Australian Expatriate Finance.
Strategic Property Finance for Australians Living Overseas
Australian Expatriate Finance was established to support Australians living overseas who want to purchase property back home with confidence, clarity and the right strategy.
The business was developed as a specialist division of Best Foot Forward Mortgage Solutions, recognising that expats face a very different lending landscape compared to borrowers living in Australia. Overseas income, foreign currencies, changing residency status and evolving lender policies can all make the process significantly more complex — and generic mortgage advice often falls short.
Australian Expatriate Finance exists to bridge that gap.
Meet the Founders of Australian Expatriate Finance
Why We Exist
Australian Expatriate Finance was founded by Company Director Adam Kingston and Shona Stephenson, Self-Employed Mortgage Specialist, who recognised the need for dedicated mortgage expertise tailored to Australians living and working overseas.
With a team spanning international borders, Adam is based in Hong Kong, while Shona is based on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia. Together, they bring a combination of firsthand expatriate experience, specialist mortgage knowledge and an understanding of the challenges involved in securing Australian property finance from overseas.
Adam understands the expatriate experience firsthand. Living in Hong Kong, he navigates many of the same challenges Australian expats face — managing finances across borders, working across time zones, dealing with currency fluctuations and keeping up with Australian lending requirements while living abroad.
This experience provides valuable insight into the complexities of purchasing, investing in or refinancing Australian property while earning income overseas.
Shona brings specialist expertise in self-employed, foreign income and complex mortgage lending. Having returned to Australia and made the Sunshine Coast her forever home, she understands the appeal of returning home and establishing a lifestyle in one of Australia's most desirable coastal regions.
Shona works with Australian expatriates, returning residents, business owners and self-employed borrowers to navigate lender requirements, particularly where income structures fall outside traditional PAYG employment.
Our approach combines real-world expatriate experience with specialist mortgage knowledge. We understand that no two borrowers are alike, particularly when international employment, foreign currency income, business ownership or relocation to Australia are involved.
Whether you're purchasing an Australian investment property from overseas, refinancing an existing mortgage or planning your return home, Australian Expatriate Finance is here to help you navigate the process with confidence.
Our Approach
Backed by the experience and foundations of Best Foot Forward Mortgage Solutions, Australian Expatriate Finance delivers:
Specialist advice tailored specifically to Australians living overseas
Independent access to a broad range of Australian lenders
Strategic loan structures aligned with long-term plans, including returning to Australia or building a property portfolio
Clear, transparent communication across borders and time zones
We understand that for expats, property decisions are rarely short-term. That’s why we focus on strategy — not just approvals or headline rates.
Our Philosophy
Our heritage brand, Best Foot Forward Mortgage Solutions, draws inspiration from Mercury, the Roman god of communication, commerce and financial prosperity.
Known as the fleet-footed messenger of the gods, Mercury symbolises agility, intelligence and exceptional negotiation — qualities that are essential when navigating complex lending environments. His winged sandals represent momentum and purposeful movement, reflecting our commitment to helping clients move forward with confidence and clarity.
These same principles underpin Australian Expatriate Finance: thoughtful advice, strategic thinking and strong advocacy on behalf of our clients.
Our Vision
We envision a future where Australians living overseas can access the Australian property market without confusion or disadvantage — supported by client-focused expert advice that understands both sides of the border.
Our Mission
Our mission is to deliver specialist mortgage advice to Australians living overseas, simplifying complex lending requirements and providing clear, strategic guidance so clients can make confident property decisions back home.
Whether you are buying your first home, investing from abroad, refinancing, or planning a return to Australia, Australian Expatriate Finance is here to guide you every step of the way.
Values
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Personal – your issues are our issues. We seek to build lasting relationships based on respect, trust, and a deep understanding of your situation so we can give you valued, impartial guidance to help you achieve your goals.
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Approachable – Easy to talk to, always friendly and supportive. We clearly explain the complex so you can have confidence in each step.
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Dynamic – We closely track all legislative changes and market developments to ensure sustainability, longevity and continued evolution of our value-adding capabilities.
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Honest – We offer entirely fearless advice. Our choices align only with you and what we believe to be your best interests.
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Consistent – You are always in control. We consistently deliver on our promise to provide our customers with the very highest quality personalised service on time and stress free.
FAQs
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The banks pay Mortgage Brokers, usually 30-60 days after the loan has settled.
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Mortgage brokers facilitate over 74% of all residential mortgages in Australia. ASIC strictly regulates mortgage broker commissions under the law, and Mortgage Brokers are required to act in the best interest of their clients. Mortgage brokers receive two types of commissions from lenders
upfront commissions, typically between 0.65 - 0.70%, paid 30 days after the loan is settles
trail commissions, paid over the life of a loan.
Mortgage brokers generally receive standardised commission rates from lenders. By law, Mortgage Brokers must inform their clients about the structure of these commissions and the percentage involved. With the strict guidelines in place, there is little difference between the commissions paid by lenders; therefore, there are no incentives not to find the best possible loan for the client.
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This depends on the lender to lender. Some lenders are high-speed, and some are much slower. We consider this, depending on your circumstances.
If you have a sensitive timeline and the speed of your application is the most important thing, we will prioritise this in our research of lenders before proceeding to the application. The most important thing is for our customers to provide all their information as soon as possible, as we cannot get working on your application.When purchasing a property, it is best practice to obtain pre-approval through your mortgage broker and lender as a guide. NB: Pre-approval does not guarantee your loan application is successful. As a guide, one should allow for a 30-day finance clause when purchasing a property.
Chatting with your mortgage broker sooner rather than later is best to guarantee your options.
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This depends on your LVR Loan To Value Ratio and your ability to service your loan.
Typically, banks will lend up to 80% LVR for a purchase. Above 80%, one can still borrow but may be required to pay lending mortgage insurance. You may also be assisted by a First Home Owners Grant, depending on your state.
However, the real questions are focused on how you can repay that loan over the loan term.
Banks will consider the following;
Salary, overtime, bonuses, rental income from investment properties, family tax benefits etc.
History of real savings, super, shares, and assets like cars, etc.
Dependants, and the outgoings for a family of that size. Your monthly expenditure for the family or yourself.
Other debts include car loans, student debt, credit cards, etc.
Your age and if you are close to retirement or have the required working career ahead of you to repay your loan.
When applying for a loan, It is in your best interest to pay down as much debt as possible and reduce your monthly spending to ensure that you are viewed in the best possible way by the lender to be able to service your loan repayments.
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Making an initial complimentary discovery appointment is easy. Just email us, and we will book a time that works around your busy schedule. If in the SEQ area, we can meet you face to face; outside of this area, we can meet with you online on Zoom, Google Meets, or Microsoft Teams.
You can also communicate with us via WhatsApp.
To connect with Adam, +61 402 609911
To connect with Shona,+61 417 693 281
Contact us
Interested in connecting with us and booking a complimentary meet-and-greet discovery call?
We have offices in the Greater Brisbane Area and on the Sunshine Coast. We also service the Gold Coast, Toowoomba and the Australian Expat Community Globally. See our other business, Australian Expatriate Finance.