China is New No. 1 Country Searching Miami Real Estate

MIAMI — China registered the most global web searches for South Florida real estate in April 2025, according to a new report by the MIAMI Association of REALTORS® (MIAMI).

China, which last topped the MIAMI rankings in April 2023, surpassed long-time leader Colombia. Colombia has now finished in the top two countries searching Miami real estate in each of the last 37 months (three-plus years).

“South Florida’s clean air, ideal weather and growth as a FinTech destination is a major attraction for Chinese buyers and all buyers,” MIAMI Chairman of the Board Eddie Blanco said. “With the temporary injunction on SB 264 and the federal government’s major import tariff plans against China, Chinese consumers increased their searches for South Florida real estate.”

In February 2024, the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued an injunction temporarily halting the enforcement of SB 264, which banned Chinese nationals without permanent U.S. residency from buying property or land in Florida. Parts of the law are in effect but the legal battle over SB 264 is ongoing.

About 141 countries searched MiamiRealtors.com, which has three consumer-facing property search portals, in April 2025. The top 10 includes countries from four continents: North America, South America, Europe and Asia.

Top 10 Countries Searching MiamiRealtors.com in April 2025:                                       

Share of International Searches

1. China                          13.3%
2. Colombia                      9.1%
3. Venezuela                     7.7%
4. Canada                          7.4%
5. India                                5.2%
6. Philippines                     4.8%
7. Spain                               4.5%
8. Argentina                        4.4%
9. Russia                            4.1%
10. Ireland                            3.9%

Top Global Markets for South Florida Real Estate
Argentina purchased the most South Florida real estate among foreign countries in 2024, according to the 2024 Profile of International Home Buyers of the MIAMI Association of Realtors (MIAMI). Argentinian buyers purchased 18% of all international purchases in South Florida. Colombia (14%), Canada (8%), Brazil (6%) and Mexico (6%) rounded out the top 5, respectively. Access the report: https://bit.ly/25MiamiGlobalStudy

Florida is the top U.S. destination for foreign buyers (20% of all sales), according to NAR’s 2024 Profile of International transactions in U.S. Residential Real Estate. Florida has been the No. 1 state for foreign home buyers for the last 16 years.

About half of all international home sales (49%) in Florida are in Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, according to the 2024 Florida Realtors’ annual Profile of International Residential Real Estate Activity in Florida.

One in five of all U.S. international home sales happen in Florida and one in two in Florida are in the Miami metro market.

South Florida secures 10% of all international home sales in the entire U.S. annually.

Miami remains a bargain for prime property ($1M and up) compared to other global cities, according to the 2025 Knight Frank Wealth Report. For $1M, homebuyers can purchase 58 square meters of prime property in Miami. That is almost four times more than Monaco (19 square meters), nearly two times more than New York (34) and London (34) and more than Paris, Sydney, Tokyo and more.

Top 10 International Cities Searching MiamiRealtors.com in April 2025

1. Bogota, Colombia
2. Dublin, Ireland
3. Toronto, Canada
4. Moscow, Russia
5. Barquisimeto, Venezuela
6. Buenos Aires, Argentina
7. Frankfort, Germany
8. Caracas, Venezuela
9. Madrid, Spain
10. Mexico City, Mexico

Virginia No. 1 State Searching for Miami Real Estate
Virginia registered the most domestic Miami real estate web searches in April 2025.

New York was the top state for out-of-state buyers in the South Florida area, according to the 2024 Profile of International Home Buyers of the MIAMI Association of Realtors (MIAMI). Access the report: https://bit.ly/25MiamiGlobalStudy

Top 10 U.S. States Searching MiamiRealtors.com in April 2025

1. Virginia
2. California
3. Washington
4. Iowa
5. New York
6. Georgia
7. Ohio
8. North Carolina
9. Michigan
10. Indiana

Top 10 U.S. Cities Searching MiamiRealtors.com in April 2025

1. San Jose, CA
2. Des Moines, IA
3. New York, NY
4. Atlanta, GA
5. Las Vegas, NV
6. Los Angeles, CA
7. Columbus, OH
8. Chicago, IL
9. Boston, MA
10. Dallas, TX

About the MIAMI Association of REALTORS®  

The MIAMI Association of REALTORS® (MIAMI) was chartered by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® in 1920, and is celebrating 105 years of service to REALTOR® members, the buying and selling public, and the communities in South Florida. Composed of six boards: MIAMI- RESIDENTIAL, MIAMI- COMMERCIAL; BROWARD-MIAMI, a division of MIAMI REALTORS®; JTHS-MIAMI, a division of MIAMI REALTORS® in the Jupiter-Tequesta-Hobe Sound area; MIAMI YPN, our Young Professionals Network Council; and the Corporate Board of Directors. MIAMI REALTORS® represent 58,000 total real estate professionals in all aspects of real estate sales, marketing, and brokerage. It is the largest local REALTOR® association in the U.S. and has official partnerships with 283 international organizations worldwide. MIAMI’s official website is www.miamirealtors.com

###