Buying a Home in the U.S. While Traveling Abroad: What You Need to Know

Purchasing a home is a major milestone — and doing it while you’re traveling abroad may sound daunting, but it’s entirely possible. Many buyers, whether U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or those with work visas, successfully buy homes in the U.S. while overseas. With the right preparation and knowledge, you can complete the entire process remotely. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about how to purchase property in the U.S. while traveling abroad, from initial preparations to closing on your new home.

Whether you're buying a home in Washington State or another state, this article offers actionable insights to ensure that the process goes smoothly.

Can You Buy a House While Overseas? Absolutely

The answer is simple: Yes, you can buy a U.S. home from abroad. With the rise of digital tools and remote notarization, completing the home-buying process without being physically present is more common than ever. You can sign documents, make offers, and even close a deal while in a completely different country.

One of the most significant advances in recent years has been the ability to complete transactions remotely through remote online notarization (RON). States like Washington allow real estate documents to be notarized via live video, meaning you don’t have to be physically present to sign critical paperwork. Not only can you buy a home from abroad, but you can also navigate the process digitally — from virtual home tours to signing documents electronically — making it an efficient experience.

Even if your state doesn’t yet support RON, other options are available. For example, many states accept U.S. consulate notarization for foreign nationals or U.S. citizens purchasing property from abroad. The key is to plan ahead and understand the remote options that work best for your situation.

While it’s certainly possible, buying a house remotely requires careful planning, so let’s look at the steps you need to take before your trip to ensure a smooth process.

Preparing Before You Travel: Key Steps

Before embarking on your travels, make sure you’re fully prepared to handle the home-buying process remotely. While it’s feasible to buy a home from overseas, certain steps require advance coordination. Here’s what you need to do before you even start packing:

• Line Up a Trusted Local Real Estate Agent: Your real estate agent will be your key partner in the transaction, so choosing the right one is crucial. Look for someone who is familiar with virtual home tours, digital contracts, and the challenges of working with buyers abroad. An experienced agent will arrange virtual showings (via video) and offer their expert guidance, acting as your eyes and ears on the ground. They will also handle all in-person tasks like attending inspections and facilitating communication between you and the seller’s agent. Choose someone who is not only local but tech-savvy.

• Get Pre-Approved for Financing (or Plan Your Funds): The most important financial step you can take is to get pre-approved for a mortgage before you leave the U.S. U.S. lenders can work with you remotely, but you'll need to provide financial documents (pay stubs, bank statements, etc.) electronically. Many buyers are also choosing to buy homes with cash, which can make the process simpler, but if you plan to finance, make sure to arrange financing early. For cash purchases, ensure you understand the logistics of transferring large sums from abroad. Many banks will allow wire transfers, but check in advance to ensure your bank won’t flag or block large international transfers. If you need to send funds from your U.S. bank account, coordinate with a local branch to ensure that they can process the transfer while you're abroad, as some banks require in-person approval for large wires.

• Arrange a Power of Attorney (POA) if Needed: If one or both of you won’t be available to sign documents, a power of attorney (POA) can allow someone you trust to sign on your behalf. Your agent, spouse, family member, or a trusted friend can act as your attorney-in-fact. The POA must be specific to the property purchase, and you will likely need to have it notarized before you travel. If one spouse is unavailable during closing, the other can sign with the POA, keeping the process moving forward.

• Set Up Reliable Communication Channels: Clear communication is essential when buying a home remotely. Since you’ll be handling sensitive financial information and making important decisions, you’ll need secure methods of communication. Set up a U.S.-based phone number using services like Google Voice or Skype (if you’re traveling internationally) to ensure you can receive verification codes from your bank and lender. Keep in mind that communication apps like WhatsApp may not work in certain countries (e.g., the UAE), so ensure you have alternative methods in place, like email or phone calls, if needed.

• Review Your Travel Plans and Time Zones: Time zone differences can create complications in real estate transactions. Ensure that your agent and lender are aware of your location and availability, so they can adjust expectations for responding to offers and documents. Try to schedule regular check-ins with your agent and keep your calendars synchronized. Also, consider adjusting your work hours to overlap with U.S. business hours, especially when you’re in the middle of crucial negotiations or closing.

Pro Tip: Install a VPN on your devices before you travel. This allows you to connect to secure U.S. networks, protecting your personal information and ensuring you can access U.S. services that might be restricted abroad.

With these steps in place, you’ll be ready to proceed with confidence when you’re abroad. Now, let’s walk through the actual process of buying a home from overseas.

Step-by-Step: How the Home Buying Process Works Remotely

The process of buying a home from abroad doesn’t differ greatly from a traditional transaction, but certain aspects of the process are adjusted for remote handling. Here’s how it works:

1. Searching and Touring Homes (Virtually): Today’s real estate platforms offer robust features that let you explore homes remotely. After discussing your criteria with your agent, they can set up an online portal for you to view properties. Your agent can also conduct virtual tours via video chat or set up 3D walkthroughs of homes that interest you. Virtual tours have improved significantly in recent years, and many listings now feature detailed photos, videos, and 360-degree virtual tours. You can ask the agent to zoom in on specific areas during the tour, get details on neighborhood amenities, or even use apps to visualize the layout.

2. Making an Offer and Signing the Purchase Agreement: Once you’ve found a property you’re interested in, you’ll make an offer through your agent. The purchase agreement (contract) will be sent to you electronically, which you can review and sign using an e-signature platform like DocuSign or Dotloop. These electronic signatures are legally binding in the U.S. and allow you to quickly move forward without needing to print or fax anything. The agent will send your signed offer to the seller’s agent, and you’ll likely enter negotiations on price or contingencies. Once you and the seller agree on terms, both parties will sign the contract, and you’ll move into the next phase.

3. Inspection, Appraisal, and Due Diligence – From Afar: After the offer is accepted, the property enters the due diligence phase, which includes a home inspection and appraisal:

   • Home Inspection: Your agent will arrange for a licensed inspector to evaluate the home. They will send you a detailed report, which should include photos and descriptions of any issues found. If you want more clarity, ask your agent to arrange a video call with the inspector after the inspection is complete, where they can walk you through the findings.
   • Appraisal: If you’re financing the home, the lender will require an appraisal to ensure the home’s value aligns with the loan amount. The appraiser will inspect the property and provide a report to your lender. You don’t need to be there in person for this process, as the appraiser handles everything directly with your lender. You’ll receive the report electronically, so you can review it.
   • Title and Other Due Diligence: Your agent or title company will review the title report, which details the property’s ownership and any potential liens. You’ll also receive copies of any required disclosures (e.g., seller disclosure, inspection reports), which you can review and ask questions about.

4. Closing on the Home (Remotely Signing and Notarizing): Closing is the final step in the transaction, where you sign all documents, send the funds, and officially take ownership of the property. You can close remotely in several ways:

   • Remote Online Notarization (RON): If available in your state and accepted by your lender, you can close completely online via RON. During an online notary session, you’ll sign documents electronically while the notary verifies your identity via video chat. The notary will apply their digital seal and send the completed documents to your title company.
   • Mail-Away Closing with U.S. Consulate or Local Notary: If RON isn’t an option, you can arrange to sign documents through your local U.S. consulate or a local notary. At the consulate, you’ll sign documents in the presence of a consular officer who will notarize them. You can then send the signed documents back via mail or courier. Some states and title companies also accept apostilled notarizations (a form of international certification) from foreign notaries.
   • Using a Power of Attorney (POA): Another option is to designate a power of attorney (POA) to sign the closing documents for you. This is commonly used when one or both buyers are unavailable during closing. The POA must be notarized and specifically grant authority to sign real estate documents. This process can work for both in-person and remote buyers.

Pro Tip: When closing remotely, make sure to double-check all dates and times to avoid confusion caused by time zone differences. Schedule any video or consulate appointments well in advance.

Financing Considerations When Buying from Abroad

While you can easily buy a property from abroad, financing can add a few complexities to the process, especially if you're working with a U.S.-based lender.

• Mortgage Financing: U.S. lenders can provide mortgages for buyers abroad, but there are a few hurdles to clear. For example, you may need to prove income from an international source or provide more detailed documentation than a local buyer would. If you’re obtaining financing, start early to give yourself time to gather all required documents. Make sure your lender is comfortable with remote notarization or POA arrangements for signing, as some lenders may have stricter requirements.

• Cash Purchases: If you’re purchasing with cash, things are a bit simpler. However, transferring the funds internationally can still be tricky. Ensure your U.S. bank is aware of your plans and can process large international wire transfers while you're abroad. Some U.S. banks require you to be physically present at the branch to initiate large transfers, so it’s crucial to coordinate with your bank before you leave. It’s also wise to confirm transfer fees, as international wires may incur higher charges. Using services like TransferWise (now Wise) can also help save on fees if you're dealing with currency conversion.

Pro Tip: Always verify the wire instructions provided by your title company. Wire fraud is common, so confirm all details via a trusted phone call or video chat before initiating any transfers.

Special Tips for Couples Buying Remotely

If you’re buying with a partner or spouse, and one of you is unavailable, the process can still go smoothly with proper planning.

• Does Each Person Need to Sign? Yes, if both individuals are listed on the title or the mortgage, both need to sign the documents. If one spouse is unavailable, you can use a power of attorney to allow the other spouse to sign on their behalf.

• If One Person is Unavailable: A POA will give the other spouse the ability to sign documents on their behalf. Ensure that the POA is specific to the transaction and approved by the lender and title company beforehand.

• Using Separate Notaries: If both spouses are in different locations, you might each need to sign at different notaries or consulates. Coordinate with the title company to ensure all documents are signed and returned appropriately.

Pro Tip: If both partners are traveling abroad and need to sign separately, schedule the notary appointments early to ensure there are no delays. You can each sign in different locations as long as the documents are properly notarized and returned in time.

Final Thoughts

Buying a home while abroad is possible, even from thousands of miles away. With careful preparation, secure communication, and the right team supporting you, you can make this process as seamless as buying from home. Stay organized, communicate regularly with your agent and lender, and use technology to your advantage. Whether you're purchasing with cash or financing, the steps outlined here will help ensure a smooth transaction from wherever you are.

Happy home buying, even if you're across the globe!