East Coast Mortgage
Loan Programs

Financing for Buyers Without U.S. Credit History

Industry term: Foreign National Loan

A foreign national loan is built for buyers who are neither U.S. citizens nor U.S. residents, and who typically don't have a U.S. credit history, a Social Security number, or U.S.-based income the way a standard mortgage application expects. Since most conventional underwriting leans heavily on a U.S. credit score and domestic income documentation, these buyers need a different path.

These programs qualify a buyer using alternative documentation: bank statements, international credit references, proof of assets, and sometimes the income the property itself will generate if it's being purchased as a rental. Down payments tend to run higher than a standard U.S. buyer would put down, reflecting the added complexity of underwriting someone without a domestic financial footprint.

This is a common path for buyers purchasing a U.S. vacation home or an investment property from abroad. It takes more documentation and a lender genuinely set up for this kind of file, which is exactly the kind of match we make before wasting anyone's time with a lender who isn't equipped for it.

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Common Questions

Do I need a Social Security number to get a foreign national loan?

No, these programs are specifically built for buyers without one, using alternative documentation like bank statements and international credit references instead.

Can a foreign national loan be used for an investment property?

Yes, that's one of the most common uses, often alongside or in place of showing personal income, especially when the property itself will generate rental income.

This is general information, not a commitment to lend. Rates, terms, and eligibility vary by lender and are subject to underwriting guidelines. East Coast Mortgage is an Equal Housing Lender, NMLS #2354674.