Can a foreigner buy property in United States?
There are no federal restrictions on foreigners buying property, and non-residents can hold freehold regardless of visa status. However, a growing number of states limit certain foreign buyers near military sites or farmland, and owning property grants no visa or residency rights.
Before you buy in United States, always:
- Use your own independent lawyer — never the seller's or the developer's.
- Get in writing exactly what you'll own — freehold, a long lease, or a right-to-use.
- Confirm clean title and that funds move by a documented, traceable route.
- Avoid informal nominee arrangements — if a deal only works by bending the rules, walk away.
General guidance only — rules change; confirm the current position with a qualified local lawyer.
Our free ownership checker and the Overseas Property Playbook walk through how foreign ownership works step by step — the questions to ask and the traps to sidestep.
What it costs to buy in United States
There is no national stamp duty; buyer closing costs typically run 2-5% (title insurance, escrow, recording and any lender fees), with transfer taxes varying by state and often paid by the seller. Non-residents can buy freehold regardless of visa, and a cash purchase can close in about a month.
Where foreigners tend to buy in United States
Florida for sunshine and no state income tax, Arizona for warm dry desert living, the Carolinas for a gentler coast-and-mountains mix, and Texas for space and value; Sunbelt retiree communities are especially popular.
Healthcare and everyday life
US healthcare is world-class but expensive, and Medicare is not automatic for newcomers — you generally need five years' residency plus a work history or to buy in — so most British retirees rely on costly private or ACA-marketplace insurance. Budgeting for premiums is one of the biggest considerations of a US move. Safety varies greatly by city and neighbourhood, so research locally; English is native and driving is on the right, making daily life easy for Britons, though owning a home grants no visa or right to stay.
Thinking seriously about United States?
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