The Latin American investor’s mortgage challenge is specific: they may have substantial US-held assets — Merrill Lynch accounts, Schwab accounts, Citibank US savings — but no US income documentation, no US employment history, and no US credit history. Three of the four requirements for a US mortgage exist or can be created. The credit score is the final step.
Latin American Investor? Your US-Held Assets Qualify You.
B-1/B-2 visa accepted · ITIN accepted · US assets ÷ 84 = income
Mbanc NMLS #38232 | Equal Housing Opportunity Lender
Country-Specific Profiles
Brazilian buyers:
The largest Latin American foreign national buying community in the US. Concentrated in Miami (Brickell, Coral Gables, Aventura), with growing presence in Dallas and Orlando. Brazilian real estate buyers typically hold Citibank, HSBC, or local Brazilian bank (Itaú, Bradesco, BTG Pactual) US-affiliate accounts. ITIN common — Brazilian CPF (Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas) is the Brazilian equivalent. US credit established through Citibank Brazil → Citibank US relationship or HSBC global banking.
Nova Credit for Brazilian buyers: Brazil is currently supported by Nova Credit (Serasa/SPC data). Brazilian buyers with strong Brazilian credit history may qualify for Nova Credit translation — reducing or eliminating the 12–18 month US secured card timeline. Confirm with loan officer.
Colombian buyers:
Second most active Latin American buyer community in Miami. Growing presence in Houston (energy industry connections) and Atlanta. Colombian business owners and executives hold Bancolombia US, Citibank Colombia → US, and independent Schwab/Fidelity accounts. ITIN standard.
Venezuelan buyers:
Long-established Miami community with decades of US asset accumulation. Many Venezuelan buyers have more US credit history than newer international buyers — they’ve been in the US financial system since the 1990s or 2000s. Merrill Lynch accounts, Citibank US, UBS US are common.
Mexican buyers:
Most active in Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, and San Diego. Proximity to Mexico makes frequent cross-border real estate purchasing natural. TN visa (USMCA professional) allows Mexican nationals in US technology, law, medicine, and engineering to work in the US — producing both W-2 income AND growing US brokerage assets.
Nova Credit for Mexican buyers: Mexico (Buró de Crédito) is supported by Nova Credit. Mexican buyers with strong Buró de Crédito history have the fastest path to US mortgage qualification of any Latin American nationality.
Argentinian buyers:
Concentrated in Miami and South Florida. Argentine economic instability drives consistent demand for US dollar-denominated real estate as a store of value. Argentine buyers often have established US accounts from prior economic crisis cycles.
The Latin American Credit Establishment Path
For most Latin American buyers, the US credit score is the primary obstacle. The recommended path:
Step 1: Contact Citibank, HSBC US, or Bank of America where you hold existing US accounts.
Step 2: Request a secured credit card, providing ITIN and passport as identification.
Step 3: Use the card monthly. Pay full balance before due date. Keep utilization below 10%.
Step 4: 12–18 months → 640+ US FICO.
Miami-specific advantage: Miami’s Citibank and HSBC branches have dedicated Latin American client programs with bilingual staff familiar with ITIN documentation and foreign national account opening. The Miami financial infrastructure accelerates this process compared to other US cities.
Nova Credit shortcut: For Mexican and Brazilian nationals with strong home-country credit: Nova Credit may provide qualifying US credit in 4–8 weeks vs 12–18 months for the secured card path. Confirm eligibility with loan officer before relying on this path.
Three Complete Latin American Investor Transactions
Transaction 1 — Brazilian executive, Coral Gables primary (asset utilization):
$2.8M Schwab US. B-1/B-2. ITIN. Citi secured card 14 months: 678 FICO. Net eligible: $2.278M ÷ 84 = $27,119/month. $1.85M Coral Gables. FL $2M overlay. 80% LTV ($1.48M). PITIA: $11,300/month. DTI: 51.7%. Approved. Close: 31 days.
Transaction 2 — Mexican business owner, Dallas primary (asset utilization):
$3.5M JPMorgan US. B-1/B-2. ITIN. Nova Credit (Buró) + 8-month Chase secured card: 668 FICO. Net: $3.2M ÷ 84 = $38,095/month. $1.8M Highland Park. TX no overlay. 80% LTV ($1.44M). PITIA: $11,100/month. DTI: 38.0%. Close: 26 days.
Transaction 3 — Venezuelan family, Miami Beach second home:
$5.4M Merrill Lynch US (accumulated over 20+ years). B-1/B-2. ITIN. Multiple US credit accounts 15+ years (established 2005): FICO 718. FL $2M overlay. Target: $2.2M Miami Beach. Needs $200K extra down beyond 80% to stay within $2M. Net eligible: $4.8M ÷ 84 = $57,143/month. DTI: 27.7%. Close: 28 days.
DSCR for Latin American Investors: The Investment Portfolio Path
For Latin American investors interested in US investment property (not primary residence), DSCR is the cleanest path:
No personal income required. No US employment required. The property’s US rental income qualifies the loan.
Most common DSCR markets for Latin American investors:
Miami-area: Homestead, Hialeah (challenging due to taxes + HOA for condos, better for SFR).
Tennessee: Rutherford County (Murfreesboro), Sevier County (Gatlinburg STR). Best cash flow nationally.
North Carolina: Cabarrus County, Union County. Best Southeast DSCR taxes.
Texas: South Pearland, Converse/Universal City (San Antonio military).
Latin American investors who establish ITIN and US credit (640+) can build US DSCR portfolios in 46 states with zero personal income documentation submitted to any investment file.
Not a commitment to lend. Mbanc NMLS #38232 | Equal Housing Opportunity Lender
Practical Tips for Latin American Buyers
1. Start the ITIN process at least 4 months before you plan to apply for the mortgage. The ITIN application processing time (7–11 weeks by mail, 4–6 weeks through a Certified Acceptance Agent) is the first gate. Apply early.
2. Transfer US assets before applying. Assets should be in US accounts with 60+ days of documented balance before application. Transfer well in advance.
3. Miami’s banking infrastructure is your best ally. If you’re targeting Miami, use Citibank, HSBC, or a Latin American-affiliated US bank in Miami. Their staff is experienced with exactly your documentation profile.
4. Nova Credit if eligible. For Mexican and Brazilian nationals: check whether your home-country credit history can be translated via Nova Credit. It may save 12+ months of secured card waiting.
5. The DSCR track requires no primary residence. You can build a US investment property portfolio through DSCR without ever purchasing a primary residence in the US. Some Latin American investors prefer this approach — investment only, no US residential commitment.
Not a commitment to lend. Mbanc NMLS #38232 | Equal Housing Opportunity Lender | Asset utilization: eligible US-held liquid assets ÷ 84 = monthly qualifying income | DSCR: qualifying rent ÷ PITIA | Minimum 640 US credit score | Valid US visa required | ITIN accepted | Programs and rates subject to change
The Two-Track Latin American Investor Strategy
The most financially sophisticated Latin American buyers use both programs simultaneously:
Asset utilization (primary residence): Miami, Dallas, or Houston home. US-held brokerage assets qualify. One time personal documentation.
DSCR (investment portfolio): Tennessee SFRs, NC Cabarrus County SFRs, or Jacksonville FL. Property rental income qualifies. Zero personal income documentation.
After closing the primary via asset utilization, the investor can build a 5–10 property DSCR portfolio across any of the 46 DSCR-covered states. Each property qualifies completely independently. No personal income documentation ever submitted to any DSCR file. Each property stands alone.
For a Brazilian buyer with $4M in US assets: the asset utilization primary residence and 4 DSCR investment properties each filed separately represent one comprehensive US wealth strategy with minimal personal documentation across the entire portfolio.
The preferred DSCR markets for Latin American investors:
Murfreesboro TN (Rutherford County, 0.76% taxes): Best cash-flow DSCR nationally.
Concord NC (Cabarrus County, 0.92%): Southeast leader.
Jacksonville FL (Duval County, 1.2–1.4%): Best Florida DSCR, military anchor.
Homestead/Hialeah FL (Miami-Dade, 1.4%): Entry-level, familiar to Miami buyers.
Not a commitment to lend. Mbanc NMLS #38232 | Equal Housing Opportunity Lender