Foreign buyers purchased fewer U.S. homes and spent nearly $11 billion less than a year earlier, but Florida, and especially Miami, remained their leading destination, according to a new national report.
International buyers purchased $45.3 billion in existing homes from April 2025 through March 2026, a 19.1% decline from the previous 12-month period, according to the National Association of Realtors’ 2026 international transactions report.
The number of properties purchased fell 14%, from 78,100 to 67,100, the second-lowest level since NAR began tracking foreign purchases in 2009. International buyers accounted for approximately 1.7% of all existing-home sales.
The median purchase price was $465,000, down from the record $494,400 reported a year earlier.
Florida attracted 20% of the nation’s international buyers. California was second at 19%. Texas accounted for 12%, while New Jersey and Georgia each received 4%.
Foreign buyers purchased 67,100 U.S. homes totaling $45.3 billion, with Florida remaining the leading destination. Islander News graphic; source: National Association of Realtors. Islander News graphic
Photo by Jodi Jacobson/Getty Images Signature via Canva Pro.
The national downturn contrasts with separate South Florida data released in January. The MIAMI Association of Realtors reported that international buyers purchased $4.4 billion in South Florida residential property during its 2025 reporting period, up from $3.1 billion the year before. Purchases increased from 4,000 to 5,300 properties.
Miami-Dade accounted for 73% of those South Florida international transactions and approximately $3.2 billion in sales. About 45% of Florida’s international home purchases occurred in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach market.
The two studies cover different periods and populations, but together they suggest South Florida continued to attract international capital even as foreign buying slowed nationally.
Canada returned as the leading source of foreign buyers nationwide, accounting for 16% of purchases. Mexico followed with 14%, while China ranked third with 11%.
Chinese buyers, however, spent the most, $7.6 billion, with an average purchase price of approximately $1 million. In South Florida, Colombia and Argentina were the largest sources of international buyers.
Nearly half of foreign buyers nationwide, 48%, paid cash, compared with 28% of all existing-home buyers.
NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun said the decline mirrored a reduction in international visitors. High home prices, limited inventory, immigration concerns and geopolitical uncertainty also caused some buyers to delay purchases, according to Realtors surveyed for the report.
Even a slightly weaker U.S. dollar, which increased buying power for some international purchasers, was not enough to reverse the national decline.