By Elizabeth Costa — Top Real Estate Agent in Doral, Florida | The Keyes Company
15+ years of experience · 300+ closed transactions · Bilingual: English & Spanish

How do I sell my Miami home to international or cash buyers, and what does global network reach actually mean?
International and cash buyers dominate Miami luxury real estate. Q2 2026 Miami-Dade MLS data shows cash accounted for 46 to 67 percent of transactions across the Coral Gables corridor. Reaching these buyer pools requires marketing beyond MLS, through the specific global networks that connect Miami inventory to high-net-worth international buyers. The Keyes Company is an exclusive member of Forbes Global Properties (an invitation-only luxury real estate association with 140M global audience across 69+ countries) and a founding member of Luxury Portfolio International (connecting $1M+ properties to buyers across 800+ major cities worldwide). Sellers listing with Keyes access both networks by default. Global network reach isn't a marketing claim, it's the specific infrastructure that puts your listing in front of the buyers who actually close.

Selling to international and cash buyers isn't just a segment of the Miami luxury market — for most price tiers above $2 million, it's the majority of the market. Understanding who these buyers are, how they find inventory, and what infrastructure actually reaches them determines whether your listing captures the best available offers or gets seen only by the domestic buyer pool.

I'm Elizabeth Costa, a Realtor with The Keyes Company. This guide explains the international and cash buyer landscape in Miami, and walks through the specific global network infrastructure Keyes provides to reach these buyers directly — Forbes Global Properties and Luxury Portfolio International, both of which are meaningful, verifiable credentials rather than marketing language.

Why International and Cash Buyers Matter for Miami Sellers

Three data points frame why this buyer segment matters more in Miami than in most US markets:

1. Cash dominates Miami luxury. Per Q2 2026 Miami-Dade MLS data, cash accounted for 67 percent of Coconut Grove transactions, 57 percent of Pinecrest, 54 percent of South Miami, 50 percent of Coral Gables Riviera, and 46 percent of both Coral Gables core and Palmetto Bay. In ultra-luxury tiers ($5M+), cash share is even higher.

2. International share of US residential remains highest in Miami. According to the NAR Profile of International Transactions in US Residential Real Estate, Florida is consistently the top destination state for international real estate purchases, with Miami-Dade County representing a large share of Florida's international transaction volume. Countries of origin routinely include Colombia, Venezuela, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Canada, and various European and Middle Eastern origins.

3. International and cash buyers behave differently. They typically want faster closings, have fewer financing contingencies, are less rate-sensitive, and often prioritize privacy and branded properties. Selling to this pool requires marketing and process infrastructure that domestic-focused Realtors typically don't deploy.

For monthly Miami-Dade market data breakdowns by nationality of buyer, the Miami Association of Realtors statistics library publishes updated reports.

The Five International Buyer Profiles Active in Miami

After working with international transactions regularly through Keyes, five distinct buyer profiles emerge in Miami luxury:

1. Latin American wealth diversification buyers. Colombian, Venezuelan, Argentinean, Brazilian, and Mexican buyers acquiring Miami real estate as US dollar asset diversification against home-country currency volatility. Typically pay cash, often through legal entities (LLC, trust, foreign corporation) for tax and privacy planning.

2. European family relocation buyers. Buyers relocating family or establishing US bases for children pursuing education or professional careers. Often financing-eligible if establishing US residency, but many still pay cash for speed and simplicity.

3. Middle Eastern investment and residential buyers. Investors and family office representatives acquiring both residential and investment property. High cash share, often through structured entities. Increasingly active in ultra-luxury tiers ($5M+).

4. Canadian snowbirds and second-home buyers. Canadian buyers acquiring seasonal or year-round Miami residences. Some finance, most pay cash. Concentrated in Miami Beach, Bal Harbour, Sunny Isles, and Aventura oceanfront.

5. Asian ultra-luxury buyers. Growing segment in ultra-luxury tiers, primarily concentrated in Miami Beach barrier islands and Brickell branded residences. Almost always cash, often through offshore entities.

Understanding which of these profiles matches your specific property's price point, location, and features helps position your listing for the buyers most likely to close.

Cash Buyer Dynamics in Miami Luxury

Cash buyers behave differently from financed buyers in ways that affect seller strategy:

Cash offers close faster. No mortgage contingency, no appraisal contingency (usually), no lender timeline. Cash transactions can close in 15 to 30 days versus 45 to 60 days for financed transactions.

Cash offers are less price-flexible in negotiation, but more term-flexible. Cash buyers rarely negotiate as aggressively on price as financed buyers, but they often negotiate on closing timeline, contingency structure, and inspection resolutions.

Cash offers have fewer contingencies. Standard financing contingency doesn't apply. Appraisal contingency often waived. Inspection contingency usually shorter and more targeted. This removes some of the transaction risk that sellers face with financed offers.

FinCEN reporting applies to all-cash residential purchases above defined thresholds in Miami-Dade. Title companies handle the reporting, but sellers should understand this happens automatically.

Cash buyers often want privacy. International and high-net-worth cash buyers frequently prefer discreet transaction handling. This is where off-market or private-client-network marketing becomes valuable. For deeper context, see my post on The Discreet Sale: How Off-Market Luxury Real Estate Works in Miami.

What Global Network Reach Actually Means

"Global reach" is one of the most overused phrases in luxury real estate marketing. Every listing agent claims it. Very few can point to specific documented infrastructure that delivers it. Here's what actually reaches international and cash buyers:

Specific luxury real estate networks with documented buyer distribution. Not "we post on Zillow." Real networks like Forbes Global Properties, Luxury Portfolio International, Sotheby's International Realty, Christie's International Real Estate, and Compass Private Exclusives each maintain curated buyer databases, digital platforms, referral channels, and marketing infrastructure specifically designed for international and high-net-worth prospects.

Publications that reach the buyer pool. Forbes properties reach Forbes' 140 million global audience. Wall Street Journal Mansion Global reaches financial-sector affluent buyers. Barron's Penta reaches wealth management client segments. Being IN these publications requires being IN the specific broker networks that distribute there.

Broker-to-broker referral networks with real activity. International buyers frequently work with agents in their home country who refer to US-based specialists. Networks like Leading Real Estate Companies of the World (LeadingRE, which owns Luxury Portfolio International) facilitate thousands of these introductions annually.

Bilingual and multilingual capability at the agent level. International buyers close with agents who communicate in their language. Miami's practical languages are English, Spanish, and Portuguese, with additional French and Italian value in specific segments.

Two of the most authoritative luxury real estate networks in the US are Forbes Global Properties and Luxury Portfolio International. The Keyes Company holds documented membership in both.

Forbes Global Properties - Keyes as Exclusive Member

The Keyes Company is an exclusive member of Forbes Global Properties, a real estate network structured as an invitation-only association of distinguished luxury brokerages worldwide.

What Forbes Global Properties delivers for sellers:

  • Global Reach and Prestige: Access to Forbes' curated consumer marketplace, connecting to affluent buyers and sellers worldwide through Forbes' monthly audience of 140 million
  • More Earned Media Reach: Per Forbes' own reporting, the Forbes brand commands an 80% share of voice in the global prestige real estate space; properties listed through Forbes Global Properties reach a vast international audience
  • Innovative Marketing Suite: Luxury Website, Forbes.com Presence, Sophisticated Branding, Targeted Advertising, Public Relations Campaigns, Newsletters and Digital Outreach
  • Private Office service: Discreet listing option for sellers requiring privacy, with password-protected listings restricted to qualified buyers and vetted individuals, the exclusive off-market complement to public marketing

The Forbes brand at scale:

  • 140M global audience
  • 100+ years in business
  • 69+ countries
  • 53M+ social media footprint
  • 5M+ magazine readership

Membership in Forbes Global Properties is reserved for the most distinguished brokerages. It's not a membership you can buy — it's invitation-only and reflects rigorous brokerage-level selection. The Keyes Company's inclusion positions Miami sellers with global visibility that few competing Miami brokerages can match.

Luxury Portfolio International - Keyes as Founding Member

The Keyes Company is a founding member of Luxury Portfolio International, the luxury division of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World (LeadingRE).

What Luxury Portfolio International delivers for sellers:

  • Network: Access to a network of top-tier luxury real estate professionals in over 70 countries, connecting to affluent buyers and sellers in more than 800 cities worldwide
  • Exclusive Exposure: Showcase $1M+ listings on luxuryportfolio.com, the destination for luxury properties, reaching a global audience of wealthy clients
  • Impressive Sales Power: The Luxury Portfolio International network collectively generates billions in sales and thousands of client introductions each year, creating unparalleled opportunities for agents and their listings

Luxury Portfolio International at scale:

  • 50k properties showcased annually
  • $10.3M liquid assets of average viewer
  • 1.2M+ global transactions in the network's history
  • 800+ major cities worldwide
  • 70+ countries

The founding-member distinction matters. Keyes has been part of Luxury Portfolio International since inception, which means the network's growth over the years has been built on the participation of brokerages like Keyes. This deep tenure translates to referral relationships and network access that newer members typically don't have.

Language and Cultural Considerations (EN, ES, PT)

Miami luxury operates in multiple languages. For international buyer transactions specifically, the practical languages are English, Spanish, and Portuguese, with French and Italian valuable in specific segments.

Why language capability at the agent level matters:

  • International buyers often prefer to conduct the transaction in their native or preferred second language
  • Nuances in contract discussion, negotiation, and closing coordination are easier in native language
  • Trust develops faster when communication is comfortable for both sides
  • Buyer's home-country counsel (attorney, CPA) often communicates in the buyer's language, and coordination is smoother when the listing agent also speaks it

I work with clients in English and Spanish, and coordinate Portuguese-language transactions with team resources when needed. For buyers from other language backgrounds (French, Italian, Mandarin, Russian, etc.), I coordinate with specialized translators or bilingual attorneys as required.

Transaction Differences with International and Cash Buyers

Selling to international or cash buyers involves specific transaction elements that don't apply to standard domestic financed transactions:

FIRPTA (Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act). When a foreign buyer purchases from a foreign seller, FIRPTA doesn't apply. But sellers should understand FIRPTA in case they are themselves foreign owners. See the Buying Luxury Real Estate in Miami as an International Buyer guide for the full FIRPTA framework from the buyer perspective.

Wire coordination. International wires come through SWIFT with intermediary bank fees and exchange rate timing considerations. Coordinating with the escrow agent, buyer's home-country bank, and closing attorney days before closing reduces surprise.

Remote signing. Buyers not physically present at closing sign documents at a US embassy, consulate, or via US notary in their home country using apostille. Alternatively, buyers grant power of attorney to a trusted US-based representative.

Cash-transaction FinCEN reporting. All-cash residential purchases above defined thresholds in Miami-Dade require FinCEN reporting. Title companies handle this automatically.

Legal entity purchase structures. Many international buyers purchase through domestic LLCs, Florida land trusts, or foreign corporations for tax and privacy planning. Sellers work with the buyer's legal structure, but should understand that legal-entity purchases sometimes involve additional documentation and verification.

Closing timeline flexibility. International buyer timelines are typically longer for coordination (10 to 14 weeks resale, 2 to 4 years pre-construction). Cash-buyer timelines are shorter than financed (15 to 30 days versus 45 to 60 days). Match your closing expectations to buyer type.

Video Insights on Selling Luxury Real Estate

For deeper context on selling luxury real estate in Miami, here are a few short-form video walkthroughs from my YouTube channel that cover complementary angles to this written guide:

These shorts cover practical seller-side topics including positioning, buyer psychology, and how to think about global reach from a homeowner's perspective. For the full YouTube channel with ongoing luxury real estate insights, visit Elizabeth Costa on YouTube.

How to Position Your Home for International and Cash Buyers

A five-step framework for sellers targeting international and cash buyer pools:

  1. List with a brokerage that has documented global network membership. Forbes Global Properties, Luxury Portfolio International, Sotheby's International Realty, Christie's International Real Estate, and similar networks. Not "we advertise on Zillow", specific documented network access.

  2. Work with a bilingual or trilingual agent. English, Spanish, and Portuguese are the practical Miami luxury languages. Additional languages matter in specific buyer segments.

  3. Prepare your home to global standards. Professional staging, HDR photography, drone, video walkthrough, and 3D tour. International buyers preview extensively online before flying in. See the Preparing Your Doral or Miami Home for Luxury Listing guide.

  4. Price to attract the target buyer segment. Same-subdivision CMA with adjustments for the specific segment you're targeting. See the Pricing Your Doral or Miami Home guide.

  5. Consider both public and discreet marketing paths. MLS with full network distribution reaches the broadest pool. Forbes Private Office and Luxury Portfolio International private-client channels reach ultra-luxury discreet buyer segments. Match approach to your property tier and privacy preferences.

These companion guides cover complementary angles:

Frequently Asked Questions

What percentage of Miami luxury home sales are cash transactions?

Per Q2 2026 Miami-Dade MLS data, cash accounted for 67 percent of Coconut Grove single-family transactions, 57 percent of Pinecrest, 54 percent of South Miami, 50 percent of Coral Gables Riviera, and 46 percent of both Coral Gables core and Palmetto Bay. In ultra-luxury tiers ($5M and above), cash share is typically even higher because most transactions are all-cash by preference or by financing constraint. In Doral (ZIP 33178), cash was 23 percent of Q2 2026 transactions, reflecting the meaningfully higher financed-buyer share at the Doral entry-luxury price tier.

Who are the main international buyers active in Miami luxury?

Five international buyer profiles are active in Miami luxury: Latin American wealth diversification buyers (Colombia, Venezuela, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico), European family relocation buyers, Middle Eastern investment and residential buyers, Canadian snowbirds and second-home buyers, and Asian ultra-luxury buyers. Each profile has different transaction preferences, financing patterns, and property preferences. Per the NAR Profile of International Transactions, Florida is consistently the top destination state for international residential real estate, with Miami-Dade representing a large share of Florida's international volume.

What is Forbes Global Properties and does Keyes belong to it?

Forbes Global Properties is an invitation-only association of luxury real estate experts and a consumer marketplace of the world's finest properties. Membership is reserved for the most distinguished brokerages. The Keyes Company is an exclusive member. The Forbes brand reaches 140 million global audience across 69+ countries with 53M+ social media footprint. For sellers, membership provides access to Forbes-branded marketing, PR campaigns, Forbes.com property listing presence, and Private Office service for discreet listings. All listings through Keyes are eligible for Forbes Global Properties distribution.

What is Luxury Portfolio International and what does Keyes membership provide?

Luxury Portfolio International is the luxury division of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World (LeadingRE). It connects $1M+ properties to a network of top-tier luxury real estate professionals in over 70 countries and 800+ major cities worldwide. The Keyes Company is a founding member. For sellers, Keyes membership provides exposure on luxuryportfolio.com, access to the network's affluent buyer base (average viewer has $10.3M+ liquid assets), and referral relationships that facilitate thousands of client introductions annually. Founding-member tenure means Keyes has network relationships that newer members don't.

How do cash offers differ from financed offers for sellers?

Cash offers typically close faster (15 to 30 days versus 45 to 60 days for financed), have fewer contingencies (no financing contingency, often no appraisal contingency), and remove some transaction risk. However, cash buyers are typically less price-flexible in negotiation, though more term-flexible on closing timeline and inspection resolutions. All-cash residential purchases above defined thresholds in Miami-Dade require FinCEN reporting, handled automatically by title companies. Cash buyers, especially international, often want privacy and discreet transaction handling.

Do I need a bilingual agent to sell to international buyers in Miami?

Not strictly required, but strongly beneficial. Miami luxury's practical languages are English, Spanish, and Portuguese, with French and Italian valuable in specific segments. Bilingual or trilingual capability at the agent level reduces transaction friction, builds trust faster, and coordinates more smoothly with the buyer's home-country attorney and CPA who often communicate in the buyer's language. Elizabeth Costa works with clients in English and Spanish, with Portuguese coordination available through team resources.

What is the Forbes Global Properties Private Office service?

Forbes Global Properties Private Office is a discreet listing service that allows sellers to list property confidentially, reaching qualified high-net-worth buyers through a controlled channel. Listings are password-protected with access restricted to qualified buyers and vetted individuals. The service preserves seller privacy while still marketing to the network's international buyer pool. This is the exclusive off-market complement to Forbes Global Properties public marketing, appropriate for sellers requiring discretion for personal, professional, or security reasons.

How does Miami compare to other US markets for international buyer share?

Per the NAR Profile of International Transactions in US Residential Real Estate, Florida is consistently the top destination state for international residential real estate purchases, with Miami-Dade County representing a large share of Florida's international transaction volume. Other top international-buyer states include California, Texas, Arizona, and New York, but Miami-Dade's international share, combined with the specific concentration of Latin American, European, and Middle Eastern buyer flows, makes it distinctively international-focused compared to other US markets.

What transaction differences should sellers expect with international buyers?

Key differences include SWIFT wire coordination with intermediary bank fees, remote signing at US embassy or via power of attorney, FinCEN reporting for all-cash purchases above defined thresholds, and often legal-entity purchases (LLC, land trust, foreign corporation) requiring additional documentation. Timeline is typically longer for international buyer resale transactions (10 to 14 weeks versus 30 to 60 days domestic financed) and much longer for pre-construction (2 to 4 years contract to delivery). Working with a title company and closing attorney experienced with international transactions reduces friction.

How do I position my listing for international and cash buyers?

Five practical steps. First, list with a brokerage that has documented global network membership (Forbes Global Properties, Luxury Portfolio International, or equivalent). Second, work with a bilingual or trilingual agent. Third, prepare your home to global standards (professional staging, HDR photography, drone, video, 3D tour). Fourth, price using a same-subdivision CMA with adjustments for your target buyer segment. Fifth, consider both public MLS marketing and discreet marketing paths depending on your property tier and privacy preferences.

Ready to Reach International and Cash Buyers for Your Miami Home?

Listings through Keyes access Forbes Global Properties and Luxury Portfolio International by default - putting your home in front of buyers other Realtors can't reach. Bilingual English/Spanish service with Portuguese coordination available.

Call or Text (786) 949-3971
Elizabeth Costa, Realtor — FL Lic. #3234205
The Keyes Company · Exclusive Member of Forbes Global Properties · Founding Member of Luxury Portfolio International
4191 NW 107th Ave, Doral, FL 33178
elizabethcosta@keyes.com · Schedule a Consultation
Serving Doral, Miami, Coral Gables, and Pinecrest
Elizabeth Costa, Top Real Estate Agent in Doral and Miami, Florida Elizabeth Costa, Realtor — FL Lic. #3234205
Top Real Estate Agent in Doral, Florida | The Keyes Company
☎ (786) 949-3971
✉ elizabethcosta@keyes.com
📅 Schedule a private consultation
15+ years · 300+ closed transactions · Bilingual EN/ES
Office: 4191 NW 107th Ave, Doral, FL 33178
Serving Doral, Miami, Coral Gables, and Pinecrest
The Keyes Company: Exclusive Member of Forbes Global Properties · Founding Member of Luxury Portfolio International