.... are right for you, interest-only, low-start, Sterling or Dollar, short-term, long-term. Just how do you choose the right mortgage for your Florida home? 

First you need to make some basic decisions then move the process along to cover the finer points 

 The following top ten list of considerations should help.

1.    Do I really need to finance my purchase or should I pay cash? 

2.    Should I raise funds by taking an equity release from my UK home? 

3.    How long do I plan on keeping this property; short-term, less than 3 years, long-term, more than 5 years and what effect should that have on my financing decision? 

4.    Should I take a mortgage in Sterling or Dollars? 

5.    What are the tax implications of my choices? 

6.    What will I use the home for; a holiday home for my family or strictly for investment purposes; should this decision affect my choices? It is this particular decision that when not properly carried out has led to a number of people being led to unknowingly commit perjury. 

7.    Should I opt for interest-only payments or capital and interest? What are these low-start mortgages all about and are they suitable for me? 

8.    What fees, disbursements and closing costs will I pay? 

9.    Will I qualify for a mortgage; what multiples of income are used? Are self-certified mortgages available? 

10.   Will I need a US bank account and how difficult is it to open one with the post 9/11 security measures?