In 2025, the U.S. real estate market saw a powerful resurgence of interest from international buyers. According to the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) 2025 International Transactions in U.S. Residential Real Estate report, foreign buyers purchased $56 billion worth of existing U.S. homes between April 2024 and March 2025—marking a 33.2% year-over-year increase. A total of 78,100 properties were acquired, representing a 44% jump in volume and the first annual rise in foreign home purchases since 2017. The median purchase price reached an all-time high of $494,400, underscoring a clear tilt toward high-end properties.
These figures reaffirm the appeal of U.S. real estate as a safe-haven asset in global portfolios. With interest in tangible dollar-denominated assets rising again post-pandemic, the U.S. property market remains a favored destination for high-net-worth individuals from Europe, Canada, China, and the Middle East. Notably, 47% of foreign buyers paid in full with cash—well above the 28% figure among domestic buyers. In today’s high-interest-rate climate, these cash-rich investors enjoy significant leverage and bargaining power.
Despite home prices hovering at historic highs and mortgage rates still elevated, international interest has surged amid a broader global economic recovery. Florida, unsurprisingly, retained its title as the top U.S. destination for foreign homebuyers for the 15th consecutive year. The state’s favorable tax environment, sunny weather, and—critically—a sizable increase in housing inventory throughout 2024, made it a magnet for international capital. A luxury brokerage in Miami reported that over 60% of its transaction volume in early 2025 came from Argentine and German buyers, many of whom targeted vacation homes or properties for short-term rental income.
The median purchase price among foreign buyers being nearly half a million dollars reflects their preference for premium markets. Much of this demand is driven by buyers' long-term investment strategies and confidence in the U.S. legal system’s robust protection of private property rights. For many foreign families, U.S. residential real estate is seen not just as a temporary residence or income-generating property—but as a multi-generational asset.
A case in point is the Louis family from Belgium, owners of a long-established luxury chocolate business. In early 2025, they purchased a $2.2 million lakeside property in Austin, Texas. Their intent? A convenient U.S. base for both business trips and leisure, used several times a year by executives. Mr. Louis explained that compared to Europe’s uncertain political environment and punitive tax systems, the United States offers a stable and transparent real estate framework, making it a natural choice for capital preservation. With volatile crypto and gold markets, premium physical assets like real estate remain a cornerstone of long-term wealth strategy.
Data from the NAR report also shows that 56% of international buyers were U.S.-based at the time of purchase—either recent immigrants or visa holders—accounting for 43,700 homes and $26.9 billion in value. The remaining 44% were non-resident foreign nationals living abroad, who purchased 34,400 homes worth a total of $29.1 billion. This balance suggests a multi-pronged strategy among global investors: some are settling into American life, while others are acquiring U.S. properties purely for financial or lifestyle diversification.
From a business standpoint, the report serves as a strategic tool for real estate agents and developers aiming to better serve international clientele. Because the data precedes the new tariff rules implemented in April 2025, it offers a complete picture of pre-policy-shift market behavior—critical intelligence for navigating future investment trends.
Ultimately, U.S. residential real estate continues to stand tall in a volatile world. International buyers, especially cash investors, are reinforcing its role as a cornerstone in global wealth planning. While higher rates and prices present challenges for local buyers, foreign capital is flowing steadily into high-demand states like Florida, Texas, and California. As interest rates begin to ease and immigration policies potentially shift, international buyers are poised to play an increasingly influential role in the American housing market—particularly in the premium segment.