Buying property in Texas as a foreigner: Complete UK guide (2026)

Planning a move to Texas from the UK? It’s easy to see why you’d be tempted, as the US’s second-largest state offers a booming jobs market, affordable housing, stunning natural scenery and year-round sunshine - to name but a few of its many attractions.

Whether you’re moving there for work, study, retirement or any other reason, you’re going to need somewhere to live.

We’re here to help, with the ultimate guide to buying property in Texas as a UK citizen. This includes essential info how the purchase process works, Texas property prices, fees and taxes, and the pitfalls to avoid.

We’ll also introduce a reliable and cost-effective way to send large sums internationally from the money services provider Wise. Over 14.8 million people worldwide use Wise to move £36 billion every quarter.

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Table of contents

Can UK foreigners buy property in Texas? Loans and mortgages in Texas for non-residents What’s the real estate market like in Texas? How much are the property prices in Texas? Where is the cheapest place to buy property in Texas? How to search for a property in Texas How to buy property in Texas as a foreigner - a step-by-step guide Fees and costs of buying property in Texas Risks and pitfalls of buying property in Texas Moving into your Texas property Save on currency conversion fees with Wise when buying property in Texas Key takeaways

Can UK foreigners buy property in Texas?

Yes, foreign nationals can buy property and land in Texas without many restrictions, and you don’t need to be a resident either.

However, you may find it more difficult to get a US mortgage as a non-resident, as the eligibility requirements can be quite strict - we’ll look at this next.

Loans and mortgages in Texas for non-residents

US banks and providers do offer mortgage loans to foreigners, but the conditions, requirements and rates may differ compared to how it works for locals.

For example, you might have to pay a larger down payment as a non-resident, or have to pay higher interest rates or submit more extensive documentation as part of your application.

The requirements for application will vary between banks, but generally you’ll need the following:

• Valid photo ID
• Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) for non-residents, or Social Security Number (SSN)
• Proof of income and employment
• Recent bank statements
• A credit report from the UK (if asked)
• Proof of funds for the down payment and associated costs.

It’s a good idea to get pre-approval for your mortgage before starting your property search, as this can strengthen your negotiating position as a buyer.

What’s the real estate market like in Texas?

The Texas property market is relatively stable at the moment. After spikes in previous years, property prices fell slightly (by around 1.2%) in the year to January 2026. In the same period, property sales fell by 8.3%.¹

It’s very much a buyer’s market in most major metro areas, such as San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth and Houston. In fact, San Antonio was named in a recent study as the strongest buyer’s market in the US, with over 117% more sellers than buyers.²

What this means for you as a potential buyer is more negotiating power and the chance to secure a great property for a more affordable price.

How much are the property prices in Texas?

So, how much is property in Texas? This is an essential thing to know as you set your budget and start your search.

The average (median) price for a home in Texas is $329,400 USD, as of January 2026.¹

However, it does of course vary considerably depending on what you buy and in which part of the state.

If you're wondering where to buy a home in Texas, here are the average property prices per square metre across major cities:³

City	Average price per sq.m - apartment (city centre)	Average price per sq.m - apartment (outside of centre)
Dallas	$7,697 USD	$2,892 USD
Austin	$7,100 USD	$3,203 USD
San Antonio	$4,371 USD	$1,870 USD
Fort Worth	$3,806 USD	$1,878 USD
Houston	$2,543 USD	$1,937 USD

And, if you’re arranging your property purchase from the UK, you’ll need a safe, reliable and preferably low-cost way to send over fees, deposits and other payments.

The Wise account could be a great solution, with transparent, low fees, and multiple layers of security, so you can safely transfer large amounts both in the UK and overseas.

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Where is the cheapest place to buy property in Texas?

If you’re property hunting on a budget, the cheapest cities in Texas for property prices are:

• Wichita Falls
• Harlingen
• Abilene
• Brownsville
• Amarillo.

How to search for a property in Texas

If you’re new to the Texas property market, it could be worth using a specialist real estate agent to help you find the right property.

They’ll have knowledge of the local market, and they can guide you through the buying process. This service is likely to come with a fee, however.

And when choosing a realtor, make sure to check that they’re licensed with the Texas Real Estate Commission.

You can also start the search online yourself, using one of these US property websites and portals:

• Zillow
• Realtor.com
• Trulia
• Redfin
• RE/MAX
• Rightmove Overseas

How to buy property in Texas as a foreigner - a step-by-step guide

Now, let’s run through the steps involved in buying property in Texas as a foreigner:

1. Get your finances in order

The first crucial step is to arrange your finances. You need to set your budget for the purchase, making sure to factor in all fees, taxes and other costs (more on this later).

You might also need to apply for pre-approval for a US home loan, or arrange alternative financing.

2. Apply for an ITIN

If you don’t already have one, you’ll need to apply to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). This is a tax number for non-US citizens who don’t have a Social Security Number (SSN).

It isn’t absolutely essential for property purchases, but it is a key requirement for applying for US mortgages or opening a US bank account. Both of these may be crucial for your purchase.

3. Find a property and arrange viewings

Now it’s time to find the perfect property. You can use online property portals or use local realtors to find properties that match your criteria, and arrange viewings (known as showings in the US).

4. Make an offer

Once you’ve found your dream home, you’ll need to make a competitive offer or bid in writing. You’ll submit it either to the real estate agent or directly to the seller. At this stage, negotiations on price may take place.

5. Hire a solicitor to carry out due diligence checks

If your offer is accepted, the next step is to appoint a real estate attorney to carry out some checks on the property.

This includes doing a title search to check the legal ownership of the property, along with whether there are any disputes, claims or other issues which could impact the sale. Your attorney can also check zoning and land use compliance.

6. Get a building survey

Texas laws require sellers to disclose any known issues, but you may also want to book in your own independent property inspection. This can check for structural damage or any other issues or risks with the building.

7. Sign the purchase agreement and pay the deposit

This is the formal and legally binding contract signed by both parties which outlines the terms and conditions of the sale.

You’ll also pay what is known as an ‘earnest money deposit’ as a sign of good faith and commitment to the purchase. This is usually only around 1-3%.⁴

One key detail your real estate attorney will need to help with is whether or not there should be a termination option period - a common feature of Texas real estate sales.

This is a due diligence period in which you can inspect the property, get repair estimates and carry out other checks - with the right to cancel if and get your earnest money back. The length of this period is usually negotiated between both parties, and you may have to pay a small fee for the seller to allow an option period.

8. Finalise your mortgage

This is the time to contact your mortgage provider to finalise the loan. The provider may need to carry out an appraisal of the property.

9. Complete closing/settlement

This is when the purchase is finalised. Your real estate attorney will be crucial to helping with this, as there’s plenty of paperwork and legal steps to be completed. This includes:

• Setting a closing date
• Signing the title deed
• Signing your home loan documents
• Recording the title deed with the local county recorder’s office, to legally transfer ownership of the property
• Setting up a transfer for the remaining balance, including fees and taxes.

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How long does it take to buy a property in Texas?

Buying property in Texas tends to take around 10 to 12 weeks,⁵ although it can vary depending on your circumstances.

Fees and costs of buying property in Texas

There are quite a lot of closing costs involved in US property transactions, and the buyer has to cover most of them. In total, you can expect to pay around 2% to 5% of the total purchase price in closing costs.⁶

Here’s a breakdown of the main costs, with estimates based on the purchase of a home costing $360,000 USD (with a mortgage down payment of 5%):⁷

Fee/tax	Amount (USD)
Legal fees	Varies
Title insurance	$2,202
Building inspection/survey	$425
Homeowners Association (HOA) transfer fee (if applicable)	$300
Admin fees - settlement, recording and underwriting fees	Around $500
Mortgage fees
Application fee	$300
Appraisal fee	$400
Origination fee	$3,600

The good news is that unlike some states, Texas doesn’t have a state-level real estate transfer tax.

It does, however, have some of the highest annual property taxes in the country. You can expect to pay around 1.31% a year (although it varies by county), compared to the national average of 0.89%.⁸

Risks and pitfalls of buying property in Texas

One of the main things to watch out for when buying property abroad are scams.

The best way to protect yourself is to work with registered, licensed and credible professionals, such as realtors and real estate attorneys.

But there are some other pitfalls and risks to look out for, including the following:

• Costs for homeowners insurance can vary significantly across the state - and can be expensive in areas prone to natural disasters and extreme weather
• Many properties are in communities with Homeowner Associations (HOAs), where there are specific rules and fees which may affect your purchase
• It’s unwise to skip detailed property inspections, especially for older homes which may have problems with pests, mould or structural issues.
• It’s a good idea to take advantage of the termination option period, even though it does come with a small fee. This lets you cancel without losing your deposit, if a survey or due diligence uncovers a serious problem with the property.

Moving into your Texas property

Before you can start the exciting process of moving to Texas and taking possession of your newly purchased property, there are a final few tasks to check off your list.

Insurance

It’s strongly recommended to take out a buildings insurance policy starting from your completion date. In fact, you might find it's a mandatory condition of your mortgage offer.

Setting up utilities

If you know when your completion date will be, it makes sense to get some essentials set up in advance of moving in.

A prime example is utilities, such as heating, power and water. Get these sorted as early as you can, and the moving process should be a little smoother.

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Key takeaways

• British citizens can buy property or land in Texas without being residents, though non-residents must obtain an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) for tax and mortgage purposes.
• Recent trends show falling prices and declining sales, with major cities like San Antonio, Austin, and Dallas offering increased negotiating power for buyers.
• While Texas has no state-level real estate transfer tax, it features some of the highest annual property taxes in the US, averaging around 1.31%.
• Texas real estate contracts often include a negotiated "termination option period" that allows buyers to cancel the deal after inspections without losing their deposit.
• Financing is available but typically requires a higher down payment, stricter documentation, and potentially higher interest rates compared to local applicants.

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Sources used:

1. Redfin - Texas Housing Market
2. Fox 7 Austin - Texas city ranks as strongest home buyer's market in US
3. Numbeo - Prices by city
4. Lend Friend Mortgage - What Is Earnest Money and How Much Do You Need?
5. P.A.M.S - How long does it take to buy a home?
6. Zillow - Closing Cost Calculator
7. Katy Real Estate - Katy Texas Real Estate Information
8. Smart Asset - Texas Property Tax Calculator

Sources last checked 23-Feb-2026