Beverly Hills Homes for Sale: Prices and Buying Guide

Beverly Hills is a small, independent city surrounded by Los Angeles. Areas buyers talk about include the Flats south of Sunset Boulevard, the hillside streets north of it and the Trousdale Estates district. Prices rise sharply with elevation, view and lot size, which is why the interquartile range is so wide. Rodeo Drive and the hotels anchor the business district.

For most overseas buyers the draw is a trophy second home, a US base for children studying in California, or a store of wealth. Compare nearby West Hollywood, Studio City, Sherman Oaks and Santa Monica for lower price points, noting that Encino and Burbank are Valley markets, not next door.

The United States places no general ban on foreign buyers. Points to know:

• Financing: non-resident mortgages usually need a large deposit; paying cash is common at this level.
• FIRPTA: on resale by a foreign seller, 15% withholding applies, with lower rates for some residential cases.
• Property tax: California bases it on purchase price, roughly 1.1% to 1.3% a year in many areas; confirm locally.
• Closing: an escrow company handles funds, and title insurance is standard.

Use our US buying guide and US mortgage guide, then browse the United States page or houses.