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Original poster

Buying a house in the UK while living abroad- has anybody done this? Any advice?

8 replies

Thehappyjam · 20/09/2025 19:04

I live in Ireland with my DH and we have a property there that we own outright as we paid off the mortgage a couple of years ago. We have two DC in senior school who will finish in 3 years. I am originally from Ireland but lived in the UK for nearly 20 years and my DH is from the UK. We currently spend quite a lot of time there throughout the year due to DH's elderly parents and just generally visiting the area where he is from. He can work remotely and my job is semi remote. Ideally we would love to be able to spend more time in the UK and possibly be fully based there once DC are finished school.

We are considering buying a place near DH parents, not to let out but to base ourselves in while we're there and with a view to ultimately moving. We have no mortgage in Ireland so it would be feasible for us to make the mortgage payments. I know there is the painful issue with stamp duty but I'm wondering if anyone has been able to get a mortgage from a lender in the UK in this type of situation?

OP posts:
deckchairmayhem · 20/09/2025 23:43

You re asking is a UK based mortgage provider going to consider you for a UK property, whilst having no UK income? That's going to be tricky.
Isn't it easier to raise a mortgage on your Irish property, and use the procedures to buy a foreign or UK property?

Helpmefindmysoul · 20/09/2025 23:47

It can be done. I once had a client who was a resident in the USA but purchased in the UK legitimately with an international mortgage. There were additional AML checks that needed to be done but it is possible.

FeistyFrankie · 21/09/2025 00:15

You need to speak to a mortgage broker i think, but yes it's entirely possible.

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General money
Original poster
Thehappyjam · 21/09/2025 00:18

deckchairmayhem · 20/09/2025 23:43

You re asking is a UK based mortgage provider going to consider you for a UK property, whilst having no UK income? That's going to be tricky.
Isn't it easier to raise a mortgage on your Irish property, and use the procedures to buy a foreign or UK property?

Yes I have considered that but from looking into it the banks in Ireland are unlikely to let us do equity release unless for very specific purposes like renovations.

OP posts:
Original poster
Thehappyjam · 21/09/2025 00:19

Helpmefindmysoul · 20/09/2025 23:47

It can be done. I once had a client who was a resident in the USA but purchased in the UK legitimately with an international mortgage. There were additional AML checks that needed to be done but it is possible.

That’s encouraging thank you!

OP posts:
Original poster
Thehappyjam · 21/09/2025 00:20

FeistyFrankie · 21/09/2025 00:15

You need to speak to a mortgage broker i think, but yes it's entirely possible.

Thanks. I haven’t used a mortgage broker before so I’m not sure where to find one but that’s a good suggestion I will look into it.

OP posts:
MummySleepDeprived · 21/09/2025 10:46

Having another residence means your stamp duty will be horrendous. You'll need to pay the higher rate and take that into account for your calculations.

Original poster
Thehappyjam · 21/09/2025 11:08

MummySleepDeprived · 21/09/2025 10:46

Having another residence means your stamp duty will be horrendous. You'll need to pay the higher rate and take that into account for your calculations.

I know 😱it’s awful and something we will have to factor in

OP posts:
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