The 2026 FIFA World Cup is introducing millions of international visitors to the U.S. — and many are falling in love and looking to put down roots. Here is how to buy in North Carolina from anywhere in the world.
From June through July 2026, the FIFA World Cup is being co-hosted across 16 cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico — the largest tournament in history, with 48 teams and an expected 6+ million international visitors. For millions of fans from Europe, Latin America, and Asia, it is their first time setting foot in the U.S. South, and the reaction has been consistent: they arrive for the football and leave thinking about a longer stay.
North Carolina is not a host city, but it sits within a short drive or quick flight of host venues in Atlanta and the Northeast — and it offers exactly what international buyers are searching for after the spotlight fades: a lower cost of living than Miami or New York, four mild seasons, world-class universities, and a fast-growing economy. The same pattern that follows every World Cup — visitors becoming property owners a year or two later — is already building a pipeline of international interest in the Carolinas.
After several quiet years, international buying surged in 2025. Between April 2024 and March 2025, foreign buyers purchased 78,100 U.S. existing homes worth $56 billion — a 44% jump in transactions and a 33% jump in dollar volume, the first year-over-year increase since 2017 (source: National Association of REALTORS®). The median foreign-buyer purchase price hit a record $494,400, and 47% of international buyers paid all cash.
Roughly 56% of those buyers were already living in the U.S. on visas or as recent immigrants, while 44% purchased from abroad. The top countries by dollar volume were China ($13.7B), Canada ($6.2B), Mexico ($4.4B), India ($2.2B), and the United Kingdom ($2.0B). North Carolina has historically captured around 3–4% of all foreign-buyer activity — drawing especially strong interest from Canadian, Indian, and Latin American buyers attracted to the Triangle's tech economy and the state's affordability.
Dollar volume and homes purchased, April 2024 – March 2025 (NAR).
| Country | Dollar Volume | Homes Purchased | Share of $ Volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| China | $13.7B | 11,700 | 15% |
| Canada | $6.2B | 10,900 | 14% |
| Mexico | $4.4B | 6,200 | 8% |
| India | $2.2B | 4,700 | 6% |
| United Kingdom | $2.0B | 3,100 | 4% |
Together these five countries accounted for 47% of the $56 billion foreign buyers spent on U.S. homes. Canada and Mexico — both World Cup co-hosts — rank among the most active.
NC's $338K median home price is a fraction of the cost in London, Toronto, or coastal U.S. metros. For overseas buyers used to global city prices, NC delivers space, land, and new construction at remarkable value.
You do not need U.S. citizenship or a green card to buy. Foreign-national and ITIN mortgage programs let international buyers finance with 25–40% down — and there are no restrictions on foreigners owning U.S. real estate.
Duke, UNC-Chapel Hill, NC State, and Research Triangle Park draw global talent. Many international families buy near campus for children studying in the U.S. or for relocation tied to RTP employers.
NC is the #1 U.S. state for domestic migration with $15B+ in annual corporate investment. International buyers get both a lifestyle home and an appreciating asset in a growth economy.
RDU and Charlotte Douglas (a major American Airlines hub) offer direct international flights to Europe and beyond, making transatlantic ownership and visits genuinely practical.
Four mild seasons, 220+ sunny days, mountains to coast in three hours. For visitors discovering the U.S. for the first time, NC's quality of life is the hook that turns a trip into a move.
See roughly how your monthly budget translates to life in North Carolina, plus NC's home-price and tax advantages. Estimates for illustration only.
Yes — there are no citizenship or residency requirements to own real estate in the United States. Foreign nationals can purchase, hold, and sell U.S. property on the same legal footing as American buyers. You do not need a green card, a visa, or even to be physically present at closing, which can be handled remotely through a power of attorney and a U.S. title company.
The practical steps differ slightly from a domestic purchase. International buyers typically need an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) rather than a Social Security number, will open a U.S. bank account to handle funds, and should plan for the FIRPTA tax-withholding rules that apply when foreign owners later sell. Kim works alongside lenders, immigration-savvy attorneys, and tax professionals who specialize in cross-border transactions to make the process smooth from anywhere in the world.
Lifestyle home, student housing, vacation property, or investment? We match your goal to the right NC market and confirm whether you'll pay cash or use foreign-national financing.
Get pre-qualified with a foreign-national lender (typically 25–40% down) and apply for an ITIN. Cash buyers can skip ahead — nearly half of foreign buyers pay cash.
Kim provides live video tours, neighborhood walk-throughs, and local market data so you can shop confidently from another country — or time a visit around a U.S. trip.
We negotiate, handle NC's due-diligence period, inspections, and appraisal, and coordinate everything in your time zone.
Sign by power of attorney or mobile/remote notarization. Funds are wired to a U.S. title company — no need to fly in for closing day.
From property management to rental setup to future resale (and FIRPTA planning), Kim's network keeps your NC asset working while you're abroad.
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Tech professionals and university families gravitate to the Triangle (Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Chapel Hill) for Research Triangle Park, Duke, and UNC. Buyers wanting a big-city economy with international flight connections choose Charlotte, a global banking hub. Those seeking a vacation or lifestyle property look to Wilmington and the coast or Asheville and the mountains, while golf-focused international buyers target Pinehurst. Whatever the goal, NC offers a price point that feels like a bargain to buyers coming from the world's major cities.
Kim guides international buyers through financing, taxes, and a smooth remote closing — in your time zone. Free consultation, no pressure.
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