Indian housing finance major HDFC has come up with a new loan aimed at helping nostalgic non-resident Indians (NRI) looking to buy a piece of their homeland.

As NRIs return home for the summer holiday season, the institution figures that they would be looking to buy property at home - and therefore the NRI Homeland Offer.

The offer was introduced July 6 in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. The scheme starts in India July 11 across 203 HDFC outlets.

"Summer holidays for NRIs have begun and for most of them buying a home during their visit is a priority," said Renu Sud Karnad, executive director of HDFC.

"This offer has been introduced in keeping with our philosophy of customer convenience and the facilities extended as part of this offer will benefit both the NRIs and their families residing in India."

HDFC is offering special interest rates, assistance in property search with the help of HDFC realty, legal advice, technical counselling and on-the-spot loan approval.

There are also special schemes for professionals like doctors, engineers, chartered accountants and architects.