F
lorida has retained its top spot as the destination for international homebuyers, a position it has held for at least 15 years. According to a new report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), foreign buyers invested $56 billion in U.S. residential real estate over the past year, ending a six-year decline in interest.
International buyers purchased 78,100 existing homes between April 2024 and March 2025, a 44% increase from the previous year and the first annual rise since 2017. The dollar volume rose by more than one-third year-over-year, driven by a record median home price of $494,400 paid by overseas investors.
"The post-pandemic global recovery has reenergized demand for U.S. property," said Lawrence Yun, NAR's chief economist. "However, high home prices and borrowing costs continue to limit total sales activity."
Foreign investment was concentrated in sunbelt states and coastal markets, with Florida capturing 21% of all foreign purchases. California (15%), Texas (10%), New York (7%), and Arizona (5%) followed.
International buyers often paid entirely in cash, with nearly half (47%) of transactions being cash deals. This trend contributed to higher overall price averages, as international investors favored higher-end properties.
China led the charge, accounting for 15% of all foreign purchases with an estimated $13.7 billion in transaction volume. Canada followed with 14% of deals ($6.2 billion), then Mexico (8%, $4.4 billion), India (6%, $2.2 billion), and the United Kingdom (4%, $2 billion).
Roughly 56% of international buyers were already residing in the U.S., responsible for $26.9 billion in volume, while the remaining 44% accounted for $29.1 billion.
The data captures a window of relative economic optimism before escalating trade tensions began to complicate the outlook. Despite this, international investors remain drawn to the U.S. by its legal protections, stable economy, and long-term growth prospects.
"The U.S. stands out globally for the security it offers real estate investors, especially around private property rights," said Yun. "That remains a key driver for foreign capital, particularly in uncertain times."
