3 Things International Buyers Need to Know Before Purchasing in Los Angeles
Los Angeles' luxury market — particularly the Beverly Hills, Bel Air, and Arcadia corridors — continues to draw significant interest from international buyers, especially from mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. But purchasing property in the U.S. as a foreign national involves several steps that differ meaningfully from a domestic transaction. Here are the three that matter most.
1. Financing works differently. Most U.S. lenders require a much larger down payment for foreign national buyers — often 30-50% — and documentation standards (proof of funds, source-of-funds verification) are stricter than for U.S. citizens. Many international buyers in this price range purchase in cash specifically to avoid this friction, but for those who do finance, working with a lender experienced in foreign national loans from the outset saves weeks of delay.
2. Timelines are longer than buyers expect. Between wiring funds internationally, currency conversion, and additional compliance checks tied to anti-money-laundering regulations for large cash transactions, international closings typically take longer than the standard 30-45 day domestic escrow. Planning for 45-60 days, and starting the wire and documentation process early, prevents a strong offer from stalling at the finish line.
3. A 1031 exchange can preserve significant value — but only under specific conditions. For buyers already holding U.S. investment property, a 1031 exchange allows the deferral of capital gains tax when selling one investment property and reinvesting the proceeds into another "like-kind" property, provided strict IRS timelines are met (45 days to identify a replacement property, 180 days to close). This tool doesn't apply to a primary residence purchase, but for buyers restructuring a U.S. real estate portfolio, it's one of the most valuable levers available.
Working across Mandarin, Shanghainese, French, and English, I spend a meaningful part of my practice guiding overseas buyers and their families through exactly these steps — from the first conversation through a smooth, on-time close on a Beverly Hills or Bel Air property.
FAQ
Can a foreign national buy property in Los Angeles without U.S. citizenship?
Yes — there is no citizenship or residency requirement to purchase real estate in the U.S., though financing options and tax treatment differ from those available to citizens and permanent residents.
How long does it typically take an international buyer to close on a home in Beverly Hills?
Plan for 45-60 days from accepted offer to close, longer than a typical domestic transaction, primarily due to international wire processing and additional compliance documentation.
Working through a cross-border purchase? I'm happy to walk you through the process in English or Mandarin.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tiffany Hu
LUXURY REAL ESTATE ADVISOR | DOUGLAS ELLIMAN
Based out of Douglas Elliman’s El Camino Drive office in Beverly Hills, Tiffany Hu delivers specialized advisory for high-net-worth acquisitions, architectural estates, and market analytics across Southern California’s premier coastal and enclave markets—including Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Pacific Palisades, and Malibu.
📍 Address: 150 El Camino Drive, Suite 300, Beverly Hills, CA 90212
📞 Phone: (310) 849-9547
✉️ Email: tiffany@tiffanyhurealty.com
Private Client Service Areas:
Beverly Hills • Bel Air • Pacific Palisades • Malibu • Santa Monica • Brentwood • West Hollywood • Studio City • Calabasas • Westlake Village • Arcadia