Why More Americans Are Buying Before They Move

In 2025, it’s becoming increasingly common for U.S. citizens to buy UK property before making the move across the Atlantic. For some, it’s about securing a dream home in a competitive market before prices climb further. For others, it’s a way of avoiding months of temporary accommodation and getting settled straight away.

With the pound still trading at levels that give dollar earners strong buying power compared to historic norms, the financial incentive is clear. But arranging a mortgage before you’ve relocated is a very different process to applying once you’re already resident in the UK. Lenders will assess you as an overseas applicant, and that comes with its own set of criteria, timelines, and documentation requirements.

Can You Get a UK Mortgage While Living in the U.S.?

The short answer is yes — but the route you take will depend on your profile. UK lenders have products specifically designed for non-resident buyers, often categorised as expat mortgages or foreign national mortgages. Which you qualify for will depend on your ties to the UK and how your application is presented.

If you already have some connection to the UK, you may be able to follow the process we outline in our guide to How Americans Can Get a UK Mortgage: Overcoming Expat Lending Challenges in 2025. If you have never lived here, you’ll usually be considered a foreign national borrower, which can narrow the choice of lenders and increase the minimum deposit required.

In either case, lenders will focus heavily on verifying your income and understanding your plans for the property — whether it will be your primary residence, a second home, or an investment. Your U.S. credit score can be reviewed as supporting evidence, but it won’t replace the need for full income and asset documentation. We cover this in more depth in our blog on How U.S. Credit Scores Are Viewed by UK Lenders in 2025.

Understanding Visa Considerations

One of the first questions many American buyers ask is whether they need a UK visa to apply for a mortgage. While a visa isn’t always required to secure a loan, it can make the process smoother. If you already have a work visa, spousal visa, or another form of long-term residency permission, lenders may view your application as lower risk. This is because they can see that you have a legal right to live and work in the UK for the foreseeable future.

If you don’t yet have a visa in place, mortgage approval is still possible, but lenders may seek additional assurances. This could include a larger deposit or evidence of your intent to relocate, such as an employment offer letter or business plan if you are self-employed. Some buyers sidestep the residency issue entirely by purchasing as a second home or investment property, which is often judged under different lending criteria.

Finance Options for Americans Still Based in the U.S.

When you’re living outside the UK, the main lending options fall into three categories. First, mainstream high street lenders — some are prepared to lend to overseas applicants, but their criteria can be strict, and they may prefer buyers with significant UK ties. Second, specialist lenders, which are often more flexible on income sources and property use, but may charge higher rates or require larger deposits. Third, private banks, which can be the best route for high-value purchases. These institutions take a more holistic view of your financial position, looking at assets, investments, and global income streams rather than relying solely on UK credit history — a process we explore in detail in our piece on High Net Worth Mortgages for Americans in the UK: What Lenders Look for in 2025.

An alternative route some Americans choose is a cash purchase followed by refinancing once they’ve relocated. This can be particularly useful in competitive property markets, where a cash offer can speed up completion and strengthen your position as a buyer. Once you’re in the UK, you can refinance with a broader pool of lenders, potentially unlocking better rates.

The Documentation Lenders Expect in 2025

Applying from the U.S. means you’ll need to satisfy both standard UK mortgage checks and additional overseas verification requirements. Lenders will typically want to see a valid passport, U.S. income evidence such as payslips or IRS tax returns (often for the past two years), proof of assets, and clear evidence of where your deposit is coming from to meet anti–money laundering rules.

Your U.S. credit report is sometimes requested, but the real weight of the application comes from your provable income and asset base. Ensuring these documents are prepared in advance — and certified if necessary — can prevent delays and improve your chances of approval.

Potential Challenges to Plan For

Even with strong finances, buying before relocation can present hurdles. Fewer lenders work with overseas applicants, so the choice is narrower. Interest rates and arrangement fees can be higher than for UK residents. Processing times are often longer because additional checks are required, especially if funds are moving internationally. And if your income is in U.S. dollars but your mortgage is in pounds, currency fluctuations can affect both your deposit size and monthly repayments.

These aren’t insurmountable obstacles, but they do highlight why planning ahead is essential. Understanding the lender landscape, choosing the right product, and aligning your application with the lender’s risk appetite can make the difference between an approval and a decline.

How Willow Private Finance Can Help

At Willow Private Finance, we regularly help American clients secure UK mortgages long before they arrive here. We know which lenders are open to overseas applications, how to present U.S. income and credit evidence in a format UK underwriters expect, and how to structure deals for clients without an existing UK footprint.

For high-value purchases, we can approach private banks with bespoke terms, often using global assets and investment portfolios as part of the affordability assessment. If your move is still several months away, we can also explore staged strategies — for example, securing finance now with a view to refinancing later on more favourable terms once you’ve established UK residency.

Our role is to smooth the process, anticipate potential roadblocks, and ensure your application is both compliant with UK lender requirements and competitive in the current market.

Final Thoughts for 2025 Buyers

Buying a UK property before moving from the U.S. is entirely possible, but it’s not something to approach without a clear plan. Lenders will want to understand not just your finances today, but your future residency and income position. By preparing your documentation, understanding your visa position, and working with a broker experienced in U.S.–UK transactions, you can move into your new home as soon as you arrive — with the confidence that the finance is in place and ready to go.

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