It's one of the most common questions international buyers ask: buy in my own name, or through an LLC? There's no one-size answer — here are the trade-offs (general information, not legal or tax advice).
Why buyers consider an LLC
An LLC can offer liability protection (especially for rentals), privacy (your name off the public deed), and a clean structure for multiple owners or investors. For income property, many buyers prefer it.
The tax nuance
A single-member LLC is usually "disregarded" for U.S. income tax, so it doesn't change income tax much by itself. Importantly, an LLC alone does not automatically solve U.S. estate-tax exposure — sometimes a more layered structure is used. This is exactly where advice pays off.
The trade-offs
LLCs add setup and annual costs, filings, and sometimes tighter financing terms. For a simple personal vacation home, individual ownership may be fine; for rentals or larger investments, an entity often makes sense.
Decide with the right team
Because the choice carries legal and tax consequences across two countries, our CIPS attorney-broker works with your cross-border CPA to choose the structure that fits your goals. Start the conversation →
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Keep reading: How Much Does It Cost to Sell a House in Florida? · Florida Homestead Exemption: How to Lower Your Property Taxes · Buying a Beachside Home in Volusia County: What to Know · All insights →
About the author — Arthur Simpson
Arthur is a Florida attorney, licensed real estate broker, and Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS), and a member of the Real Property and International Law Sections of The Florida Bar. He founded Simpson & Simpson Realty to give Volusia & Flagler families — and buyers from around the world — a brokerage with a real estate attorney's eye on every deal. Meet Arthur & the family →