However, currencies of some other countries with close economic ties to the U.S. have weakened against the dollar. As a result, homebuyers using these currencies found home prices more expensive. Against the Chinese yuan, home prices rose 0.1%, against the Canadian dollar by 0.9%, against the Mexican peso by 5.7%, and against the Indian rupee by 4%.
“The U.S. dollar dropped more than 10% in the first six months of the year in comparison to a handful of currencies from America’s largest trading partners—the worst start to a year in more than 40 years. Economists have cited President Trump’s tariff policies, U.S. government debt and the potential early nomination of a new Federal Reserve chair among the reasons for the depressed dollar,” Redfin stated.
Foreign purchasers may encounter slightly higher mortgage rates than domestic buyers, Redfin observed. However, since many pay in cash, they have another advantage in the market.
Foreign buyers purchased $56 billion worth of U.S. existing homes from April 2024 through March 2025, one-third more than the previous year’s $42 billion, according to the National Association of Realtors. Foreign buyers residing in the U.S. accounted for 56% of all foreign purchases with a total dollar volume of $26.9 billion. Foreign buyers living abroad accounted for the remaining 44% with a total dollar volume of $29.1 billion, the NAR reported. Their top destinations were Florida, California, Texas, New York and Arizona.
Savings for purchasers from other countries may vary due to differences in year-over-year price growth in local markets. According to Redfin, the best bargains are in Oakland, West Palm Beach, Jacksonville, San Diego and Atlanta, all of which experienced the greatest price drops year-over-year in June. The lowest savings are on home purchases in Newark, Detroit, Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Nassau County, NY, where prices grew the most.
