Texas just passed a law banning China, Russia, Iran and North Korea from buying land within its borders
A major U.S. state is moving forward with a sweeping ban on land and property purchases by certain foreign nationals and entities.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott recently signed Senate Bill 17 into law, prohibiting individuals and organizations from China, Russia, Iran and North Korea from acquiring real property in the Lone Star State. These countries are identified as threats in the 2025 Annual Threat Assessment of the U.S. Intelligence Community.
The bill's definition of 'real property' is broad, covering residential properties, commercial and industrial properties, agricultural land, mines, minerals, groundwater and water rights and standing timber.
It's a serious measure: Under the law, violations are classified as state jail felonies and carry civil penalties of $250,000 or 50% of the property's market value — whichever is greater. And the bill is set to take effect on Sept. 1, 2025.
'Gov. Abbott signed our bill to protect Texas from the influence of hostile foreign nations,' said State Rep. Cole Hefner, a co-author of the legislation in a statement. 'This is about defending Texas — our sovereignty, our security, and our way of life.'
@placement
But critics warn the bill could lead to discrimination.
'People may be turned away from business opportunities even if they are not falling into this category, because most people don't know who's Chinese and who's Japanese and who's anything or what their immigration status (is),' said State Rep. Gene Wu.
'They're going to see [an] Asian face, and they're going to say, 'I'm not sure if I can legally sell to you. I might get in trouble. I'm just going to cut my losses and say we're not going to sell to Asian people of any kind.''
According to the Congressional Research Service, 'at least 22 states enacted legislation regulating foreign ownership of real property' between January 2023 and July 2024.
While measures like Texas's new law highlight the national security concerns around foreign land ownership, they also underscore just how valuable U.S. real estate remains — and why so many investors continue to see it as a cornerstone of wealth building.
In 2022, when illustrating what a productive asset looks like, legendary investor Warren Buffett famously said that if you offered him '1% of all the apartment houses in the country' for $25 billion, he would 'write you a check.'
Why? Because no matter what's happening in the broader economy, people still need a place to live and apartments can consistently produce rent money.
Real estate also serves as a natural hedge against inflation. When inflation rises, property values often increase as well, reflecting the higher costs of materials, labor and land. At the same time, rental income tends to go up, providing landlords with a revenue stream that adjusts with inflation.
@placement
Over the past five years, the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price NSA Index has surged more than 50%.
And while high home prices and elevated mortgage rates mean buying a home can be a challenge, investing in real estate has become easier than ever thanks to crowdfunding platforms like Arrived.
Backed by world class investors like Jeff Bezos, Arrived allows you to invest in shares of rental homes with as little as $100, all without the hassle of mowing lawns, fixing leaky faucets or handling difficult tenants.
The process is simple: Browse a curated selection of homes that have been vetted for their appreciation and income potential. Once you find a property you like, select the number of shares you'd like to purchase, and then sit back as you start receiving positive rental income distributions from your investment.
Another option is Homeshares, which gives accredited investors access to the $35 trillion U.S. home equity market — a space that's historically been the exclusive playground of institutional investors.
With a minimum investment of $25,000, investors can gain direct exposure to hundreds of owner-occupied homes in top U.S. cities through their U.S. Home Equity Fund — without the headaches of buying, owning or managing property.
With risk-adjusted target returns ranging from 14% to 17%, this approach provides an effective, hands-off way to invest in owner-occupied residential properties across regional markets.
@placement
This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
39 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Texas Democrats Weigh Return to State in Redistricting Fight
(Bloomberg) -- Democratic lawmakers from Texas say they're considering their options amid a report they could return to the state as soon as this weekend, a move that may end a standoff in which more than 50 state representatives left in a bid to block controversial new congressional maps backed by President Donald Trump. While the Democrats vowed to stay out of Texas long enough to prevent a vote during a special session of the state legislature, Republican Governor Greg Abbott has pledged to call session after session to pass the redistricting proposal. Sunseeking Germans Face Swiss Backlash Over Alpine Holiday Congestion To Head Off Severe Storm Surges, Nova Scotia Invests in 'Living Shorelines' New York Warns of $34 Billion Budget Hole, Biggest Since 2009 Crisis Five Years After Black Lives Matter, Brussels' Colonial Statues Remain For Homeless Cyclists, Bikes Bring an Escape From the Streets That complicates efforts for the Democrats to stop the new maps, which could give the GOP five new Republican-leaning US House districts, strengthening their hold on Congress ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. ABC News reported Tuesday that the lawmakers are planning to return to Austin as soon as this weekend, citing multiple unnamed sources. The Texas state House Democratic caucus said in a post on social media that they were meeting and 'still assessing their strategies going forward,' declining to comment further. If the Democrats return, it's unclear what actions they would consider during any additional sessions. The Texas mapping duel has erupted into a national controversy as Republicans seek to protect their narrow majority in the US House of Representatives. While states across the country usually adjust district lines every 10 years to reflect population changes, Trump has pushed state lawmakers to redraw the maps now in a way that could add as many as five Republican-leaning House seats. Texas state House Democrats left the state in early August in a bid to stall the bill, scattering from Illinois to New York and depriving the Texas House of Representatives of the minimum number of lawmakers present to hold a vote — a tactic known as a quorum break. Absent members have racked up fines of $500 per day, a penalty established after Democrats similarly broke quorum in 2021. Abbott and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who is running for the Republican nomination for US Senate, responded by filing lawsuits to remove some of the Democratic representatives from office, arguing they had vacated their seats. They also targeted Democratic fundraisers including former presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke, who helped cover expenses for the lawmakers, alleging the support constituted bribery. Previous Democratic quorum breaks in Texas have delayed redistricting efforts, but failed to stop Republicans from ultimately altering the maps. National Democrats, however, have said other states could retaliate in kind. California and New York Democrats have threatened to rewrite their own maps in a way that would risk Republican seats in those states, should Texas Republicans force through new district lines. Other Republican-controlled states, including Florida, Indiana, and Missouri, are similarly eyeing redistricting to add seats where possible. California's Governor Gavin Newsom said this week that Democrats in his state would back down from redistricting if Trump told Republican leaders to halt their plans. 'You are playing with fire, risking the destabilization of our democracy, while knowing that California can neutralize any gains you hope to make,' Newsom wrote to the president on Monday. The Texas state legislature was also scheduled to address other issues during the special session, including emergency response systems and property taxes. Democrats could try to demand the legislature prioritize its response to the deadly floods that tore through Central Texas in July before taking up redistricting. While they hold little power in the Republican-dominated House, they could leave again if those demands are not met. (Updates with Newsom warning in 12th paragraph.) Bessent on Tariffs, Deficits and Embracing Trump's Economic Plan Why It's Actually a Good Time to Buy a House, According to a Zillow Economist Dubai's Housing Boom Is Stoking Fears of Another Crash The Social Media Trend Machine Is Spitting Out Weirder and Weirder Results A $340 Million New York Office Makeover Is Converting Boardrooms to Bedrooms ©2025 Bloomberg L.P.
Business Wire
40 minutes ago
- Business Wire
Growvana and Kudos Networks Announce Strategic Partnership to Empower Asian Brands in U.S. Retail
CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Growvana, a leading advanced e-commerce enablement platform, has partnered with Kudos Networks, a global retail enablement firm, to expand Growvana's reach into the Chinese market and help Asian manufacturers succeed in U.S. e-commerce. This collaboration brings together Growvana's proven marketplace infrastructure and Kudos's strong network of trusted Asian brands to accelerate onboarding into Amazon Vendor Central and beyond. 'With Kudos Networks, we're unlocking access to some of the fastest-growing brands in Asia,' said Rohan Thambrahalli, founder and president of Growvana. 'Their deep roots and reputation in the region align perfectly with our mission to help brands grow faster, reduce operational friction, and drive profitability on marketplaces. While tariffs have created uncertainty, many leading Asian brands see this as an opportunity to expand their U.S. presence and get ahead of competitors worldwide.' Growvana enables qualified Seller Central brands to gain the benefits typically exclusive to direct vendors of prominent U.S. retailers—without the complexities of becoming an actual vendor or supplier. Through predictive inventory analytics, effortless one-click digital onboarding, and integrated financing, Growvana streamlines operations, reduces costs, and accelerates revenue growth. Additionally, Growvana's partnership with Kudos unlocks a vast ecosystem of brands and manufacturers, further fueling expansion in key international categories such as home goods, consumer electronics, and lifestyle products. 'Kudos is proud to be a bridge between world-class Asian manufacturers and the U.S. retail landscape,' said Miles Chen, founder of Kudos Networks. 'Growvana's platform gives our clients a clear path to scale on Vendor Central and with retailers like Target, Best Buy, and Home Depot. We're excited to collaborate and drive success for brands ready to expand globally.' Chen also pointed to economic volatility and tariffs as a key reason the partnership is timely. 'Tariffs are a factor impacting many Chinese and other Asian companies,' he said. 'But risk and opportunity always come together. The U.S. remains the most robust consumer market in the world—and Chinese manufacturers know the time to move is now. If others are stepping back, this is the moment for bold brands to step forward.' Together, Growvana and Kudos will co-develop onboarding programs, coordinate brand communications, and help Asian companies diversify from Seller Central to Vendor Central. This strategy has become increasingly attractive as Amazon's third-party environment grows more competitive. Brands and manufacturers interested in expanding into the U.S. are encouraged to connect with Growvana and Kudos to explore how this new partnership can accelerate their growth. For more information visit About Growvana Growvana is a next-generation e-commerce platform specifically designed to empower marketplace sellers with the advantages typically reserved for direct vendors of leading U.S. retailers—without the traditional vendor complexities. The platform accelerates revenue recognition cycles, optimizes operational costs, and provides powerful predictive inventory forecasts driven by real-time insights into revenue, inventory, and profitability. By significantly reducing operational risks and unlocking innovative business models, Growvana helps Seller Central brands scale profitably. About Kudos Networks KUDOS NETWORKS is a cross-border service provider specializing in North American retail channel development and brand operations. With a team of seasoned professionals—many boasting over 20 years of retail industry expertise—we have forged strong partnerships with top North American retailers, including Walmart, Target, Home Depot and Lowe's. As an official partner of Walmart and Target, we empower brands with end-to-end solutions, from online platform integration to offline retail expansion, ensuring seamless localization and sustainable growth in the North American market.
UPI
42 minutes ago
- UPI
Another baked Alaska -- Trump and Putin
Ukrainian rescuers and policemen work at the site of the Russian strike on a bus station in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, on Monday. At least 19 people were injured after a Russian guided aerial bombs attack, according to the Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration. Photo by Oleg Movchaniuk/EPA Aug. 13 (UPI) -- Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin will hold an Alaskan summit over Ukraine on Friday. The last U.S. summit held in Anchorage was between U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in March 2021. It turned into a public spectacle, with both sides firing off angry charges and counter-charges. Will this summit be more productive? One way to anticipate the possible outcomes is through considering a series of binary choices. Either one or both sides will leave the conference having achieved nothing, much like Trump being unable to persuade North Korea's Kim Jung Un to denuclearize in June 2018 in Singapore. Or there will be an agreement of sorts or an agreement to agree in the future. Regarding any agreement, Munich 1938 and British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain's "peace in our time" will not easily be forgotten should Trump yield to Putin's demands. Far more relevant was Trump's 2020 Doha Agreement with the Taliban that excluded the presence of the Afghan government and indeed led to the fall of the Ashraf Ghani administration in August 2021. In fact, it can be argued that Trump has carefully laid the framework for abandoning Ukraine and its feisty president, Volodymyr Zelensky. Trump's first meeting with Zelensky in the White House was an ambush. Zelensky was accused by Vice President JD Vance of not expressing sufficient gratitude for U.S. aid and support. Trump's views softened. But currently, he has given every indication that Zelensky must cede territory to Russia in any cease-fire or peace agreement. More importantly, Trump has shifted the entire burden to NATO and the European Union of keeping Ukraine supplied with weaponry and money to sustain the war. The United States will happily sell its defense equipment to Europeans, who in turn will provide it to Ukraine. To America Firsters, this is brilliant. To many in Congress and in the public, it is an abandonment of an ally and a deeply flawed concession to Putin that the West will come to regret. But the crucial questions are what do both presidents see as outcomes from this meeting? What is each prepared to concede? And what does this mean for the ending of the war and the killings Trump says he hates so much? Surprisingly, Putin's aims are clearer and are keeping with Lenin's strategy of "other means." In simple terms, "other means" means that Putin is prepared to accept less than a full measure of his demands. That suggests he will retain Crimea while accepting certain "land swaps" of Ukrainian for Russian territory. Keeping Ukraine from joining NATO will be part of his terms although, Putin could accept the prospect of EU membership, as that will not be relevant given his likely next steps. Obviously, the United States and West must provide security guarantees to maintain Ukraine as a sovereign independent state. Here the record is bleak. Neither the 1996 Budapest or the 2014/15 Minsk Agreements that provided for Ukraine's security worked -- all having failed miserably. Putin understands this. In the event of an agreement, Russia will pursue "other means" to gain greater control of Ukraine politically and even territorially. And Putin also could wait while his military is restored before launching a future reattack. From Trump's perspective, walking away from Ukraine could make perfect sense. Trump has gone, in his mind, above and beyond trying to end the war. He has patiently negotiated with both sides. And despite his election promise to end the war in 24 hours, he will claim that was a purposeful exaggeration. Finally, having convinced Europe to become the ultimate supporter of Ukraine, Trump can argue he has done all he can. Now it is up to the warring factions to end the war. Game, set and match -- or not. Still, Trump could take a harder line believing that if Putin is not stopped in Ukraine, Western Europe is next. However, it would be in Trump's interest if he recognizes that Putin lacks the reasons and the forces for an attack to the west and will not risk war with a far superior NATO military. If Trump reaches this conclusion, it reinforces why the United States need not be engaged any more in the Ukraine fight. Left unsaid are sanctions. Would Trump accept pressure from Congress and 85 senators to impose sanctions on Russia and secondary sanctions on China? Probably not. But we shall find out later this week when or if the Ukraine war ends. Harlan Ullman is UPI's Arnaud de Borchgrave Distinguished Columnist, senior adviser at Washington's Atlantic Council, chairman of a private company and principal author of the doctrine of shock and awe. His next book, co-written with Field Marshal The Lord David Richards, former U.K. chief of defense and due out next year, is Who Thinks Best Wins: Preventing Strategic Catastrophe. The writer can be reached on X @harlankullman.
