We're moving to Minnesota from another country. Can we even buy a house here?
Answered by Chris Deutsch, Founder & Editor
Licensed Minnesota Realtor #20382264 ·
The short answer
Yes. The United States doesn't require citizenship to own a home, and the Twin Cities' largest employers bring people here from around the world every year. Ownership is the easy part — financing is where planning pays.
On stage The 60-second answer
Captions on · Transcript below
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The longer answer
Lenders look closely at visa type, employment history, and U.S. credit. Established visa holders fit many standard loan programs. Buyers without a U.S. credit history have foreign-national programs available, usually at larger down payments. The difference between a smooth purchase and a frustrating one is almost always the lender — you want one who closes these files every month, not one figuring it out on yours. I can point you to several. (Immigration and cross-border tax questions belong to your own advisers; this isn't legal advice.)
Everything else about buying here works the same for you as for anyone. DM me RELOCATE for the guide, or call.
The next department over
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From the editor's desk
“As Founder and Editor, I review, correct, and stand behind every answer.”
Is your situation more specific than the market? That's the one worth talking through.