Buying from Abroad: Can You Get a South African Home Loan If You Live Overseas?

December does something interesting to people. A week in the Cape, a few long lunches with family, a drive along the coast, and suddenly a property that was 'just a thought' starts looking like a plan. It's no wonder visitors fall in love with our beautiful views and friendly neighbourhoods. Then comes the inevitable question: “I don’t live in South Africa — can I still get a home loan here?”

You can. But - as with all things in property - the detail matters. And that's where BondExcel...excels.

Non-residents and South Africans working abroad can buy property

South Africa doesn’t restrict foreign ownership, and the major banks do assess applications from people living abroad. If you’re a South African living overseas, the same principle applies. The bank doesn’t mind where you live, but how clearly your numbers speak.

The structure is different - especially the deposit

This is where the plot shifts. Because of exchange-control rules, non-resident finance usually takes the form of the bank lending up to half the property value, with the rest funded from foreign currency introduced into South Africa.

Expats with valid documents or strong verification sometimes qualify for higher loan-to-value ratios, but only if the paperwork tells a clean, consistent story.

Why December creates delays

Falling for a property in December is easy. Getting documents in December is not.

Payroll teams disappear. HR departments vanish. International verification offices go quiet. A single missing statement can turn a “quick application” into a January task.

It’s not the banks that slow you down; it’s the ecosystem around them taking a well-earned break.

Where BondExcel helps

This is the moment you want someone who lives and breathes the detail. Non-resident applications require precision: exchange-control compliance, verified income, proof of foreign funds, clean statements, and no loose ends.

BondExcel steps in by preparing bank-ready applications and catching the small things before they become delays. It’s the same boutique, human service our local clients rely on, just tweaked for buyers who are navigating it from another time zone.

A December idea, a January plan

Many people fly home in December with more than holiday photos - they leave with a property they imagine owning. With the right preparation, the dream can become a realistic proposition in the new year.

So yes, living abroad and buying a home in South Africa is absolutely possible. It just needs clarity, accuracy, and a steady partner guiding you through the parts you can’t manage from abroad.