New research indicates more than 78,000 U.S. homes were purchased by foreign buyers in a single year, with many transactions made in cash.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Foreign buyers purchased more than 78,000 homes in the United States between April 2024 and March 2025, according to new research highlighting the role of international purchasers in the nation’s housing market.
The findings were detailed in a recent policy paper, which reports that spending by overseas buyers increased sharply during the period. The study found that foreign purchasers spent 33 percent more on U.S. residential property than they had during the previous year.
Stop Foreign Buyers Killing Homeownership Paper 03-10-26 by yourNEWS Media
The data comes as policymakers debate rising housing costs and declining homeownership rates among younger Americans and middle-income households.
President Donald Trump has urged Congress to prevent large financial firms from purchasing single-family homes, arguing that institutional buyers have reduced the supply of homes available to individual families. The issue has drawn particular attention in rapidly growing cities in the southern United States where housing demand has surged.
The new research argues that foreign home purchases represent another factor influencing housing availability. Analysts say every home purchased by a buyer from outside the country reduces the number of homes available for domestic buyers, which can contribute to upward pressure on prices.
Nearly half of foreign purchases were completed with all-cash offers, according to the study. Cash transactions can make it difficult for first-time homebuyers who rely on mortgages to compete in competitive housing markets.
The research also identified the national origins of many buyers. Chinese nationals represented the largest share of foreign home purchases, accounting for roughly one in six foreign-bought homes. The report estimates Chinese buyers spent about $13.7 billion on U.S. residential property in 2025.
Some of those buyers reportedly use property ownership as part of broader efforts to establish residency in the United States, including gaining access to educational opportunities for family members.
The study also found that foreign buyers frequently purchase the type of housing most sought by American families. Nearly two-thirds of purchases involved single-family detached homes rather than condominiums or multi-unit properties.
Housing policy experts note that several countries have adopted restrictions on foreign homeownership in response to rising housing costs.
Canada, for example, has imposed restrictions on most foreign purchases of residential real estate while also applying taxes to certain transactions involving overseas buyers.
China also maintains strict limits on foreign property purchases within its borders.
Supporters of tighter U.S. restrictions argue that similar measures could help prioritize housing availability for American citizens. Proposed approaches include banning foreign purchases of certain residential properties or imposing higher taxes on transactions involving overseas buyers.
One proposal under discussion was outlined by the Republican Study Committee, which has suggested raising taxes on foreign residential property purchases as a way to discourage them.
Advocates of such policies say the goal is to address housing supply pressures and make homeownership more attainable for American families.
Housing economists note that home affordability remains one of the most pressing economic issues in the United States, particularly for younger buyers entering the market for the first time. Policymakers continue to debate whether restrictions on institutional and foreign buyers could play a role in expanding housing access for domestic purchasers.
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