{"id":23568,"date":"2023-06-16T04:19:10","date_gmt":"2023-06-16T11:19:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/?p=23568"},"modified":"2025-11-12T22:29:33","modified_gmt":"2025-11-13T06:29:33","slug":"buyer-buying-property-abroad","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/buyer-buying-property-abroad\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Tips for Americans Buying Property Abroad (Especially If It\u2019s Your First Time)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>There are any number of reasons why you might be considering <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/buyer-how-to-buy-investment-property\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">buying property<\/span><\/a> abroad. Maybe you fell in love with the local area while on vacation, or you\u2019ve always envisioned yourself living the sunny island life with your feet in the sand after retirement. While owning a home is an essential part of the American dream, buying property <i>abroad<\/i> seems more like an unattainable fantasy. However, it\u2019s not as far-fetched as you may think.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s not just the super-rich who can escape to their tropical getaway or Italian villa. In fact, an estimated <a href=\"https:\/\/travel.state.gov\/content\/dam\/travel\/CA-By-the-Number-2020.pdf\">9 million U.S. citizens live overseas<\/a>, according to The U.S. Department of State\u2019s Bureau of Consular Affairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"geo-cta widget-cta widget-cta--content     widget-cta--dark widget-cta--dark-blue-gradient\">\n    <div class=\"widget-element--content\">\n        <div class=\"widget-element--content-header\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"homelight logo\" class=\"widget-element--logo\" src=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/ccprototypev5\/images\/logo-small-cta.png\" width=\"106\" height=\"25\" \/>\n        <\/div>\n        \n                <h3 class=\"cta-headline widget--bold\">Step one: Talk to a few buyer's agents!<\/h3>\n                        <p>Tell us a little bit about your plans (where you&#8217;re looking to buy and when you want to make a purchase) and we&#8217;ll connect you with top-rated buyer&#8217;s agents in your area. It takes only a few minutes, and it&#8217;s free.<\/p>\n        \n                <div class=\"widget-element--buttons\">\n            <a data-type=\"In Content CTA\" href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/find-agent\/quiz\/buyer?#\/qaas=0\/\" class=\"cta-click-track widget-element--button\">Get Started<\/a>\n        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>While it <i>is<\/i> possible, there are things that you should consider before buying property abroad such as foreign ownership laws, tax liability, and costs. You should also assess how buying property abroad fits into your long-term financial plans, and whether you\u2019re using the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/buyer-real-estate-investing-for-beginners\/\">property for investment<\/a> or personal use.<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019ve received some tips from the experts, and we\u2019ll walk you through the basics from start to finish about what you can expect as an American buying property abroad.<\/p>\n<div id=\"section--1\" data-toc-header=\"1. Think about what you want today\" data-toc-type=\"head\"><\/div>\n<h2>1. Think about what you want today<\/h2>\n<p>First things first: Why are you buying property abroad and what are you hoping to get out of it?<\/p>\n<p>Are you looking to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/buy-house\/real-estate-investing\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">invest<\/span><\/a> in a place that you can use as a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/buyer-how-to-invest-in-rental-property\/\">vacation rental<\/a>? Do you want a second home somewhere more affordable that you won\u2019t be renting out at all?<\/p>\n<p>The answers to these questions will affect where you purchase the property and the type of real estate you should be scouting out.<\/p>\n<div id=\"section--2\" data-toc-header=\"2. And what you want tomorrow\" data-toc-type=\"head\"><\/div>\n<h2>2. And what you want tomorrow<\/h2>\n<p>Do you see yourself retiring overseas? Are you planning to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/net-proceeds-calculator\">sell for a profit<\/a> (hopefully) in a few years and then use the money for something else?<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/buyer-is-buying-a-house-a-good-investment\/\">Real estate is a long-term investment<\/a>, and no matter your intentions, you need to have an exit strategy.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/how-long-does-it-take-to-sell-a-house\/\">Property can take a while to sell<\/a>, which is why you need to have a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/buyer-buy-before-you-sell-program\/\">clear plan<\/a> should you change your mind or if something were to happen.<\/p>\n<div id=\"section--3\" data-toc-header=\"3. Research potential places to buy\" data-toc-type=\"head\"><\/div>\n<h2>3. Research potential places to buy<\/h2>\n<p>You might be considering more than one country or more than one area within a country; now is a good time to narrow down your search.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFirst and foremost, do your homework,\u201d says Elizabeth Kinsella, Global Member Services Manager at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.leadingre.com\/\">Leading Real Estate Companies of the World<\/a>, an international, invitation-only network of top-performing real estate brokerages. \u201cI think a lot of shows on television can glamorize the romantic notion of buying a home in another part of the world. Not doing your homework before going into a purchase like that is misguided. There are a lot of variables.\u201d<\/p>\n<div id=\"section--4\" data-toc-header=\"4. Pinpoint your budget\" data-toc-type=\"head\"><\/div>\n<h2>4. Pinpoint your budget<\/h2>\n<p>What do homes cost, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/buyer-how-much-house-can-i-afford-rule-of-thumb\/\">how much can you afford<\/a>? Will you need to put down any money?<\/p>\n<p>Figure out what you\u2019ll need to save to get your foot in the door. When you know your budget, it\u2019s easier to narrow your search.<\/p>\n<p>As part of your initial research, Kinsella suggests becoming familiar with the prices in that particular market before contacting an agent. Some countries may also have different fees and costs when purchasing real estate.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cReal estate is different in every part of the world. Don\u2019t assume it\u2019s going to operate just as things do here in the U.S,\u201d she advises.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, make sure you\u2019re comparing locations and properties apples-to-apples. For example, a one-bedroom condo in Paris might cost the same as a three-bedroom house with a pool in Mexico.<\/p>\n<p>You should factor in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/moving-expenses\/\">cost of moving<\/a>, too. Moving from one state to another can be costly, but moving overseas could be ultra-expensive. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.move.org\/average-cost-moving-containers\/\">average cost of a moving container is $3,000<\/a> for a three-bedroom home; however, that number can increase dramatically if you plan to ship cars or pets.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re moving everything but the kitchen sink over a great distance, plan to budget at least $10,000 for the move itself.<\/p>\n<div id=\"section--5\" data-toc-header=\"5. Find an agent who understands the local market\" data-toc-type=\"head\"><\/div>\n<h2>5. Find an agent who understands the local market<\/h2>\n<p>A good place to start is to find <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/real-estate-brokerages\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">real estate brokerages<\/span><\/a> in the U.S. with overseas affiliates.<\/p>\n<p>Otherwise, you can try to find an agent who works in the area where you want to buy and has successfully helped other non-citizens or non-residents purchase a home.<\/p>\n<div id=\"section--6\" data-toc-header=\"6. Gather insights about where it makes sense to buy, neighborhood-wise\" data-toc-type=\"head\"><\/div>\n<h2>6. Gather insights about where it makes sense to buy, neighborhood-wise<\/h2>\n<p>The three most important factors when <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/buyer-buying-a-house\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">buying a home<\/span><\/a>e: location, location, location. A well-known phrase that is true even if you\u2019re buying property abroad.<\/p>\n<p>Your decision shouldn\u2019t only be about the home itself, but also where it\u2019s located. A great location can change an entire neighborhood.<\/p>\n<p>Do you want a condo with a sweeping view, or a single-family home by the waterfront? Do you have young children and need to find a home with a school nearby? What about local healthcare, public transportation, crime rates?<\/p>\n<p>Just like the U.S., different neighborhoods will appeal to different buyers, depending on what you\u2019re searching for. Talk to your agent about your best options.<\/p>\n<div id=\"section--7\" data-toc-header=\"7. Visit the area and learn what it\u2019s like\" data-toc-type=\"head\"><\/div>\n<h2>7. Visit the area and learn what it\u2019s like<\/h2>\n<p>If you\u2019ve never visited the area before, it\u2019s best to get acquainted with where you want to buy.<\/p>\n<p>You\u2019ll want to know how <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/buyer-walkability-score-by-address\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">walkable<\/span><\/a> the neighborhood is (will you need a car?) and where you\u2019ll ideally want to buy. Spending as much time in the area as possible will give you a better understanding of what you might need before you start packing up (or saving up).<\/p>\n<div id=\"section--8\" data-toc-header=\"8. Talk to your agent about what the market forecast looks like\" data-toc-type=\"head\"><\/div>\n<h2>8. Talk to your agent about what the market forecast looks like<\/h2>\n<p>When purchasing real estate, it\u2019s important to learn more about the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/local-real-estate-market\/\">local housing market<\/a> and what the future may hold. Talk to your agent about the market forecast and do a little research on your own.<\/p>\n<p>Browse listings in the area where you want to buy to get a general idea of the current market. Then, look at home price trends over time to see if home prices have been going up or down. You can also ask your agent about a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/comparative-market-analysis\/\">comparative market analysis (CMA)<\/a>, which is an estimate of a home\u2019s value based on recently sold homes in the same neighborhood.<\/p>\n<p>This will give you an idea of how the asking prices on those listings compare to what properties are selling for in the area.<\/p>\n<div id=\"section--9\" data-toc-header=\"9. Ask about rules and regulations around buying as a foreigner\" data-toc-type=\"head\"><\/div>\n<h2>9. Ask about rules and regulations around buying as a foreigner<\/h2>\n<p>Real estate practices vary by country. When buying property abroad, standard practice is to hire an attorney, notary, and a translator (if necessary), in addition to an agent.<\/p>\n<p>Every country has different regulations when it comes to purchasing real estate, so finding an expert to help you navigate and follow the local rules is vital.<\/p>\n<p>The National Association of Realtors provides <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nar.realtor\/global\/real-estate-practices-around-the-world\">general guidelines on real estate practices<\/a> in countries around the world.<\/p>\n<div id=\"section--10\" data-toc-header=\"10. Look into taxes\" data-toc-type=\"head\"><\/div>\n<h2>10. Look into taxes<\/h2>\n<p>As Benjamin Franklin once said, \u201cIn this world, nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.\u201d You may not want to think about tax liability when buying property abroad, but it\u2019s a factor you must consider.<\/p>\n<p>If you are living and working abroad, you must report that income to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe U.S. operates on a citizenship-based taxation system, meaning that all U.S. citizens have to report their worldwide income on a tax return,\u201d says Olivier Wagner, U.S. tax expert and the CEO of <a href=\"https:\/\/1040abroad.com\/\">1040 Abroad<\/a>, a company that specializes in preparing tax returns for U.S. citizens living abroad.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf income tax was paid to the host country, the taxpayer would be able to claim the foreign tax credit to offset their US tax liability; it would be reduced dollar-for-dollar for taxes paid to the other country,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n<p>Generally, the purchase of foreign real estate doesn\u2019t have to be reported on your U.S. taxes, unless you earn rental income, but you may be able to enjoy some tax benefits. This is why it\u2019s so important to talk to a tax expert who\u2019s familiar with both foreign and domestic taxation.<\/p>\n<p>If or when you choose to sell your home, that\u2019s a different story.<\/p>\n<p>Home sales must be reported, and you may be liable for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/how-to-avoid-capital-gains-tax\/\">capital gains tax<\/a>, which is a type of tax applied to the profit made from the sale of an asset.<\/p>\n<div id=\"section--11\" data-toc-header=\"11. Understand zoning rules\" data-toc-type=\"head\"><\/div>\n<h2>11. Understand zoning rules<\/h2>\n<p>Do your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/buyer-due-diligence-checklist-real-estate\/\">due diligence<\/a>. What if you want to rent out the house? If you plan to do anything with the property, such as convert it into a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/investing-in-rental-real-estate\/\">rental property<\/a>, it\u2019s imperative that you understand the local zoning rules. Zoning refers to the laws that govern how property can be used in certain areas and the type of operations allowed on the site.<\/p>\n<p>The penalties for violating zoning laws can be brutal. Depending on the location, this could include criminal charges which could lead to conviction, fines, or even jail time.<\/p>\n<div id=\"section--12\" data-toc-header=\"12. Factor in utilities and other carrying costs\" data-toc-type=\"head\"><\/div>\n<h2>12. Factor in utilities and other carrying costs<\/h2>\n<p>How much will it <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/home-maintenance-budget\/\">cost to maintain the house<\/a> \u2014 while you\u2019re there, and while you aren\u2019t?<\/p>\n<p>At the most basic level, you\u2019ll need to make sure your home has electricity, gas, sewer, water, trash, and recycling provided.<\/p>\n<p>Not only do costs vary depending on your location, but how utilities operate could be different depending on the country or region. Make sure you\u2019re able to keep the water and electricity on while you\u2019re away!<\/p>\n<div id=\"section--13\" data-toc-header=\"13. Figure out how to pay for the house\" data-toc-type=\"head\"><\/div>\n<h2>13. Figure out how to pay for the house<\/h2>\n<p>In the U.S., the majority of home purchases are performed with a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/buyer-how-do-home-loans-work\/\">mortgage loan<\/a>. Unless you already <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/buyer-all-cash-offer\/\">have the cash<\/a>, you\u2019ll need to figure out how to pay for the house.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s not that easy to get financing in all parts of the world,\u201d notes Kinsella. \u201cYou\u2019re better off having your finances in order before going to the country because you can\u2019t guarantee a mortgage.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Wagner also recommends looking for a lender that does business in both countries. \u201cIdeally, if you have contact with a bank operating in both countries, it would be advantageous to be able to use your U.S. credit history in the process of securing the mortgage,\u201d he explains.<\/p>\n<div id=\"section--14\" data-toc-header=\"14. Know how the title review and transfer process will work\" data-toc-type=\"head\"><\/div>\n<h2>14. Know how the title review and transfer process will work<\/h2>\n<p>When buying property abroad, keep in mind that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/buyer-closing-costs-for-buyer\/\">transaction costs when you close<\/a> on your property can significantly add up to the overall costs of the property. The transfer fee, a tax that can <a href=\"https:\/\/nomoretax.eu\/2276-2\/\">add more than 10% to the sales price in some countries<\/a>, is one of the largest fees you may encounter.<\/p>\n<p>The title review process could also potentially throw a monkey wrench into your plans. It might take significantly longer (we\u2019re talking years) to review a title in some places.<\/p>\n<p>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"geo-cta widget-cta widget-cta--content     widget-cta--dark widget-cta--dark-blue-gradient\">\n    <div class=\"widget-element--content\">\n        <div class=\"widget-element--content-header\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"homelight logo\" class=\"widget-element--logo\" src=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/ccprototypev5\/images\/logo-small-cta.png\" width=\"106\" height=\"25\" \/>\n        <\/div>\n        \n                <h3 class=\"cta-headline widget--bold\">Save thousands when buying a home<\/h3>\n                        <p>HomeLight-recommended real estate agents are top-tier negotiators who understand the market data that helps you save as much as possible when buying your dream home.<\/p>\n        \n                <div class=\"widget-element--buttons\">\n            <a data-type=\"In Content CTA\" href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/find-agent\/quiz\/buyer?#\/qaas=0\/\" class=\"cta-click-track widget-element--button\">Find a top buyer's agent<\/a>\n        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n <div id=\"section--15\" data-toc-header=\"15. Find someone to help manage the place when you aren\u2019t there\" data-toc-type=\"head\"><\/div><\/p>\n<h2>15. Find someone to help manage the place when you aren\u2019t there<\/h2>\n<p>When you\u2019re not home, it may be a good idea to find someone to manage the property when you\u2019re not there.<\/p>\n<p>While you\u2019re at it, it may be wise to invest in a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/does-adding-a-security-system-increase-home-value\/\">security system<\/a> for your property. This is for your peace of mind as well as the safety and security of your new home.<\/p>\n<p>Real estate is different in every corner of the world. Do your homework before buying property abroad and talk to a broker to get some advice. They will be the best source of information when you\u2019re ready to purchase your dream home overseas.<\/p>\n<p><em>Header Image Source: (Ravi Sangar \/ Unsplash)<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Who hasn\u2019t fantasized about buying property abroad? It\u2019s not as unimaginable as you may think! Follow these 15 tips before purchasing your dream home overseas.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":233,"featured_media":23570,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"content-type":"","cybocfi_hide_featured_image":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[192,638,641],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23568","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-for-buyers","category-house-hunting","category-find-home"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.0 (Yoast SEO v27.0) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Buying Property Abroad: 15 Things to Consider Before You Start Packing<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Who hasn\u2019t fantasized about buying property abroad? It\u2019s not as unimaginable as you may think! 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It\u2019s not as unimaginable as you may think! Follow these 15 tips before purchasing your dream home overseas.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/buyer-buying-property-abroad\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"15 Tips for Americans Buying Property Abroad (Especially If It\u2019s Your First Time)","og_description":"Who hasn\u2019t fantasized about buying property abroad? It\u2019s not as unimaginable as you may think! 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