It’s easy to understand why the British come to Florida. To Nathan Emerson, CEO of leading United Kingdom real estate agency Propertymark, the question practically answers itself.
“What’s not to like? It’s culturally familiar, the environment works well and the people are welcoming,” he told Homes.com while visiting the Sunshine State for the Florida Realtors Convention and Trade Expo in August. “The weather is fantastic — guaranteed sunshine — and the political and physical climate is stable.”
Florida has long been the top state for international buyers, and now more Brits would like to claw back some of what was lost in the Revolution.
More than a vacation destination, Florida is attracting residents of the United Kingdom to buy second homes, and sometimes first homes, in America.
Of the $56 billion foreign investors paid for U.S. real estate between April 2024 and March 2025, 21% of it involved sales in Florida, according to a July report from the National Association of Realtors. The next closest state, California, accounted for 15% of sales.
“Florida is one of the most dynamic economies on the planet,” Florida Realtors President Tim Weisheyer told Homes.com. “International buyers are drawn to our business-friendly environment, strong property rights and predictable regulations.”
A post-Brexit escape
A 2024 report from Florida Realtors found the British accounted for 5% of foreign residential purchases in the state. The United Kingdom ranked fifth after Canada at 17%, Argentina at 10%, Colombia at 7% and Brazil at 6%.
But since the U.K. formally dissolved its membership in the European Union in 2020, America has become more attractive to Brits because of new regulations governing owning homes in the EU. Once, the top choices among residents of Britain for vacation homes had been in France, Spain or Greece because of the convenient mutual regulatory regime.
“Post-Brexit residency rules in Europe have made it harder to maintain homes in France or Spain,” Emerson said. Beyond the rules, U.K. residents have also had to navigate the languages and customs of the countries they buy in. “Florida offers a familiar language, culture and climate.”
The desire to live in the Sunshine State usually starts with a visit to Disney or a stay at the beach, according to Propertymark member services manager Jan Hytch.
“Florida is a beautiful place to vacation, and that often sparks the idea of living here,” she said in an interview with Homes.com. “With remote work, people can live anywhere. It’s a direct nine-hour flight, and … the coastline is usable all year, unlike in the U.K.”
From vacationer to immigrant
It’s a process that can lead to permanent residency, Hytch said. “Initially, they come for holidays, but as they gain more freedom and financial flexibility, they consider longer stays or full relocation. The legal process here is quicker and easier than in the UK, which makes the transition smoother.”
Housing in England is scarce due to a lack of building, particularly following the worldwide real estate collapse of 2008.
“We’ve never built enough stock for the population,” Emerson said. “Our population is increasing faster than we can build houses. That’s often why [U.K. homeowners] can afford to buy here — because their investments back home have risen enough to refinance and buy in Florida.”
Buyers typically are split among those buying second homes and those purchasing investment properties, though sometimes those goals overlap.
“It’s a mix,” Hytch said. “Some are buying second homes for personal use, others are exploring vacation rentals like Airbnb. If they’re only using the home a few times a year, they consider renting it out the rest of the time.”
When it comes to that, “Orlando has the strongest vacation rental market in the world,” Florida Realtors' Weisheyer said. “Some buyers are thinking long-term … legacy properties for their children to vacation in.”
Process takes time
Buyers will spend years reviewing a property, such as a condominium, before committing to a purchase, Propertymark's Emerson said. And they don’t worry about things such as the recent regulations on condos that have wreaked havoc on that market and forced some owners to list their homes in fear of being unable to afford new assessments to repair older buildings.
“Domestic concerns like insurance and reserve studies don’t always deter international buyers,” Emerson said. “They tend to assess the property for a few years and then decide whether to stay or move. Ironically, U.K. buyers might make more housing transactions here than they would back home.”
The process of buying is slightly different on this side of the pond. “In the U.K., buyers typically don’t use agents,” Emerson said. “Sellers have exclusive representation, and buyers negotiate directly. Over here, buyers expect representation, which can be a cultural adjustment for Brits.”
Weisheyer said the state is continuing to make outreach efforts to lure more British buyers to Florida’s shores.
“We’re competing with other states and countries, so storytelling is key,” he said. “Although global buyers currently represent only 3% of our market, we’re working to grow that.”