Why invest in Brownsville.

Yes. U.S. law does not require citizenship or residency to own real estate, and foreign nationals buy in their own name or through a company. Since September 1, 2025, a Texas law (SB 17) restricts purchases by governments, companies and certain individuals tied to countries the U.S. flags as national-security risks (currently understood to be China, Iran, North Korea and Russia) or that the governor designates. Mexico is not one of them, and the law does not apply to U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Citizenship matters, not only where you live: the law also covers citizens of those countries who live outside the U.S., for example in Mexico, unless they have become citizens of the country where they live. If your situation is unusual, confirm it with a Texas real estate attorney.

Often, yes: some U.S. lenders offer foreign-national loans. Expect a larger down payment than a standard mortgage (published lender guides cite roughly 25% to 50%), a higher interest rate, and documents such as your passport, bank statements and proof of income. Terms vary a lot by lender, so compare at least two written offers. Ricardo is not a lender.

FIRPTA can matter to you twice. When you buy from a seller who is a foreign person, you, the buyer, are generally the withholding agent: at closing the seller normally certifies that they are not a foreign person, or the tax is withheld from the sale proceeds, usually through the title company. If the seller is foreign and no one withholds, the IRS can hold the buyer liable for the tax. When you sell, the roles reverse: your buyer generally must withhold 15% of the amount realized and send it to the IRS within 20 days. If the buyer will live in the home, withholding is 0% up to $300,000 and 10% up to $1,000,000. The withholding is a prepayment, not the final tax: you file a U.S. return to settle it, and you can ask the IRS for a withholding certificate (Form 8288-B) to reduce it.

No. The Texas Constitution prohibits a personal income tax, so there is no state tax on your rental income or gains; federal taxes still apply. Texas funds local services mainly through property taxes. If you are a tax resident of Mexico, Mexican law taxes residents on income from any country, so your U.S. income may also have to be reported in Mexico. The U.S. and Mexico have an income tax treaty; a CPA who works in both countries can coordinate the two returns.

Often, yes. Texas law allows an online notary commissioned in Texas to notarize your signature by video even when you are outside the state, and a power of attorney is another option. Whether a remote closing works for your purchase depends on the title company and, if you finance, on the lender, so ask both at the start, not the week of closing.