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Are foreigners buying and selling homes in the U.S. the same as locals?
Oct 18, 2022
Are foreigners buying and selling homes in the U.S. the same as locals? Boston
By   Internet
  • Guide
  • Foreigners
  • capital gains tax
  • U.S. home buying
Abstract: There is no restriction for foreigners to buy houses in the U.S. There is no restriction on the number of houses, and you can also take out a loan to buy a house in the U.S.

1. There is no restriction on the eligibility to buy a house.

 

Generally speaking, the U.S. federal government has never prohibited foreigners from buying real estate in the United States. Any foreigner can buy a home in the U.S. There is no limit on the number of homes that can be purchased.

 

2. Foreigners have stricter conditions to apply for mortgage loans.

 

Foreign buyers who want to get a loan have more stringent conditions than Americans.

 

Generally, lenders require foreign buyers to put down 40-50% of the home price, much higher than the 20% for Americans, and the interest rate on the balance of the loan will be higher.

 

In addition, overseas buyers who want to obtain a loan generally need to provide bank-approved proof of funds to demonstrate their ability to repay the monthly loan amount.

 

3. Foreigners are required to pay capital gains tax on the sale of real estate.

 

Owning a home can provide a reliable way for families to make ends meet. To achieve this goal, the United States has a relatively well-developed set of housing policies.

 

Capital gains taxes, the cost of holding title, and home loan interest rates together constitute an important tax policy for the healthy and stable development of the U.S. real estate market.

 

Foreigners selling U.S. property are subject to the same capital gains tax as locals.

 

When a foreigner sells real estate, the buyer must withhold 10% of the seller's gross income in advance by completing two forms, 8288 and 8288A, and submitting them to the IRS within 20 days of the transaction, along with the withholding.

 

4. Buying a home in the U.S. does not automatically provide a visa or green card.

 

Before traveling or staying in the U.S., the alien must have a visa or green card. The visa application process takes four to six weeks, depending primarily on the U.S. consulate in the applicant's country.

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Are foreigners buying and selling homes in the U.S. the same as locals?
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