Foreign Purchases of U.S. Homes Fall to Near Record Low

From April 2025 to March 2026, foreign purchasers acquired $45.3 billion in U.S. existing homes, as reported by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) in their 2026 International Transactions in U.S. Residential Real Estate report. This marks a 19.1% decline in the monetary value of homes bought and a 14% reduction in the number of properties compared to the preceding 12-month period.

The report gathered insights from members regarding transactions involving international clients who engaged in buying and selling U.S. residential properties during the period from April 2025 to March 2026. This document provides real estate professionals with essential information that aids them in assisting their clients and advancing to their next transaction.

Existing-Home Purchases by Foreign Buyers:

• Total dollar volume, down 19.1% from $56 billion: $45.3 billion
• Total homes purchased, down 14% from 78,100: 67,100
• Median price: $465,000
• Share who made all-cash purchases (compared to 28% among all existing-home buyers): 48%

“The decline in foreign home buyer activity mirrors the decline in international visitors and tourists to the United States,” said Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist for NAR. “Even a slightly weaker U.S. dollar over the past year, which provides more purchasing power for foreigners, did not induce more activity.”

Overall, international buyers acquired 67,100 properties, marking the second-lowest figure since the National Association of Realtors (NAR) began monitoring foreign buyer activity in 2009. The median purchase price for these foreign buyers was $465,000. Among foreign buyers, those residing in the U.S. as recent immigrants or holding visas that permitted them to live in the country purchased 37,600 homes, accounting for 56% of all foreign purchases, with a total dollar volume of $21.8 billion. In contrast, foreign buyers living abroad purchased 29,500 homes, representing 44% of all foreign purchases, with a total dollar volume of $23.5 billion.

Top 5 Countries of Origin — (percent share of foreign purchases, existing homes purchased, dollar volume):

• Canada: 16%; 10,700; $5.2 billion 
• Mexico: 14%; 9,400; $5.0 billion 
• China: 11%; 7,400; $7.6 billion 
• India: 9%; 6,000; $3.7 billion 
• United Kingdom: 4%; 2,700; $1.2 billion 

Canada emerged as the leading country of origin, contributing 16% of foreign buyer purchases, an increase from 14% the previous year, while China, which held the top position last year, dropped to third place. Nevertheless, China continued to be the largest source of dollar volume, amounting to $7.6 billion, which corresponds to an average purchase price of approximately $1 million.

Top 5 U.S. Destinations (percentage of all foreign buyers):

• Florida: 20%
• California: 19%
• Texas: 12%
• New Jersey: 4%
• Georgia: 4%

“Foreign buyers from Canada and Mexico—countries that border the U.S.—bought the most housing units. However, Chinese buyers (from mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan) spent the most dollars because they bought higher-priced homes, specifically in California. Florida, with its beaches and favorable winter climate, continues to be the top state to draw foreign buyers,” Yun said.

Note: The term “international” or “foreign” client refers to two types of clients, including non-resident foreigners (Type A): Non-U.S. citizens with permanent residences outside the U.S. and resident foreigners (Type B): Non-U.S. citizens who are recent immigrants (less than two years at the time of the transaction) or non-immigrant visa holders who reside for more than six months in the U.S. for professional, educational, or other reasons.

To read the full report, click here.