Best Places to Buy House in the USA for Price Appreciation (2024)

It’s no secret that the US real estate market has been on fire lately. Home prices have been rising steadily for the past few years, and there’s no end.

However, being a huge real estate market, the US still has relatively lower house prices than other markets like the UK, Canada, China, India, etc. This is one of the reasons to invest in US real estate.

When you are buying a home in the USA as a foreigner, one thing that matters the most is location. It should be at a place where you can get a decent value appreciation. So, whether you live there or rent it out, you’ll have handsome profits when you sell your property.

In this listicle, we compiled the 10 best places to buy a house in the US in 2023 for best value appreciation and other valuable factors.

Things to Look for Before Choosing a Location to Buy Your Home in the USA!

When you’re ready to purchase your first home or investment property, you must be aware of a few things. The following are some of the most critical factors you’ll want to keep in mind when narrowing down your search for the best places to buy a home, especially as a foreign investor:

1. Growth

Real estate investing may be challenging, especially when you are looking to support out of your home country! To truly maximize the potential of your investment, it’s crucial to strike the appropriate balance between demand and market value. It would help if you looked at the growth trends in particular regions to determine what is now in order and booming.

However, you shouldn’t just rush into the industry with the most alluring growth right now. These cities look attractive to you now but they also appear inviting to everyone else. In light of this, it is possible for the market to become oversaturated and overvalued in a short period, which could cause an investment to stagnate or even lose value when the bubble inevitably bursts.

To determine where a market is predicted to be in three, five, or ten years, you should look at that sector’s forecast growth. Long-term sustainability is considerably better for medium-growth markets, which also have the advantage of being desirable both now and in the future.

2. Jobs Added and Planned

Foreign individuals are willing to relocate and purchase homes in an area if it can offer more jobs, mainly from well-known, reputable, or highly-paying businesses. As a result, a foreign investor should consider investing in a place with substantial job opportunities, has recently been a hub for a significant corporation, or is anticipated to get a trustworthy industry soon.

For instance, as corporations like Amazon establish national centers, towns compete to become the next destination of choice. When a business like this enters the housing market, it guarantees employment, spurs neighborhood development, and brings in new residents and homebuyers.

To find out what plans are in the works for the near future, you may also check current building permits from a particular area. This may give you a sneak preview of significant initiatives that could completely change a city before any announcements are made.

3. Current Home Values and the Vacancy Rate

Even if a region has strong growth potential, you shouldn’t buy property there. A market where there is already a high vacancy rate or sky-high housing costs could make it tough to rent out investment properties.

Even in a thriving economy, a balance between occupancy and profitability will be difficult if the neighborhood has a high vacancy rate. Since you’ll compete with other vacant properties and property rentals to attract tenants, you won’t get the rental rates you deserve, especially if the area is famous.

4. Cost of living and affordability

Several metrics can be used to assess a city’s affordability, including median home value, median rent, median listing price, state and local income tax rates, and the cost of living index, which measures your regional purchasing power in comparison to the national average for things like purchase price, rent, utilities, food, and transit.As a foreign investor spending dollars, you must keep these calculations in mind.

5. Potential Growth and Income

When evaluating a real estate investment in a foreign market, it’s essential to determine the property’s capacity to create rental revenue. To accomplish this, compare the rental records of comparable properties in the area. The possible future worth of the property should also be considered; for example, if a property isn’t renting well but is rising in value, it might still be a wise investment.

To determine whether buying a property is a suitable investment, you should estimate your future income. To determine that amount, divide the income (revenue minus expenses) by the cap rate, which is the anticipated yearly return on an investment property. Ten percent is typically regarded as a respectable cap rate.

Top 10 Places to Buy a House in the USA for Foreign Investors!

In the last two years, house sales in specific real estate markets in the United States have seen a record increase, especially amongst foreign investors looking to buy a house for investment purposes. Buyers are searching for the best cities that provide contemporary comforts, lovely vistas, and a high return on investment across the United States. Check this list of Top Housing Markets in the US to take your pick from!

1. Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta, Georgia, is one of the best places to invest in real estate in the United States. The city’s population is increasing, and there is a strong demand for housing. There are several reasons for this being the number 1 city right now!

• The median sales price in Atlanta is relatively affordable, and the city has a diverse economy immune to downturns in specific industries. In addition,
• According to experts, Atlanta’s home prices and existing home sales will increase faster than the nation in 2022. Atlanta’s price growth is expected to be 3.5 percent, which is significantly higher than the national average of 2.9 percent, according to Realtor.com.
• Recent statistics show that Metro Atlanta’s population has increased by 1.5% annually and 15% over the last decade. By 2050, the city is expected to add 1.2 million additional employees.
• Atlanta also offers a cost of living that is 60% more affordable than most cities, especially that of Manhattan, and about 50% less expensive than that of San Francisco.
• Atlanta rentals have increased by 23 percent over the past year and continue to rise. For instance, investors can anticipate median rents of $2,095 for a three-bedroom apartment in Atlanta.

As a result, Atlanta has excellent potential for rental income and capital gains. For these reasons, Atlanta is an ideal place to invest in real estate.

2. Austin, Texas

Austin’s housing market is poised for a boom due to a lack of supply, high demand, rising prices, and a booming labor market. Tesla, Samsung, and Apple have all accepted the city’s offers of tax cuts for corporations coming here, either by moving entirely or by establishing sizable offices of major companies, such as Tesla and Apple. Texas continues to recruit new inhabitants, and Austin relocations in 2021 are down by 45% from those in 2020.

• The progressive and resolutely eccentric city has expanded by more than 30% over the past ten years, partly due to an infusion of new tech firms and the growth of the regional semiconductor and software industries.
• The unemployment rate in Austin is at 4.2 percent, which is significantly lower than the national average.
• Austin has far cheaper living expenses than San Francisco and New York City.According to Numbeo’s cost of living index, which takes into account the price of consumer goods such as groceries, restaurants, transportation, and utilities, Austin scored 62.96 out of 100 in March 2021, which means that living there is over 40% less expensive than living in New York City. It is one of the cheapest cities to reside in!
• Although the median home rent is an inexpensive $1,431, rents are steadily increasing.
• The Austin housing market is a wise long-term investment, with property values increasing by almost 90% since 2012.

3. Charlotte, North Carolina

The financial and tech sectors of Charlotte have experienced significant job growth. A young workforce is supported by its 25 colleges and institutions. It is simpler to acquire there than in other IT clusters, thanks to its low property taxes.Some of the reasons why it’s one of the best places to buy a house in the US are:

• By 2050, the Charlotte region is anticipated to have grown by 50%, with suburban York and Lancaster counties likely to see the most significant growth rates in real estate sales.
• Over the last 12 months, the Charlotte region generated 75,491 jobs, with the fastest increase occurring in transportation and warehousing, finance, insurance, and real estate. The majority of the 300,000 new jobs expected to be produced in North Carolina through 2028 will be in Charlotte and the neighboring city of Raleigh.
• As of May 2022, Charlotte’s Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) is $396,619 per square foot. According to the most current Realtor.com study, a single-family home in Charlotte has a median list price of $400,000. (as of April 2022).
• In Charlotte, rents have gone up 8% since last year.According to the most recent research from Zumper, a 3-bedroom property in Charlotte may be rented for an average monthly rate of $1,900. (as of June 2022).
• Charlotte home prices have decreased by 12.4% since the last real estate cycle’s high.Home prices in Charlotte have increased by more than 77 percent since the latest real estate cycle market bottom.
• Surrounding Suburbs such as Fort Mill and Rock Hill, as well as Cabarrus County’s downtown area of Concord, are excellent future investments. They’re becoming more popular among families who can purchase extra space and access good schools.

4. Dallas / Fort Worth, Texas

Dallas’ mixed economy, offering jobs for individuals at every income level, is one of its economic strengths. Renting is more inexpensive than buying, and the demand for rental properties has risen sharply in recent years. It has one of the cheapest rates of homeownership in the nation.

• The Dallas-Fort Worth area continues to grow in population and is now the 4th largest metro area in the US, up from 6th place in 2010. According to the latest recent census, the number of people in the City of Dallas increased by nearly 9% over the previous ten years.
• Dallas’s median family income is $72,882, and its per capita income is $36,368.
• According to the BLS, employment growth in Dallas-Fort Worth is 5.6 percent annually, and the metro area is home to close to 3.9 million people.
• Dallas’s $390,505 Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) is valid through May 2022. Over the previous year, home values in Dallas rose by 30.3 percent.
• Dallas’s single-family homes are selling for an average of $430,000, according to the most recent report from the Texas Real Estate Research Center(May 2022).

5. Denver, Colorado

One of the top 10 cities in the nation to live in is Denver, Colorado. The metropolis of Denver is situated in northern Colorado, in the center of the country. Kids, yuppies, families, retirees, and people of all ages have enough to choose from. It’s a terrific area for locals, tourists, and in-migrants because there are many family-friendly activities available during all four seasons.

• Denver’s median house price is $599,742. Denver’s median house value has already climbed by 19.1% in the past year. Nevertheless, despite the quick rate of appreciation, prices are anticipated to rise gradually.
• Rental rates rise sharply in a year, rising 14.9 percent year over year, similar to their counterparts in property prices.
• Over the last ten years, its population increased by around 20%, and there are no indicators that this growth will soon decrease. The need for housing will rise as a result of this inflow of people.

6. Houston, Texas

Houston is the most populous city in Texas and the fourth-largest in the United States. It is a multicultural city with a strong economy, making it a great place to live and work. The energy industry, health care, and transportation are some main sectors.

• The job market in Houston is very diverse, with opportunities in the energy, healthcare, and aerospace industries, attracting foreign students and job seekers. The city’s population is diverse, with over 145 languages spoken.
• According to the most recent census, there are now more than 205,000 more people living in the City of Houston than there were ten years ago. Through 2029, Houston’s population is projected to increase by more than 1.2 million, continuing a decade-long trend of rapid growth.
• Houston’s median property values increased by 7.03 percent over the previous year, while the city’s median household income increased by 5.8 percent.
• The Greater Houston Partnership claims that home prices in Houston are still increasing at double-digit rates. Recently (May 2022), the median sale price of a single-family home in Houston surpassed $350,000, an increase of more than 40% from two years prior.
• The Houston Association of Realtors estimates that a single-family home in Houston will sell for a median price of $314,000.
• Although the cost of living is high, it is still cheaper to live in Houston than in other major cities such as New York or Los Angeles.
• The average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $1,191, and the median home price is $261,171.

7. Las Vegas, Nevada

The market in Las Vegas has been erratic, possibly witnessing one of the worst busts in the country during the Great Recession. However, its comeback has been rapid due to several circ*mstances, including a low cost of living, the absence of state taxes, and a diversified economic environment. Additionally, Californians who can work remotely will find it simple to relocate. Traditionally reliant on tourism and hospitality, the city has expanded into the high-tech, healthcare, and commercial real estate sectors.

• Nearly 671,000 people call Las Vegas home, and the Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise metropolitan area is home to more than 2.2 million people. According to the most recent census, Las Vegas’s population has grown by 1.57 percent annually and 10 percent in the past ten years.
• The typical family income in the Las Vegas metro region is $61,048, while the per capita income is $31,651.
• The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis estimates that the Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV MSA’s GDP is over $119 billion and has increased by about 38 percent over the last ten years.
• At the end of May 2022, the median sale price of a single-family home in Las Vegas was $483,000, up more than 25% from the same period in 2017.

8. Orlando, Florida

Orlando is the fourth-largest and the state’s largest inland city in Florida. It is the center of the Orlando metropolitan area, with a population of about 2.5 million. Orlando, the location of Disneyworld, is in the middle of the Sunshine State. It’s close enough to major cities like Miami and Daytona Beach to be a driving distance, yet far enough away to appeal to both families and renters on a tight budget.

• Nearly 308,000 people live in the City of Orlando, while the Orlando metropolitan area’s population increased by more than 1.4 percent just in the previous year.
• By 2030, it is anticipated that Orlando’s average employment would have increased by 19 percent, or nearly twice as fast as the US.
• According to studies by the Orlando Economic Partnership, the Orlando metro area is expected to add roughly 500,000 new jobs over the next ten years.
• Orlando’s median home price increased by almost 25% year over year, and homes entered into contracts less than 25 days after they were put on the market.
• The median listing home price in Orlando is $367,000, based on the most recent report fromRealtor.com(April 2022).
• The number of jobs in this city in central Florida should rise by almost 7.1% during the next two years, and in three years, the population should climb by nearly 8%.

9. Phoenix, Arizona

Phoenix, the capital and largest city in Arizona, is also known as the Valley of the Sun. There is much to do in Phoenix, from vibrant urban areas to suburban neighborhoods. All four main professional sports leagues play in the city, along with dozens of museums and performing arts centers.

• Phoenix’s population increased by 1.7 percent annually and 15.8 percent during the last ten years. By 2029, it is anticipated that the Greater Phoenix region will have 5.64 million residents.
• Through the end of the decade, job growth in Arizona is predicted to average 1.6% each year.
• According to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, the Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale MSA’s GDP is over $281 billion and has increased by more than 57% over the last ten years. 7
• Phoenix’s home values rose 29.6% over the previous year and have soared more than 204% since 2016.
• According to the most current research from Realtor.com, the median listing price of a home for sale in Phoenix is $475,00013
• The median sold home price in Phoenix is $461,000.
• The average monthly rent for an apartment in Phoenix is $1,162, a 5% increase from 2019.

10. Portland, Oregon

Young professionals wishing to reside close to urban areas are flocking to Portland, Oregon. The city has a flourishing arts scene, excellent cuisine, and many outdoor activities.

• The median home value in Portland, which is currently $564,334, has climbed by 12.7% in the last year.
• The median monthly rent is $1,560, and an 11.2 percent rise in average rental costs over the past year. People are now renting rather than buying in the city of Portland, owing to how much more expensive it is to live there than it was.
• More Portland real estate owners, are moving to the rental market due to rising acquisition costs, declining profit margins, and a shortage of available properties.
• Another factor driving increasing housing prices in the region is the expanding job market in Portland.
• Residents earn more money than usual, and the unemployment rate is lower than the national average. And, over the next ten years, it is predicted that there will be a 41.2% rise in jobs in the city.

If you’re looking to invest in real estate, these are ten of the best places to do so in the United States. All of these cities are experiencing population and economic growth, which is driving up housing prices and making them excellent markets for sellers. So if you’re thinking of investing in real estate, keep these cities in mind.

Tips to Keep in Mind Before Investing in Real Estate.

1. Create a budget.

Knowing your budget is essential if you want to buy the perfect property. It would be beneficial if you had a general concept of the final cost and the source of the funds for this transaction, such as a down payment or other alternatives like mortgage refinancing.

2. Recognize the intended use of the property.

Real estate investment in the United States can provide reliable income and capital growth. Real estate in the US has historically been one of America’s best assets, making it one of the most popular reasons people purchase these properties abroad, even though it might not seem like much to some investors or relocators looking for new homes.

The local economy and culture provide options for a healthy work-life balance while being pocket-friendly.

3. Apply for a mortgage.

If you’re not buying the house outright with cash, you’ll need to get a mortgage from a lending company. If you’re a foreign buyer, the mortgage application process can differ from if you were a local buyer. You’ll need to follow specific procedures and submit paperwork to the lender and the US authorities.

If you don’t have any US credit history, then refer to this guide to get a mortgage with a thin or no US credit.

4. Subtract expenses to pay U.S. taxes from income.

You must file a tax return at the end of each tax year if you decide to purchase a home or any other type of property in the US. Real estate investors must determine whether to deduct expenses from revenue to benefit from the favorable tax treatment that the IRS grants to such assets.

On your tax return, you can accomplish this by making that option (sometimes referred to as an “election”) selection. The IRS will automatically charge you 30% of the gross rental revenue if you choose not to file tax returns or select this option. It can significantly lower profits because costs like depreciation, basic charges, property taxes, repairs, and interest wouldn’t be tax-deductible.

Depreciation is a non-cash expense that can be written off, so keep that in mind. As a result, you will initially be displaying tax losses from your investment. You wouldn’t owe the government anything as a result. Even if you have tax losses, you must file your tax return immediately to make that choice.

5 Avoid Paying Death Tax (Estate Tax)

The total federal and state taxes owed in the US might be as high as 46% of the inheritance. The only exemption offered to foreign buyers is $60,000 of it. So, if a US property owner hasn’t planned for this, their passing could result in a significant tax and a resulting loss of inheritance to their heirs.

Both options are directly purchasing the property or putting it in an LLC. Another is to use a foreign corporation having its headquarters outside of the US (which is insufficient to avoid the estate tax). Another option is to purchase affordable term life insurance that is payable to your heirs and, if necessary, will pay the tax.

The estate tax is quite simple for foreign nationals to avoid, so don’t let it prevent you from investing in US real estate. When investing, planning is crucial. So that we can explain how our overseas clients organize their transactions to reduce taxes, please discuss this with HomeAbroad.

6. CIPS Licensed Representatives

Find an agent that has completed the Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) program if you need assistance with your purchase. CIPS representatives are more qualified than the typical US real estate agent to assist you in purchasing the best place and property here since they have completed substantial training in international real estate transactions.

Here, HomeAbroad can assist you in making the finest mortgage lender selection. We can also connect you with CIPS Certified Real Estate Agents to streamline the financing and buying processes. Our team is happy to include several CIPS-certified agents. We’re here to assist you at every turn, from choosing the ideal property to negotiating the complexities of an overseas transaction.

Still, Confused about Where to Buy?

The US is a big country with many places to buy real estate. You might want to live in the property you’re buying or use it as an investment. Different areas have distinct benefits that should be considered when making your decision.

The above options and tips are a great starting point for buying property in the US, but there is still much more to learn. Our team of professionals at HomeAbroad has significant experience assisting foreign buyers in purchasing US real estate, and we would be happy to put our knowledge to work for you.

Our CIPS Certified Professionals have the experience and expertise to take care of every detail, who will study your case, goals, and budgets and then help you find the best place to buy a house in the US. Moreover, we can connect you with the right lender to help you get the mortgage for the US property you are buying.

Frequently Asked Questions