Buying a Home in the U.S.: What It Actually Costs (A Guide for German Buyers)
- Kat Moore — The German Realtor®
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Welcome! Whether you just landed in Maryland or you're still in Germany weighing the move, I'm glad you found this. This is the first of two posts walking you through what buying a home here actually looks like, starting with the part everyone wants to know first: the money.
"Can I even buy a house here?" is usually the first question I get from German clients. The short answer: yes. You don't need a Green Card, and you don't need to be a U.S. citizen. What you do need is a realistic picture of the money involved because the American closing process throws a lot of new terms at you all at once, and nobody enjoys surprises at the settlement table.
So let's talk numbers.
Yes, You Can Buy Here
German citizens can purchase real estate in the United States, full stop. Your visa type, your assignment, your citizenship none of it disqualifies you from ownership. I say this a lot because it's the question that stops people before they even start looking, and it shouldn't.
Financing: What Lenders Will Ask For
A lot of German buyers assume financing simply isn't available to them. It usually is; you just need a lender who knows what to do with your paperwork.
Expect to provide:
Passport
Visa or assignment documentation
Proof of employment
Income verification
Bank statements
Credit information, U.S. credit history if you have it, alternative documentation (like a foreign credit report or a solid payment history) if you don't
Exactly what's required depends on your lender and your immigration status, which is why working with someone who's done this before matters more than the interest rate on paper.
How Much Money Will You Actually Need?
The down payment is only part of it. Here's what else lands on the bill before you get the keys:
Earnest money deposit: typically 1–3% of the purchase price, paid early to show you're serious about the offer
Home inspection: a few hundred dollars, and worth every cent
Appraisal: if you're financing, the lender will require one
Loan fees
Title fees
Recording fees
Homeowners insurance: required before closing if you're financing
Property taxes: prorated at closing based on the time of year
Your lender will give you a detailed, line-by-line estimate before closing, so nothing here should catch you off guard. If it does, that's a conversation worth having before you sign anything.
Understanding Property Taxes
Every homeowner in the U.S. pays annual property tax, and it's not optional or symbolic. It funds schools, roads, emergency services, and local government. Rates vary by county and even by municipality, so what your neighbor pays two towns over may look nothing like your bill. I can pull the actual rate for any property you're considering; for anything beyond that, a CPA familiar with Maryland property tax is your best resource.
Homeowners Associations (HOAs)
Plenty of Maryland communities have an HOA, which maintains common areas, enforces community rules, and charges monthly or annual fees for the privilege. Before you fall in love with a house, read the HOA documents. Rules that seem minor on paper, such as parking, fencing, and what color you're allowed to paint your front door, matter a lot more once you actually live there.
The Bottom Line
Buying here is absolutely within reach without U.S. citizenship or a mountain of cash, but the real number is bigger than just the down payment, and the property taxes and HOA rules are things you want to know before you're under contract, not after. In the next post, I'll walk through what actually happens once you make an offer: inspections, timelines, and what's different if you're here on military or government orders.
Kat Moore | Realtor | Advisor
Samson Properties
📞 410-414-5967 (cell), 443-975-7555 (office)
The Kat Walk To Homeownership
This article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Costs, fees, and financing requirements vary by lender, county, and individual circumstances. Always confirm current figures directly with your lender and closing agent. Please consult a licensed attorney or CPA for guidance specific to your situation.
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