Residential Real Estate in Miami and South Florida

Usually, yes. Miami lets foreign buyers purchase, but what you must qualify for and report differs from one buyer to the next. Paying cash is one route; financing is open to non-residents too. The sequence is search, offer, inspection, title search, closing. Setting up an entity and sorting out taxes? Hand those to qualified professionals.

Mostly in the buildings. Coral Gables is known for Mediterranean Revival architecture from the 1920s and big shaded lots. Coconut Grove mixes historic cottages with bayfront condos. Key Biscayne is an island with tight height caps. Aventura's mid- and high-rise towers ring a regional mall. Set your shortlist side by side on housing type, access and budget, and one area tends to stand out.

Documentary stamps, recording fees and title insurance come first, and lender fees join them only when a loan is involved. Miami buyers often set aside a few percent of the price to cover it all. An itemized estimate, requested early, keeps closing day free of surprises.

It depends on the building. Some set minimum lease terms; others are looser, and the municipality adds its own layer of rules. Buying as an investment? Verify the condo association's documents and the local ordinances first, before you commit.