Can a foreign buyer get a US mortgage, and what down payment is expected?

Mainstream US mortgages are underwritten on a US credit file, which a newcomer does not have. Foreign-national programmes replace it with bank reference letters, foreign credit reports, tax returns or income statements from home and larger reserves; the price of that flexibility is the bigger down payment and rate. Anyone offering mortgages in Arizona must be licensed by the state financial institutions regulator, where you can check a lender or broker before sharing documents [1].

The federal consumer finance regulator’s mortgage guides apply to every borrower: shop at least three lenders, compare Loan Estimates line by line, and understand escrow for taxes and insurance [2]. Buyers who move here on a work visa and build a US credit file for a year or two usually qualify for ordinary mortgages afterwards, which is one argument for renting first.

Two tax points for foreign owners: you will need an ITIN or SSN for the loan and for the annual return [3], and when you eventually sell, the buyer must withhold a percentage of the price under FIRPTA unless an exemption or reduced withholding certificate applies, which you reclaim through a US tax return [4].