Can you Buy a House in the USA as A Foreigner?

Buying a house is never as easy as you’d like it to be. Countless delays, paperwork and viewings make it a stressful process. You might think buying a home abroad is even more complex, but it’s not always the case. Foreigners can buy a house in the USA, and it’s not as complicated as you may think. With no need for a visa, green card or any other proof of residency, buying property in the USA as a foreigner can be quite straightforward.

In this blog, we explain everything you need to know about buying a house in the USA, ensuring your property plans go smoothly.

Yes. You do not need to have a USA citizenship to be eligible to buy property. Whether it be a holiday home or a potential retirement retreat, you can purchase property without needing a green card or visa. Residency status is not taken into account unless you decide to live in the country.

This sounds simple enough, but financing is perhaps one hurdle some may find difficult to overcome. With no US credit history, mortgages may be hard to come by, but it’s not impossible, as we’ll explain further down the page.

Yes, and for most sellers, having a cash buyer ready to make an offer is more attractive. This avoids the need for mortgage applications, higher deposits and uncomfortable interest rates. It’s perhaps worth noting, though, that if you arrive in the USA with more than $10,000 in cash, you’ll need to declare it. Failing to declare it could result in severe penalties and the seizure of your cash. It is much safer to show the seller proof of funds and organise a transfer from your bank to theirs.

Unlike in some other countries, the documentation required for buying property in the USA is not particularly comprehensive. Ensure you have the following, and your purchase should run without a hitch:

That’s it! In some circumstances, you may be asked to provide additional supporting documents, and when it comes to applying for a mortgage, there will be significantly more information required. We’ll cover that as we work through the steps for buying a house in the USA as a foreigner.

Before you conduct any viewings or apply for a mortgage, you’ll need to assess your current financial situation. Look at what you can afford, how much you may need to borrow and, if selling up in your home country, how much your sale will get you.

When considering how you’ll fund your purchase, remember that mortgages in the USA are possible, but may cost you more than a loan in your home country, which could go towards the purchase. If you do require a mortgage, start shopping around for deals now.

As you are not yet a US citizen, you’ll need an ITN. This is the Individual Taxpayer Number and is used by non-US citizens for tax purposes. If you have been granted residency, you’ll have your SSN (social security number) instead of an ITN.

Your ITN is not a requirement for buying a home, but lenders will need it if you are applying for a mortgage.

Budget may determine where in the USA you can buy a home, as disparities in pricing can be significant. Forbes Advisor indicates that the median price for a single-family home in West Virginia is just over $253,000, whereas in California, the median price for single-family homes can top $900,000. That being said, it’s possible to find much cheaper property than this in California and equally as possible to find vastly more expensive property in West Virginia. Liaise with local estate agents to find properties that align with your needs and budget and organise viewings. It’s also worth noting that different state laws may mean the process for buying a home as a foreigner in the USA varies from state to state. Your realtor will be able to explain any notable differences.

Once you’ve conducted a few viewings and settled on a property, make an offer. It needs to be in writing, and must be submitted to the estate agent or seller.

Once the offer is accepted, you’ll follow a similar procedure to what you may have done in the UK or elsewhere. Your real estate attorney will conduct various checks on the property, ensuring the current owners have the right to sell and if any disputes or other issues are currently unresolved.

At the same time, organise a survey to check for structural issues, and if in areas like Louisiana, Miami, Memphis and Phoenix (among many others), it may be advisable to have a flood risk assessment conducted.

The purchase agreement solidifies your purchase and makes everything legally binding. You’ll need to pay an “earnest money deposit” at this point. This acts as a commitment to the purchase and is typically no more than 3% of the property value.

If you needed a mortgage, now would be the time to reach out to the lender. You may find the lender conducts a further valuation to ensure that what is being borrowed aligns with the value of the home.

You’ll now finalise the purchase and, with your solicitor by having a moving date finalised, the title deeds signed, the home loan (mortgage) signed, and the legal transfer of ownership registered at the County recorder’s office.

If you require a mortgage to finance the purchase of your home in the USA, it’s much the same as it would be in the UK, Europe or elsewhere. However, as a foreigner, you may have a few more obstacles to overcome. Some US banks offer “Foreign National Mortgage Programs”. These specialist products are the same as any other mortgage, but typically come with deposits of around 30%-40% and substantially higher interest rates. In addition, the documentation required by the lender will be substantial.

As a basis for your application, you’ll need the following to apply for a mortgage in the USA:

Like Stamp Duty in the UK, you’ll pay taxes on property purchases in the USA. How much they cost varies by state, so it is worth asking the realtor and solicitor for advice when you first start looking at buying a home. You can expect to pay the following in taxes and other fees when buying property in the USA:

No. Owning property will have no bearing on whether you are granted residency in the USA or not. You’ll need an appropriate visa (typically employment or family-based) or residence status to be granted residency. There are many visas that foreigners can benefit from, each with specific stipulations and in some cases, quotas. You should research the criteria for the visa types if you wish to gain residency, as you may be eligible when you thought you weren’t.

Common visas to apply for include:

According to the Federal Reserve Bank of St.Louis, the average price for houses sold in the USA up until the end of Q2 2025 was $512,800. This converts to €444,587 or £391,522. Compared to UK house prices, property in the USA is, at the time of writing, considerably more expensive. The average UK house price, according to the latest HPI information, is £271,531.

However, properties in the USA tend to be much larger than those found in the UK. Demographia reports that the average property size of a new build in the USA is 2,200sq ft, compared to just 815sq ft in the UK for a similar property. Therefore, for more cash, you are getting a lot more space.

Despite the average house price in the USA being significantly higher than in the UK and many European countries, there are many states with incredibly affordable property prices, ideal for a foreigner to buy their first home in the USA. Uhomes.com collated an array of data and found that the following states deliver the cheapest average property prices:

In comparison, some states have prices well above the national average. The Uhomes.com team found that the following states currently have the most expensive property prices:

Buying a home in the USA as a foreigner is certainly possible. Just remember, whenever you travel abroad as an expat, whether for long-term or short-term stays, you must secure appropriate international health insurance. This way, you cover yourself from a host of charges that could eat into the funds set aside for your property plans. At Expatriate Group, we have a wide range of expat insurance products built around your lifestyle. Contact us today for a free quote.