Miami, New York, and Los Angeles continue to lead international demand for U.S. real estate, but Kansas City is increasingly attractive to global investors thanks to its affordability, rental yields, infrastructure investments, and central U.S. location.
Foreign Demand Is Rising Again
According to Realtor.com and the National Association of Realtors, international buyers are once again active in the U.S. housing market. In Q1 2025, 1.9% of all U.S. home shoppers came from outside the country — up from 1.3% in 2020 and 1.7% in late 2024.
Between April 2024 and March 2025, foreign buyers purchased 78,100 existing U.S. homes, totaling $56 billion in sales.
Top U.S. Destinations for Global Buyers
- Miami: 8.7% of international demand, Florida’s 16th consecutive year as #1 state for foreign buyers.
- New York: 4.9%, continuing as a global investment hub.
- Los Angeles: 4.6%, strong luxury market appeal.
- Other Hot Spots: Orlando (2.9%), Dallas (2.8%), Houston (2.6%), Tampa (2.5%), Phoenix (2.3%).
Who’s Buying?
- 🇨🇦 Canadians — 34.7% of all international demand (though down from 40.7% last year).
- 🇲🇽 Mexico — 5.4%, concentrated in border metros like San Antonio and Riverside, CA.
- 🇬🇧 United Kingdom — 5.7%
- 🇩🇪 Germany — 3.8%
- 🇦🇺 Australia — 3.2%
- 🇨🇳 China & 🇮🇳 India — strong presence nationally, driving much of luxury demand.
Why Kansas City Belongs on This List
- Affordability: KC’s median home price (~$280K) is far below the national average (~$410K).
- Rental Yields: Investors can find 7–8% returns in key neighborhoods.
- Infrastructure: A $1.5B state-of-the-art single-terminal airport opened in 2023, making KC globally connected.
- Economic Growth: $6B+ invested into downtown development; major employers include Cerner, Hallmark, Honeywell, and T-Mobile.
- Cultural Appeal: UNESCO “City of Music,” thriving arts, sports, and culinary scene.
- Central Location: A true hub, offering easy access to both coasts.
FAQs on International Buyers and Kansas City
Which countries are buying the most U.S. homes?
China, Canada, Mexico, India, and the United Kingdom lead foreign investment in U.S. residential real estate.
Why is Kansas City attractive to international buyers?
Kansas City combines affordability, strong rental yields, central geography, and billions in urban development — making it a rising market for global investors.
How-To: Invest in Kansas City as a Global Buyer
- Research national foreign buyer trends to identify where global demand is shifting.
- Compare Kansas City affordability to coastal metros for ROI opportunities.
- Partner with local experts to navigate neighborhoods, rental markets, and zoning.
- Leverage KC’s strong rental yields for cash-flow strategies.
- Highlight connectivity via Kansas City International Airport for global accessibility.
Local Expertise
Wardell & Holmes Real Estate connects global investors with Kansas City’s most promising opportunities — from luxury homes to investment rentals and development projects.
Contact us:
BROKER: Andrea WARDELL
Email: Andrea@wardellholmes.com
Phone: 816-806-9492
