Getting a mortgage on a foreign property

[897sma]

I'm toying with the idea of buying something in the Alps but everything I like is quite pricey so I'll need to borrow. What are the practicalities of getting a mortgage on foreign property (probably France). Would I apply here or there? Would a British bank even lend on a property abroad? Would I have to be resident/earning in France to get a French mortgage?

[NorthDave]

There are loads of UK based brokers who will deal with the french for you. I think you pretty much have to get a french mortgage, which is quite strict. An english bank wont touch.

I was recommended international personal finance when I was looking. Didn't use them in the end but they seemed to be the default choice.

[anonymous-user]

Don't know about France, but when buying in Canada as a UK resident, (a) English bank will not consider lending against secure of Canadian property; (b) buying Canadian property with suffificent cash meant a Canadian bank was quite happy to lend a non resident enough to buy the property. Just run a bank account in Canada and make sure there's enough money in it to service the Canadian mortgage and other costs of the property.

Usually a good idea to make a foreign will dealing with your assets abroad once you've bought, esp if you have dependants.