To buy a house in the US as a newcomer: check your credit and budget, gather your documents, get preapproved by a lender, choose a licensed agent, make an offer with an earnest money deposit, complete the inspection and appraisal, compare your Loan Estimate and sign at closing. You do not need to be a citizen to own a home, but your immigration and tax status affects which loans you can get.

If you are new to the country, the process can feel unfamiliar: credit history drives almost every decision and the paperwork is usually in English. This guide takes you through each step in order, using official sources such as the CFPB and HUD.

  • FHA loans allow a 3.5% down payment with a credit score of 580 or higher.
  • Since May 2025, FHA only insures loans to citizens, lawful permanent residents and citizens of a few freely associated states.

Step 1: Check your budget and credit

According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), your credit score and credit report determine whether you can get a mortgage and the rate you will pay; higher scores make you eligible for lower rates. Check your credit months before you start house hunting.

Get your free credit reports

You can get one free credit report each year from each of the three nationwide companies (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) at AnnualCreditReport.com or by calling (877) 322-8228, and you may be able to view free reports more often online. Fix any errors before you apply. The CFPB also suggests avoiding new loans and credit cards in the months before you buy.

If you have no US credit history

Many newcomers don’t have a US credit score yet. FHA allows borrowers with non-traditional or insufficient credit to qualify, but the lender must underwrite the loan manually. Ask each lender how they handle your situation, and start building credit as early as you can.

Step 2: Gather your documents

Under the federal Ability-to-Repay rule, lenders must verify your income, employment, credit and debts with reliable documents. Common ones include:

  • Photo ID and your Social Security number (SSN) or ITIN.
  • Recent pay stubs and W-2 forms.
  • Federal tax returns.
  • Bank statements showing your savings.
  • If you are not a citizen, proof of immigration status.

Step 3: Get preapproved

A preapproval letter is a statement from a lender that it is tentatively willing to lend you up to a certain amount. It is not a guaranteed loan offer, but it shows sellers you are likely to get financing, and many sellers ask for one before accepting an offer. Get preapproved by more than one lender so you can compare.

Step 4: Understand your loan options

Conventional loans

These are the most common loans. The CFPB says they typically cost less than FHA loans but can be harder to get. Many follow Fannie Mae’s rules, which require each borrower to have a valid SSN or ITIN in addition to meeting legal residency requirements. Fannie Mae buys loans to lawful permanent and non-permanent residents on the same terms as for US citizens.

FHA loans

FHA loans are insured by the Federal Housing Administration, part of HUD. Under the current FHA Handbook 4000.1 (last revised August 12, 2026):

  • With a credit score of 580 or higher, the minimum investment is 3.5% of the home’s adjusted value.
  • With a score from 500 to 579, you need at least 10% down; below 500, you are not eligible.
  • Each borrower must provide a valid SSN, with very limited exceptions.

Big change for immigrants: Mortgagee Letter 2025-09 removed eligibility for non-permanent residents. For FHA case numbers assigned on or after May 25, 2025, only US citizens, lawful permanent residents and citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Palau can qualify. HUD notes that a Social Security card alone does not prove immigration or work status.

VA and USDA loans

VA loans (for eligible veterans and service members with a Certificate of Eligibility) require no down payment if the price is not above the appraised value. USDA guaranteed loans, for eligible rural areas and incomes below 115% of area median income, also require no down payment but require citizenship or eligible noncitizen status.

Step 5: Plan for the down payment and closing costs

Besides the down payment, you will pay closing costs: loan origination charges, appraisal and credit report fees, title insurance and other lender or transaction fees. They vary a lot by state and county; see our guides to closing costs in Florida and Texas. If you need help with the down payment, look at first-time home buyer programs in Florida and Texas.

Step 6: Choose a real estate agent

A good agent knows the local market and coordinates everything until closing. Read how to choose a real estate agent, and if you would rather work in Spanish, see how to find a Spanish speaking real estate agent. Always verify the license with the state regulator.

Step 7: Make an offer and pay earnest money

Your agent prepares a written offer. Once the seller accepts, you usually pay earnest money, which the CFPB defines as a deposit to show good faith on a signed contract. A seller or third party such as a title company holds it; it goes toward your down payment or closing costs if the sale closes, and it is returned if the contract ends for a permitted reason.

Step 8: Inspection and appraisal

A home inspector you hire examines the home’s condition. An appraisal is a written opinion of what the property is worth, which the lender uses to decide how much to lend.

Step 9: Review the Loan Estimate and Closing Disclosure

  • Loan Estimate: the lender must give it to you within 3 business days of receiving your application. It is a standard three-page form, so you can compare lenders side by side.
  • Closing Disclosure: a five-page form with your final terms. You must receive it at least 3 business days before closing so you can compare it with your Loan Estimate.

Step 10: Title and closing

Most lenders require a lender’s title insurance policy; an owner’s policy protects you if someone claims a right to the home from before you bought it. You can usually shop for your title provider separately.

At closing you sign, pay and get the keys. The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) warns that the official documents will likely be in English, so ask for explanations and bring a qualified interpreter if you need one.

Step 11: After you buy, apply for the homestead exemption

If the home is your permanent residence, you may qualify for a homestead exemption that lowers your property taxes. In Florida it can be up to $50,000; the home must be your permanent residence on January 1 and you file Form DR-501 with your county property appraiser by March 1. See our guides to the Florida homestead exemption and the Texas homestead exemption.

Steps and typical documents

Step What you do Typical documents
1. Credit and budget Review reports and fix errors Reports from AnnualCreditReport.com
2. Documents Build your file ID, SSN or ITIN, pay stubs, W-2s, tax returns, bank statements
3. Preapproval Get letters from several lenders Preapproval letter
4–5. Loan and funds Pick a loan type and save the down payment Proof of funds, proof of immigration status if applicable
6–7. Agent and offer Sign with an agent and make an offer Buyer agreement, purchase contract, earnest money receipt
8. Inspection and appraisal Check condition and value Inspection report, appraisal report
9. Disclosures Compare costs and terms Loan Estimate, Closing Disclosure
10. Closing Sign and get the keys Promissory note, mortgage or deed of trust, deed, title policy
11. Homestead Apply with your county County application (DR-501 in Florida)

Can you buy a house if you are not a US citizen?

Generally, yes. US law does not require citizenship to own real estate; for example, the federal FIRPTA rules set how foreign owners are taxed when they sell US property, with a general 15% withholding. Some states do add limits. In Florida, people domiciled in China who are not US citizens or permanent residents are barred from buying, with a narrow exception for one home of up to 2 acres under conditions. In Texas, SB 17 restricts purchases by people and entities tied to certain designated countries since September 1, 2025, with exceptions for citizens and permanent residents. If this could affect you, talk to an attorney.

Financing depends on your status

  • Green card holders: can qualify for FHA and conventional loans on the same terms as citizens.
  • Non-permanent residents on visas: no longer eligible for FHA since May 2025, but Fannie Mae still accepts lawfully present non-permanent residents.
  • ITIN holders without an SSN: some lenders offer ITIN loans; see our guide to buying a home with an ITIN.

In 2026, the CFPB (June 8) and the OCC, FDIC and NCUA (July 13) also reminded lenders that they may consider immigration status when judging ability to repay, so some lenders may ask for more documents.

A HUD-approved housing counselor can help you prepare: call 800-569-4287, where live operators speak a wide variety of languages.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need to buy a house in the US as a newcomer?

You need a credit history a lender can evaluate, income you can document with pay stubs, W-2s or tax returns, money for the down payment and closing costs, and ID with an SSN or ITIN. Exact requirements depend on the loan type and your immigration status.

How much down payment do I need?

It depends on the loan. FHA requires at least 3.5% with a credit score of 580 or higher and 10% with a score from 500 to 579, while VA and USDA loans may require no down payment if you meet their eligibility rules.

Can I buy a house in the US without being a citizen?

Generally yes, although Florida and Texas restrict purchases by people tied to certain countries. Permanent residents can qualify for FHA loans, but non-permanent residents are no longer eligible for FHA for case numbers assigned on or after May 25, 2025.

When do I get the Loan Estimate and Closing Disclosure?

The lender must give you a Loan Estimate within 3 business days of your application and a Closing Disclosure at least 3 business days before closing. The CFPB publishes both forms in Spanish too.

Can I get a mortgage without a credit score?

Possibly. FHA allows borrowers with non-traditional or insufficient credit to qualify through manual underwriting, but each lender sets its own process, so ask several lenders.

Sources

This article is for general information only and is not legal, tax or financial advice. Amounts and rules change: confirm them with the official sources linked above or with a licensed professional before making decisions.