Buying Florida Real Estate From Abroad

You do not need a US visa, a green card or a US credit history to own property in Florida. Foreign nationals buy here every week. What trips people up is not eligibility — it is the sequence: how the money moves, who holds title, and which taxes attach to which decision. This page walks through that sequence, and the form at the bottom puts your situation in front of Axel and Bea directly.

New to the American process entirely? Start with how the US real estate system works — it explains how buyer representation and compensation are agreed in writing before you start, and what a title company actually does.

What You Actually Need to Buy

• A passport. That is the identification the title company needs.
• A way to wire funds. Money goes into the title company escrow account, never to the seller and never to us.
• A US tax number (ITIN) — needed for filing later, not for the purchase itself. The application route is set out by the IRS.
• A US bank account is convenient for utilities, property tax and association fees, but it is not required to close.

Cash, Foreign National Loan or DSCR Loan

Roughly half of our international clients pay cash, which makes an offer stronger and the closing faster — often three weeks instead of six. If you would rather finance, US lenders do write mortgages to foreign nationals without US credit history, typically at a higher down payment. A DSCR loan qualifies on the rental income the property produces rather than on your personal income, which suits an investment purchase. The details are in our guide to foreign national loans.

Personal Name, US LLC or Trust?

Holding title in your personal name is the simplest and cheapest option, and it is what most vacation-home buyers choose. A US LLC is common for rental property because it separates the asset from your personal liability. The decision also touches estate tax, where non-resident owners are treated very differently from US citizens — the gap is wide enough to be worth an hour with a CPA before closing. Read US estate tax for foreign property owners, then decide. We are brokers, not tax advisors, but we can refer you to CPAs and attorneys who work with European clients every week.

The Costs Nobody Quotes You Upfront

The purchase price is the easy number. Budget also for closing costs, annual property tax without the homestead exemption that only Florida residents receive, homeowners and windstorm insurance, flood insurance where the elevation calls for it, and HOA or CDD fees. Our Florida closing cost calculator gives you a real figure in a minute. Then read up on property taxes in Florida, flood zones and HOA restrictions.

If You Plan to Rent It Out

Rental income changes the maths, and it changes which properties are worth looking at — because not every community in Manatee or Sarasota County permits short stays. Before you fall in love with a listing, check the rules on our short-term rental rules page, and compare the two strategies in short-term versus long-term rental.

Where International Buyers Are Looking

Beach access and rental income point to Anna Maria Island. Value and space point to Bradenton and Palmetto and the North River corridor. New construction, golf and amenities point to Lakewood Ranch. Culture, dining and resale strength point to Sarasota County. If you are unsure, tell us the goal and we will narrow it down for you.