Either secure a loan in your country OR pay cash lending is so restricted now many non resident loans are declined.

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Cheng,

Because of the current tight lending regulations, finding foreign national lenders is becoming more and more difficult. One of the things we recommend to our foreign buyers is to consider borrowing from your homeland bank and transferring the funds to the US for closing. In this manner it is usually treated as a cash transaction and you find yourself doing business with familiar faces.

You may also be able to avoid the 30-40% deposit required when borrowing from a US lender and also avoid the often higher interest rate attached to foreign national loans.

Good luck

Foreign national that are not resident aliens will need to put down 35%.

Dear Cheng Buyer
It really depends on the purchase price of the home. I work with Veronica Morsello at Borel Bank and she is absolutely the best, the last purchase and loan for an oversee buyer was a 2200,000 purchase and Borel bank was the most generous with the loan amount, they allowed a million dollar loan where as Wells Fargo Bank was half the amount. Call me is you need an experienced agent who produces real results. Good luck with that loan. If you want to know about properties that are not on mls, give me a call, I am affiliated with the Top Agent Network of the peninsula and our clients have access to properties that are not yet listed.
Denise Laugesen
#1 Producing Agent
Cashin Company
Email: deniselaugesen@comcast.net
Direct Line: 650-403-6225
DRE: 01011089
Web: http://www.deniselaugesenteam.com

The percentage of downpayment will depend on the type of loan you will be obtaining. In general, a good down payment would be at least 20%. the specifics for your situation, foreigner would again depend on what kind of loan and terms. I realize you want more information but without more financial information from you, I can not be more specific.
I can tell you the specifics about the housing market if you want to pursue that. But for this question, I have an excellent loan agent that I can refer you to. e-mail me at jana@janatlee.com and I'll make sure you get your answer.