The latest report by the National Association of REALTORS confirms that the current tightened credit markets have had an impact on the commercial real estate industry.

Investment in commercial real estate during the first four months of 2008 was $48.2 billion, down 69.5 percent from $157.8 billion during the same period in 2007 when the financial and credit markets were running smoother.

Vacancy rates in the office markets, for example, are expected to rise nationally to 13.7 percent in the fourth quarter of this year from 12.5 percent in the fourth quarter of 2007.  While overall vacancy rates in the industrial sector are projected to rise to 9.9 percent in the fourth quarter of this year an increase from 9.4 percent in the same period of 2007

Learn about RAMB's Competitive Advantage Marketing Tools

Class in the North Miami Location

When and Where:

Thursday, August 7, 2008 • 9AM - 12PM

Goldcoast Schools

in the Intracoastal Mall

3577 NE 163 Street

Miami, FL 3316

Instructor Deborah Boza-Valledor

Please be our guest...This session will show you how to maximize your Exclusive RAMB Member Benefits:

Immobel 13 Language Website (now including International IDX

and featuring Paris Listings)

Foreign buying activity in US during 2007
Survey: 4,400 NAR members
Average price: $297,000
14% sold over $750,000
43% of foreign investors paid cash
75% bought single-family homes
33% came from North America
26% of Realtors sold to a foreign buyer in 2007

2007 Foreign Buying Activity - Source: NAR Survey:

21% of respondents* have experienced an increase in international business, 72% have seen the level of international business remain constant, and only 6% experienced a decrease. The majority of respondents selling international properties noted that the weak U.S. dollar had impacted foreign sales purchasers.

*4,400 NAR Members responded to the Survey

2007 Foreign Buying Activity - Source: NAR Survey:

According to the survey, 26% of the respondents had served international clients in the past 12 months. Approximately half of the clients subsequently purchased real estate properties in the US. When clients did not make a purchase, the survey respondents mentioned cost of property (54%), immigration laws (27%), and property taxes (24%) as being the major reasons behind their decision.

2007 Foreign Buying Activity - Source: NAR Survey:

The largest group of buyers came from North America (33%), followed by Europe (31%) and Asia (22%). Individually, Canada, the UK, Mexico, China, and India ranked among the top five. The most popular U.S. destinations for the purchase of property were Florida, California, Arizona, and Texas.

2007 Foreign Buying Activity - Source: NAR Survey:

Close to half of all international buyers paid in cash and the majority were attracted to single-family homes (75%), with the remaining 25% opting for condos or townhouses.

Wednesday, July 30

9:00am - Registration and Breakfast

9:30 - 11:00am Seminar

How to Sell and Finance Office Condos

In today's market, you need to know your options for selling Real Estate.

What you will learn:

• The benefits of owning/investing/leasing office condos
• What you need to diversify your cusomer's residential portfolio
• Residential incone - porducing property vs commercial - The Differences
• How to own pieces of trophy commercial properties in prime locations for end users/investors via the office condo concept
• Learn about SBA programs for financing office condos

Foreign Buying Activity in 2007 - Source: NAR Survey:

The survey found that a typical international buyer purchased a single family home for holiday purposes at $297,400 with mortgage financing, and stayed at the property for 2.6 months. Over 14% of properties sold to international buyers were in excess of $750,000.

1. Central Air Conditioning
2. Garage (2 or more spaces)
3. Walk-in closet in master bedroom
4. Backyard/play area
5. Cable/Satellite TV-ready
6. High-speed Internet Access
7. Separate shower enclosure in master/main bath
8. Patio
9. Fencing
10. Home less than 10 years old

Source: NAR 2007 Profile of Buyer's Home Feature Preferences