Financing · Roatán, Bay Islands
Financing a homein Roatán, explained.
Most island purchases are cash — but they don't have to be. Honduran banks lend to foreign buyers, developers and private sellers carry paper, and the desk structures both. Model your payment below, then let us introduce you to the right lender.
How Financing Works Here
Larger deposits, shorter terms, straightforward paperwork
Honduran banks do lend to non-residents on Roatán property, but they underwrite conservatively: expect a down payment of 30–50%, terms of 15–20 years and interest rates above North American levels. Loans are typically in US dollars; lempira loans exist for residents earning locally.
Approval is document-driven rather than credit-score-driven. Banks want to see who you are, what you earn and how you have handled debt at home. A clean, apostilled file usually receives an answer in four to eight weeks.
Because cash still dominates the market, a financed buyer with a pre-approval letter in hand negotiates almost as strongly as a cash buyer — and far better than one who is still 'looking into it'.
Beyond the loan, budget 5–6% closing costs (1.5% transfer tax, notary, registry and legal), homeowner insurance including named-storm cover, and modest annual municipal property tax. The calculator models the loan only.
- 30–50%
- Typical down payment
- 15–20 yrs
- Loan term
- USD (HNL for residents)
- Currency
- 4–8 weeks
- Time to approval
Typical documents
- Passport and, if held, Honduran residency card
- Proof of income — two years of tax returns or pension letters
- Credit report from your home country
- Six months of bank statements
- Purchase agreement or reservation and a bank-approved appraisal
- Proof of the down-payment funds
Partner Banks
The lenders Ana's desk works with
Three Honduran banks with active mortgage desks on the Bay Islands. Terms below are indicative ranges to plan with — each bank sets your rate and loan-to-value at approval.
BAC Credomatic Honduras
The region's largest banking group, with an established mortgage desk for foreign buyers on Roatán and a bilingual branch in French Harbour.
- Currency
- USD
- Max LTV
- Up to 60–70%
- Max term
- Up to 20 years
- Indicative rate
- ≈ 9.5–12%
Documents required
- Passport / residency
- Two years' income proof
- Home-country credit report
- Bank statements (6 months)
Banco Davivienda Honduras
Colombian-owned group with a strong residential mortgage franchise in Honduras; competitive on condos and gated-community homes.
- Currency
- USD or HNL
- Max LTV
- Up to 70%
- Max term
- 15–20 years
- Indicative rate
- ≈ 10–13%
Documents required
- Passport / residency
- Income proof & employer letter
- Credit report
- Appraisal by approved valuer
Banco Ficohsa
Honduras' largest domestic bank, active on the Bay Islands with construction and purchase mortgages, including builder-partnered programmes.
- Currency
- USD
- Max LTV
- Up to 60–70%
- Max term
- Up to 20 years
- Indicative rate
- ≈ 10–14%
Documents required
- Passport / residency
- Income proof (2 years)
- Credit report
- Proof of down-payment funds
Indicative terms only — confirm with the bank. Rates, loan-to-value and eligibility are set by each lender at approval and change with market conditions.
Seller Financing
When the seller becomes the bank
On Roatán, developers and motivated private sellers often carry part of the price themselves. It closes faster than a bank loan, avoids appraisal friction and — negotiated well — can be cheaper. The desk negotiates it case by case.
- Down payment
- 30–50%
- Term
- 3–10 years
- Interest
- ≈ 6–9%
- Structure
- Balloon common · secured by mortgage or deed of trust
Where it works
- Developer pre-sales and phased releases
- Private sellers who own outright and prefer income to a lump sum
- Land and lots, where banks rarely lend
- Buyers building residency history before a bank refinance
Advantages
- Fast — weeks, not months
- No bank appraisal or foreign-credit hurdle
- Terms negotiated, not published
- Lots and land financeable
Watch for
- Shorter term and a balloon to refinance or pay
- Title stays encumbered until paid
- Requires careful legal drafting
- Not every seller will carry
Amortisation Calculator
Model the payment before you write the offer
Choose a lender option to pre-fill typical terms, then edit anything. Figures update instantly; email yourself the full schedule or download it as a spreadsheet.
$4,289
Monthly payment
$606,942
Total interest
$1,256,942
Total cost
65%
Loan-to-value
Loan amount $422,500 · Down payment $227,500 · 240 payments
Principal vs. interest, by year
Indicative only — not a bank offer or commitment to lend. Final rate, term and approval depend on the lender's assessment. Does not include closing costs, insurance, HOA dues or property tax.
Financing FAQ
The questions buyers ask about mortgages in Roatán
Yes. BAC Credomatic, Davivienda and Ficohsa all lend to non-resident buyers on titled Roatán property, typically at 50–70% loan-to-value over 15–20 years in US dollars. Residency is not required, but it improves terms.
Speak With the Desk
Request a lender introduction
Tell us the property or budget and your situation. The desk prepares your file, introduces you to the right bank or negotiates seller terms — and models both against a cash purchase.