Can a non-US citizen get a mortgage in Maryland?

Often, yes. Permanent residents can usually use the same loans as citizens. People on work visas can qualify for many conventional and FHA loans with a valid visa and US work history. Buyers with no US credit or income usually need a foreign national loan, which typically asks for a larger down payment and costs more.

Do I need a Social Security number to buy a house?

Not to own one. Cash buyers can close without one. A lender will usually want a Social Security number or an ITIN, and you will need a US tax ID later to report rental income or a sale.

What taxes does a foreign owner pay when selling?

Two withholdings can apply at settlement: federal FIRPTA withholding (generally 15% of the sale price for foreign sellers, with exceptions) and Maryland nonresident withholding on the net proceeds. Both are prepayments credited against the tax you actually owe when you file.

Maryland guides

Can a foreigner buy a house in Maryland?

Yes. Maryland does not limit who can own a home, and you do not need to be a citizen or a resident to buy one. The harder parts are financing and, later, the tax withheld when you sell.

By Stephen Wilson, REALTOR and owner of a licensed Maryland general contractor. Updated October 25, 2026.

The short answer

Anyone can own real estate in Maryland. The state does not ask about citizenship or immigration status when you buy, and the deed is recorded the same way for everyone. What changes for a foreign buyer is how you pay, how you sign, and how taxes work when you rent the home out or sell it.

Paying for the house

Cash. The simplest route. Expect the title company to ask where the money came from and to verify the wire. International wires take longer, so send funds a few days before settlement.
Green card holders. Usually qualify for the same conventional, FHA and VA-eligible loans as citizens.
Work visa holders (H-1B, L-1 and similar). Many lenders will approve conventional or FHA loans with a valid visa, US employment and a credit history. Ask early, because each lender sets its own rules.
No US credit or income. Foreign national loans exist, usually with a larger down payment and a higher rate. A lender who does these regularly is worth finding before you write an offer.

Maryland's state loan and down payment programs (the Maryland Mortgage Program) have their own eligibility rules. Check them with an approved lender if you are a permanent resident buying a home to live in.

Signing and settlement from abroad

Maryland settlements are handled by a title company or settlement attorney. If you cannot be here, you can usually sign by mail with a notary, sign at a US embassy or consulate, or give someone a power of attorney. The title company has to approve the power of attorney ahead of time, and it is recorded with the deed, so set it up weeks before closing, not days.

Owning the home

Property tax is the same for every owner; see our Maryland property tax guide. Owner-occupant credits such as the Homestead Tax Credit only apply if it is your principal residence.
Renting it out. Rental income from a US property is taxable in the US. Many counties and Baltimore City also require a rental license. Read our landlord-tenant guide, or let SW Property Management run it for you.
Insurance. Lenders require a homeowners policy. Vacant or rented homes need the right policy type, so tell the insurer how the home will be used.

When you sell

Under the federal FIRPTA rules, the buyer's settlement agent generally withholds 15% of the sale price when the seller is a foreign person, with lower or no withholding in some cases (for example some sales under $1 million to a buyer who will live in the home). Maryland also withholds tax on the net proceeds of any nonresident seller. Both are credits against your real tax, so you file returns to get back any excess. Our guide to taxes when you sell has the Maryland rates.

These rules change and depend on your situation. Confirm the details with the IRS (FIRPTA), the Comptroller of Maryland, and a tax professional who works with foreign owners.

Where to start

Talk to a lender first so you know your price and loan type, then browse homes for sale across Central Maryland. We can tour homes for you on video and tell you what we would fix before you make an offer.

Quick answers

Can a foreigner buy a house in Maryland?: Yes. Maryland has no citizenship or residency requirement to own a home. Non-US citizens, green card holders, visa holders and buyers living abroad all buy here. You need a way to pay (cash or a loan you qualify for), identification, and a way to sign the closing documents.
Can a non-US citizen get a mortgage in Maryland?: Often, yes. Permanent residents can usually use the same loans as citizens. People on work visas can qualify for many conventional and FHA loans with a valid visa and US work history. Buyers with no US credit or income usually need a foreign national loan, which typically asks for a larger down payment and costs more.
Do I need a Social Security number to buy a house?: Not to own one. Cash buyers can close without one. A lender will usually want a Social Security number or an ITIN, and you will need a US tax ID later to report rental income or a sale.
What taxes does a foreign owner pay when selling?: Two withholdings can apply at settlement: federal FIRPTA withholding (generally 15% of the sale price for foreign sellers, with exceptions) and Maryland nonresident withholding on the net proceeds. Both are prepayments credited against the tax you actually owe when you file.

This guide is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules change and vary by county; confirm the details for your situation with the agency named above, a tax professional or an attorney.