International

ORLANDO, Fla. – Jan. 15, 2010 – In partnership with the National Association of Realtors® (NAR), Florida Realtors® will make a contribution and collect individual donations to help the Haitian people following this week’s devastating earthquake.

“We have all been deeply touched by the horrific damage and loss of life caused by the earthquake in Haiti.

Twenty-three percent of all U.S. international buyer activity takes place in Florida. Come see why buyers fall in love with the Sunshine State as you network with Florida REALTORS®

Participation is Limited - Click here for more information

The EB-5 program recently received a three-year extension from Congress, paving the way for more investors to take advantage of this alternative way to gain a green card. The program has also undergone some revamping to improve processing time and reduce the wait potential investors have in obtaining green cards.

Entering the United States legally with a green card in hand generally takes months and years of paperwork, waiting and worrying, when international investors consider the potential of the EB-5 investment program, they can see that processing time reduced to a few months.

LONDON – Oct. 14, 2009 – Real estate markets worldwide are stabilizing and showing signs of a tentative recovery, according to a newly released report from London-based global property consultancy Knight Frank.

By SHELLEY EMLING, The New York Times

Low prices, good service and a lot of sunshine recently led Susanne Solling, a Norwegian, to buy a three-bedroom home in Palm Bay, midway between Jacksonville and Miami.

SPREADING THE SUNSHINE

Florida remains the top state for international transactions. The Sunshine State represents nearly one in four of all international sales in the United States in 2008. Buyers come from around the world, but certain locales represent large portions:

WASHINGTON – Sept. 16, 2009 – Interest in U.S. real estate by international buyers declined due to the worldwide recession and severe credit crunch, according to the 2009 National Association of Realtors® (NAR) Profile of International Home Buying Activity, which surveyed Realtor members of NAR.

Officials in Florida will soon begin air quality tests in homes to
determine whether fumes emitted from Chinese-made drywall can make
people sick, the state Health Department said Friday.

Agency spokesman Doc Kokol said the tests, which he hopes will begin in
several weeks, are complex and have never been done before.

“This is new science, nobody has tested drywall like this,” he said.

 From the settlement company®

            Mexico seems to be one of the few countries in the world that appears to be weathering the storm without too much damage. Yes the peso is down and unemployment up, but overall the economy seems relatively strong.

Special issue: What's driving international sales in Florida? We give you the latest business trends.