Non-resident buyers look at Miami for seasonal stays, family visits and rental income. Financing that purchase usually means working with a non-QM lender that accepts documents from your home country, converts your income to U.S. dollars and checks your credit through references rather than a U.S. bureau file. Knowing the process before you sign a contract in Florida can keep paperwork from overseas from delaying your closing.
Call to speak with a licensed loan officer about foreign national mortgages in Miami. Programs vary by borrower, property and investor.
Second homes and seasonal housing around Miami
About 9,480 homes in Miami are held for seasonal, recreational or occasional use, 4.2% of the housing stock. Lenders financed 487 second homes in Miami-Dade County in 2024. 57.7% of Miami residents were born outside the U.S.
Second home or rental: deciding how you will use the property
Buyers from abroad often weigh a few practical points before choosing a property. Who will look after the home while you are overseas? Will a property manager handle rentals, repairs and bills? How will you pay the property taxes, insurance and association dues from another country?
Your answers shape the loan as well as your budget. A lender reviewing an investment purchase may look at the expected rent, while a second-home file leans on your own income and assets. Loans that qualify a rental on its rent alone are a separate category with rules of their own. Talk through both paths with a loan officer, and ask how each one treats your foreign income and the reserves you plan to keep.
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Prefer to talk first? Call (888) 508-8976. Applying is not a loan approval or commitment to lend; programs vary by borrower, property and investor. ClearPoint Mortgage Advisors, NMLS #173855. Properties in FL, NY, NJ, PA, CT and VA only.
How lenders read foreign income, credit and savings
Without U.S. pay stubs or tax returns, a lender builds your income picture from documents issued at home. Common examples are an employer letter stating your position and pay, an accountant's statement for business owners and recent bank statements showing deposits. Documents not written in English usually need a certified translation.
Income earned in another currency is converted to U.S. dollars, and lenders differ on which exchange rate source they use and how they handle swings in value. Ask that question early, because a weaker currency at the time of underwriting can change your qualifying figure. Keep your records consistent, so that the pay shown on the employer letter matches the deposits on your statements.
Who this tends to fit
- You are buying a condo or house mainly to rent out
- Your income is paid in a foreign currency
- You have banking relationships at home that can vouch for your credit
- You can hold savings in a U.S. account before and after closing
- You want financing that does not depend on a Social Security number
Local offices and Florida rules to know
- Deed and mortgage recording: Miami-Dade County Clerk of the Court and Comptroller, County Recorder's Office. Your mortgage is recorded here after closing.
- Property assessment: Miami-Dade County Property Appraiser. The Property Appraiser handles the homestead exemption for permanent owners of a primary residence and offers an online application for homestead exemption and additional tax benefits.
Florida condo rules: Florida requires milestone structural inspections for older condominium and cooperative buildings of three or more stories, and condo associations must complete a structural integrity reserve study (SIRS) covering items like roofs, structure, plumbing, electrical and waterproofing and report it to the state. Buyers and lenders often ask for these inspection and reserve study results because they can signal upcoming repairs or special assessments. Source: Florida DBPR, Division of Florida Condominiums, Timeshares and Mobile Homes.
Closing from abroad
Most lenders ask foreign national borrowers to hold a U.S. bank account. It gives the lender a domestic account for monthly payments and gives you a clear place to gather closing funds. Opening one can take time when you live abroad, so begin early.
Plan your international wires with care. Transfers can take several business days, receiving banks may hold large incoming amounts for review and the exchange rate on the day you send changes what arrives. Keep every confirmation, since the lender will trace the money from your foreign account to closing. Criminals target real estate wires, so confirm instructions by calling a number you already trust, not one sent by email.
Before you call
- A bank reference letter or home-country credit report
- A valid passport and a U.S. visa if applicable
- A U.S. bank account, or an appointment to open one
- Recent foreign bank statements with certified translations if needed
- An employer letter or accountant's statement confirming your income
Questions Miami borrowers ask about foreign national mortgages
Do my foreign documents need to be translated?
Documents that are not in English usually need a translation, and many programs require a certified translator. Some lenders also ask for documents to be authenticated. Requirements vary, so ask for the lender's list before you order translations. Getting this done early keeps paperwork from overseas from becoming the last item holding up your closing.
How long should my funds be in a U.S. account before closing?
Each program sets its own rule. Many lenders want the down payment, closing funds and reserves to be in an account for a period before closing, with a clear record of where the money came from. Ask the loan officer for the requirement at the start so you can schedule your wires around it.
Who can answer my visa and tax questions about owning U.S. property?
Not your loan officer. A lender can explain programs and documents, but owning or renting U.S. property can raise visa, tax and legal questions that call for specialists. For questions about visas or how long you can stay, consult an immigration attorney. For U.S. or home-country tax questions, talk to a tax professional.
Can I rent the home out when I am not using it?
That depends on how the property is classified on your loan. A second home is meant mainly for your own use, while an investment property is bought to rent. Tell the lender your plans before you apply, and check association rules and local rental regulations. How rental income is taxed is a separate matter, so talk to a tax professional.
Get answers about foreign national mortgages for a home in or around Miami. Subject to credit approval; programs vary.
Other non-QM options for Miami borrowers
Bank statement loans in MiamiNon-QM lenders in MiamiSelf-employed in Miami1099 loans in MiamiP&L loans in MiamiAsset depletion in MiamiNo-doc / stated income in MiamiNew self-employed in MiamiITIN loans in MiamiNon-warrantable condo in MiamiBank statement HELOC in MiamiInterest-only in MiamiAfter bankruptcy in MiamiBad credit in MiamiSelf-employed refinance in MiamiNon-QM jumbo in Miami
Foreign National Mortgages near Miami
- Foreign National Mortgages in Brownsville, FL (3 mi)
- Foreign National Mortgages in Gladeview, FL (4 mi)
- Foreign National Mortgages in Miami Beach, FL (5 mi)
- Foreign National Mortgages in West Little River, FL (5 mi)
- Foreign National Mortgages in Miami Springs, FL (6 mi)
- Foreign National Mortgages in West Miami, FL (6 mi)
- Foreign National Mortgages in North Bay Village, FL (6 mi)
- Foreign National Mortgages in Pinewood, FL (6 mi)
Related guides
- Foreign National Mortgages: Guidelines, Documents and Property Use
- What Is a Non-Warrantable Condo, and How Can You Find Out Before You Offer?
- How to Compare Non-QM Loan Offers: Loan Estimates, Features and Fit
Foreign National Mortgages across Florida · Foreign National Mortgages guide · Florida overview
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, tables B25004, B25001 and B05002
- 2024 Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) data for Miami-Dade County (second-home occupancy)