Ask the experts
About our experts...
At John Charcol, we are constantly asked for advice by borrowers on what they should do when it comes to mortgages. As such, we created this section so that you can submit your questions to our experts. The answers are provided by a number of people who have years of experience in the mortgage market. The team is led by Peter Woodward who spent his formative years as an underwriter with one of the major UK lenders and the last 10 years in our Technical Department along side Ray.
So please do submit your question and we will do all we can to answer it as quickly as possible
Please be aware that these answers can only be generic and no personal recommendations can be made.
Posted on 19/05/2010
I want to borrow £25000 for home improvements, but I don't have enough equity in my house to raise that amount. Can I use a property I own outright in France as equity to help raise the cash I need?
Categories: Buying abroad, Foreign Currency or foreign tracking rate mortgages
Posted on 15/05/2010
I am looking for somewhere to get a loan for 30,000.00 dollars can you help? No I dont have bankrupty on my record, but I have some bad credit.
Categories: Foreign Currency or foreign tracking rate mortgages
Posted on 01/05/2010
I am a UK citizen now returning to live in the UK, from Australia. I have an Australian property which I own 100%. Can I get a mortgage in the UK, using my Oz property as security, to buy a UK house? If so what mortgage amount and interest rate would apply?
Categories: Buying abroad, Foreign Currency or foreign tracking rate mortgages, Raising capital out of property, Special circumstances
Posted on 07/01/2008
Hi Katie, the interest rate on mortgages on the continent, i.e. in Germany, is a lot lower than in the UK. I have read in the Guardian that John Charcol also offers Euro-based residential mortgages or mortgages linked to the Swiss Franc. What are the conditions for obtaining such a mortgage? Many thanks, Ilse
Categories: Foreign Currency or foreign tracking rate mortgages
Posted on 19/11/2007
We bought an old property in Italy in 2003, renovated and added a new extension. Its currently valued at 250,000 Euros but no mortgage, and we would like to repeat the process with another property. We have the contacts and experience now what is the best way of raising £80,000. We have a property in the UK worth around £250,000 with a £60,000 mortgage.
Categories: Buying abroad, Foreign Currency or foreign tracking rate mortgages
Posted on 29/10/2007
We intend to set up home in The Irish Republic, a few miles outside London Derry(NI). We are looking for a good deal (as usual) we recently sold our property in Northern Ireland, my business is in NI and income in sterling purchase price of R.O.I property €140,000 (ANY TIPS).
Categories: Foreign Currency or foreign tracking rate mortgages
Posted on 25/10/2007
Hi, I owe around £260k on my mortgage but my property with 7 beds, swimming pool bar, cinema, etc (i built the house out my saving) has been valued around £800-900K by a local estate agent, but i now want to buy a property in Dubai. How would this be possible as i already own a property in the UK and don't want to sell my base (home) in the UK can you help me?
Categories: Buying abroad, Foreign Currency or foreign tracking rate mortgages
Posted on 08/10/2007
I have a 15 year repayment euro (500k euros) Spainish mortgage in Spain and receive around £50k pa rental income on the property. This just about covers costs but I want to explore other options. The property is worth around £1.2m. I have set up a Spanish company to manage rentals and expenses including mortgage repayments. I expect to retire in 3 years (I am employed and earning UK £80k). I will continue to rent the property after i retire and want to explore whether interest only is an option for me. I can also sell my UK property which is worth £700k and pay down the loan. I also have a pension pot of £700k+. Do I have any other options?
Categories: Foreign Currency or foreign tracking rate mortgages
Posted on 29/09/2007
How feasible is to take out a 100% mortgage via a UK lender on a property in Portugal?
Categories: Buying abroad, Foreign Currency or foreign tracking rate mortgages
Answers provided in response to Ask the experts are based on the information provided and do not constitute advice under the Financial Services & Markets Act. They reflect the personal views of the authors and do not neccessarily represent the views, positions, strategies or opinions of John Charcol. All comments are made in good faith, and John Charcol will not accept liability for them.
We recommend you seek professional advice with regard to any of these topics where appropriate.