Seeking Advice on My First Real Estate Investment in the U.S

Homebuyer Forum
1

Hello Reddit community,

I am a 24-year-old from the Netherlands with a deep passion for real estate. I am excited to share that I have secured funding to purchase a house overseas with a mortgage, and I am particularly interested in venturing into the American real estate market.

I have identified a promising location and have done extensive research on the neighborhoods. However, as this is my first real estate investment, I am seeking advice on several fronts to ensure a smooth and successful process. I have no one in my direct surrounding that is either interested in real estate or entrepreneurship that can give me some guidance on this, and that’s sometimes a bit demotivating. I’m curious how you cope with this.

Here are my questions regarding real estate:

  1. Checklist for Visiting Properties: What are the key points I should consider when visiting potential properties? Are there specific features or red flags I should look out for?
  2. Regulations and Legal Considerations: What local regulations and legal requirements should I be aware of when purchasing property in the U.S.? Are there any differences between states that I should keep in mind?
  3. Loan and Mortgage Process: What should I expect when applying for a mortgage in the U.S. as a foreign investor? Are there particular steps or documentation I need to prepare?
  4. Commercial Property Inspection: How should I go about arranging a commercial property inspection? What are the crucial elements that should be covered in the inspection report?
  5. Timeframe: What is a realistic timeline for the entire process, from property search to closing the deal? Are there any common delays or challenges I should anticipate?

Thank you in advance for your help!

2

Why would you want to do this?

3

Good ROI, in the Netherlands homes are becoming more scarce; the government decided to cut back on basic needs.

4

Okay, but are you wanting to move here, or just buy property here for some other reason? It would be difficult to own a property here and manage it from overseas. People with deep pockets do it, but that doesn’t appear to describe your circumstances. A lot of what you’re asking is going to vary by state and city/county. If you decide to move forward, you might want to find an agent that works in the local area you’re considering.