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 works in our technical department.  Peter spent his formative years as an underwriter with one of the major UK lenders so what he doesn't know, quite frankly, isn't worth knowing...

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.

What are the conditions for obtaining a Euro or Swiss Franc-based residential mortgage?

Posted on 7 January 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...

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Category: Foreign Currency or foreign tracking rate mortgages

How should I raise £80,000 for an investment property in Italy?

Posted on 19 November 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...

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Category: Buying abroad, Foreign Currency or foreign tracking rate mortgages

My income is in sterling and we wish to buy a property in euros, do you have any tips?

Posted on 29 October 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...

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Category: Foreign Currency or foreign tracking rate mortgages

I want to buy a property in Dubai but without selling my home in the UK.

Posted on 25 October 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...

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Category: Buying abroad, Foreign Currency or foreign tracking rate mortgages

I have a Spanish mortgage, should I opt for interest only when I retire in 3 years?

Posted on 8 October 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...

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Category: Foreign Currency or foreign tracking rate mortgages

Would a UK lender give me a mortgage on a property abroad?

Posted on 29 September 2007

How feasible is to take out a 100% mortgage via a UK lender on a property in Portugal?

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Category: 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 Limited. All comments are made in good faith, and John Charcol Limited will not accept liability for them.

We recommend you seek professional advice with regard to any of these topics where appropriate.

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