Are you a non-U.S. citizen interested in buying land through USA Land Sales?
Explore the details and guidelines for foreign land buyers.
Foreign Land Buyers
If you are a non-U.S. citizen interesting in purchasing land through USA Land Sales, we make the process easy for you. Read on to explore our Foreign Land Buyers Frequently Asked Questions, so you can move forward confidently with your land purchasing.
Are there any restrictions on non-U.S. citizens buying land in the U.S. from USA Land Sales?
There are NO restrictions that would prevent non-U.S. citizens from buying U.S. land on the USA Land Sales website. You only need proof of residency in your country and valid identification, such as a passport or visa.
Do I have to pay taxes on land I buy from USA Land Sales?
Yes, every owner will owe annual property taxes. Foreigners who purchase land in the United States must pay U.S. property taxes. Taxes will vary by state, county, and city. Local taxes are levied to pay for education, public safety, and other services. The annual taxes due for your property is indicated on the property listing page. You may want to hire a real estate attorney to guide you through the U.S. tax system.
When I buy land in the U.S. from USA Land Sales, do I have to pay for it all at once or can I finance it?
You can buy land from us outright for a single payment, or we can provide you with convenient, affordable financing. Purchasing land outright with a credit card or wire transfer is the easiest way to buy land from USA Land Sales. With this type of land purchase, you are responsible for paying any annual taxes when they come due each year.
If I want to finance land, are you going to check my credit?
No. USA Land Sales does not run a credit check for financing. We offer guaranteed financing for every buyer, regardless of credit history.
Who pays the property taxes while I am paying for my land?
If you finance your land purchase and pay in monthly installments, USA Land Sales will pay the taxes and add our cost to your monthly bill as a pass-through expense.
What about currency exchange?
All land is sold and denominated in U.S. dollars. When you become a buyer and you go to your bank to wire the money, they should be able to do the exchange conversion for you. If you pay by credit card, your card company does the exchange conversion for you, and it will show up on your monthly statement.
What are the wire transfer instructions?
Bank-to-bank wire transfer is considered the safest international payment method. International buyers should wire your money transfers to the following institution:
Bank Of America
4650 West Atlantic Avenue
Delray Beach, FL 33445
Routing and Wire information is included in each invoice.
Can I use a credit card?
Yes, paying with a credit card is the easiest and preferred method of paying for the land you buy from USA Land Sales. You can use a credit card to buy land from us in a single payment, or we can finance your sale, and you can use a credit card to make your monthly payments. We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover credit cards.
If USA Land Sales finances your purchase, enrolling in AutoPal is the easiest way to make your monthly payments. When you give us your credit card information, you will automatically be enrolled in AutoPal, which means that your monthly payment will automatically be charged to the account on file. You also are provided a link to your account and can access it at any time, 24/7, and you don't have to remember any due dates, worry about late payment charges, or put a check in the mail.
Who owns the land?
All of the land sold by USA Land Sales is owned by us (or one of our land holding companies or our owner), as we are not a third-party marketplace. We guarantee free and clear title or your money back. This means that no one else owns the land or has any rights to use it or claim it.
How is title to the land transferred to me?
If you purchase outright with one lump-sum payment for your land, USA Land Sales will handle all the legal paperwork on your behalf. You will provide us with vesting information, and we will take care of the rest, which includes recording the sale with the local County Assessor and showing you as the new owner in the public record. Once recorded, USA Land Sales will transfer the Warranty Deed to you the next day. This process typically takes 8-10 weeks but may take longer depending on the county and their capacity.
If you purchase land with financing through USA Land Sales, you will receive a DocuSign contract outlining all the terms and conditions of sale and the details regarding your monthly installment payment. Once you pay off the property, we will record the sale with the local County Assessor, showing you as the new owner in the public record. Once recorded, you will receive the free and clear Warranty Deed.
Who holds the title while I am paying for my land?
When you purchase from USA Land Sales and make monthly installment payments, we will hold the Title until you have paid in full. We then will record and transfer the Warranty Deed as described in #10, above. There are no prepayment penalties, and you can pay off the property at any time.
What happens if I want to sell the land I buy from USA Land Sales?
You may sell the property—after being paid in full—and transfer ownership to a party you designate. As a non-U.S. citizen, if you sell any land you purchased in the United States, the sale is subject to the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980 (FIRPTA) income tax withholding.
To ensure that taxes on the sale of the land are collected from foreign taxpayers, FIRPTA requires those who buy land from non-U.S. citizens to withhold 10% of the sales price. As the seller, you may apply to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to reduce this 10% to the amount of tax estimated to be due. The IRS routinely and quickly approves such applications from sellers.
You may want to hire a real estate attorney to help you better understand FIRPTA and how you can decrease the 10% tax withholding.