The U.S. is one of the countries where foreign buyers inquire the most. The economy in on the rise, and even though we have a Trade War going on, the truth is that "the land of the free" still looks appealing for foreign buyers.
In this article we will focus on their paying preferences. Find out how much do they spend and what are your opportunities to make money.
In the U.S., Foreign buyers pay on average $454,400, and 9% of foreign buyers paid $1M and over for their property. They pay more for property than nationals and they pay cash.
Given the hurdles involved with getting a loan, foreign buyers are more likely to pay cash than nationals. In fact, 47% of all transactions involving foreigners were all-cash sales.
If we dive deeper in these results we find that non-resident foreign buyers are more likely to purchase in cash than resident foreign buyers.
More than half of Canadian, Chinese, and U.K. buyers made cash transactions and those coming from India (mostly residents buying their primary residences), obtained a mortgage.
For real estate professionals, having customers that pay cash is more interesting as it reduces the sales funnel time. But will this trend continue given the price growth? Keep reading to find your answer.
With the low inventory, foreign buyers interest, and the return of millennials, real estate professionals expect a price growth. But, will this trend change the way foreigners are now paying for their houses?
It's clear that with the price growth, it will become harder for non-U.S. citizens to pay cash, especially in cities like New York, Miami and San Francisco. Because of this trend, real estate professionals working with foreign buyers, should expect longer sales funnel.
Even though this trend might change, in the luxury sector we should continue to see cash transactions.
Non-U.S. citizens must consider a number of factors when applying for a mortgage as well as distinct disadvantages as the ones we now present.
When it comes to income and credit verification, you should expect a longer process as lenders will usually ask for bank statements and tax returns filed in the applicant’s home country. Note, that they may require several months’ worth of credit card statements to probe borrowing habits to replace the typical credit report.
But, if your client is legally working in the U.S. and has a work visa or a Green Card, you can help them qualify for Fannie Mae or FHA loans, which will speed up the sales process.
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