Step 1 – Decide Where You Want to Buy in the USA
As a foreign national you can purchase property in the United States there are no federal restrictions on non-U.S. citizens owning real estate.
When choosing a location, consider:
- commute and accessibility
- type of community (urban, suburban, resort)
- school districts (if children are involved)
- nearby amenities (transport links, healthcare, shopping)
- investment potential (growth, rental demand)
Make sure you research local market conditions, zoning and state-specific rules (some states have added new restrictions on certain types of property or foreign ownership).
Step 2 – Find a Realtor Experienced in Foreign-Investor Transactions
Because the U.S. property market and legal/regulatory environment differ from China, it’s important to work with an agent who has strong experience with international / non-resident buyers.
Look for credentials such as the Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) designation, which signals training in cross-border transactions.
A specialist agent will speak to your cultural, language and investment needs, and help you navigate U.S. state-level variations.
Step 3 – Understand Your Tax & Legal Situation
Foreign nationals buying U.S. real estate must understand:
- There is no additional federal tax just for being a non-resident buyer you have largely the same ownership rights.
- If you intend to rent out the property or invest, you’ll owe U.S. income tax on rental income and may be subject to capital gains tax on eventual sale.
- The Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act (FIRPTA) can apply when foreign sellers dispose of U.S. real property interests it may mean withholding requirements for buyers.
- Some U.S. states have begun restricting foreign (or foreign-adversary) ownership of certain types of land/property (especially agricultural, or properties near military sites). These are evolving and vary by state.
Step 4 – Start Your Property Search with Your Agent
Once you’ve defined your budget and preferred location, your realtor can help you:
- Browse listings online and narrow down criteria (property type, size, price, expected ROI)
- For overseas buyers: use virtual tours, video walkthroughs, and remote viewing
- For buyers already in the U.S.: visit open houses, evaluate neighbourhoods, compare properties
Be sure to set realistic expectations and timeframes as margins can vary based on competition, market strength and financing.
Step 5 – Make an Offer and Negotiate
When you’ve selected a property:
- Your agent will research comparable sales (recently sold properties) to advise on your offer price
- Submit your offer, which the seller can accept, reject or counter-offer
- In a competitive market (especially for foreign buyers), being pre-approved for financing or offering a strong down payment can help your offer stand out
Step 6 – Conduct a Home Inspection
Before you commit, a home inspection is highly recommended.
- Structural soundness, major system (electric, plumbing, HVAC) integrity, roof, foundation, etc should all be checked
- Your agent should provide trusted inspectors and guide you through review of the inspection report
- If defects are found, you may negotiate repairs or price adjustments
Step 7 – Sign the Purchase Contract
Once inspection is acceptable, you’ll enter a binding purchase contract with the seller. Typical steps include:
- Contract specifying the agreed price and any negotiated terms (repairs, timeline, contingencies)
- An earnest money deposit (often 5-10% of sales price) is placed into escrow/trust account
- Contract may include contingencies such as financing approval or inspection results
Step 8 – Complete a Title Report & Clear Title
Your agent and/or title company will arrange:
- A title search to verify previous ownership and identify any liens, encumbrances or legal claims against the property
- Ensure the seller resolves all liens so you take ownership with clean title
- Title insurance is often purchased to protect your rights as new owner
Step 9 – Obtain Financing (if required) & Close
For foreign nationals, the mortgage process has special considerations:
- Many U.S. lenders offer “foreign-national” mortgage programs that do not require a U.S. credit history, social security number or green card — though documentation and conditions may differ.
- Down payments for foreign buyers are often higher (sometimes 30–50%) depending on lender and property type.
- If paying cash, the financing step is simpler — but still you must meet closing, legal and tax requirements
- Before closing, ensure your funds are in compliance (proof of funds, overseas banking statements, anti-money-laundering checks)
Step 10 – Take Ownership & Move Forward
On closing day you will:
- Sign final documents, pay closing costs, secure the deed and keys
- Record your ownership (often done by title company)
- If it’s a rental/investment property: set up property management, tenants, insurance, tax planning
- Remember: ownership doesn’t grant U.S. residency or visa status. Buying property alone will not give you permanent residency
Bonus: Key New Trends & Considerations for 2024-25
- Foreign nationals are still actively buying U.S. property, with non-resident purchases totaling tens of billions in most recent years.
- State and federal laws are evolving: some states are introducing restrictions on foreign ownership of land, particularly agricultural or military-adjacent.
- Mortgages for foreign nationals are more available (though terms vary) and remote buying workflows (virtual tours, remote closings) are increasingly accepted.
- Currency exchange, cross-border tax planning, and legal/structural setup (LLCs, trusts) are more important than ever
- Because many foreign buyers pay cash, competition is strong and due diligence must be rigorous.
Sources:
- Currencies Direct. (2025, March 19). Buying a house in the United States: Checklist and considerations for foreign buyers. Retrieved from https://www.currenciesdirect.com/news/2025/03/19/buying-a-house-in-the-united-states-checklist-considerations-foreign-buyer
- David A. Krebs Law Office. (2025). Can foreigners buy property in the USA? Retrieved from https://davidakrebs.com/can-foreigners-buy-property-in-usa
- Greenback Expat Tax Services. (2025). Can a non-U.S. citizen buy property in the USA? Facts and taxes explained. Retrieved from https://www.greenbacktaxservices.com/blog/can-non-us-citizen-buy-property-usa-facts-taxes
- HomeAbroad Inc. (2025). Guide to home buying for foreign nationals in the USA. Retrieved from https://homeabroadinc.com/guide-home-buying-foreign-national-usa
- Instarem. (2025). Can foreigners buy property in the US? Retrieved from https://www.instarem.com/blog/can-foreigners-buy-property-in-the-us
- Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP. (2025). Update on U.S. state laws restricting foreigners from buying land. Retrieved from https://lewisbrisbois.com/newsroom/legal-alerts/update-on-u.s.-states-laws-restricting-foreigners-from-buying-land
- Redfin. (2025). Buying a house in the U.S. as a non-U.S. citizen. Retrieved from https://www.redfin.com/blog/buy-a-house-not-us-citizen
- Visa Business Plans. (2024, October). Can you buy a house in the U.S. without having a visa? Retrieved from https://www.visabusinessplans.com/blog/2024/october/can-you-buy-a-house-in-the-u-s-without-having-a-