Discover a Gulf Coast region shaped by waterfront living, growing communities, global connections and opportunities to make Florida part of your future.
Florida continues to attract buyers from around the world for primary residences, second homes, vacation properties and long-term investment.
International buying patterns in Southwest Florida reflect distinct geographic preferences, anchored by long-standing connections with Canada, Europe and Latin America.
SOURCE · FLORIDA REALTORS® · 2025 PROFILE OF INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL TRANSACTIONS IN FLORIDA · AUGUST 2024 – JULY 2025
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Beaches, bays, islands and waterfront communities shape life along Southwest Florida’s coast.
Boating, fishing, paddling and Gulf access are part of everyday life throughout the region.
Golf communities, outdoor recreation and Florida sunshine make the outdoors part of the lifestyle in every season.
Waterfront dining, shopping, arts, entertainment and distinctive downtowns give each Southwest Florida community its own personality.
Discover the communities, properties and certified professional guidance waiting for you along Florida’s Southwest coast.
Connecting buyers with local knowledge, trusted resources and REALTORS® throughout Southwest Florida.
Southwest Florida offers far more than one kind of Florida home. Explore the lifestyles and property types that define the region.
Explore waterfront living ranging from canal residences and riverfront homes to coastal condominiums and Gulf-oriented communities.
Discover the distinctive coastal enclaves, barrier islands, and vibrant canal communities of Southwest Florida.
From island communities and canal neighborhoods to growing inland centers and Gulf Coast cities, Southwest Florida offers distinctly different places to call home.
Interactive map loading... Use the community rail below to explore Southwest Florida locations.
Gulf Coast access, beaches, boating, golf and a growing Old 41 district between Naples and Fort Myers.
From offer to closing, understand the clear milestones of acquiring property in Florida from abroad.
Every transaction is different, but international buyers generally move through many of the same stages as local buyers—with a few additional questions along the way.
Define the communities, property types and lifestyle that fit your goals.
Work with a local REALTOR® and identify the additional professionals your transaction may require.
Consider your purchasing structure, available funds or financing, timing and documentation.
Visit Southwest Florida or work with your REALTOR® to explore properties remotely.
Review the contract, deposits, contingencies and important transaction deadlines.
Complete applicable inspections, title work, insurance review, financing and association due diligence.
Complete the purchase and establish a plan for maintaining and managing your Florida property.
Connect with a CCOR REALTOR® serving Southwest Florida to guide your acquisition from discovery to closing.
SEARCH THE REALTOR® DIRECTORYFrom FIRPTA withholding to remote notarization, review the core cross-border essentials ahead.
International real estate can involve additional financial, legal, travel and ownership considerations. Start with the right questions and the right professionals.
Financing may be available to foreign-national buyers. Lender requirements, documentation, down payments and loan terms can differ substantially depending on the institution, credit history, and loan program.
No. Real-estate ownership and U.S. immigration status are separate matters. Purchasing real property does not confer residency or visa privileges.
U.S. Department of State Visa ResourcesThere can be. International buyers should discuss U.S. and home-country tax considerations with qualified advisers. When a foreign person later disposes of U.S. real property, the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act (FIRPTA) generally creates a federal withholding requirement. Exceptions, exemptions and special withholding rules can apply.
Official IRS FIRPTA InformationEssential condominium review items include association fees, operating budget and reserve funds, current or proposed special assessments, master property insurance, rental restrictions, Milestone inspection status, and Structural Integrity Reserve Studies (SIRS).
Florida DBPR Condominium InformationBuyers should investigate property insurance early in the purchase process and understand applicable windstorm, hurricane, flood, deductible and property-condition considerations (such as roof age and 4-point inspection requirements).
Possibly. Rental rules vary by city or county, community, condominium or homeowners association, property type and intended rental period. Verify rental eligibility before you buy.
Seasonal owners commonly plan for professional property management, home-watch services, landscaping, pool care, utilities, preventive maintenance and storm preparation.
Certain federal and Florida requirements may depend on the purchaser, ownership structure and property location. Buyers should obtain qualified legal guidance for their individual circumstances.
Southwest Florida is home to growing communities, major employers, educational institutions and a diverse regional economy.
Anchored by Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs and Estero, Lee County is Southwest Florida’s largest regional employment, commercial and institutional hub, home to Florida Gulf Coast University and Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW).
Known for world-class coastal residences, arts institutions, golf communities and Gulf access spanning Naples and Marco Island, Collier County combines high-end private wealth, A-rated school performance, and protected Everglades nature preserves.
Southwest Florida’s twin-county economic engine pairs Lee County’s industrial, university and airport infrastructure with Collier County’s private capital and luxury services.
Both Lee and Collier counties offer expansive public school districts alongside respected regional colleges and universities driving workforce innovation.
Southwest Florida International Airport connects the region with major domestic and international markets.
Global route map loading... Verified nonstop international corridors include Frankfurt (Discover Airlines), Toronto (Air Canada, WestJet), Montréal (Air Canada), and Ottawa (seasonal). Connecting global access routes via Miami, Orlando, and Atlanta link South America and worldwide hubs to RSW.
Explore official sources and organizations that can help you understand travel, tax, condominium, education, business and buying considerations.
Annual research report referencing the 2025 Profile of International Residential Transactions in Florida, origin markets, and transaction behaviors across Florida.
Official guidelines for B-1/B-2 visitor visas, travel authorization requirements, and stay durations for non-U.S. citizens.
Requirements for citizens of 40+ participating partner nations traveling to the United States for tourism without a visa.
Federal statutory requirements governing taxation on dispositions of U.S. real property interests by foreign persons.
Official statutory requirements for condominium associations, buyer disclosures, governing documents, and association reserve requirements.
State compliance rules governing Structural Integrity Reserve Studies (SIRS), milestone structural inspections, and association reserve funding.
Consumer guidance on homeowners policies, wind mitigation credits, flood insurance requirements, and authorized Florida carriers.
Current flight schedules, nonstop destinations, airline carrier directories, ground transport, and terminal expansion project updates.
Commercial relocation resources, economic incentive programs, workforce demographic profiles, and commercial property data.
Resources for business expansion, capital infrastructure, industrial zones, and commercial real estate development across Collier County.
Student registration criteria, school attendance zone boundaries, academic performance data, and curriculum standards.
A-Rated district enrollment guidelines, high school graduation metrics, STEAM academies, and zoned neighborhood school locations.
Comprehensive public research university located in Estero featuring undergraduate and graduate degrees, business innovation centers, and NCAA Division I athletics.
Associate and baccalaureate degrees, healthcare career certifications, and workforce vocational training campuses across Lee and Collier counties.
Directory of licensed real estate professionals serving Bonita Springs, Estero, Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Sanibel, Naples, and Marco Island.
Coconut Coast Organization of REALTORS® members serve buyers throughout Southwest Florida. Search the REALTOR® Directory and connect directly with a local real-estate professional.
