Tag Archives: foreign land investment

09.24.18
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The Benefits of Owning Land as an International Investor

Opportunities for real estate investment for foreigners is wide and varied in the United States.  It doesn’t matter where you’re from and what currency you’d be using to purchase a property, there is land waiting for you!

You’ve probably heard of the increasing number of foreign real estate investments in the United States.  This is not surprising.  With the troubles that the real estate investment market is facing in the United States, greater opportunities in real estate investment have opened for foreign investors.

With the dollar’s value at all-time lows, foreign investors are finding real estate bargains all over the United States.  There are no shortages of deals in this market.  The United States real estate has become a fairly attractive long-term investment for foreign investors.

There are many reasons for foreigners to invest in land in the US.  Aside from the fact that the floating exchange rate has given foreign buyers a lot of leverage over the bargaining table, the financial market is a pretty good reason why you should invest in the US real estate.

Despite the devaluation of the US dollar and the high amount of foreclosures, the real estate market remains stable due to foreign investors’ capital appreciation.  Domestic real estate buyers may not necessarily share the same opinion, but the market has remained strong for foreign real estate buyers.  This may be largely credited to the fact that there is minimal risk for them.

There are many investments for foreign investors, but the safest is investing your money in real properties including land.  This is another good reason aside from the fact that you can create a large ROI particularly with widespread property foreclosures and seemingly continuous US dollar devaluation.

The US government supports foreign investments and has formulated various tax breaks to encourage foreign investment of real estate.   Foreign real estate investment in the United States is open to everyone.  As long as you can afford to buy the property or at least comply with the mortgage requirements and payments, you can secure for yourself a wonderful piece of land in the United States.  Again, with the current economic situation of the United States, this is the perfect chance for you to make an investment.

Another great benefit that you can take advantage of is the availability of mortgage financing.  Lenders have opened their doors to foreign investors who are looking into purchasing a property.  This means, you don’t have to actually deplete your bank account and you can secure a mortgage and gradually pay it off.

Are you an international investor ready to invest in land? Contact Land Wealth to learn more today.

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06.08.15
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Foreign Buyers aren’t Leaving Southwest Florida

Blog Photo- International Investors

Thousands of foreign buyers are buying investment land across the United States.  Florida is the number one region for sales, holding twenty-two percent of the foreign market.  According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR) who conducted a survey involving 4,000 real estate sales of foreign buyers, found that Florida’s greatly reduced prices created a good investment.

Foreign buyers purchased $92.2 billion for houses in 2014. Thirty percent of U.S. real estate agents now say they are working with offshore clients, NAR reported.

The realtors association estimates total international sales from Chinese buyers were $22 billion in the twelve months that just ended in March, 2015.  They report the Chinese are buying luxury homes in Southwest Florida because they are a bargain compared to the $1.5 million they might pay for a small condominium in Hong Kong.  They report that some are paying cash and buying sight unseen. Many are parents who are buying homes in the U.S. for their children to attend college.  Canadian buyers spent almost $14 billion and Mexican buyers spent approximately $4.5 billion in purchases.

Condos are sought after by seasonal and older buyers, causing a short supply of housing to purchase. While supplies are still shrinking, inventory fell by only 5% over the past year.  Supplies have been constraining sales, now they are easing.

NAR suggests that 2015 is starting strong.  Closed sales in all price categories above $300,000 increased in 2014 by double digits, with the $2 million and above price category experiencing the highest increase. The NAR figures indicate that the SWFL regions market prices continue to rise as inventory stays low.  Properties, especially near the beach, are selling faster and closer to the sellers’ asking price.

If you are an international looking to buying land in Florida, contact the state’s premier land investment firm, 9 Core Realty at (239) 333-2221.

 

06.01.15
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9 Core Realty Featured Lot of the Week: Lehigh Acres Parcel Perfect for Investors & Developers

Lakeridge Lehigh AcresThis week’s 9 Core Realty Featured Lot takes us just east of Fort Myers, to Lehigh Acres, Florida and a huge parcel of undeveloped land.  Located at 212 Lakeridge Blvd. Lehigh Acres, FL 33972 it is close to golf courses, shopping and restaurants and is a perfect Lehigh Acres Land lot for investors & developers.  Listed for the extremely low price of $29,000 and being located in such a desirable area of Lehigh Acres, this lot is expected to sell quickly.

Lehigh Acres is a diverse community of approximately 80,000 residents.  Just 12 miles east of Fort Myers, Lehigh Acres boasts ponds, lakes and canals.  With 175 miles of canals and 16 well-stocked lakes, Lehigh Acres is a perfect place for both fishing enthusiasts and beginners alike to call home.  For a change of pace, the Gulf of Mexico and its nearby barrier islands provide spectacular saltwater fishing opportunities, with bountiful grouper, mackerel, redfish, snapper, snook and trout.  Lehigh Acres’ is also home to four championship golf courses.  With parks, lakes, tennis, and safe roads for bicycling or walking, this charming suburban enclave is the ideal community for families or seniors seeking an affordable and laid-back lifestyle.

To learn more about this lucrative Lehigh Acres lot for investment purposes contact a member of the 9 Core Realty team at (239) 333-2221.

05.11.15
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SWFL- A Popular Choice Among International Real Estate Investors

SWFL Home

Naples was the 10th most popular city in April for searches by international real estate for investors, according to a survey recently released by Realtor.com International. With a population of 20,000, the city is David vs. Goliath on the list, which except for Naples consists of large metro areas: No. 1 is New York, followed by Los Angeles, Miami, Orlando and Las Vegas.

Among Canadians, Naples is even higher on the wish list: fifth, after Fort Lauderdale, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Miami. Naples and the rest of Southwest Florida have always been favored destinations for Canadians who want to escape that country’s brutal winters. Naples’ high prices and elite reputation may play a role in the popularity of that city in particular.

Among foreigners who actually buy Florida land investments and homes , Canadians are by far the largest group: 8 percent of Lee County’s properties sold each year are bought by foreigners – three-quarters of them Canadian. In Collier, of the 6 percent of homes foreign owned, Canadians make up two-thirds.

Canada’s the only country that has Naples in its top five, but Miami is on most of the other countries surveyed by Realtor.com. That’s especially true of South American and Caribbean buyers. With volatile economies in their homelands, South Florida investment real estate is considered a secure place to invest one’s money.

To learn more about the SWFL real estate scene or to view any of our SWFL land investments, contact a member of the 9 Core Realty Team at (239) 333-2221.

05.04.15
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Port Charlotte-Just Listed- The 9 Core Realty Featured Lot of the Week

1112 WELDON TER PORT CHARLOTTE FL 33953

A perfect Port Charlotte land lot with tons of room is this week’s 9 Core Realty Featured Lot of the Week. Just listed, this lot is located at 1112 Weldon Terrace in sunny Port Charlotte, FL 33953. This rare double lot, with plenty of space is listed for $13,900.

The zone on the Gulf of Mexico from Venice to Port Charlotte is world famous for its fishing, beaches and beautiful climate. Now it is also one of the best places in the US to find profitable land and waterfront property investment opportunities. The real estate market meltdown is over and land prices have started to rise quickly after reaching bargain levels across the board, usually down 60% to 90% since August 2005. Port Charlotte land prices are moving up and home inventories very low, at seller’s market levels.

To learn more about the 9 Core Realty Featured Lot of the Week, contact an expert member of the 9 Core Realty team at (239) 333-2221.

04.06.15
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Port Charlotte Plot: The 9 Core Realty Featured Lot of the Week

Port Charlotte Land for Sale

This week 9 Core Realty, SWFL’s all access land investment firm, has released a newly listed Featured Lot of the Week. This plot located in picturesque Port Charlotte, FL is a wonderful addition to any investment portfolio or the perfect SWFL home site for your family or retirement dream home. The Featured lot of Port Charlotte Land is located at 2095 Meetze Street, Port Charlotte, Fl 33953 is a steal listed at only $3500.00. Plots of equal comparison in the area are selling for double these prices.

Found along Florida’s welcoming Gulf Coast, Port Charlotte is located about halfway between Sarasota and Fort Myers, perfectly positioned to offer every manner of water activities. It has more than 165 miles of waterways, providing access to Charlotte Harbor and the Gulf of Mexico and many more miles of natural shoreline bordering Charlotte Harbor and the Peace and Myakka rivers. But that’s not all. Seven of the 21 golf courses located in Charlotte County are found in Port Charlotte. Charlotte Sports Park is home to spring training for the Tampa Bay Rays. Tippecanoe Environmental Park offers hiking trails and wildlife viewing through 380 acres of scrub and pine flat-woods.

To learn more about this plot or any of The 9 Core Realty’s large inventories of Cape Coral, North Port and Port Charlotte land lots, contact a member of our qualified team at (239) 333-2221.

03.23.15
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Newly listed NW Cape Plot: The Gratia Group Featured Lot of the Week

55 wilmingtonCape Coral land for sale is the Gratia Group Featured Lot of the Week. This newly listed lot is located at 55 Wilmington Parkway in sunny Cape Coral, FL 33993. A highly desired freshwater canal lot located in the Northwest Region of SWFL’s largest city is a ROI producing investment listed at only $12,000.

Cape Coral is experiencing a lot of appreciation in terms of prices in the market. As far as existing homes go, inventory is a little low. Realtors of Cape Coral lots have about a three to four month supply, which is great news for sellers because obviously they have a little more equity. They can turn around and sell. Land sales firms in Cape Coral are also seeing lessening inventories. The city has become a hot spot for investors from the north as well as foreign investors, making available lots for sale harder to find! Cape Coral is also seeing a lot of people who want to retire in the area.

Real estate always has healthy economy rebound and many experts don’t think it’s going to change. Cape Coral land is going to continue to see the prices increase. The area is still going to continue to see people coming and retiring and moving, and that creates markets in and of itself! To buy into the hottest area of Florida and get a great deal on property, Cape Coral land experts, Gratia Group, are waiting to help! Give us a call at (239) 333-2221 today!

03.16.15
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How to Begin Investing in Real Estate

LandInvestmentsAn unusually long and harsh winter is delaying the start of the spring real estate and land market, but for the investment-minded, continued low interest rates and high demand for rentals appear to outline an opportunity especially when buying investment land.

Institutional investors and their buckets of cash have dominated many markets for the past several years, according to real estate data cruncher CoreLogic. But at the end of 2014, cash sales declined to a national average of 36.1 percent, down from 38.8 percent in November 2013. CoreLogic also reported that the foreclosure inventory declined 34 percent at the end of 2014. That means individual investors are starting to have a shot at lower-priced properties ripe for fixing up and renting and lower priced land investments for sale, real estate professionals say. If you are thinking of tiptoeing into investment real estate, you have two basic approaches.

Buying shares in a real estate investment trust. You can invest in a REIT, but doing so involves buying shares of a portfolio of properties. It’s really more like buying a stock or buying into a fund and a completely different animal from owning real estate directly.

There are three layers of value – the real estate itself, the management and cash flow that supports the trust, and the fund based on the trust. It’s a very different vehicle than buying real estate, but most of us can’t just go out and buy 1 percent of a skyscraper.

Adding a REIT to your portfolio can complement stock and bond funds, but you must be sure you understand how the real estate fund is designed and how its managers will likely extract value from the holdings. You can buy shares of REITs and real estate-based funds, but the performance of the funds is based on both cash flow and gains from occasionally selling properties – a very different scenario from the typical performance drivers of stock and bond funds.

Direct ownership. In a direct ownership you own your investment property. When you own real property as a direct ownership you can fall in line of thinking that your investment is easy money, that there’s not a lot of work, that tenants will pay on time and that pipes never leak. As we all know from real world experience, this is a dangerous way of thinking. Land is a bit of a different story and can end up being a wiser investment as it requires less general care, maintenance and overhead. Your land investment will never call at three in the morning to report an overflowing toilet and appreciates in value much faster than a real property investment.
To learn more about investing in land real estate contact an expert member of the Gratia Group at (239) 333-2221.

03.02.15
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Why you Should Consider Land a Viable Investment Option

Blog Photo-Land InvestingToday’s world is filled with consumers with a fair amount of disposable income that aren’t aware of their investment options. They are guided by friends and family who are often misinformed too.  The US alone has seen a rise of over 29 percent in the disposable income generated in the country between 2007 and 2012.  What are the people doing with this income?  In the search for investment options, you usually encounter a number of risks. The popular maxim of investing is that the risk you take is directly proportional to the returns on your investment.

Perhaps the starting point for most investors is the low risk option of fixed deposits, mutual funds or commodities.  The more adventurous may gamble on the high risk-high return stock options.  However, if you’re an investor with a medium risk appetite looking to get high returns, you might want to consider buying land investments.  Historically, land has only gone up in terms of value.  Over the last five years, land has shown over 100 percent value appreciation in some areas.  Such growth is indicative of the great potential land holds for investors, yet many haven’t recognized this opportunity so far.

In terms of residential land on the outskirts of cities, you should take into account that already established residential areas may be hard to penetrate owing to few available spaces and high capital that is involved.  Nonetheless, if you do your research you could find spaces that are either in the process of developing or aren’t discovered yet but have the potential to grow.  These spaces provide the best opportunities in land investment.

There are some key indicators you should base your research on before buying real estate for investors including connectivity and access to basic amenities.  Some of the major deterrents to buying land in the past have been misconceptions associated with it.  People often go by the erroneous notion that land does not produce income or produces very little of it.  According to research, land was the investment that provided over 100 percent returns on investment between 2010 and 2013.

The difference with land as compared to other investments is that it is a tangible asset that allows you to adopt a few precautionary methods that reduce the investment risk from medium to low while still maintaining high returns over a long term.  The world is short of habitable land that needs to be able to develop, accommodate, expand, scale up, build, grow or upgrade.

Nonetheless, that’s only a part of the reason investing in land should be an element of your portfolio.  All of the three primary needs for life- food, clothing and shelter – are dependent on land, which provides the investor with a host of flexible options on getting the best out of your land investment.  You could dedicate it to organic farming, tap into a small business idea or build a home on it.  At the same time, it also gives you an option to leave it alone because in most cases it still continues to appreciate steadily and surely.

Despite its promise people are often discouraged from investing in land by their perception of the amount of capital required for it.  Firstly, it is more economical to buy vacant land than a developed property, a number of investors have invested in land using their savings and entirely avoiding dealing with loans and mortgages.  Moreover, if you can find the right places to invest and get in at the right time, the returns could be great.  The additional feature is that land can be a source of passive income over the long term, meaning it requires the customer to do little actively to gain returns.  In essence, land as an investment provides a wider range of business opportunities in a sector that rarely depreciates.

Mutual funds, equities, commodities, residential property and other options all make sense in certain scenarios and so does land.  It is a long-term option that will diversify and add volume to any investment portfolio.  It’s important not to jump the gun on land investment, only venture into it if you’re willing to consider it as a serious option and treat it as a business endeavor.

To learn more about land investments contact a member of the Gratia Group team at (239) 333-2221.
 

12.22.14
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SWFL Land and Home Sales See Big Jump

Blog PhotoThe median price of an existing single-family home in Lee and Collier counties increased sharply in October compared to a year earlier along with Cape Coral land prices.  In Lee County, the median rose 17.3 percent from $157,000 to $184,175, according to statistics released by the Realtors Association of Greater Fort Myers and the Beach.

Collier County’s median increased 20.1 percent from $279,000 to $335,000, according to the Naples Area Board of Realtors.

Area real estate experts feel that even with such a robust surge in Florida land sales prices, there isn’t the danger of a bubble similar to the last boom’s over-heated market in 2005.  It would take annualized increases of 20 percent for five years to get us up into the territory where the region was (at the peak of the boom and currently the area isn’t even close to a danger bubble.

The rate of increase in prices is actually slowing but the market will stay strong this winter with omens such as six feet of snow in Buffalo, N.Y.   Experts feel the region is poised to have a very, very good season.  To learn more about the SWFL real estate market contact a member of the Gratia Group team at (239) 333-2221.