Foreigners are buying fewer U.S. properties

A version of this article first appeared in the CNBC Property Play newsletter with Diana Olick. Property Play covers new and evolving opportunities for the real estate investor, from individuals to venture capitalists, private equity funds, family offices, institutional investors and large public companies. Sign up to receive future editions, straight to your inbox.

Foreign buyers are pulling back sharply from U.S. residential real estate, but one segment of the nation’s homebuilders is still seeing strong international demand.  

Sales of U.S. existing homes to foreign buyers from April 2025 through March 2026 dropped 14% in unit volume and 19% in dollar volume compared with the 12 months prior, according to an annual report from the National Association of Realtors. 

International buyers…