be allowed if the property, HOA/condo, city, county, and lender permit it.
Qualification	Based on UK income and/or assets.	Based on market rent or rental income potential. Borrower income and borrower credit are not required for qualification.
Prepayment Penalty	No prepayment penalty.	Includes a prepayment penalty.

Important DSCR Occupancy Warning

A DSCR loan is an investment property loan. It is not a primary residence loan. If someone tells you that you can use a DSCR loan and then move into the property as your primary home, that is not accurate. At closing, you will sign an occupancy affidavit confirming that you will not occupy the property as your primary residence. Misrepresenting occupancy may be considered mortgage fraud and can create serious legal, lending, and immigration-related concerns. Do not risk your visa or future financing options by using the wrong loan structure. Contact us before making an offer so we can review the correct option.

Florida Buying Process

How Buying in Florida Compares to the UK Process

Once the mortgage option is clear, the next step is understanding how the Florida purchase process works. Florida uses different roles and timelines than the UK, so we help explain each step before you make an offer.

1

Mortgage Review First

Before viewing homes seriously, we review whether the property should be financed as a second home or DSCR investment property.

2

Property Search

Your Florida agent can send listings, provide video tours, and review whether the property fits second home, long-term rental, or short-term rental goals.

3

Offer and Contract

Florida offers are usually made on a written contract with a purchase price, deposit, inspection period, financing terms, and closing date.

4

Earnest Money Deposit

The deposit is usually held by a title company or escrow holder and is credited toward the buyer’s funds needed at closing.

5

Inspections and Appraisal

Inspections are handled during the contract timeline. The lender will also review the appraisal, value, property condition, and rent information when required.

6

Title and Closing

The Florida title company handles many closing functions similar to parts of the UK conveyancing process, including title work, settlement figures, signing, and funding.

UK comparison: In Florida, the title company is a major part of the closing process. They are not the same as a UK solicitor, but they handle title search, escrow, settlement statements, closing documents, and recording after closing. Some foreign national buyers may be able to close by mail-away or remote signing if allowed by the lender and title company.

Review Your Foreign National Loan Options

Whether you are buying a Florida second home for personal use or an investment property with DSCR financing, we can help review the loan structure, down payment, reserves, and buying process before you make an offer.

Start the Pre-Approval Review Contact FHL Mortgages

Mortgage financing offered through FHL Mortgages. NMLS #2295908. Florida Homes & Loans Inc. provides real estate services. Loan programs, down payment, rates, terms, reserves, documentation, prepayment penalties, and eligibility vary by lender, borrower, property, occupancy, loan structure, and underwriting approval. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not a commitment to lend, loan approval, rate quote, legal advice, tax advice, or financial advice. Second home occupancy rules and rental restrictions must be followed. Investment property rental use may be subject to HOA, condo, city, county, insurance, lender, and platform restrictions. Equal Housing Opportunity.