Report: International visa holders purchased more homes in Texas last year

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(The Center Square) – More international buyers – and those in the U.S. on visas, purchased more homes in Texas last year than the previous year. 

International buyers bought about 7,780 Texas homes from April 2025 to March 2026, up from 7,500 the year before, according to the 2026 Texas International Residential Transactions Report released by Texas REALTORS®. 

The majority, 62%, were living in the U.S. on visas or as “recent immigrants,” according to the report. 

The majority of foreign buyers, 35%, were Mexican nationals – an increase from 30% the previous year. The next greatest number who purchased residential property in Texas were Indian (14%), followed by Chinese (9%), Nigerian (5%), and British (5%) nationals. 

More Indians purchased homes in Texas last year than previous years as the Trump administration began to crack down on visa fraud. Gov. Greg Abbott also issued directives related to H-1B visa fraud. Texas’ Congressional delegation has also called for an investigation into H-1B visa holders in Texas. 

The greatest number of H-1B visa holders nationwide are from India, more than 70% in 2024, according to federal data. The second greatest number of holders are from China, The Center Square reported. 

So many more Indian nationals purchased property in Texas last year that they moved up to the second spot in the top five of the most foreigners purchasing property in Texas. Canada dropped out of the top five, according to the data.

“The relative affordability in Texas is one reason for high international interest, but our strong economy and quality of life are also persuasive recruiting tools on the world stage,” Texas REALTORS® 2026 Chairman Jennifer Wauhob said. 

The majority of non-residents paid in all cash, 59%. All foreign buyers, 38%, made all cash purchases, according to the data. 

The majority of foreign buyers, 57% purchased a primary residence, with 83% purchasing detached single-family homes and 58% purchasing homes in the suburbs.

The same percentage of international buyers purchased residential property in Texas but they purchased a greater number of properties, according to the data. 

“International buyers accounted for 2.3% of all Texas residential transactions, the same share as a year ago, and 3.5% of the state’s total dollar volume,” it says.

They purchased more homes than the previous year, but the lower overall dollar volume reflects a lower median price, dropping from $4.8 billion to $4 billion over the year. 

Despite this, the properties they purchased were more than the median price for all Texas homes. 

“The $375,000 median price of homes purchased by international buyers was down about 11% from $420,800 a year earlier. Even so, it remained $41,400 higher than the $333,600 median price for all Texas homes sold during the same period,” according to the report.

The report breaks down foreign buyers into Types A and B, both of whom aren’t U.S. citizens. Type A primarily live outside of the U.S. and don’t live in the U.S. year-round. Type B are in the U.S. “on non-immigrant visas (e.g., diplomats, foreign students, foreign workers) or recent immigrants who have been in the U.S. for less than two years as of the time of the transaction.” 

The majority of purchasers in Texas were Type B, 62%, compared to 38%.

Nationwide, Florida remains the top destination for international buyers: 20% of all residential purchases are made by foreigners. 

California was not far behind, with 19% of residential purchases made by foreigners, followed by 12% in Texas. 

Texas and California remain the most popular states for Mexican buyers. 

Texas remains the most popular state for Indian buyers: 17% of all Indian buyers nationwide purchased residential property in Texas. 

Nationwide, 10% of all Chinese buyers purchase residential property in Texas, according to the report.