Buying U.S. property from abroad

Start with the complete purpose and budget

Separate the property price from closing costs, taxes, insurance, repairs, association fees, management, travel, currency conversion, and an emergency reserve. Financing availability and documentation differ by lender and borrower.

Build an independent professional team

• A licensed real-estate professional in the property’s state.
• A lender familiar with non-resident borrowers if financing is needed.
• A qualified inspector and title or closing professional.
• A U.S. tax professional and attorney for your individual circumstances.

Verify before transferring funds

1. Confirm the property address and listing contact using independent sources.
2. Verify professional licenses through the relevant state regulator.
3. Request written instructions through a known contact and confirm wire details by a second channel.
4. Do not treat a rushed request, gift card, crypto-only payment, or refusal to show documents as normal.

Plan for ownership and eventual sale

Foreign ownership can create U.S. tax reporting and withholding questions. FIRPTA generally concerns withholding when a foreign person disposes of a U.S. real property interest. An ITIN is a tax-processing number, not immigration status or lending approval.