How to Invest in U.S. Real Estate Without Traveling

Many foreign national investors believe that investing in U.S. real estate requires living in the country or traveling frequently to oversee every step of the process. In reality, that idea is outdated, and it often prevents investors from taking advantage of valuable opportunities in the U.S. market.

Today, thanks to technology, specialized financing solutions, and support from experienced professionals, it is possible to invest in U.S. properties completely remotely without leaving your couch.

Investing in the U.S. real estate market gives international investors access to a strong economy, income in U.S. dollars, and the opportunity to diversify their portfolios in one of the world’s most stable real estate markets. In this article, we’ll show you how remote investing in U.S. real estate works, which tools make the process possible, and how investors can simplify every stage of the investment journey.

Key Takeaways

• You don’t need to travel to the U.S. to invest in real estate.
• You can secure financing, manage documents, and complete the closing process entirely online.
• Waltz centralizes legal setup, banking and foreign exchange tools, and financing solutions for foreign national investors in one platform.

Why Foreign Investors Continue to Invest in U.S. Real Estate

It’s common to see headlines and endless social media discussions about global political and economic tensions, rising interest rates, and recession fears fueled by conflicts and instability around the world. All of this has created the perception that foreign investment in U.S. real estate is slowing down.

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At Waltz, we see a different reality. Global investors continue purchasing properties in the U.S. to protect their capital from unstable economies and diversify their investments in a strong and resilient market. Here are some of the key reasons they continue to trust U.S. real estate, even during periods of uncertainty:

U.S. dollar stability: The U.S. dollar remains one of the world’s most stable and trusted currencies. Investing in U.S. real estate allows foreign investors to diversify their portfolios while holding assets tied to the strength of the world’s largest economy. In addition, U.S. real estate can help investors hedge against inflation through dollar-denominated rental income and long-term property appreciation.

Familiarity with U.S. markets: Proximity and economic ties make U.S. real estate markets especially familiar to investors from neighboring countries. According to the 2025 NAR International Transactions report, Canadians and Mexicans were the second- and third-largest buyers of U.S. property, accounting for 14% and 8% of all international purchases, respectively. Both countries share a border with the United States, making investment in nearby states such as Texas, Arizona and California feel geographically and culturally accessible. Canadians also share a common language and many cultural similarities with the U.S., while many Mexican families are already familiar with earning or managing income in U.S. dollars through remittances, cross-border business activities, or trade.

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Broader inventory and investment opportunities: While many markets around the world offer real estate opportunities, the U.S. stands out for its wide range of properties, markets, and investment opportunities across different states and price points. Many Canadian, Israeli, and Mexican investors, for example, are attracted to U.S. real estate for its diverse inventory, higher income potential, and access to fast-growing regions. Canadian investors often benefit from lower entry prices and stronger rental returns compared to major cities in Canada. For Israeli investors, the U.S. also represents an opportunity to diversify internationally and hold assets in a large, highly liquid market tied to the U.S. dollar.

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Legal protection and market transparency: The U.S. offers a stable and transparent legal system that provides foreign investors with greater security and predictability. Property rights are well established, and the regulatory environment supports long-term real estate investment strategies.

Read more: How Two Israeli Investors are Building a Multi-Family Empire

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How Real Estate Investing Works for Foreign Investors in the U.S.

A foreign national mortgage is a loan designed for non-U.S. citizens, including investors who do not have a Social Security Number (SSN) or U.S. residency. These specialized loans are offered by U.S. banks and mortgage lenders and make it possible for international investors to finance real estate purchases in the United States. There are different types of real estate financing options available for foreign investors:

Traditional mortgages evaluate the borrower’s income and ability to make monthly payments, which means they typically require a U.S. credit history or proof of income in the country.

DSCR loans (Debt Service Coverage Ratio) are designed specifically for investment properties. Unlike traditional mortgages, approval is based on the property’s rental income potential rather than the borrower’s personal income or U.S. credit history, making them an attractive option for foreign investors. They can also be used to refinance an existing mortgage.

Investing in real estate also comes with certain risks and challenges, including lawsuits, taxes, financing, and property management. That’s why many investors choose to create an LLC (Limited Liability Company) to manage their real estate investments. An LLC can help protect personal assets, provide potential tax advantages, and offer greater flexibility when building and scaling a real estate portfolio.

The Most Common Challenges for Foreign Investors

Investing in U.S. real estate as a foreign investor can sometimes feel overwhelming due to the number of requirements and administrative steps involved. Many investors feel intimidated by challenges such as understanding financing options, setting up an LLC, obtaining an EIN, or opening a U.S. bank account. However, most of these barriers can be simplified with the right guidance, tools, and support throughout the investment process:

• Understanding financing options for foreign investors: There are different types of real estate loans available, and it’s important to understand which financing solutions best fit your financial goals and offer the most flexibility.
• The belief that U.S. credit history is required: Many investors assume this is mandatory, but it’s not. It is possible to invest in U.S. real estate without having a U.S. credit history.
• Having a U.S. visa: This is another common misconception that discourages many international investors. In reality, you do not need a visa to invest in rental properties in the United States.
• Setting up a legal structure: Obtaining an EIN, creating an LLC, and opening a U.S. bank account are important steps in the investment process, and having the right guidance can make a significant difference.
• Traveling frequently to sign documents or complete paperwork: This is another concern for many investors. Today, the entire investment process can be completed fully online.

A Fully Digital Platform for Investing in the U.S.

The traditional process of securing a mortgage in the U.S. as a foreign investor is often lengthy and bureaucratic, sometimes taking months to complete. In many cases, investors are required to travel to the U.S. to set up a legal structure, attend in-person meetings, and sign physical documents in order to close the transaction. 

On top of that, investors often need to coordinate multiple service providers, including banks, mortgage brokers, attorneys, and title companies,  which can make the process slower, more complex, and more expensive.

The good news is that there is a much simpler way to invest remotely. Waltz was built to help international investors finance rental properties in the U.S. without traveling to the country or dealing with complicated processes. Through a fully digital platform, investors can manage the entire process from their home country in a fast, transparent, and secure way.

The entire process is completed online, from identity verification and LLC and EIN setup to e-signing documents, accessing financing, opening a U.S. bank account, and closing. Waltz centralizes every step in one place, helping investors save time and reduce costs while simplifying a process that can be completed in as little as 14 days.

Read more: Investing Remotely From 300 Miles Away with Confidence

Your U.S. Real Estate Financing in Just a Few Clicks

Say goodbye to paperwork and long waiting times. With Waltz’s digital platform, you can complete the entire financing process online, from application to closing, in as little as 14 days. Here’s how to get a mortgage with Waltz:

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1. Start your application online: Start the process by filling out a simple online application form. Once submitted, we’ll connect you with a Waltz advisor who will guide you throughout the entire process and provide support at every step. You will then receive a pre-approval letter from Waltz, demonstrating your financing capacity to purchase a property in the U.S.

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2. Say hello to your Investor Kit: In a single digital step, you can upload your documents and, within minutes, Waltz will prepare a kit that includes everything you need to start investing in the U.S.: an LLC, an EIN, an Operating Agreement, and a Registered Agent.

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3. Submit your documentation: We only request the necessary documents, such as identification documents and financial records from your home country. We provide a secure document submission process that eliminates the need for complex paperwork, translations, or faxing. The entire document upload and management process is completed fully remotely.

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4. Access the Waltz banking platform: Waltz was built for non-U.S. investors and designed to provide convenience and security in managing financial transactions related to real estate investments in the U.S. Through the platform, you can manage transfers, move funds, and operate in foreign currencies, as well as access competitive exchange rates, all in a fully digital environment.

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5. Secure your financing: With financing options of up to 70% of the property value, Waltz helps you obtain a mortgage quickly and in a fully digital way. For example, on a $300,000 property, the required down payment would be approximately $90,000. Financing terms include 30-year fixed-rate and adjustable-rate options, tailored to your investment strategy, financial goals, and property type. In addition, the mortgage closing is completed remotely and digitally, without the need for in-person signatures, and can be finalized in as little as 14 days.

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6. Become a property owner: That’s it! Now that the property is yours, it’s time to start generating rental income and continue building your real estate portfolio in the U.S.

Yes, you can! Invest in U.S. real estate remotely with Waltz

For a long time, thousands of foreign investors believed that investing in U.S. real estate required frequent travel, in-person document signing, and managing everything directly from the U.S. But that is no longer the case. With the right infrastructure, the entire process can be done fully remotely, from mortgage applications and LLC setup to document uploads, digital signing, and international fund transfers.

Unlike the traditional mortgage process, which is often slow, bureaucratic, and dependent on multiple service providers, Waltz brings together in a single digital platform everything an international investor needs to purchase rental properties in the U.S., including financing, legal structuring, and banking tools designed for foreign buyers.

The result is a much simpler, faster, and more transparent process that reduces time, complexity, and unnecessary paperwork, without the need to travel to the U.S. to move forward with your investment. Investing in U.S. real estate doesn’t depend on where you are, but on having the right tools to do it.

Invest in U.S. properties 100% remotely with Waltz.

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