Marinet López Bati, a Cuban influencer living in the United States, recently took to TikTok to share a significant milestone: purchasing a home in Cuba through a video call. Her story encapsulates the perseverance and determination of countless Cuban emigrants who dream of owning a home on the island.
In the video shared on her account, @marinetlozadabati, López Bati is shown inspecting the property from afar as it is showcased to her from Cuba. Her video caption, "Buying our little house in Cuba," is accompanied by a song about personal achievement: "I feel so happy with the little I've achieved so far / I thank God for all the blessings I've received."
The house appears to be in need of repairs, a detail not missed by her followers, who nevertheless celebrated her accomplishment. The Cuban diaspora community quickly responded with supportive comments. One follower declared it "the best money ever spent," while another offered blessings, expressing joy for their fellow Cubans achieving this dream. Encouragement was abundant, with messages like, "You'll start from here and see how God will help you make it beautiful."
The Viral Trend of Home Purchases by Cuban Emigrants
Marinet's experience reflects a growing trend that has gained traction on TikTok since 2025: Cuban emigrants buying homes on the island and sharing their journeys online as symbols of sacrifice and familial love. This month alone, Sandra, a Cuban based in Dallas, Texas, acquired and refurbished a six-bedroom home for her mother and children in Cuba, dubbing it her "American dream." Last December, Adianet spent over $60,000 to renovate a home she had purchased for just $11,000. In August 2025, another Cuban celebrated paying off her home in Camagüey on TikTok.
Economic Context and Legal Challenges
The backdrop to these stories is an economic environment that has made them feasible: since 2018-2019, housing prices in Cuba have plummeted by 50% to 60% in dollar terms. Properties in areas like Vedado or Miramar, once valued at $50,000, are now selling for $15,000 to $20,000, making them affordable for emigrants with hard currency incomes.
This price drop highlights the severe housing crisis in Cuba, where the housing deficit is expected to exceed 929,000 units by 2026. Last year, the regime completed just 22% of its annual construction plan, delivering only 2,382 of the planned 10,795 homes.
However, purchasing a property in Cuba is not without its legal hurdles for Cubans abroad. They must obtain permanent residency from the Ministry of the Interior, a process that can take up to 90 days. Furthermore, a 2025 immigration reform proposal created uncertainty about emigrants' property rights by requiring "effective residency" within a 180-day period.
In February 2026, the Cuban government introduced a draft of a new Housing Law that would allow ownership of up to two permanent properties, repealing the law in place since 1988. However, this initiative has yet to be approved.
FAQs on Buying Property in Cuba as an Emigrant
What are the main challenges for Cuban emigrants buying property in Cuba?
Cuban emigrants face legal challenges such as needing permanent residency from the Ministry of the Interior, which can take up to 90 days to process. Additionally, immigration reforms have introduced uncertainties regarding property rights, requiring "effective residency" within 180 days.
Why have housing prices in Cuba decreased significantly?
Housing prices in Cuba have fallen by 50% to 60% in dollar terms since 2018-2019 due to a severe housing crisis, with a significant deficit in available homes and a failure to meet construction targets.