dexterslab12

Hey Aussiepom - Out of interest did you use their conveyancer (if you even needed to) or did you appoint your own? I had my call last week - the call lasted 3 hours (!), but no issues were raised with anything I had provided them and we're just waiting to hear back from the underwriters (fingers crossed!) Thanks!

Appreciate your feedback Aussiepom. Yea - I did check Zoopla and then I followed up with the estate agents to confirm the numbers Zoopla was giving me as it does help with my LTV. I rang HSBC yesterday to run through the issues I was finding with their online form but their system to book me in with the right sales person to go through the process over the phone was down so they told me to try again today. Will let you know how I get on. So far though all the signs are positive so I do appreciate your input on this thread! Fingers crossed!

I tried both answer variants and the DIP amount came out the same regardless. Interestingly/frustratingly the DIP amount is a fraction less than my outstanding mortgage and for a LTV of 54% This was also under the DIP as well: "For applications that include adding or removing someone from an existing HSBC mortgage, if you do not wish to borrow additional funds and the Decision in Principle amount above is lower than your current HSBC Mortgage balance, please do not pay the shortfall" So looks like I'll be ringing them as soon as the timezones align to see if they can't stretch it to the full amount. If not I'll pay off the difference and take them up on the offer they will give me. Anything to get me off the current mortgage rate i'm on!!

Thanks for your feedback! That's what I've done, but now i'm confused about the question on the 'about the property page' that asks... "'do you or any other applicant receive any income in a currency other than pound sterling" What did you put here? If I select 'yes' the help icon for the next question ('if so which currency') says... " if you receive income in more than one currency please choose the currency that will be most important for the purpose of paying the mortgage'. For me, that would be the rental income I get from the tenants which is in GBP... I'm therefore leaning towards saying 'no' to the original question relating to the income....just interested if your situation is similar to mine (owning a property with tenants already in) and how you approached this question.... Thanks in advance for your help.

OH. MY. Thank you so much for sharing this information @AussiePom Have been in a similar position for the last Year and had previously engaged a specialist expat mortgage broker who could only find me very limited options that were not compelling enough for me to re-mortgage too. This thread is great news for me and I've started the application process with HSBC as I believe I qualify under the criteria. If I can get off my 5% tracker mortgage onto something less which is fixed I will save a FORTUNE! Can I just ask though with regards to the application you completed, did you convert back into GBP your AUS financial details (income and outgoings) per the questions it asked? It just seems slightly weird to me filling in a form that reads as if I am working and live in England, even though on the personal information I was clear about where I am currently residing and live. Just want to make sure I am filling in the right form!! Thanks!

@InOzOneDay - I meant to ask what the deal is with VAT...is it something that I can claim back if i'm living overseas?

What neck of the woods are your properties in? I'm hoping for around 1600 rental value based on research i've done so i'll be aggressive in the commission they want. What agent are you with?

Another good tip - thanks. 'The Address' look like they fulfill that brief and also do an attractive introductory full management offer so I will seriously consider them if they appear to sound respectful and hardworking. Like you say, they need to deserve my business rather than have them feel it's landed on their lap!

I'm flying back because it was a nightmare dealing with my Sister. I really need a Year where the house can be as 'self-sufficient' as possible and doing it privately is not something I am keen on at the moment although maybe something I re-look at next Year. Can you share who the agent you used was and which area they covered? I've heard good things about Allen and Heritage so they could be good for me....I would be happy to share my experiences with the group in the hope it may help someone else like me

Good tip! I've reached out to those five agents - all of them except for one (The Address) want 12% (inc. VAT)...If I can get that closer to 10/11% (inc. VAT) than that will help me out loads. It is easy money for them!

Hi! First of all - apologies if this is in the wrong area. I had a scan but couldn't see something which covered my questions. Living in Aus, a family member has been staying in the property I own in the UK (with my mortgage and insurance companies knowledge) They are now moving out (things have not gone well between us) and I am now scrambling to let out my house as soon as possible before I go bankrupt through the mortgage payments(!) I'm into my final Year of a 3 Year fixed term so selling isn't really an option given the penalty for early payment... I've done lots of reading so aware of things I need to set up, forms I need to fill in etc. I'm in shock at some of the full management rates and fees estate agents will charge (basically a license to print money!) but think I've narrowed down my choice to the below: Allen Heritage Martin & Co Proctors The Address Winkworth My property is in Beckenham (South East London) - so if there is anyone on this forum who has experience with these companies:notworthy: I would so so so value it as this is new territory for me. Thanks again for reading, G