Top U.S. Cities Foreign Landlords Are Loving RN - Brivly

Omg okay... so this is like, kinda wild but also suuuper cool if you’re into making your money *actually* work for you. 😎

So lemme spill real quick—I've been dabblin' in the U.S. rental market from overseas and, not to be dramatic or anything, but it changed my freakin' life.

And yeah, I know what you’re thinking… “Girl, isn’t that like, way complicated? And scary? And full of boring paperwork?” Honestly…kinda yes, but also soooo worth it. 👀

Like, if you're someone who's been even lowkey stalking Zillow listings for fun (no judgment, I’m guilty), or just want stable cash flow from a country that basically invented Netflix and DoorDash—then babes, this is your post. 🧃

So let’s do this together, yeah? I’ll break down which U.S. cities are low-key goldmines for international rental investors rn, and exactly why people like me are vibin' with them.

Also… I pinky promise, this isn’t gonna be one of those dry blogs where I throw fancy terms and bounce. Nope. I’m tellin’ ya the real tea from my own wins, flops, and forehead-smacking moments. 😅

Okay bbs, ready to find your future rent-generating playground in the States? 🏙️ Let’s freaking gooo 🚀

📋 Table of Contents

• 💡 Why Even Invest in U.S. Rentals?
• 📍 How I Picked the Right City
• 🏙️ Top Cities That Are Worth the Hype
• 📊 What Data Told Me vs. What I Actually Felt
• 📬 Can You Even Do This From Abroad?
• 🧾 Legal Stuff That Lowkey Matters
• ❓ FAQ
• 🧠 Wrapping It Up

💡 Why Even Invest in U.S. Rentals?

Okay real talk—why is everyone and their cousin suddenly interested in U.S. real estate?

So here's my personal sitch. I’m not a millionaire or a finance bro. I just wanted something stable with ✨passive income✨ potential without being glued to charts all day, ya know?

U.S. rental properties legit hit diff. Like, strong rental demand, relatively steady appreciation (even post-2020 madness), and a rental culture that kinda just... makes sense? Plus, if you're not tryna manage the property yourself, there are like a gazillion solid property managers.

Also ngl, the fact that rent is due monthly and paid like clockwork just gives me life. 🔁

So if you’ve got capital chillin’ and wanna make it hustle for you overseas—U.S. cities might be your new bff. 💸

📍 How I Picked the Right City

Okay so, lemme take you back to when I was staring at like... 12 open browser tabs, each with different U.S. cities. 😂

I had Dallas, Orlando, Charlotte, like—literally all over the map. But how do you actually decide when you're not even in the freakin’ country? 🤷‍♀️

So here's how I did it (spoiler: it wasn’t glamorous). I went full-on spreadsheet nerd, pulling data from Redfin, Roofstock, and even some Reddit threads (yes really lol).

But I didn't just rely on the numbers. I asked myself, like... “Would I actually wanna live there?” Because if you wouldn't live in your own rental, that’s a red flag babes 🚩

I considered things like:

• What’s the job market like? (People need jobs to pay rent, duh)
• Is there a big university or medical center nearby?
• What are property taxes like? Some states will bleed your wallet
• How landlord-friendly are the laws?
• And tbh... does the city vibe feel right?

I ended up narrowing it down to 5 cities I was really vibing with—and yes, I totally judged them based on TikTok real estate tours too. 👀

🏡 My City Criteria Breakdown

City Feature	Why It Mattered
Low Property Tax	Helps boost ROI long-term
High Rent-to-Price Ratio	More bang for your investment buck
Landlord-Friendly Laws	Easier to evict if tenants ghost
Diverse Job Market	Stable rent demand year-round

 

Oh and quick tip—join local Facebook housing groups. I found out more in there than in 3 weeks of Google searching 🫠

Once I had my short list, I literally set up Zoom tours and WhatsApp calls with realtors, even though I was like, half a world away in Bali 🌴

Time zones were a pain but honestly? So. Freaking. Worth. It.

🏙️ Top Cities That Are Worth the Hype

Alright babes, this is where it gets spicy 🌶️

So once I narrowed down the vibe, laws, rent ratios, and literally stalked Google Street View like it was my job—I found a few U.S. cities that legit made me go: “Yup, this is it.”

These aren’t just numbers-on-a-chart cities. These are the ones real people are moving to, renting in, and actually loving. I’m talking strong ROI, low barrier to entry, plus you don’t have to sell a kidney to afford a down payment. 😂

Here are my absolute faves, broken down with my notes (and like, my inner thoughts too because duh):

📌 My 2025 U.S. City Shortlist for Global Landlords

City	Why It's 🔥 in 2025	My Vibe Check
Charlotte, NC	Growing fintech scene, low property taxes	Underrated and chill af
Orlando, FL	Tourism = rentals all day	Sunshine + rent money = yes pls 🌴
Cleveland, OH	Insanely cheap homes + decent rent	Felt like a low-risk intro
San Antonio, TX	Military base + population growth	Big Texas energy, love it 🤠
Birmingham, AL	Low cost of entry, surprising demand	Total hidden gem ngl 💎

 

Each of these gave me diff vibes, but also diff types of renters too. Like in Orlando, I had to think short-term (hello Disney), while Charlotte was way more long-term leases with young professionals.

One thing I learned: don’t just follow other people’s picks. Run the numbers yourself, talk to realtors, and def check Reddit lol. Sometimes they spill the real tea ☕

Alsooo, if you’re investing solo like I did, go with cities where you don’t need a freakin’ army of contractors to fix basic stuff. 🛠️

📊 What Data Told Me vs. What I Actually Felt

Okay like… data is cute or whatever 😅 but lemme tell you—it does not always match what you feel in your gut.

I remember looking at Cleveland, OH and the rent-to-price ratio looked straight up dreamy. Like, $60k houses and $900/mo rent? That’s like... the holy grail of cash flow, right?

Buuut when I hopped on a FaceTime with a local realtor (shoutout to Sheila 💕), she was like, “Hey girl, you might wanna avoid the East 90s... we got some vacancy issues over there.”

That moment hit me hard. Just because a city has good numbers doesn’t mean every zip code is poppin'. I had to re-learn how to go from macro data → micro decisions 🔍

Here’s a real breakdown from my spreadsheet vs my feels:

🤯 Data vs. Vibes Table

City	What Data Said	What I Actually Felt
Cleveland, OH	12% ROI projection	Too many boarded-up homes 😬
Charlotte, NC	6.8% ROI, high appreciation	Felt modern, young-professional vibes
San Antonio, TX	7.2% ROI + low taxes	Honestly felt like home ❤️

 

So yeah, run your spreadsheets. But also trust your gut. Talk to boots-on-the-ground people. Look at Google Reviews for local neighborhoods. Even stalk local pizza joints on Instagram. You’ll get a weird but solid sense of the city’s personality. 🍕

I also made sure to check 3rd party reviews from local investors on YouTube. It’s kinda like gossiping... but productive 🤭

📬 Can You Even Do This From Abroad?

Umm… short answer? Yes. 100% yes.

But long answer? You’ll need like, your own Avengers squad. Or at least a killer team of a realtor, property manager, and someone who knows how to scan docs into PDF format from their phone 😅

I was literally in Seoul when I bought my first rental in Florida. And no, I didn’t fly there. Everything was done online: virtual tours, e-signing docs, wiring funds, all of it.

Here’s what I used to make it happen:

• DocuSign – for legally binding e-signatures
• Wise – for international wire transfers with low fees
• Google Voice – so U.S. tenants can text me without international charges
• Zoom – endless meetings with realtors, property managers, and one time… a plumber 😩

The big hack? Find a solid property manager BEFORE you buy. I made that mistake once and trust me... finding one after tenants are already inside? Stress city 💀

Honestly, once I got my system in place, I was able to handle 3 properties from abroad like a girlboss. 💁‍♀️

🧾 Legal Stuff That Lowkey Matters

Okay, I know this part isn’t exactly sexy—but hear me out. 🧠

If you’re investing from overseas, you have to be extra careful about the legal stuff. Like, this is the part that could make or break your whole journey, and I learned that the hard way. 😬

When I bought my first property in Orlando, I didn’t think much about landlord-tenant law... until a tenant tried to “sublet” on Airbnb without telling me 😑

So here’s a few key things I wish someone told me before I signed anything:

• Every state has its own rules. Like, Florida is cool with quick evictions. But California? Girl, bring a lawyer and snacks 🍿
• Foreigners can totally buy property in the U.S.—no citizenship required. But you might need an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number)
• Set up an LLC. Not mandatory, but I did this and it made everything cleaner for taxes + protecting my butt 🍑
• Be careful with lease templates. I used a generic one from Google and it did NOT protect me when a tenant ghosted with 2 months unpaid 🤦‍♀️

 

Now I use a local real estate attorney for every single deal. I know it’s like $500 extra, but babes, that’s cheaper than losing 3 months of rent from a legal loophole. Facts. ✨

Here’s a little cheat sheet I made for myself:

📑 Legal To-Do Before Closing

Checklist Item	Why It's Important
Get an ITIN (if non-resident)	Required for tax purposes
Form an LLC	Protects your personal assets
Use localized lease templates	Prevents tenant drama 🫠
Hire a real estate attorney	Worth it for contract review

 

Also just a heads-up: some states require you to file a non-resident withholding tax on rental income. Yuck, I know. But I just hired a CPA to do it for me, and she was a total angel 😇

❓ FAQ

Q1. Can I invest in U.S. property without visiting the U.S.?

A1. Yep! You can handle everything remotely with a good team and tech tools.

Q2. Do I need a U.S. bank account?

A2. It's not required, but it def helps with receiving rent and paying property expenses.

Q3. What if tenants don’t pay?

A3. That’s why you need proper screening and landlord laws on your side. Always vet tenants thoroughly.

Q4. Are Airbnbs better than long-term rentals?

A4. Depends on the market! Short-term = more money but also more work. Long-term = stable but slower returns.

Q5. Can I use financing as a foreigner?

A5. Some U.S. banks and brokers offer foreign national loans, but expect higher down payments (25~35%).

Q6. What’s the best state to invest in?

A6. Honestly? There’s no “best.” But Texas, North Carolina, and Florida are super popular right now.

Q7. Do I have to pay U.S. taxes?

A7. Yep—any income made in the U.S. is subject to U.S. taxes, even for non-citizens.

Q8. Should I work with a property manager?

A8. Unless you love 3AM maintenance calls, yes! They’re a lifesaver for remote owners.

🧠 Wrapping It Up

Whew. That was a LOT, huh? 😂

But like, if you're still here reading this, then you probably really wanna make this happen—and I freakin' love that for you 💪

So let’s zoom out for a sec and reflect:

Getting into the U.S. rental game from overseas is so possible, but it's not like... easy-easy. It takes patience, research, and tbh a little bit of delulu energy to think you can do all this from another country 🧠💻

But guess what? I’m living proof that you don’t have to be some mega-rich mogul or Wall Street investor to get started. I was literally just a 20-something girl with a laptop and Wi-Fi in Southeast Asia, googling "best states to buy a rental." And now? I have three properties and counting. 👀

Here's what really made the difference for me:

• 🎯 I defined my criteria before chasing hype cities
• 📊 I mixed data analysis + actual human vibes
• 🧑‍💻 I used every online tool to manage stuff remotely
• 💼 I got a solid crew (realtor, PM, attorney, CPA)
• 💸 And I reinvested slowly but steadily, never YOLO’d my life savings

 

Alsooo, don’t feel weird if this all feels overwhelming. Like, I still remember ugly crying over my first tenant’s maintenance request (it was a busted toilet, btw 🚽)

But every little mistake taught me something. I learned how to screen better, how to trust the process, and how to think like a real investor.

And if I can do this? I swear on my oat milk latte—you totally can too 🧋

📌 Today’s Key Takeaways

• Yes, you can buy U.S. property from abroad. It just takes planning, patience, and good Wi-Fi 💻
• Pick cities with solid rent-to-price ratios, good laws, and tenant demand
• Don’t fall for hype—run your numbers, and trust your gut
• Get a team (realtor, PM, attorney), even if it costs a bit more upfront
• Use tech to your advantage: from DocuSign to Google Voice
• Check legal stuff early, like ITINs, leases, and tax obligations
• Expect hiccups—and don’t panic when they happen
• Start small, but start now. The longer you wait, the longer you wait 🕰️

⛔ Disclaimer: (as of August 1, 2025)This blog post is written based on my personal experiences as a foreign investor navigating the U.S. rental property market. The content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. Market conditions, laws, and policies may change depending on your location and personal situation. Before making any investment, please consult with a qualified professional. This content reflects the author’s opinion and is accurate to the best of her knowledge as of the published date.

rental investing,  real estate USA, passive income,  landlord tips