The annual National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) survey measuring the level of sales of U.S. residential real estate to foreigners shows that international clients bought an estimated $92.2 billion in residential real estate. That’s approximately 7 percent of total U.S. existing home sales of $1.2 trillion. Of that, $46.7 billion is attributed to Type A clients and $45.5 billion to Type B.
International sales were up $24 billion from the previous survey. A number of favorable factors influenced foreign demand for U.S. residential properties: stronger global activity in the second half of 2013, appreciation of the Chinese yuan and the British pound, the relative affordability of U.S. residential property, and international investors’ desire for higher returns and greater security. Chinese residents are also influenced by a flight to quality.
Information was gathered from Realtors on U.S. residential real estate purchased by international clients during the 12 months ending March 2014.
http://www.realtor.org/reports/profile-of-international-home-buying-activity