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Millbrae sits on the Peninsula's job corridor, minutes from the 220 Park office tower in Burlingame—now fully leased with tech tenants like Confluent and Upstart. That employment density supports steady home demand here.
The Peninsula's real estate market moves on employment and transit access. Millbrae's proximity to BART and SFO keeps it competitive.
30–50%
Typical Down Payment
International credit accepted
Credit Requirement
50–70 days
Closing Timeline
0.5–1.5% above conventional
Rate Premium
$1,100,000–$1,250,000
Median Home Price (County)
Foreign National Loans in Millbrae
Foreign national loans require proof of legal status and substantial liquid reserves. Most lenders ask for 30% to 50% down—significantly more than conventional loans. Credit history from your home country carries weight, though U.S. credit is not required.
San Mateo County's median household income of $156,000 gives context for what qualifies. A foreign national buyer with $400,000 in liquid reserves and a $900,000 purchase price (40% down) typically clears underwriting in 45 to 60 days.
Local decision guide
Use this guide to connect foreign national loans eligibility, lender expectations, and local market factors before comparing payment options in Millbrae.
Millbrae sits on the Peninsula's job corridor, minutes from the 220 Park office tower in Burlingame—now fully leased with tech tenants like Confluent and Upstart. That employment density supports steady home demand here.
The Peninsula's real estate market moves on employment and transit access. Millbrae's proximity to BART and SFO keeps it competitive.
Foreign national loans require proof of legal status and substantial liquid reserves. Most lenders ask for 30% to 50% down—significantly more than conventional loans. Credit history from your home country carries weight, though U.S. credit is not required.
Foreign national lending in California is a specialized market. Fewer lenders offer these programs than conventional mortgages, and those who do charge higher rates to offset the documentation burden and legal complexity.
Expect a longer process. Lenders need certified translations of all foreign documents, proof of funds verification through international banks, and sometimes a U.S.-based co-signer or guarantor. Closing typically takes 50 to 70 days.
Foreign national loans make sense in Millbrae when you have substantial liquid reserves and want to buy now without waiting for U.S. credit history to build.
The program doesn't make sense if you're stretched thin on reserves or expecting to borrow against home equity soon. Foreign national loans carry higher rates and tighter prepayment rules. If you can wait 24 months to build U.S.
Conventional loans require U.S. credit history and typically 20% down. Foreign national loans skip the credit-history requirement but demand 30% to 50% down and higher rates. Conventional is cheaper if you can build U.S.
FHA loans are another option if you have 10% down and a FICO of 580+, but FHA also requires U.S. credit history and Social Security number. Foreign national loans are the only path for buyers without those credentials.
Burlingame's 220 Park office tower just hit 100% occupancy with tech tenants including Confluent, Upstart, and SkyKnight Capital. That's a signal of sustained job growth on the Peninsula.
San Mateo County is considering a regional transit tax measure to fund Caltrain and BART expansion. If approved in 2026, that investment could improve commute times from Millbrae into San Francisco and the Peninsula.
No. Foreign national loans accept international credit reports and bank statements instead. U.S. credit history is not required. Lenders review payment history from your home country and verify liquid reserves through international banks.
Most lenders require 30% to 50% down. On a $1,000,000 purchase, that's $300,000 to $500,000 at closing. Larger down payments reduce the lender's risk and can improve your rate slightly.
Expect 50 to 70 days. The process is longer than conventional because lenders need certified translations of foreign documents, proof of funds verification, and sometimes a U.S. guarantor. Plan ahead if you have a closing deadline.
Yes. H-1B visa holders qualify as long as you have substantial liquid reserves and can document your employment. Lenders accept offer letters and employer verification in place of W-2s. You'll need a valid passport and visa documentation.
Yes. Foreign national rates typically run 0.5% to 1.5% higher than conforming loans because the underwriting is more complex and the lender carries more documentation risk. The larger down payment partially offsets the higher rate.