The topic of buying a home as an international buyer is very close to my heart. I am originally from Brazil, so I more than understand the struggles of buying a home in another country.

I started my home buying journey after living in the U.S. for 3 years. At the time, I was still living in Washington D.C. area, but I was looking for competitive home prices and warmer weather. It might be because I am Brazilian, but Orlando just seemed like a great fit!

After deciding on the area I wanted to live, I still had a lot to figure out.  I was very surprised to learn how U.S. Real Estate transactions are done compared to my home country. Starting was the worst part. Where do you even begin?

First, don’t let the fear take over. Second, find a good Realtor in Orlando! Though the process can seem a bit overwhelming, it is not difficult. And it can be very rewarding. I did it and so can you!

Here are a few things I learned along the way:

You don’t need to be a citizen or a permanent resident to buy a home in the U.S.

This question comes up a lot when I talk to my friends from Brazil. They want to know if they can buy a home, specifically a vacation home, here in Orlando. The answer is - yes, you can!

It is possible to get a loan

International buyers and investors may be able to qualify for financing. But, they may be required to provide a larger down payment. In addition, not all banks will work with international buyers. So, you might have to do some shopping around or, if possible, even pay cash.

Your Realtor’s commission is generally paid for by the seller

I know in some countries, the buyer will pay commission to their Realtor. If the home-for-sale is listed with another Realtor (the listing agent), then usually the buyer does not have to pay for their Realtor’s (the buyer’s agent) commission. The seller will pay the commission for both the listing and buying agents out of the sale proceeds of the home. The commission is paid directly to the listing and buying agents’ brokers, who then distribute it to their agents.

The U.S. uses a non-metric unit system

I have lived in this country for over 7 years, and this is still a problem for me! In the U.S. the homes are measured by their square footage. Thankfully, now you can download apps to your phone that will easily do the conversion to square meters for you. Still, it might be worth learning some basic conversions by heart just in case technology fails you.

My last piece of advice for you, is to find a great Realtor in Orlando to help you. They can provide you important information about the home buying process. They will also be your guide to the area you are interested in.

With the help of my Realtor, I have bought 2 homes in Orlando, and I am getting ready to purchase home number 3!

Are you ready to start looking for a home in the beautiful city of Orlando? Let me know, in the comments below, what you are looking for in a home. Already purchased a home? Have any other advice for other international home buyers in Orlando?