For International Investors
How to Finance US Real Estate From Abroad
A practical guide for non-resident investors, covering everything from forming your US LLC to closing your deal remotely, without a US credit history or a US bank relationship.
Financing US investment property from another country feels harder than it is. The obstacles are not about the loan itself. They are about structure and process: how to hold the property, how to move money, how to prove who you are, and how to close when you are thousands of miles away.
Done in the right order, the path is straightforward. Here is the process end to end.
Step 1: Form a US LLC
US investment property is held in a US entity, and loans are made to that entity, not to you personally. Forming a US LLC is fast and inexpensive, and a non-resident can own one without US citizenship or residency.
Providers such as Stripe Atlas and doola specialize in forming a US LLC for non-residents, and can also obtain the EIN (the LLC's federal tax ID) for you. The LLC keeps the loan business-purpose and is how serious international investors structure US holdings.
Step 2: Open and fund a US LLC bank account
Your LLC needs a US bank account, funded with the capital for your down payment, reserves, and closing costs. This account is also part of how you demonstrate that the deal is real and that you can service the loan.
Digital-first business banks such as Mercury and Relay are generally easier to open remotely than traditional banks, though eligibility varies by country and by entity type. Traditional banks like Chase usually require an in-person branch visit, which is harder from abroad. Moving funds internationally is routine. Plan for currency conversion from EUR, GBP, CHF, or your home currency into USD. We point you to the setup that fits your situation.
Step 3: Identify the deal and the right program
Match the property to the right financing. For buying and holding a rental, DSCR financing qualifies on the property's cash flow. For acquiring quickly or repositioning, a bridge loan. For building or renovating, development, renovation, or fix & flip financing. We help you pick the structure that fits.
Step 4: Qualify on the asset
This is where non-residents are often surprised: you qualify on the property and your ability to service the loan, not on a US credit score or US tax returns. You provide a recent bank statement, your funded US LLC account, identity documents, and source-of-funds verification. With our lender, foreign nationals are underwritten on the same terms as US borrowers.
Step 5: Close remotely
You do not need to fly to the United States. Closings are routinely completed from abroad using remote notarization or a power of attorney, with funds wired to the closing agent. Once funded, your US LLC owns the property and the financing is in place.
A note on compliance
Like any US lender, we complete standard identity (KYC) and source-of-funds verification on every deal, and we work with investors from eligible countries only. This protects you and keeps the transaction clean. If you can document who you are and where your funds come from, the process is smooth.
Frequently asked questions
Can I finance US property if I have never lived in the US?
Yes. Non-resident investors finance US investment property through a US LLC, qualifying on the asset rather than on US credit or US income. You do not need US residency or a Social Security number.
Do I need to travel to the US to close?
No. Closings are routinely handled remotely from abroad using remote notarization or a power of attorney, with funds wired to the closing agent.
How do I move money to the US for the purchase?
Your US LLC opens a US bank account, which you fund from abroad. International transfers are routine, and you should budget for currency conversion into USD. The funded account also helps demonstrate your ability to service the loan.
What currencies do investors usually come from?
Most of our international investors convert from EUR, GBP, or CHF, but the process is the same from any eligible country. Loans are denominated and serviced in USD.
Ready to finance your US deal?
Tell us about the property and your timeline. We will come back with the structure and next steps, usually within 24 hours.