by Mike Colpitts 
- A shift in European habits has made foreign buyers make Florida #1 in real estate purchases.
- Of $56 billion foreign investors made in U.S. real estate purchases more than a fifth were made in Florida.
- Housing is scare in the UK due to a lack of new home building, which has led many Brits to invest internationally.
Florida is attracting foreign buyers to purchase homes at the highest rate in the U.S. and the number of buyers has made foreign buyers make Florida #1.
Of the $56 billion foreign investors paid for U.S. real estate between April 2024 and March 2025, 21% of sales were in Florida, according to a report from the National Association of Realtors. The next closest state, California, accounted for 15% of sales.
“Florida is one of the most dynamic economies on the planet,” Florida Realtors President Tim Weishyer told Homes.com. “International buyers are drawn to our business-friendly environment, strong property rights and predictable regulations.”
With the exception of a large number of Canadians pulling out of the state in protest of Trump administration actions, Florida has long been the top state for international buyers.
A 2024 report from Florida Realtors found Argentina accounted for 10% of foreign residential purchases in the state. Colombia 7%, Brazil at 6% and the UK 5%.
But since the U.K. formally dissolved its membership in the European Union in 2020, America has become more attractive to Brits with new regulations governing the ownership of homes in the EU. Once, the top choices among residents of Britain for vacation homes had been in France, Spain or Greece because of the convenient mutual regulatory regime.
The desire to live in the Sunshine State usually starts with a visit to Disney or a vacation at the beach, according to Propertymark member services manager Jan Hytch.
“Florida is a beautiful place to vacation, and that often sparks the idea of living here,” she said. “With remote work, people can live anywhere. It’s a direct nine-hour flight, and … the coastline is usable all year, unlike in the U.K.”
A visit can lead to permanent residency. “Initially, they come for holidays, but as they gain more freedom and financial flexibility, they consider longer stays or full relocation. The legal process here is quicker and easier than in the UK, which makes the transition smoother.”
Housing in England is scarce due to a lack of building, particularly following the worldwide real estate collapse of 2008. Many homeowners in the UK are able to purchase a second home in the U.S. with proceeds from a refinance on their principal residence.
Buyers typically are split among those purchasing second homes and those purchasing investment properties.
“It’s a mix,” Hytch said. “Some are buying second homes for personal use. Others are exploring vacation rentals like Airbnb. If they’re only using the home a few times a year, they consider renting it out the rest of the time.”
Buyers sometimes spend years reviewing a property, such as a condominium, before committing to a purchase. And they don’t worry about things such as new laws on condos that have damaged the condo market and forced some owners to list their condos in fear of being unable to afford new assessments to repair older buildings.