Property in the USA: buying and support
No federal restrictions on foreigners, but everything that matters — taxes, process, and now restrictions too — is decided at state level.
Why United States
No federal restrictions
There is no federal restriction on foreign ownership of property.
The world's deepest market
The world's deepest and most liquid property market, with transparent transaction data.
Mature transaction infrastructure
Title insurance, escrow and independent inspections are a standard part of every deal.
Honestly, the state decides everything
Ownership taxes, deal procedure and, in recent years, even restrictions on foreign buyers are set at the state level, not federally — you must calculate by the exact address.
Honestly, about FIRPTA
When a non-resident sells, FIRPTA withholding applies — part of the sale amount is withheld and remitted to the tax authority ahead of the final reckoning. Worth planning for in your exit scenario from the start.
Smaller budget — we'll source it
Tell us the amount and the goal, and we'll come back with options from developers and partners that are not in the catalogue.
Send a requestHow the purchase works
- 1
We map your goal
Goal, budget and state — the state you choose sets both the tax regime and the deal procedure.
- 2
Offer and contract
We sign the purchase agreement.
- 3
We open an escrow account
All deal payments run through the escrow account.
- 4
Title check and insurance
We check the title and arrange title insurance.
- 5
An independent inspection
We commission an independent inspection of the property.
- 6
Closing and registration
We close the deal and register the title with the county.
Frequently asked questions
Can a foreigner buy property in the USA?+
At federal level there are no restrictions on property ownership by foreigners. However, individual states have in recent years passed their own laws restricting ownership by foreign persons and entities, so current rules are checked for the specific state.
Does buying property grant a visa or residency?+
No. Buying property in the USA does not grant a visa, residency or a right to stay. Owning property has no bearing on visa status and is not a basis for obtaining one.
What is FIRPTA and why does it matter?+
It is the withholding mechanism on a sale of property by a non-resident: the buyer withholds part of the proceeds and remits it to the tax authority, with the final position settled on filing a return. It affects cash flow at exit and belongs in the plan from the start.
Why can't I use US average figures?+
Because property tax, the transaction process and even the roles involved are set by state and county, and the spread is enormous. Choosing a state is effectively choosing a tax regime, so the calculation is made for the specific address.
Who handles the transaction?+
It depends on the state: in some an escrow company handles it, in others an attorney. Common elements are settlement through an escrow account, a title search, title insurance and an independent inspection.
Why is title insurance needed?+
It protects the buyer against claims to the property that the title search did not reveal. In the USA it is a standard element of a transaction rather than an optional extra, and its cost belongs in closing costs.
Will a bank lend to a foreigner?+
Lending to foreign buyers is available through specialist programmes, but with a larger down payment and a higher rate than for residents. Proof of income and source of funds is required.
Do you have property in the USA?+
Yes, there are listings in our catalogue. We will match to budget and purpose and calculate costs for the specific state and county — national averages are useless for this market.
Go deeper
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The record sale, the priciest listing in the country, lighthouses sold at government auction, towns and islands with a price tag, and the state rules and tax a foreign buyer meets.
US existing-home sales fall 2.0% in August 2026; inventory at a ten-year high
According to the National Association of Realtors, sales reached 3.98 million, while months' supply of 4.9 is the highest in over ten years.
Overview
The United States places no federal restrictions on property purchases by foreigners. Almost everything that matters to the calculation — ownership taxes, the transaction process, withholding on sale — is set by the state, and in recent years individual states have introduced their own restrictions on foreign buyers.
Why buy here
No federal restrictions on property ownership by foreigners. The world's deepest and most liquid property market, with transparent transaction data. A developed support infrastructure: title insurance, escrow, independent inspections.
Taxes, costs and yield
Benchmarks for taxes, purchase and holding costs and rental yield. Exact figures depend on the property and your situation.
Annual property tax is set by state and county and differs substantially. On a sale by a non-resident, FIRPTA withholding applies.
Annual property tax is set at state and county level and differs substantially — it is the owner's main running cost and must be calculated for the specific address. On the transaction: escrow services, title insurance, inspections, recording fees and commissions. On a sale by a non-resident, the FIRPTA withholding mechanism applies: the buyer withholds part of the sale proceeds and remits it to the tax authority, with the final position settled on filing a return. Rates and amounts are confirmed by a tax adviser for the specific state and your tax situation.
1. Offer and signing of the purchase agreement. 2. Opening an escrow account through which funds pass. 3. Title search and title insurance. 4. Independent inspection of the property. 5. Closing and recording with the county. Process and timelines differ between states, as do the roles: in some states an escrow company handles the transaction, in others an attorney.
Lending to foreign buyers is available through specialist programmes, but with a larger down payment and a higher rate.
Buying property in the USA does not grant residency, a visa or a right to stay. Owning property has no bearing on visa status and is not a basis for obtaining one.
The spread between states in property tax and process is so wide that "US average" figures are useless for a calculation. Choosing a state is choosing a tax regime, not just a location. FIRPTA belongs in the exit plan from the start: it affects cash flow on sale even where the final tax turns out lower than the amount withheld.
What to bear in mind: — individual states have in recent years passed laws restricting property ownership by foreign persons and entities, in some cases by country of origin; current restrictions are checked for the specific state before the deal; — FIRPTA withholding on a sale by a non-resident affects cash flow; — property tax in some counties is substantially higher than European buyers expect; — natural-hazard insurance is expensive in several states and hard to obtain in certain zones. Checked in September 2026. Thresholds, rates and programme terms change — confirm the current requirements with a lawyer in the country before you buy.
Request a selection in United States
Figures are indicative, change over time and depend on the specific property and your circumstances. Obtain independent legal, tax and financial advice before any purchase.
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