Reporting from Washington and Los Angeles—
American consumers and the federal government haven't been able to bail out the
sinking U.S. real estate market. Now wealthy Chinese, Canadians and other
foreign buyers could get their chance.
Two U.S. senators have introduced a bill that would allow foreigners who spend
at least $500,000 on residential property to obtain visas allowing them to live
in the United States.
The plan could be a boon to California, which has become a popular real estate
market for foreigners, particularly those from China.
Nationwide, residential sales to foreigners and recent immigrants totaled $82
billion in the 12-month period ended March 31, up from $66 billion the previous
year, according to the National Assn. of Realtors. California accounted for 12%
of those sales, second only to Florida.
"Overall, Los Angeles is the perfect place for investors," said YanYan Zhang, an
agent with Rodeo Realty in Beverly Hills, who travels to China several times a
year to meet potential clients.
Sandra Miller, a broker at Engel & Volkers in Santa Monica, an international
real estate firm that caters to foreign clients, said about 10% of the luxury
market now is composed of foreign investors. She estimated that offering them
U.S. visas would triple that figure, as well as help sales elsewhere.
"California, Florida, New York, Colorado, Hawaii and Texas — those states will
see a huge increase in demand," she said. "The whole Westside would certainly
benefit."
The bipartisan proposal, part of a package that also would make it easier for
international tourists to visit the U.S., is similar to an existing program that
puts foreigners on a fast track to a green card if they invest at least $500,000
in an American business that creates at least 10 jobs.
"Many people want to come and live in the United States," said Sen. Charles
Schumer (D-N.Y.), who introduced the legislation Thursday along with Sen. Mike
Lee (R-Utah). "They will be here spending money and paying taxes, and the most
important thing is they'll sop up the extra supply of homes we have right now
compared to demand, and that's what's dragging our economy down."
The legislation would create a new homeowner visa that would be renewable every
three years, but the proposal would not put them on a path to citizenship. To be
eligible, a person would have to buy a primary residence of at least $250,000
and spend a total of $500,000 on residential real estate. The other properties
could be rented.
The program would come with several restrictions.
The purchase would have to be in cash, with no mortgage or home equity loan
allowed. And the property would have to be bought for more than its most recent
appraised value, Schumer said.
The buyer would have to live in the home for at least 180 days each year, which
would require paying U.S. income taxes on any foreign earnings. Buyers would no
longer be eligible for the temporary visa if the property were sold.
The buyer would be able to bring a spouse and minor children to live in the U.S.
but would need to apply for a work visa to hold a job. Neither the buyer nor
dependents would be eligible to receive Medicaid, Medicare or Social Security
benefits.
"The bill does not limit people from being productive," Schumer said. "It simply
prevents them from coming here and taking jobs that otherwise would go to
Americans."
Billionaire investor Warren Buffett and others have advocated boosting the U.S.
economy by attracting foreign investment.
The Visa Improvements to Stimulate International Tourism to the United States of
America Act, or VISIT-USA Act, aims to do that by also making several other
changes to visa policies.
Among them are allowing Chinese tourists to receive a five-year visa that
permits multiple visits. They now must apply for a new visa every year.
Canadians would be allowed to stay in the U.S. for more than 180 days without
having to obtain a visa.
Schumer and Lee have lined up support from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the
U.S. Travel Assn. and the American Hotel & Lodging Assn. Schumer said he was
working to get the backing of the Obama administration, which received the
bill's details Thursday.
"For too long, we have created barriers, and too many hoops and hurdles, which
act to deter visitors from other countries coming to the United States to spend
their money and create jobs," said Chamber of Commerce President Thomas Donohue.
"This is a loss we can ill afford in today's economy."
Robert Toll, executive chairman of Toll Brothers Inc., a Pennsylvania builder of
luxury homes, joined Schumer on a conference call with reporters to back the
foreign home-buyer proposal. He said it was no different from tax breaks
designed to attract businesses.
Lee described it as a free-market way to boost demand in the real estate market
after "big-government programs have failed to work."