Our process

Buying a property abroad is usually a new experience for our clients. One that they may have been dreaming about for a while, but are unlikely to have ever become experts in! If you break your leg, you would naturally go and see a doctor, when you want to change energy supplier you’d consult a comparison website to find out your options. Either way, you are looking for an expert and a one-stop shop to solve your problem. That same logic applies when purchasing overseas (often in a country where you don’t speak the language and aren’t familiar with the banking, lending or purchase process); you’d be wise to consult a specialist international mortgage broker.

Whilst we recognise that every client’s circumstances differ, the purchase process does not change. There are stringent legal deadlines and documents, mandatory waiting periods and a myriad of insurance policies, bank accounts and other ancillary services that all need to be in place and verified at specific times in order for the contracts to be signed and the sale to go through.

This also means there are multiple opportunities for delays, and miscommunication leading to frustration, stress, expensive mistakes and, in the worst case, a lost sale.

But this is where IPF’s experience and (almost fanatical) love of process come into their own. We have developed our own IT systems, and processes (which have in many cases been adopted by the international lending departments!) to ensure that every client gets to realise their dream of owning abroad.

We will save you time and money

There are no comparison websites for international mortgages and most banks don’t even advertise the fact that they will lend to non-residents so the only way to search the whole market and compare the deals that are available to you is to use a specialist international mortgage broker – and one that has established relationships with national and local banks in the country you are wishing to buy in (as a lender’s appetite to lend to non-resident really does differ from branch to branch and on location).

A good broker should be able to negotiate exclusive rates, discounts on fees and also assist you with other aspects of the purchase – like liaising with the notaire, (check your broker is bilingual) your estate agent and any other third party to ensure your purchase completes on time.

From the moment you contact us, you will be entered onto our custom CRM system and within 24 hours you will be contacted by one of the team.

Once we have obtained enough details of your personal and financial situation and a CeMap-qualified Consultant has discussed your future plans for the property we will send you a personalised no-obligation quote.

We are highly transparent in the way we work and provide our clients and partners with a wealth of information that allows you to make an educated decision on the most suitable mortgage or finance product for you. We are directly regulated by the FCA and abide by their standards and regulations regarding Treating Customers Fairly. You can be assured that the advice and recommendations from our Consultants will be clearly explained, tailored to your financial circumstances and financial needs and objectives.

Should you wish to go ahead with any of the options presented, you can engage our services. At that point you will be allocated a dedicated Consultant (in almost all cases this will be whoever you have had all your previous discussions with) and Assistant who will work with you through every stage of the mortgage application and wider purchase journey.

The Consultant and Assistant will drive your mortgage application, and where you wish us to, the purchase on your behalf, liaising with lenders, estate agents, notaries, valuers, as well as assisting you with opening bank accounts, exchanging currency or setting up insurance policies.