What makes U.S. real estate investment attractive to Latin Americans?

For years, Latin Americans have been seeking to invest in properties in the United States. This is largely due to unstable local economies and the need to protect savings in a solid market like the U.S. In this blog, we analyze why investing in the United States is so appealing for investors from Latin America.

The numbers confirm it: Colombia, Mexico, and Argentina have become the main buyers of properties in South Florida, their favorite U.S. market. This shows that global appetite for investing in the United States continues to accelerate: over the past 22 months, buyers from 73 countries accounted for 52% of all new-construction sales in South Florida, and most of them came from Latin America, according to the latest report from the Miami Association of Realtors in collaboration with industry leaders.

Colombia also ranks third worldwide in searches for properties in Miami and is the only country with more than one city among the top 10 most interested in that market: Bogotá (3), Medellín (5), and Barranquilla (9) all rank among the most active. Buenos Aires appears in sixth place, reinforcing Argentina’s long-standing interest in U.S. real estate.

The investment flow is remarkable: between January 2024 and June 2025, nearly half (49%) of new home sales in the Miami metropolitan area went to foreign buyers, and 86% of them came from Latin America.
While Miami concentrates the largest volume of real estate transactions, other states are also attracting Latin American capital:

• Texas: The second most popular destination for foreign buyers. Latin Americans account for 49% of all acquisitions, with Mexican buyers leading the group.
• California: The third state with the highest foreign participation. Latin buyers represent 20% of all transactions.
• Georgia: Attracts 4% of international buyers, 31% of whom come from Latin America and the Caribbean.

Other highly in-demand markets for Latin American investors include Illinois, Arizona, Connecticut, North Carolina, Michigan, and New York.

Regional Perspectives: How Mexicans, Colombians, and Argentinians engage with the U.S. financial system

The relationship between Latin American countries, the U.S. dollar, and the U.S. financial system varies depending on each nation’s macroeconomic conditions and cultural practices.

In Argentina, the connection to the U.S. dollar is almost part of the national identity. For decades, the dollar has served as a store of value in the face of inflation. Even though inflation is currently declining in the country, saving in dollars has been ingrained in the mindset of Argentinians for many years. However, looking more closely, it’s important to note that many Argentinians prefer to generate returns rather than simply hold their dollars. In this context, investing in U.S. real estate allows them to protect capital while earning higher yields than those offered by rentals in Argentina.

In Mexico, the dynamic is different. As a country that borders the United States, many families receive income in dollars through remittances or business activities. Although there isn’t a “cultural dollarization” like in Argentina, it is common for Mexicans to invest in financial instruments or assets linked to the U.S. market.

In Colombia, currently one of the top Latin American buyers of U.S. real estate (in Spanish), the approach is more strategic. Colombians tend to diversify their savings by incorporating dollar-denominated assets, from bank accounts to index funds. That is why real estate investment in the United States is especially attractive to them.

In short, the way each country relates to the dollar reflects how it manages risk and seeks stability in an increasingly interconnected global economic environment.

Learn more: The Case for Latin America Doubling Down on U.S. Real Estate in 2025

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The Latin American buying profile

Latin Americans who invest in properties in the United States share several common traits (in Spanish):

• ​​Most buy for investment purposes, especially for rental income, although some purchase for vacation use
• The majority pay in cash, demonstrating a high level of liquidity
• Condominiums are the most in-demand properties, especially in Florida, where location determines rental potential
• They value simple purchasing procedures, clear legal safeguards, and financing options when available
• Investors are typically young adults and professionals with the ability to save
• Purchases are often tied to wealth diversification, asset dollarization, and legal stability
• They have a strong presence in Florida, especially Miami and Orlando, although investment is growing in Texas and New York

Overall, those investing in the U.S. real estate market tend to place special emphasis on the return generated by the property they acquire. In other words, they look for cities and areas where they know they will obtain a good yield, something that doesn’t always happen in their home cities.

Many choose to enter this type of investment for the first time by purchasing an apartment, while others, already more experienced and comfortable with the market, own multiple units ready to rent.

Learn more: Mortgages for foreign nationals

Advantages of investing in the U.S. real estate 

Investing in real estate in the United States is a solid alternative for those looking to preserve their capital, generate income, and build long-term savings. Globally, real estate is considered one of the most stable and low-risk investment instruments.

In Argentina, despite the market rebound following regulatory changes, returns remain below those of more developed markets. In Mexico, the volatility of the “super peso” and certain tax incentives have encouraged investors to look toward the United States as a more stable alternative. In Colombia, the combination of high local interest rates, a shifting political landscape, and a relatively low dollar has also favored the move toward safer markets.

For these reasons, the U.S. stands out as an attractive option for all three countries: it offers better macroeconomic conditions, legal predictability, and competitive returns in U.S. dollars, making it a reliable destination to diversify and secure real estate investments.

Benefits of owning a rental property instead of a home to live in

Investing in a property intended for rental offers financial and strategic advantages that you don’t get when buying a home for personal use.

• Profitability. A rental property generates regular income that can serve as savings or as coverage for a mortgage. This makes the property an income-producing asset—something a primary residence cannot offer.

• Investment diversification. Owning property abroad allows you to diversify your assets. A rental unit can be the starting point of a real estate portfolio, whereas a personal residence is a single asset with low liquidity.

• Tax advantages. In the U.S., rental property owners can deduct expenses, interest, and operating costs, significantly reducing their tax burden. These deductions do not apply when the property is used as a personal residence.

• Strong rental market. Buying a property to rent out in the U.S. can generate income, especially if the property is located in key areas such as tourist destinations, central districts, or near universities.

Take the next step toward U.S. real estate investment

When comparing the return rates in Argentina, Mexico, and Colombia with the potential income in dollars that the U.S. market can generate, the advantages of diversifying investments outside the region become even clearer. Added to this is the benefit of investing in a stable economy, where currency volatility is not a concern, an important plus for any investor.

If you are a foreigner looking to invest in U.S. real estate, doing so with Waltz is an excellent choice. The app-like experience, designed for international investors, offers a fully digital process that eliminates the need to travel, handle paperwork, or provide visa credentials.

Start today with Waltz!

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