Buyer guide · Boston

Buying a branded residence in Boston as a foreigner

How a foreign buyer can own a branded residence in Boston depends on the country's rules and on the building. Of the 8 on our list with a recorded tenure, all 8 are freehold.

There is no general federal citizenship or visa requirement to buy a home, but some states restrict particular foreign buyers, locations or land types, such as farmland or land near military facilities.

A foreign national can normally acquire an ordinary house or condominium without US citizenship, since for most residential purchases citizenship does not determine whether someone can acquire title.

Stamp taxes are not generally relevant at the federal level; state and local governments frequently impose transfer taxes when a sale of real property is recorded, generally based on the property's value.

The EB-5 immigrant investor route requires the necessary investment in a US commercial enterprise and a plan to create or preserve 10 permanent full-time jobs for qualified US workers.

This is a summary, not legal advice; a lawyer in the United States should check the title and the terms before any deposit.