By Lindsey Wells

Nearly 10,000 homes in Texas, totaling $4.9 billion, were bought up by international buyers between April 2020 and March 2021, according to a report from Texas Realtors.

Texas ranked third in the country, trailing Florida and California, for most popular states for buyers from outside of the U.S.

The report states that international home purchases decreased 31% in the U.S. compared to last year.

“The pandemic had a significant impact on the number of foreign homebuyers over the last year,” Texas Realtor Chairman Marvin Jolly said in the release. “Even so, Texas remained one of the top destinations for people around the world to purchase a house here. International homebuyers continue to choose Texas because they recognize the strength of our economy, abundance of investment opportunities and attractive cost of living.”

Texas accounted for 9% of all U.S. home sales to international buyers over the year. The Lone Star State was the top destination for international buyers from Mexico. Of all the buyers from Mexico purchasing a home in the U.S., 29% bought in Texas. Among Indian buyers, 11% chose Texas, the report said.

“The demand for Texas real estate, commercial or residential, extends well beyond our nation,” Jolly concluded in the release. “Whether someone is moving from down the street, another state or from halfway across the globe, all homebuyers can benefit by working with a Texas Realtor to help navigate the local market and find the best property for their desires.”