Educational guide · Investors
Protect your wealth with U.S. real estate.
You can buy, rent, and hold U.S. property — even if you are not a resident, have no Social Security Number, and have never lived here. Here's how it works.
Why invest in the U.S.?
The United States is the best place in the world to own real estate. The legal system protects your title with force, the courts are independent, and as a foreign buyer you can purchase, rent, and collect in dollars with the same constitutional guarantees as a citizen. It is a deep, stable market with more than two centuries of proven property-rights tradition.
Rule of law and clean title
Every U.S. county maintains a public property registry. Buyers get title insurance that guarantees the title is clean. If someone later disputes it, the insurer defends your property in court at their own expense.
Foreigners can own directly
Unlike Mexico (coastal and border-zone restrictions via fideicomiso) or restrictions in some other countries, there is no federal restriction on foreigners owning U.S. real estate outright — under their own name or through a U.S. LLC.
Dollar-denominated rent
The U.S. dollar has historically been one of the most stable stores of value in the world. Rental property gives you USD cash flow, without worrying about capital controls or sudden devaluation of your local currency.
Constitutional property protection
The Fifth Amendment protects against takings without just compensation. The judiciary is independent of the executive branch. Due process applies to foreign owners of U.S. property the same as to citizens.
An honest note on Mexico and Latin America
We are not here to criticize any country. We are part of the Hispanic community and we love our people and our roots. But we see what many Hispanic business families are seeing: over the past several years, in various Latin American countries — including parts of Mexico — concerns have grown around security, regulatory uncertainty, reforms affecting acquired rights, shifts in the relationship between the executive and the judiciary, and risk of peso devaluation or capital controls.
Against that backdrop, many families are diversifying part of their wealth into U.S. assets — not to abandon their country, but to have a hedge. Residential real estate in established U.S. cities (California, Texas, Florida, Arizona) is one of the most common ways to do it.
How it works (high level)
- You do not need to be a resident or have a SSN. Programs like Foreign National and DSCR let you finance using international income or the rental income of the property itself.
- You can buy in your own name or through an LLC. Many foreign investors prefer a U.S. LLC for asset-protection and tax-planning reasons.
- The down payment is higher than for a resident. Typically 25–35% for Foreign National, 20–25% for DSCR. The rate is somewhat higher than a conventional mortgage because the lender takes on more risk.
- You hire a local property manager. You do not have to live in the U.S. or travel here monthly — a professional manager handles leasing, rent collection, maintenance, and reporting. Typical fee is 8–10% of the rent.
- You file U.S. taxes on net rental income. You obtain an ITIN from the IRS to file. Tax treaties exist to avoid double taxation with several countries, including Mexico.
Need to form a U.S. LLC?
Many foreign investors prefer to buy through a U.S. LLC for asset protection and tax planning. Our sister company, RegAgentCA.com, helps you form your company in California or Wyoming — depending on your privacy, tax, and operational needs.
- California: best if you'll be operating or renting directly in the state.
- Wyoming: best for privacy, low state taxes, and strong asset-protection structure.
- Includes registered agent service, IRS EIN, and corporate documents.
Relevant loan programs
Foreign National
For non-resident foreign buyers. No SSN or ITIN required. Qualify with international financial statements and a bank reference letter.
DSCR (Debt Service Coverage Ratio)
Qualify on the rental cash flow of the property, not your personal income. Ideal for building a portfolio.
Want us to notify you?
We are not yet licensed to broker loans in California. If you are a foreign investor and want to know when we are ready, join the waitlist.