American families are watching foreign buyers—especially those from China—snap up homes and farmland while lawmakers scramble to plug holes that shouldn’t have existed in the first place.
At a Glance
- Chinese buyers have become the second-largest purchasers of U.S. residential property, representing the biggest share by value.
- State legislatures in Texas and Arkansas have enacted or proposed bans on land purchases by Chinese nationals and other foreign adversaries, while Arizona recently vetoed a similar bill.
- Over half the states in the country have moved to restrict or ban foreign ownership of land, with a focus on national security risks posed by acquisitions near military bases.
- Federal bills to expand oversight of foreign land acquisitions have stalled, leaving states to take matters into their own hands.
Chinese Land Buys: A National Security Flashpoint
The sight of Chinese investors scooping up real estate in America isn’t new, but in 2025, it has become a flashpoint for anyone concerned about national sovereignty, food security, and yes, even the very fabric of their community. Chinese buyers surged into the U.S. market during the 2010s, peaking in 2017 to become the largest group of foreign residential property purchasers. Today, they hold the second spot, accounting for roughly 11–15% of foreign home buys and the highest share by dollar value—a trend that is raising eyebrows and hackles from coast to coast. This is not just about a few condos in Miami or San Francisco. We’re talking about farmland and properties dangerously close to military bases, inflaming fears of espionage or the subtle creep of foreign influence. The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, or CFIUS, is supposed to protect us from such risks, but for years, farmland and regular real estate were not part of their portfolio—an oversight so glaring it’s almost laughable.
The resulting vacuum has left state governments to act. Texas, a state that doesn’t take kindly to federal dithering, passed a bill banning land purchases by citizens of China, North Korea, Russia, and Iran. Arkansas followed with its “Not One More Inch or Acre Act” targeting Chinese entities. Meanwhile, Arizona’s governor inexplicably vetoed a similar restriction, proving that some politicians are more interested in virtue signaling than actual security. As it stands, 27 states have at least considered or enacted laws limiting foreign land ownership, with a sharp focus on China. Yet, at the federal level, the story is classic Washington gridlock: plenty of bills, lots of talk, but not a single law enacted to bring CFIUS oversight up to date.
Who Benefits? Who Loses?
The winners in this mess are obvious—foreign buyers and the real estate industry, which is always hungry for more commissions and cash, no matter where it comes from. The losers? Hardworking Americans priced out of homes, farmers forced to compete with foreign capital, and communities left wondering what the future holds for their neighborhoods and their country. Statehouses are stepping up because Congress refuses to, creating a patchwork of regulations that leave plenty of loopholes. The real estate lobby howls about “discrimination,” but anyone with common sense knows that protecting strategic assets and food supplies is not about race—it’s about national survival. Meanwhile, advocacy groups and academic pundits wring their hands over legal challenges and the supposed risk of increased discrimination, as if the real threat is hurt feelings instead of actual foreign control of American soil.
Chinese investors claim they’re only interested in safe investments, education, or business opportunities. Maybe some are. But when purchases cluster around military installations, or when state-linked companies start amassing farmland, it’s not paranoia to ask tough questions—it’s patriotism. And let’s not forget: Japanese and Middle Eastern buyers faced similar scrutiny decades ago, but this time, the stakes are higher, and the adversary is far more aggressive on the global stage.
The Economic and Social Fallout
Short-term, the flurry of restrictions has thrown a wet blanket on foreign real estate investment, especially in states that have taken action. Real estate agents are grumbling, and some markets are seeing a dip in demand. Longer term, if these bans hold, expect less foreign cash sloshing into U.S. markets—good news for Americans looking to buy, not so great for those who profit from foreign speculation. States like Florida, California, and Texas could see prices stabilize or even drop, finally giving local families a fighting chance. But there’s a risk, too: retaliatory measures from China, strained diplomatic ties, and a potential backlash in other sectors. The legal fights are just beginning, with challenges already mounting on the grounds of constitutionality and discrimination.
There’s also a social danger. As state crackdowns escalate, some worry about a rise in anti-Asian sentiment. But that’s a red herring used to shut down debate. The overwhelming majority of Americans want to live in a country where their land and resources are not up for grabs by foreign adversaries. The real discrimination is against American citizens, who are told to accept higher prices, less security, and a weaker nation—all in the name of “openness.”
Sources:
Statista: Total number of properties purchased by Chinese buyers in the US
RP Realty Plus: US States Seek to Ban Chinese Citizens from Buying Property
