Last updated October 2026 · By Melissa DiVita, REALTOR®, Compass · DRE #01387955 · Fourth-generation Marin native, in real estate since 2003
The short answer: yes, you can buy a home in Marin on a work visa, without a green card. Owning a home doesn’t require citizenship. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac buy loans to lawfully present non-permanent residents on the same terms as U.S. citizens, and many jumbo lenders lend to visa holders too. What’s different is the paperwork, your visa timeline, and a buying process that probably works differently from the one you know at home.
This page is for tech professionals who came to the Bay Area on an H-1B, L-1, O-1, TN or E-3 visa (or an H-4 EAD) and are wondering if buying in Marin makes sense before the green card arrives. I’ll cover the real estate side. For the loan details, I’ve linked to the guides my husband Michael wrote; he’s a mortgage broker (disclosure below).
Which visas work
| Status | Who it’s for | What lenders look at |
|---|---|---|
| H-1B | Specialty occupations, most tech roles | Time remaining, extensions filed, green card progress (I-140, I-485) |
| L-1A / L-1B | Executives, managers and specialists transferred within the same company | Both have a maximum total stay (7 years for L-1A, 5 for L-1B), so time remaining matters |
| O-1 | People with extraordinary ability (founders, researchers, senior engineers) | Ongoing work and extensions; less familiar to some lenders |
| TN / E-3 | Canadian, Mexican and Australian professionals | Renewable status; lenders who know these close them routinely |
| H-4 EAD and other EAD holders | Spouses with work authorization | A valid EAD; can qualify on their own income |
Lender rules vary. This is general information, not immigration or legal advice.
Financing on a visa
- Conventional and jumbo loans are available. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac treat lawfully present non-permanent residents like citizens. Most Marin homes are above the $1,249,125 conforming limit, so you’ll likely need a jumbo loan, and each jumbo lender sets its own visa rules.
- FHA is off the table. HUD stopped insuring FHA loans for non-permanent residents as of May 25, 2025.
- U.S. credit matters. Your credit history from home usually doesn’t count. If your U.S. credit is thin, some programs accept other proof, often with a bigger down payment.
- RSUs and bonuses can count. Lenders usually need a history of receiving them and proof that vesting continues. On a Marin jumbo loan, how a lender counts RSUs can decide how much house you qualify for.
- Move money from abroad early. Down payment funds coming from overseas need a clear paper trail. Transfer them well before you make an offer.
Michael covers all of this in detail in his guides to H-1B and visa-holder mortgages, RSU and equity income, and foreign national mortgages (for buyers who live outside the U.S.).
Your visa timeline and the house
The question I’d ask first isn’t “can I get a loan?” It’s “how long do I expect to be here?” Buying and selling a home has real costs, so it usually makes the most sense if you plan to stay several years. If you’re on a green card path, a home can be a great way to put down roots. If your plans are less certain, think about whether the house would make a good rental if you had to move. Some Marin homes rent easily; others don’t. I can tell you which is which.
How buying works here
- The list price is a starting point. About 41% of Marin homes recently sold over asking (Redfin). Others sit and leave room to negotiate.
- Offer dates are common. Many sellers review all offers on one day. You may get only one chance to make your best offer.
- Inspections and disclosures often come first. Sellers usually provide reports up front, and I read them with you before you write an offer.
- Escrow holds the money. A neutral escrow company handles your deposit and documents, and closing usually takes about 30 days.
- Property tax follows your price. Under Proposition 13, the base rate is 1% of what you pay, plus local bonds and parcel taxes that vary by town.
For current prices, see my October 2026 market report. If you work in San Francisco or on the Peninsula, my guide to moving from San Francisco and Marin vs. the Peninsula cover commutes, schools and prices, and my Marin to SF commute guide breaks down the ferry, bus and bridge town by town.
Why a local agent matters more when you’re new
Listing websites tell you price and square footage. They don’t tell you that one street gets fog all summer and the next one is sunny, or which neighborhoods have a strong community, or how hard a house will be to insure. My family has been in Marin for four generations, and that’s the part I can help with. Start with my guides to microclimates, homeowners insurance and high schools.
Quick answers
Can I buy a house in California on an H-1B visa?
Yes. You don’t need a green card or citizenship to own a home. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac buy loans to lawfully present non-permanent residents on the same terms as U.S. citizens, and many jumbo lenders lend to H-1B holders. You’ll need proof of status, a Social Security number, U.S. credit and standard income documents.
Can I buy a home on an L-1 executive visa?
Yes. L-1A (executives and managers) and L-1B holders can qualify for conventional and jumbo loans. Because L-1 status has a maximum total stay (7 years for L-1A, 5 for L-1B), lenders look closely at how much time remains and whether a green card is in process.
Can I get an FHA loan on a work visa?
No. HUD stopped insuring FHA loans for non-permanent residents as of May 25, 2025. Conventional and jumbo loans are the usual alternatives.
Can my RSUs count as income?
Often, yes. Lenders usually want a history of receiving RSUs and proof that vesting continues. How much counts depends on the lender.
What if I have to leave the U.S. after I buy?
You can keep the home and rent it out, or sell it. If you sell after becoming a nonresident for tax purposes, federal FIRPTA withholding may apply to the sale. Talk to a tax advisor before you go.
Sources
- Fannie Mae Selling Guide B2-2-02: Non-U.S. citizen borrower eligibility
- HUD Mortgagee Letter 2025-09: FHA residency requirements
- USCIS: L-1A intracompany transferee executive or manager
- IRS: FIRPTA withholding
- Redfin: Marin County housing market
About the author: Melissa DiVita grew up in Belvedere, her family has been in Marin for four generations, and she lives in Tiburon. She has been a REALTOR® since 2003 and works with Compass in Tiburon, helping buyers relocate to Marin.
Disclosure: Michael DiVita, owner of DiVita Home Finance, is my husband. You are free to choose any lender; using DiVita Home Finance is never required, and I receive no referral fee.
New to Marin and on a work visa? Send me a note. I’ll walk you through how buying works here and which towns fit your commute and budget.