International buyers purchased 78,100 properties in the U.S. over the past 12 months—a 33.2% increase and the first rise since 2017
WASHINGTON – Foreign investment in residential real estate in the United States grew by 33.2% over the past year, with Florida remaining the top destination for international buyers. From April 2024 to March 2025, foreign buyers purchased $56 billion in existing homes nationwide—the first annual increase since 2017 —and 21% of those buyers chose Florida, according to a new report from the National Association of Realtors® (NAR).
In total, international buyers purchased 78,100 properties, a 44% increase from the previous year, marking the first year-over-year increase since 2017. The median price paid by these buyers reached $494,400, an all-time high, according to the NAR’s 2025 International Transactions in U.S. Residential Real Estate report.
“International interest in U.S. real estate has increased following the global economic recovery, after years of disruptions caused by the pandemic. However, high real estate prices and elevated interest rates continue to impact sales volume, which remains below pre-pandemic levels,” said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun.
“Driven by a significant increase in the inventory of available properties, Florida remained the top destination for international buyers, extending a streak of leadership that has lasted at least 15 years. Due to persistently high mortgage rates, a larger share of these buyers opted for cash purchases — 47%, compared to 28% of buyers overall—and tend to choose properties with higher value. Foreign interest in U.S. real estate is driven, in part, by the country’s strong protection of private property rights.”
Profile of International Buyers
The NAR report is based on a survey of real estate brokers and agents who worked with foreign clients who bought or sold residential properties in the U.S. between April 2024 and March 2025—gathering data prior to the introduction of new trade tariffs in April 2025. This information helps industry professionals understand the profile of international clients and prepare for future transactions.
- Foreign buyers residing in the U.S. (recent immigrants or visa holders):
They purchased 43,700 properties (56% of the total), generating US$26.9 billion. - Foreign buyers residing outside the U.S.:
They purchased 34,400 properties (44% of the total), generating US$29.1 billion.
Summary of the figures
- US$56 billion: total volume of purchases — up 33.2% (from US$42 billion)
- 78,100 properties purchased: a 44% increase (from 54,300)
- $494,400: median price paid — a new record, up 4.1% from the previous year
- 47% of purchases were paid in cash
Top Countries of Origin for International Buyers
| Country | % of purchases | Properties Acquired | Financial volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| China | 15% | 11.700 | US$ 13.7 billion |
| Canada | 14% | 10.900 | US$ 6.2 billion |
| Mexico | 8% | 6.200 | US$ 4.4 billion |
| India | 6% | 4.700 | US$ 2.2 billion |
| United Kingdom | 4% | 3.100 | US$ 2 billion |
Top Destinations in the U.S. for International Buyers
| State | Percentage of ownership |
|---|---|
| Florida | 21% |
| California | 15% |
| Texas | 10% |
| New York | 7% |
| Arizona | 5% |