U.S. real estate is still considered a prime investment opportunity and a "safe haven" for foreign buyers to put their money. For those in a position to take advantage, there are some great investment deals in today's market. In a survey of Realtors last year (NAR), more than 8 out of 10 respondents said foreign transactions accounted for up to 25 percent of their sales. A large portion of their international clientele came from Mexico, the United Kingdom and Canada.
Florida is the destination of choice for many international buyers - 26 percent of foreign buyers represented in the survey purchased in the Sunshine State. 16 percent bought real estate in California and 10 percent purchased in Texas.
In today's economic climate, international buyers are recognising it's a great time to buy.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Living in Orlando
When you live anywhere, life revolves around work, school, shopping, paying bills, etc and some times it takes an outsider to remind you of what makes your area special. My daughter and her family have just left and we spent two weeks doing the tourist side of Orlando, which meant I saw it through the eyes of my 4 year old grandson, Jack. When not floating in the pool, we took him to the parks. His fascination with dinosaurs made the Jurrassic Park ride at Universal Studios "Awesome" (Well, "Awthome" actually because he hath a lithp!) Also the new dinosaur cafe at Downtown Disney was a hit. But the highlight for him was meeting his heroes - Spongebob Squarepants (Wow), Buzz Lightyear (I'm a thpathe ranger) and Spiderman (stunned silence, eyes on stalks). When he did recover, he told everyone he saw that 'piderman knew his name! Last year another daughter was here with my 5 year old grandaughter so we lived the Disney Princess life for two weeks. I love it. Both of them think that I am responsible for the magic and fireworks so, naturally, I must be Tinkerbelle. (Hence the Tink necklace on my profile photo - a Christmas present from them.)
They've left now and I've spent this week helping 12 golfers find accommodation and courses for next year's vacation, a huge learning curve but a pleasant departure from my normal real estate work. I do love living here!
Monday, November 3, 2008
An immigrant's tale
The phone rings, I answer it.
"Hi, this is Dave calling from Coventry in England. We want to buy a house in Orlando. We're moving over, can you help?"
"Of course I can" I reply. "Which area do you want?"
"Well ,anywhere really, it's all nice" Oh dear, my heart sinks.
"Where will your job be?" I ask.
"We'll sort out jobs once we're settled, so it doesn't matter where we buy" says poor Dave.
"If you don't have a job, how have you managed to get a visa?" I ask.
"What visa?"
This conversation happens all too frequently. Since Britain (UK) joined the European Union back in the 70's and the borders opened, any member of the EU can work and live in any member state. Add Canada, Australia and New Zealand to the list and you can understand how Brits think that emigration is just a case finding somewhere to live and moving there.
My heart goes out to them. For some it's just the post-vacation honeymoon period. Many return to work and normal lives with a heavy heart, but recover quickly once their routine starts again. For others it doesn't happen. I was one of them.
I first landed on American soil in 1986 and as my feet touched the ground I felt like I had come home. Don't know why, can't explain it, just did. So started a long and difficult battle to move from England to the USA which I shall be telling over the coming weeks in the hope that it offers information to those that need it and hope to some that are travelling that path.
"Hi, this is Dave calling from Coventry in England. We want to buy a house in Orlando. We're moving over, can you help?"
"Of course I can" I reply. "Which area do you want?"
"Well ,anywhere really, it's all nice" Oh dear, my heart sinks.
"Where will your job be?" I ask.
"We'll sort out jobs once we're settled, so it doesn't matter where we buy" says poor Dave.
"If you don't have a job, how have you managed to get a visa?" I ask.
"What visa?"
This conversation happens all too frequently. Since Britain (UK) joined the European Union back in the 70's and the borders opened, any member of the EU can work and live in any member state. Add Canada, Australia and New Zealand to the list and you can understand how Brits think that emigration is just a case finding somewhere to live and moving there.
My heart goes out to them. For some it's just the post-vacation honeymoon period. Many return to work and normal lives with a heavy heart, but recover quickly once their routine starts again. For others it doesn't happen. I was one of them.
I first landed on American soil in 1986 and as my feet touched the ground I felt like I had come home. Don't know why, can't explain it, just did. So started a long and difficult battle to move from England to the USA which I shall be telling over the coming weeks in the hope that it offers information to those that need it and hope to some that are travelling that path.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Relocation
Having to relocate? It's something I've done many times in my life (see profile for a few instances) and have picked up some pointers. You may already know which city you are moving to, either because of work or personal preference, but deciding on the particular area can be difficult.
Accessability to work (especially with the current gas prices) is a priority, but then so is safety, affordability and the social scene. Making friends and getting to know people is as important as having the right job if you are going to have a successful move. A supportive network will help you while you are becoming established and settling in to a new area.
With or without children, aim for areas with good schools. In nearly every case the school grade will reflect the area. Properties may be more expensive but are always popular with parents who want to live in that catchment area so are a better investment. There are lots of websites available that give this information and have helped me enormously when moving to a completely unknown area.
Accessability to work (especially with the current gas prices) is a priority, but then so is safety, affordability and the social scene. Making friends and getting to know people is as important as having the right job if you are going to have a successful move. A supportive network will help you while you are becoming established and settling in to a new area.
With or without children, aim for areas with good schools. In nearly every case the school grade will reflect the area. Properties may be more expensive but are always popular with parents who want to live in that catchment area so are a better investment. There are lots of websites available that give this information and have helped me enormously when moving to a completely unknown area.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Bargain homes in Windermere Florida
Our offices have access to all the Windermere Custom homes over $1m USD in the 34786 zip codes To preview these fantastic homes with some on the Butler Chain of lakes click the link below
http://idxpro.cisdata.net/SEARCH/AR214239/MyListings/SS44
http://idxpro.cisdata.net/SEARCH/AR214239/MyListings/SS44
Friday, June 6, 2008
New Blog From Janet Riley / Disney World
The Walt Disney World Resort might now be considered the happiest place inside your computer with a new product, Walt Disney World Resort in 3-D, which will give users of Google Earth a three-dimensional model of the entire park.
Users will be able to tour all four of the resort's theme parks and hotels. The models will be linked to Disney's online tools for planning travel and vacations.
"Guests and travel planners can now explore our world with just a few clicks of a mouse, and they can book vacations while being immersed in what the destination has to offer," says Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, in a statement.
During the project's first phase, eight photographers worked for 10 days to shoot all the visible surfaces of Walt Disney World, including every building.
A total 100,000 photos were taken in all. These became the start for some 1,500 three-dimensional models that populate the virtual tour.
Users can get started by visiting www.disneyworld.com/3dparks.
Burbank, Calif.-based Walt Disney Co. (NYSE: DIS) operates the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom and Disney's Hollywood Studios theme parks in Orlando; owns ABC television network, 10 broadcast stations and more than 60 radio stations; and produces films through Walt Disney Studios
We have a huge range of vacation homes available from as little as $100 k please feel free to e.mail us at janetpriley@gmail.com
Users will be able to tour all four of the resort's theme parks and hotels. The models will be linked to Disney's online tools for planning travel and vacations.
"Guests and travel planners can now explore our world with just a few clicks of a mouse, and they can book vacations while being immersed in what the destination has to offer," says Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, in a statement.
During the project's first phase, eight photographers worked for 10 days to shoot all the visible surfaces of Walt Disney World, including every building.
A total 100,000 photos were taken in all. These became the start for some 1,500 three-dimensional models that populate the virtual tour.
Users can get started by visiting www.disneyworld.com/3dparks.
Burbank, Calif.-based Walt Disney Co. (NYSE: DIS) operates the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom and Disney's Hollywood Studios theme parks in Orlando; owns ABC television network, 10 broadcast stations and more than 60 radio stations; and produces films through Walt Disney Studios
We have a huge range of vacation homes available from as little as $100 k please feel free to e.mail us at janetpriley@gmail.com
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