Refinancing an expat investment loan: a 0.95% rate cut and $70K released
An Australian expat had an investment property loan that hadn't been reviewed in years. Expat borrowers face fewer lender options and often sit well above market rate. We reviewed the loan, identified expat-friendly lenders, and refinanced a $530K loan at a 0.95% lower rate, releasing $70K cash out from equity that had been sitting idle in the property. The result: around $450/month lower repayments and $3,000+ a year saved in interest.
| Borrower | Australian expat |
|---|---|
| Asset | Residential investment property |
| Finance type | Investment loan refinance with cash out |
| Loan refinanced | $530K |
| Cash out released | $70K |
| Rate reduction | 0.95% |
| Repayments | ~$450/month lower |
| Annual saving | $3,000+ |
The situation: an expat loan left unreviewed for years
The client was an Australian expat with a residential investment property back home. The loan had been in place for years without a review. That's a common pattern for expats: life overseas is busy, the loan is running, and shopping around feels complicated when you're not on the ground in Australia.
- Expat borrower with overseas income, making many lenders unwilling to engage
- Fewer lender options than a resident borrower would have, and often higher rates as a result
- Loan not reviewed in years, sitting well above what the market was offering
- Equity built up in the property that the client didn't know they could access
How do you refinance an expat investment loan at a better rate?
The approach was straightforward but required knowing where to look. Most lenders treat overseas income as a complication to avoid rather than a scenario to underwrite.
- Reviewed the existing loan against current market rates to establish exactly how far above market the client was sitting
- Identified expat-friendly lenders that accept overseas income without loading the rate to account for it
- Refinanced with cash out at a lower rate, releasing $70K in equity the client hadn't been drawing on
How a refinance released $70K in equity
The client had equity sitting in the property that wasn't working. Refinancing to a better rate also created the opportunity to release that equity as cash out, without significantly increasing the loan burden given the rate reduction.
Questions this deal answers
Can Australian expats refinance an investment property loan?
Yes. Expats have fewer lender options and often face higher rates, but expat-friendly lenders exist. Here FGO refinanced a $530K expat investment loan at a 0.95% lower rate, with $70K cash out released at the same time.
How much can refinancing an expat investment loan save?
In this deal, a 0.95% rate reduction meant roughly $450/month lower repayments and over $3,000 a year in interest savings, plus $70K released as cash out from equity that had been sitting in the property.
Why do expat borrowers get fewer options and higher rates?
Many lenders restrict lending or load pricing for overseas-income borrowers, so expat loans left unreviewed for years often sit well above market. Reviewing against expat-friendly lenders is where the saving is.
Overseas and holding Australian property? See how FGO approaches home loans and refinancing, or read more client case studies.
Your deal deserves the same outcome
Every result here started as a conversation. Whatever you're financing, we'll look at it properly and tell you honestly what's achievable.