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U.S.-based Latinos are increasingly looking beyond national borders to build and protect wealth through global real estate, with NAHREP members at the forefront of this shift. What began as a focus on U.S. homeownership has evolved into a broader strategy that includes investment properties in Latin America, Spain, and other Spanish-speaking markets.

From Homeownership to Global Portfolios
Latinos have been a driving force in U.S. homeownership growth, adding 238,000 new Hispanic owner-households in 2024 and pushing total Hispanic homeowners to 9.8 million. NAHREP reports that Hispanics have led net gains in homeownership for consecutive years, accounting for more than a third of total new owner-households nationwide.
Within NAHREP’s own network of real estate professionals, real estate ownership dramatically outpaces the general population: 83 percent of members own at least one property, and 41 percent hold at least one investment property beyond their primary residence. Notably, 10 percent of this network already owns real estate internationally, underscoring how global assets are becoming a core component of Latino wealth strategies.

Why Latinos Are Looking Abroad
Several forces are pushing U.S. Latinos to consider property outside the country: a stagnant domestic housing market, elevated prices in major metros, and political uncertainty that has fueled interest in dual citizenship and residency options. Visa and passport applications to countries such as Spain and others in Europe have climbed, as more families weigh quality of life, cost of living, and long-term security alongside returns.

For many Latino investors, buying abroad is not only about vacation homes; it is about diversifying income streams with rentals, denominating cash flows in stronger currencies, and creating intergenerational assets. In NAHREP’s network, rental properties account for 74 percent of investment holdings, with vacation homes and land also playing significant roles in diversified portfolios.

Hotspots in Latin America and Spain
In conversations within the AVANCE and NAHREP ecosystem, Mexico consistently surfaces as one of the most dynamic international markets for U.S. Latino investors, often described as the U.S.’s “51st state” from an economic standpoint. Regions such as Yucatán and other coastal and colonial destinations are now dominated by U.S. buyers, many of whom have cultural ties to the country and are seeking both appreciation and lifestyle benefits.

Beyond Mexico, markets including Panama, the Dominican Republic, and Colombia—particularly cities like Medellín—are attracting Latino investors who see long-term value and improving legal frameworks for foreign ownership. Spain has become another key destination, serving both Latin American and U.S. buyers who view it as a bridge between Europe and the Spanish-speaking world, with growing demand for wellness-focused, mixed-use developments.

Data Points on Global Investment
Survey data from NAHREP underscores just how investment-oriented its network has become: 41 percent own an investment property, and a meaningful 10 percent already maintain holdings in other countries. This is compared to only 13 percent of U.S. households and 6.9 percent of Latino households nationwide owning any residential investment property, highlighting how NAHREP professionals are leading by example in wealth building.

At the market level, international buyers—especially from Latin America—are reshaping key U.S. cities like Miami, where foreign purchasers now represent nearly half of new construction sales. Buyers from Argentina, Colombia, Brazil, and Mexico are increasingly using Miami as both an investment hub and a gateway for capital flows between Latin America, the U.S., and Europe.

AI, Nearshoring, and the Next Phase of Wealth Creation
Latino global investment is unfolding alongside a broader economic shift driven by AI and nearshoring, which is creating new income opportunities in Latin America that reinforce local real estate markets. U.S. companies are tapping talent in Mexico, Colombia, and other countries at competitive costs, enabling professionals to earn higher incomes while remaining in their home countries, where housing and living costs can be lower.

As Jason noted, this nearshoring dynamic is doing for regional development what traditional foreign policy often failed to do—channeling capital into local economies through private enterprise rather than government programs. That, in turn, supports demand for housing, mixed-use projects, and lifestyle communities that serve both residents and international investors, creating a feedback loop of wealth creation across borders.

NAHREP as a Blueprint for Latino Global Investors
With a network of tens of thousands of real estate and mortgage professionals, NAHREP has become both a barometer and a catalyst for Latino wealth-building trends. Its reports and surveys show that members are not just helping clients into homeownership—they are also building their own portfolios of rental, vacation, commercial, and international properties, modeling the path from single-home ownership to multi-asset.

For U.S. Latinos, the emerging message is clear: sustaining and growing wealth in the coming decade will require thinking globally—about where you live, where you earn, and where you own. From Mexico and Medellín to Málaga and Miami, Latino investors are turning real estate into a cross-border strategy for financial security, opportunity, and legacy.

Disclosure: The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice.

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