International mortgage boost

International mortgage lenders are set to increase their levels of mortgage lending during 2009...

According to The International Mortgage Outlook 2009, a survey involving 20 of Europe's most active mortgage companies, lenders expect to see a recovery in the sterling/euro exchange rate in the near future. This will reduce the sterling cost of overseas property at a time when interest rates are also predicted to hit historic lows.

The key findings of the International Mortgage Outlook 2009 include: 

- 80% of lenders surveyed expect to maintain if not increase non-resident lending in 2009 90% of lenders expect to maintain if not increase the number of products available in 2009

-78% of lenders expect the £/€ exchange rate to be at 1.20 or above by the end of 2009 

Fiona Watts, Managing Director of International Private Finance who carried out the research, says, "With interest rates falling, expectations that the sterling exchange rate with the euro will improve and a strong appetite for lending from the major overseas lenders, the outlook for 2009 is far more positive here in the UK."

Source: www.investmentinternational.com