{"id":30459,"date":"2026-08-07T00:48:15","date_gmt":"2026-08-06T19:48:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=30459"},"modified":"2026-08-07T00:48:15","modified_gmt":"2026-08-06T19:48:15","slug":"british-homebuyers-are-quietly-flocking-to-michigan-heres-why","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=30459","title":{"rendered":"British homebuyers are quietly flocking to Michigan \u2014 here&#8217;s why"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content%2Fuploads%2Fsites%2F2%2F2026%2F08%2Fcrop-40223700.jpg?quality%3D90%26strip%3Dall\" \/><\/p>\n<div>\n<aside class=\"single__inline-module alignleft wp-block-nypost-editor-partner-article-links\">\n<\/aside>\n<p>While coastal and\u00a0Sun Belt states\u00a0continue to dominate\u00a0U.S. foreign real estate transactions,\u00a0Michigan\u00a0has quietly emerged as one of the top destinations for U.K. buyers drawn by an affordable lifestyle and a long-established job pipeline.<\/p>\n<p>Between April 2025 and March 2026, Michigan was the third most popular landing place for home shoppers from the U.K., capturing 18% of all U.K. purchases nationwide,\u00a0according to the new\u00a0National Association of Realtors\u00ae\u00a02025 International Transactions in U.S. Residential Real Estate report between April 2025 and March 2026, Michigan was the third most popular landing place for home shoppers from the U.K., capturing 18% of all U.K. purchases nationwide,\u00a0according to the new\u00a0National Association of Realtors\u00ae\u00a02025 International Transactions in U.S. Residential Real Estate report.<\/p>\n<p>In the NAR report, \u201cforeign\u201d or \u201cinternational\u201d buyers include foreign nationals living abroad, non-U.S. citizens who are recent immigrants (less than two years at the time of the transaction), and visa holders living stateside.<\/p>\n<p>Only sunny\u00a0California\u00a0and\u00a0Arizona\u00a0ranked higher than Michigan among British buyers, commanding 36% and 27% of transactions involving U.K. nationals, respectively. Meanwhile, the Great Lakes State outpaced traditional international markets like\u00a0Texas\u00a0and\u00a0South Carolina, which each garnered 9%.<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Realtor.com widget\" src=\"https:\/\/www.realtor.com\/creative\/rdc-ads\/local-listings-widget\/?src=nyp\" width=\"100%\" height=\"230\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"realtor-com-listings-widget\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>An aerial view of Detroit,Michigan. <span class=\"credit\">Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cMichigan\u2019s pull for U.K. buyers likely comes down to two threads,\u201d says\u00a0Realtor.com\u00ae economist\u00a0<strong>Jiayi Xu<\/strong>. \u201cOn the lifestyle side, the state\u2019s lakefront towns offer the kind of waterfront, second-home living that\u2019s popular back home in the U.K., but at a more affordable price than the U.K. or the\u00a0Florida\u00a0coast.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOn the business side, Michigan\u2019s deep, decades-old ties to the auto industry mean a steady flow of relocation opportunities for U.K. professionals in roles tied to Ford, GM, and their supply chains.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>This trend is rooted in strong cross-border economic ties going back decades and anchored in automotive technology collaborations.<\/p>\n<p>According to\u00a0U.K. government trade data, British subsidiaries employ nearly 40,000 workers across Michigan, making the U.K. one of the leading sources of direct foreign investment in the state.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Overall, U.K. homebuyers accounted for 4% of all foreign real estate purchases in the U.S. in 2026, unchanged since 2024. Meanwhile, Michigan ranked as the eighth most popular destination across all foreign buyer groups, at 3%.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>Fans watch the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup during a public event in Southwest Detroit, known as Mexican town, in Detroit, Michigan, on June 11, 2026. The neighborhood features cultural murals and signs displayed by local businesses informing residents of their immigration rights.  <span class=\"credit\">Anadolu via Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>On Realtor.com this spring, buyers from the U.K. made up 6% of international traffic to Michigan, the second-largest group of foreign browsers.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Michigan\u2019s British invasion<\/h2>\n<p>Jaye Sanders, managing broker at Nextpointe Real Estate Service in\u00a0Royal Oak, MI, has worked with international buyers over the past six years and says U.K.\u2019s ascendance as a major feeder market for Michigan comes as no surprise.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt makes sense based upon how affordable our market is. It makes sense based upon the fact that we\u2019re a major hub. \u2026 You can pretty much fly anywhere you need to fly,\u201d Sanders tells Realtor.com. \u201cAnd it makes sense because Michigan is a fantastic place to live and bring your family.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The broker emphasizes that, in accordance with Michigan\u2019s\u00a0Fair Housing\u00a0guidelines, she never collects information on her clients\u2019 racial or cultural background, but confirms she has helped U.K. buyers purchase homes in Michigan.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI have had quite a few buyers who\u2019ve come from other countries, and they\u2019ve specifically been interested in the resurgence of\u00a0Detroit,\u201d says Sanders.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>Homes are being built with used shipping containers in a low-income neighborhood on Friday, May 9, 2025, in Detroit, Michigan.  <span class=\"credit\">UCG\/Universal Images Group via Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Motor City, long celebrated as the beating heart of America\u2019s automotive industry, declared bankruptcy in 2013 and became a symbol of urban decay. In the decade since, Detroit has experienced a\u00a0remarkable economic turnaround highlighted by downtown revitalization, multiple consecutive balanced budgets, and recent population growth.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Location and affordability<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Many of Sanders\u2019 international buyers, among them British subjects, are drawn to Detroit\u2019s location offering easy access to neighboring Canada, a fellow commonwealth nation. Other crucial selling points include Michigan\u2019s world-class freshwater lakes and its impressive affordability.<\/p>\n<p>She points out some of her foreign clients are shocked that they can afford to purchase a waterfront property in Michigan for a fraction of what it would cost elsewhere.<\/p>\n<p>Michigan\u2019s lower property taxes also play a significant role.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf you compare our property taxes to a state like California or even a state like\u00a0New York, it\u2019s a lot more affordable to live in Michigan,\u201d notes Sanders.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>A view of the downtown Detroit skyline is seen in Detroit, Michigan, on Friday, October 18, 2024.  <span class=\"credit\">AFP via Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The broker explains that many of her international clients work in the automotive sector and arrive on temporary corporate assignments. A large portion of them purchase waterfront condominiums or co-ops in downtown Detroit or Grosse Pointe near General Motors and Ford facilities as part of a long-term investment strategy.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThey look at the price, they look at the location close to the water, and they believe that in a few years, obviously the market will go up and they will sell,\u201d says Sanders.<\/p>\n<p>This cohort of buyers typical look for turnkey, low-maintenance properties in gated communities overlooking the Detroit River or Lake St. Clair that are priced in the $200,000 to $250,000 range.<\/p>\n<div class=\"single__inline-module inline-module inline-module--newsletter aligncenter inline-module--nypostbusinessunit aligncenter wp-block-nypost-editor-newsletter\" data-source-unit=\"Inline Newsletter Module Morning Report\">\n<div class=\"inline-module__inner\">\n<div class=\"inline-module__title-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"inline-module__unsubmitted-title-wrapper\">\n<h3 class=\"inline-module__title headline headline--combo-sm-md\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tStart your day with all you need to know\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n<p class=\"inline-module__cta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMorning Report delivers the latest news, videos, photos and more.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><h3 class=\"inline-module__title headline headline--combo-sm-md\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tThanks for signing up!\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cThey want something that they can move in and immediately \u2018plug and play,&#8217;\u201d says Sanders. \u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The idea is that rather than spending money on rent, the expats live in their condos while their work assignment is active, and then convert them into short- or long-term rentals to generate passive income for years to come.<\/p>\n<p>Those who relocate to Michigan from abroad on a more permanent basis and arrive with families tend to prioritize top-rated school districts and single-family homes with backyards, typically shopping in the $250,000 to $400,000 range.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>In July, the median asking price in the Detroit metro was $275,000, down 1.8% from a year ago and more than $150,000 below the national median.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Realtor.com widget\" src=\"https:\/\/www.realtor.com\/creative\/rdc-ads\/search-listings-widget\/?src=nyp\" width=\"100%\" height=\"230\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"realtor-com-search-widget\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Demand for Michigan housing remains strong across multiple international demographics. Beyond ranking third among U.K. buyers, Michigan was the fifth most popular destination for shoppers from Canada and India, and the sixth most popular for Chinese investors, according to the NAR report.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>While coastal and\u00a0Sun Belt states\u00a0continue to dominate\u00a0U.S. foreign real estate transactions,\u00a0Michigan\u00a0has quietly emerged as one of the top destinations for U.K. buyers drawn by an affordable lifestyle and a long-established job pipeline. Between April 2025 and March 2026, Michigan was the third most popular landing place for home shoppers from the U.K., capturing 18% of&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":30460,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/crop-40223700.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1200","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-30459","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pics-news"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30459","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=30459"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30459\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/30460"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=30459"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=30459"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=30459"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}