United States
North & Central America76 independent articlesThe world's deepest, most liquid second-home market — from ski chalets to beach condos.
The U.S. offers unmatched depth, transparency and liquidity for vacation property, spanning alpine ski towns, sun-belt beaches, desert golf resorts and lake country. Financing is available to foreigners, title insurance is standard, and the short-term-rental infrastructure is the most developed on earth — though city and county STR rules vary enormously and are tightening in hotspots.
Can foreigners buy?
Open to foreigners with no restriction on residential purchases; financing available (typically 30– 40% down for non-residents). Diligence: county-level STR permits.
Taxes & buying costs
Closing costs ~2–5%; annual property tax ~0.5–2.5% of value (state-dependent); rental income taxed by IRS (file 1040-NR); estate- tax exposure for non-residents — structure carefully.
What makes it unique
Scale, liquidity, legal certainty and the world's most mature holiday- rental ecosystem.
1
Most prestigious places to own
Aspen & Vail, Colorado
Trophy ski real estate; scarce land, celebrity cachet, year-round appeal.
$4m–$25m+
Ski-in/ski-out chalet or luxury condo
The Hamptons, New York
The classic East-Coast summer colony; oceanfront estates and shingle-style manors.
$3m–$40m+
Oceanfront/village estate
Malibu & Montecito, California
Pacific-front celebrity enclaves with strict supply.
$5m–$50m+
Beachfront or hillside villa
Palm Beach, Florida
Old-money island; no state income tax draws wealth migration.
$3m–$50m+
Intracoastal or oceanfront estate
2
Best income potential from vacation renting
Orlando / Kissimmee, Florida
Disney-driven, year-round demand; purpose-built vacation-home communities (Reunion, ChampionsGate).
$400k–$900k
6–10% gross
4–8 bed pool villa
Gulf Coast: 30A & Destin, Florida
Premium beach short-lets with strong ADRs and license-friendly counties.
$700k–$2.5m
5–8% gross
Beach cottage / condo
Smoky Mountains: Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge, TN
America's cabin-rental capital; no state income tax, permissive STR.
$450k–$1.2m
8–12% gross
Log cabin (2–5 bed)
Scottsdale, Arizona
Golf/spa winter demand; deep event calendar.
$600k–$1.8m
5–8% gross
Desert villa / casita
3
Picturesque farms & rural tourism properties
Napa & Sonoma, California
Wine-country estates with vineyard acreage and cellar-door tourism.
$3m–$30m
Agritourism + wine income
Vineyard estate
Texas Hill Country
Ranches near Fredericksburg wine trail; hunting and event-barn income.
$1m–$10m
Hunting/agritourism
Ranch (20–500+ acres)
Hudson Valley & Berkshires
Farmhouses and gentleman's farms two hours from NYC; strong farm-stay demand.
$700k–$4m
Farm-stay income
Restored farmhouse / small farm
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Indicative 2025–26 planning bands for screening only, not quotes and not advice. Holiday-let licensing, tax and foreign-buyer rules change frequently — confirm locally with a lawyer and tax adviser before buying.