Profile of International Residential Real Estate Activity in Florida

Since 2005, the National Association of REALTORS® Research Group has conducted an annual survey for Florida REALTORS® to assess international investment trends in U.S. residential real estate, including sales volume, characteristics of foreign buyers, as well as challenges and opportunities inherent in cross border transactions.

The 2020 Profile of International Residential Real Estate Activity in Florida presents information from Florida REALTORS ® members regarding residential transactions with international clients closed during the 12 month period of August 2019 to July 2020.

Key Findings

Florida's Top 5 Foreign Buyers

Canada ($3.2 B)
Brazil ($1.4 B)
Venezuela ($0.9 B)
Argentina ($0.6 B)
Colombia ($0.5 B)

Stacked bar graph: Origin of Foreign Home Buyers in Florida Metro Areas

Top 5 Foreign Buyer Destinations

Miami-Ft. Lauderdale-West Palm Beach (47.3% of foreign buyers)
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater (11.0%)
Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford (9.7%)
North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton (6.9%)
Cape Coral-Ft. Myers (4.7%)

Bar graph and table: Top Destinations of Florida's Foreign Home Buyers

Quick Statistics

$15.6 Billion:Dollar volume of Florida's existing homes purchased by foreign buyers during August 2019–July 2020, which is 11% of the dollar volume of Florida's existing home sales (2% decrease from the prior 12-month level of $16 billion)

Bar graph: Dollar Volume of International Sales in Billion U.S. Dollars

33,900: Number of existing homes purchased in Florida by foreign buyers, which is 8% of existing-home sales (7% decrease from the prior 12-month period level of 36,400)
69%: Share of foreign buyers whose primary residence is abroad (Type A)

Bar graph: Non-Residents (Type A) as Share of All Foreign Buyers in Florida

$300,600: Foreign buyer median purchase price ($263,400 for all Florida existing- homes sold)
64%: Foreign buyers who paid all-cash
66%: Foreign buyers who intended to use the property for vacation, residential rental, or both uses

Stacked bar graph: Intended Use Among Florida's Major Foreign Home Buyers

35%: Foreign buyers who purchased condo or co-op units
89%: Foreign buyers who visited Florida at least once before making a purchase
70%: Foreign buyers who were referrals of personal and business contacts and former clients, or who were former clients
19%: Respondents who reported clients (either non-U.S. citizen or U.S. citizen) seeking to purchase property abroad