The appetite for UK property among overseas buyers continues to grow, particularly from the Gulf, Southeast Asia, and parts of Europe. A recent report found that buyers from the Gulf and wider Middle East made up 14% of all foreign interest in UK homes during Q1 2025. Many are cash-rich but still prefer to use financing, either to preserve liquidity or take advantage of low leverage costs.
That decision brings an early fork in the road: go straight to a bank or work through a broker. The choice shapes everything that follows, from how fast a deal moves to what terms are available and how much paperwork is involved. With international buyers facing tighter lender rules, added scrutiny and more complex income profiles, picking the right route upfront makes a real difference. So, which option makes more sense and in what circumstances?
What’s the difference?
To determine which route works better, it is helpful to consider how the two options differ in practice. Direct lenders use their own funds and offer only their own mortgage products. This usually means a fixed process, fixed criteria, and fixed turnaround times. Mortgage brokers act as intermediaries, approaching a range of lenders and packaging each deal to match what those lenders want to see.
For overseas buyers, this shapes how flexible the deal is, how quickly it moves and how likely it is to be approved. A bank applies one rule. A broker works across several. That makes a difference when income is offshore, documents are complex, or timing is tight. It also affects who does the chasing, who manages the file and how much back-and-forth is needed to get the deal over the line.
When mortgage brokers make sense
This flexibility is often where brokers come into their own. Instead of applying one bank’s criteria, they open up access to a wider pool, including retail banks, private lenders and international branches, often in a single round. For buyers who live abroad or earn outside the UK, that range matters. Many brokers specialise in cross-border cases and already know which lenders are open to non-resident applications, offshore structures or multi-currency income.
They also know how to present a file. That includes mapping non-salary earnings, such as bonuses, trust distributions or dividends, into formats that underwriters recognise. A well-structured case is less likely to be flagged, which helps keep the process moving smoothly.
Just as important is the role they play in managing the process. They stay in touch with lenders, push for updates, handle back-and-forth communication, and loop in the solicitor where needed. When a buyer is ten time zones away or juggling multiple properties, that support makes a difference.
This route tends to work best where deals are time-sensitive, earnings come from various sources, or the structure is anything but standard. High-value purchases, expat buyers with offshore accounts and transactions involving foreign currency often fall into that bracket.
When direct works
Direct lending can be effective when the borrower’s profile is straightforward and the details are easily verifiable. A salaried UK resident with a clean credit history, a stable income, and one property in mind can often proceed directly to their bank. It’s even smoother if they already hold an account, have borrowed before, or can provide documents from within the UK system.
With fewer moving parts, the process moves faster. There’s less back-and-forth on structure, proof of income, or source of funds. No trusts to unpick, no offshore holdings to explain.
This route tends to suit owner-occupiers, buy-to-let investors with an established UK footprint, or high-net-worth clients with a direct line to private banking teams. In these cases, a broker adds little that the bank can’t already offer.
Overseas buyer considerations
If you’re based overseas, you can expect to jump through a few extra hoops. Many UK lenders rule out non-resident borrowers altogether, and those that don’t may apply tighter income rules or ask for more supporting evidence. Getting a decision often takes longer, and the paperwork can feel heavier.
You’ll also face stricter checks. Lenders will want to know where your money comes from, how it moves and in what currency. If your income includes bonuses, trust distributions, or any other forms of compensation outside of a regular salary, be prepared to explain and document them.
Then there’s the practical side. Different time zones slow down replies. Calls with solicitors, banks, or agents can be difficult to schedule. Couriering documents, proving ID, or arranging a valuation might take longer if you’re not in the UK.
You may also find the UK process unfamiliar. If you haven’t bought there before, the legal steps, the role of brokers, or how property chains work can be confusing. Having someone who understands both your situation and the UK market makes a huge difference.
Choosing the right route
What tips the balance is not whether you can go direct, but whether you should. If you know the lender, your paperwork is straightforward, and the transaction is low-stress, then going direct may save time and cost.
However, if the deal is layered, if speed matters, or if there is any uncertainty around how the bank will view your profile, a broker can help reduce friction. Think of it less as a shortcut and more as a way to keep control when moving parts start to multiply.
Financing a UK property from overseas is rarely a one-size-fits-all process. What matters is knowing early how much complexity your deal carries and matching that with the right level of support. Whether that means leaning on a broker or going direct, the key is clarity from the start. That’s what keeps the rest moving.
