Mexico is, year after year, among the largest foreign buyers of U.S. real estate. For a Mexican investor, Miami has stopped being an aspirational luxury and become a portfolio decision: dollarize, step out of local risk, and enter a deep market that plays by clear rules.
What changes from one Mexican buyer to the next isn't the why —that part is settled— but the how: how to move the funds, which structure to buy through, and which project actually fits the objective. This guide sorts it out with an investor's judgment, not a salesman's.
Moving funds out of Mexico, cleanly
- A formal international wire from your Mexican bank to the title company's escrow account. Never to the seller directly.
- A documented source of funds — U.S. compliance is strict, and a tidy paper trail keeps the closing from stalling.
- Exchange rate and timing — the peso is freely convertible, so the transfer itself is straightforward; what matters is documenting the origin of the funds for U.S. compliance.
Financing: the non-resident Mexican does qualify
You need neither residency nor citizenship. You can pay cash or take a foreign-national loan (typically 30%–40% down, a slightly higher rate, and paperwork your Mexican bank or accountant can assemble). Many buy in cash and weigh refinancing later.
Ownership: your name or an entity
Holding in your personal name exposes you to U.S. estate tax —with an exemption of barely US$60,000— which is why many Mexicans buy through a structure (a Florida LLC, sometimes with a holding company above it). It isn't always the right call: it depends on the amount, the use and your net worth. Settle it with your accountant before you make an offer.
Pre-construction: why it suits the Mexican buyer
A staged payment plan lets you build the dollar position gradually —say 20% at contract and the balance over the course of construction— while entering at the project's lowest price. The trade-off is time and construction risk, mitigated by choosing developers with a track record.
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View properties →Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Mexican buy without residency? Yes — no visa or citizenship, in cash or with financing for non-residents.
How do I transfer the money? Through a formal international wire to the title company's escrow, with a documented source of funds. Never to the seller.
My name or an entity? It depends on the amount, the use and your net worth; personal ownership carries estate-tax exposure. Decide it with your accountant.