Buying US Property As A Foreigner (FAQ)

Yes. The US allows foreigners to own 100% of a property, land included (freehold). You don't need a green card, US citizenship or a local partner.

You can hold the property in your own name or through a US company, and both give you full legal title.

No. The whole purchase can be done remotely. Many of our students have never seen their properties in person.

Cash purchases are usually completed with digital signatures and a secure wire transfer to a licensed title company, the neutral party that handles the closing.

If you take a loan, the lender often needs some documents signed in front of a notary. Foreigners usually do this through a notary in their home country, an online notary, or an appointment at the US embassy. Requirements differ between lenders and title companies, so check with them upfront.

Less than most people expect. US prices vary widely from city to city, and in many stable markets you can find freehold, landed single-family homes for under US$200,000.

That means the capital needed for one down payment in a major Asian or European city can often buy one or more US rentals.

Yes. Foreigners can use a type of rental loan called a DSCR loan (short for debt service coverage ratio).

Instead of looking at your salary or employment history, the lender looks at whether the property's rent can cover the mortgage and expenses. So your personal income and age matter far less than the property itself.

A Limited Liability Company (LLC) is a US company you can hold your property in. It can help keep claims arising from that property, such as a tenant dispute or an accident, separate from your other assets.

It isn't a guarantee of full protection, though, and it doesn't replace landlord insurance. Some investors start in their own name for a first property and set up an LLC as they grow.

If you'd like to set up an LLC with our preferred partners, who understand the process for foreigners, reach out through our contact form or email hello@bytesizedinvestments.com.

Rental income from a US property is taxable in the US, so you'll need to file a US tax return each year. US tax rules also give property owners benefits such as depreciation, a yearly deduction for the wear and tear of the building, which can reduce your taxable profit.

Your home country's rules matter too. For example, Singapore's tax authority (IRAS) generally does not tax foreign-sourced rental income received by individuals in Singapore. Rules differ by country and personal situation.

Please speak to a CPA (a qualified accountant) who works with foreign property owners. Contact us if you'd like a referral. This is general information, not tax advice.

Yes. The US has no capital controls, so you can move rental profits back to your home country. Many investors use online transfer services to send money from a US bank account to their local account at low fees. How you structure these transfers should follow your tax and legal advice.

A property manager handles leasing, tenants, rent and repairs. Your job is to hire well, check the monthly statements, and oversee their operations. We teach extensively how to screen property managers in our Remote Cashflow Rentals Masterclass.

Two things work in your favour. First, US mortgages don't have margin calls: as long as you keep paying the mortgage, the bank can't ask for more money if property prices fall.

Second, homes rented to middle-class families, who make up most of the population, stay in demand. When a property is bought for cashflow rather than hoped-for price growth, it can keep paying for itself through market cycles.

There's lots of information online, but little of it covers the hurdles non-US residents actually face, like title companies, lenders and agents who aren't used to working with foreign buyers.

Learning from a proven system helps you skip the trial-and-error phase, which can cost tens of thousands of dollars in avoidable mistakes.