Summary Box: As housing market struggles, foreign buyers see an irresistible opportunity

Summary Box: Foreign buyers see opportunity

INTEREST FROM ABROAD: Individual investors from Europe, South America, Asia, Russia and the Middle East are picking up cheap property across the U.S. Many plan to rent these houses and condos and then sell them once the housing market recovers.

NO LOANS NECESSARY: The foreign buyers are bringing to the table the one thing U.S. buyers don’t have: immediate access to cash.

GLOBAL SALES PITCH: Real estate brokers from the U.S. seek out clients from abroad, even going so far as to host parties for large groups of potential buyers in their home countries.