Can Non U.S. Citizens Buy Real Estate in USA

[ahm]

My question involves real estate located in the State of: All states.
Can a non U.S. citizen buy real estate in USA. If he/she is able to pay cash, does not need financing and what is the process and what is needed to be done before buying / putting an offer ? Dose he / she needs a tax ID number or any other documentation before buying a real estate. Any other legal hurdles he/she should know about ?

[SChinFChin]

Refer to the following link:

http://www.elitelahomes.com/2011/01/...eign-entities/

There's quite a few real estate brokerages located in immigrant communities that speciaiize in selling real etate to "foreigners", of which the one in the above link is one example. Years back, I know people with relatives in the US would have the relative go look, and find a real estate agent who specializes in this.