International homebuyers from China and Singapore ranked number one and two, respectively, as the most interested in purchasing real estate in South Florida last month, according to new data by the Miami Association of Realtors.

Why It Matters

Florida has long been the most popular destination for international real estate investors looking to buy properties in the U.S. According to the National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) 2025 International Transactions in U.S. Residential Real Estate report, the state counts for more than one in five (21 percent) of international purchases. Around half of the purchases in the Sunshine State were in the Miami metro market.

While there were fears that the White House tariffs would have a negative impact on international real estate investment in the U.S., the new data from the Miami Association of Realtors shows that Chinese nationals are still interested, despite the ongoing trade war and recent legal challenges in the Sunshine State.

What To Know

These were the top 10 countries searching for real estate opportunities in South Florida on MiamiRealtors.com in September, according to the organization: 

ChinaSingaporeColombiaSpainIndiaPhilippinesCanadaArgentinaVenezuelaIreland

The number one international city from where foreign investors were looking to buy properties in Miami was Shenzhen, China’s biggest electronics manufacturing and export city. The city-state of Singapore was number two. 

Chinese buyers have proven to be undeterred by a recent ban introduced by Florida lawmakers, SB 264, which forbids Chinese nationals without permanent U.S. residency from buying property or land in the state. That is likely because the law is yet to fully come into effect after facing legal challenges that have temporarily halted its enforcement. 

Once implemented, the law would also ban countries like China, Russia and others from owning agricultural land and properties near military installations.

International buyers are helping the Florida housing market keep moving at a time of a steep price correction, as a flood of new inventory—including new construction—has given buyers in the state more negotiating power. According to Miami Realtors, foreign buyers were behind 49 percent of new South Florida construction, pre-construction and condo conversion sales over an 18-month period ending in July 2025. Data was aggregated from 9,115 units in 37 new construction condominium projects in the Miami market area

What People Are Saying

Miami Association of Realtors chairman Eddie Blanco said in the report shared with Newsweek: “Asia continues to be an emerging market for South Florida real estate, with our clean air, ideal weather and growth as a FinTech destination being major attractions.”

Tim Weisheyer, 2025 Florida Realtors president and broker-owner of Dream Builders Realty and dbrCommercial Real Estate Services, told Newsweek: “Of course, people are attracted to the lifestyle, the natural beauty, and the amazing endless sunshine, but what really sets Florida apart is the opportunity it offers. Buyers from around the world are looking to put down roots in markets that offer both quality of life and long-term value, and Florida delivers on both.”

What Happens Next

Last month, President Donald Trump signed an executive order launching the U.S.’ first-ever “Gold Card,” a type of investor visa which, for a hefty price of $1 million, grants permanent residency in the States. While the Gold Card may be challenged in the courts and potentially by Congress, Blanco believes this is an initiative that could favor South Florida.

“The new $1 million Gold Card that potentially could grant American residency in record time plus a temporary injunction on SB 264 are two factors for the increase in searches from Asia,” he said.