Mortgages and Refinancing from Outside the US

[Takahito Torimoto]

Anyone know how easy/hard it is to get a new mortgage or refinance an existing mortgage in the US while living abroad?

I have recently moved out of the US and working abroad as an expatriate - but now I am getting paid for my work in the local (non-US) currency/bank.

I would still have my permanent resident status in the US and tax returns (I have an accountant helping with my taxes relating to how the US handles taxation for expatriates), but I would obviously be missing my (US-based) pay stubs, and my US Bank statements would show chunks of money being transferred in (that I would be doing from my international bank where I am receiving my salary).

I was just wondering if getting a mortgage or refinancing an existing mortgage in the US was still possible, and if there were any tricks/pointers that I need to know about?

I currently have existing mortgages in the US for some rental properties - but am also interested in purchasing a primary residence when I get back in a few years (and was also wondering if I can easily purchase before actually physically moving back).

Thanks in advance for any helpful answers!