You make a good point by referencing the article about banks favouring foreign purchases, but in my experience that is more about the banks being so large that they just don't have sensible, coherent policies in all cases, rather than some odd form of discrimination. In my own case,  I tried to buy a damaged house a couple of years ago with 90% down ( I didn't have the full 100%) and got turned down flat by three lenders after an appraisal. I subsequently bought a better place with 55% down but still had to prove my income!