RSS
Print This Post Print This Post

Go Global Why Florida? Why Now? By Patricia Tan

patricia-tan-prudential-palms-realty

Go Global  –  Why Florida?  Why Now?

By Patricia Tan

I just returned from a marketing trip to U.K. and I will be back there again later this month. Typically these trips consist of us taking a booth at an international property show and/or holding seminars that talk about investing in Florida real estate, or emigrating to USA. It is a wonderful opportunity for me to meet lots of consumers and partners in those markets and understand how they view Florida and more particularly perhaps, their perception of our very own Gulf Coast.

I was encouraged by the large number of visitors to our booth and seminars at the last show. Many of them were very serious about making an investment or buying a second home here, and had already conducted a lot of their own research.

In addition to selling properties, we like to contribute to the consumers’ research and provide them with facts that will help them make a decision in our favor. During these few months we have been focused on why an investor should buy in Florida and more importantly, why they should do it now. These are some of the messages we convey:

Great Prices – Statewide, the existing-home median sales price in August 2009 was $147,400 a 22% decrease from a year ago when it stood at $188,500. The median sales price for a condominium in Florida was $107,500, down 32% from a year earlier. Many homes are selling for about half of what they were worth at the height of our property boom.

Rising Volume of Sales – A signal that today’s “buyers market” may be changing.  Home sales in August 2008 were up 28% over August 2007, while sales of condominiums jumped 45% in the same period.

Reducing Inventory – We still have enough inventory to allow buyers to find their dream home or ideal investment, but the trend is definitely downwards and buyers do have a more limited choice than they did even just a few months ago.

Financing is Available – Some USA lenders will once again loan to foreign nationals, and credit can now be more easily obtained in the buyer’s home country, as their local economies improve. Many international investors leverage investments in their home countries in order to become “cash buyers” here.

Currency Benefits – The US Dollar has weakened against many other currencies. A foreign investor can significantly reduce the cost of his investment by maximizing the favorable exchange rate.

Long Term State Growth – Economic and demographic trends continue to favor Florida. By 2010 economists forecast that Florida will be the third-most-populated state in the country, and our population is expected to swell about 75 percent by 2030. Florida has been one of the 10 fastest-growing states in the U.S. for each of the past seven decades, and growth will continue to provide a foundation for other economic development, such as new jobs and growing incomes. All of these trends are positive indicators for real estate appreciation.

Magnet for Migration – Florida is the number one destination for U.S. immigrants from U.K.  Its relative proximity to Britain, accessibility through many daily international flights, wonderful climate and alluring lifestyle options all add to the attraction. This interest from the international market complements migration we see from other states – not just retirees, but families who move here to take advantage of new jobs and our high performing school system.

Favorite Retirement Destination – Florida will benefit from the migration of the aging Baby Boomer generation, roughly 80 million strong. Demographic studies show that the Sunshine State’s mild climate and outdoor amenities continue to make Florida a top retirement destination.

A Great Place to do Business – Florida has always been a business-friendly state – no state income taxes, plus incentives from local municipalities encourage businesses to set up shop here. Florida ranked No. 1 in the nation for workforce; among the top 10 in technology and innovation, and also in access to capital; and moved up to rank third overall in Chief Executive’s survey of the best places for jobs and business growth (Chief Executive, March 2009).

As a British National who moved here in 1997 I truly enjoy sharing my Florida experience with others who may be considering a similar move. Judging by the crowds we saw during our recent trip to U.K. I expect to be joined by many of my countrymen very soon!

Patricia Tan was born in England, and moved to Sarasota in 1997. Her career afforded her the opportunity to live and work in many countries around the world, including Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Germany, France, Belgium, Netherlands and the United Kingdom. She spent five years as a Director of an American real estate franchise in England in 1990s. Patricia has served as Chairperson of Sarasota Association of REALTORS®’ International Council, and serves on Florida Association of REALTORS®’ International Operations Committee. She currently works as International Sales Director for Prudential Palms Realty. Patricia may be reached at 941-487-5107 or patriciatan@prudentialpalmsrealty.com.

Share

Tags: , , , ,

Leave a Reply


Featured Properties

Ads

REAL HAPPENINGS

April 2, 2020 Ringling Underground

April 2, 2020 Ringling Underground

CANCELLED Ringling Underground CANCELLED. Enjoy live music, and art in the Museum of Art Courtya[...]
CleanSlate Property Services Opens

CleanSlate Property Services Opens

CleanSlate Property Services, a local concierge handyman business. My name is Tim White, former [...]
March 5, 2020 Ringling Underground

March 5, 2020 Ringling Underground

Ringling Underground Returns. Enjoy live music, and art in the Museum of Art Courtyard 8:00pm -1[...]
March 6, 2020 Gettel Toyota Grand Opening

March 6, 2020 Gettel Toyota Grand Opening

You're Invited To Gettel Toyota Of Bradenton's Grand Opening. On Friday, March 6th, from 12pm-2:[...]
March 12-13, 2020 Pop Up Art Show

March 12-13, 2020 Pop Up Art Show

Sarasota Architectural Salvage Hosts Event To Support Local Artists. For more information and/or[...]
February 6, 2020 Ringling Underground

February 6, 2020 Ringling Underground

Ringling Underground Returns. Enjoy live music, and art in the Museum of Art Courtyard 8:00pm -1[...]
January 25, 2020 Spoons And Tunes

January 25, 2020 Spoons And Tunes

TheWineToBuy.com Hosts Innovative Wine Tasting. Tired of the same old BS? Then join TheWineToBuy[...]
February 7, 2020 Thunder By The Bay Kick Off Party

February 7, 2020 Thunder By The Bay Kick Off Party

White Buffalo Saloon Hosts Born To Be Wild! Join REAL as we kick off 2020's Thunder by the Bay. [...]
Curb Appeal Detailing Opens New Sarasota Location

Curb Appeal Detailing Opens New Sarasota Location

Auto Enthusiasts Take Note. Curb Appeal Detailing announced the opening of their new location i[...]
January 11, 2020 National Hot Toddy Day

January 11, 2020 National Hot Toddy Day

How To Warm Up On A Chilly Day. Today is National Hot Toddy Day! A hot toddy is a delicious drin[...]
Anheuser-Busch Launches New Hard Seltzer

Anheuser-Busch Launches New Hard Seltzer

Bud Light Seltzer Arrives Just In Time For The Super Bowl! Anheuser-Busch is launching a new har[...]
Ocala Gains New Urgent Care Center

Ocala Gains New Urgent Care Center

StatMed Urgent Care Center Ocala Opens January 2, 2020. StatMed Urgent Care Center is a step abo[...]
New Year's Eve 2019-2020 Tow To Go

New Year's Eve 2019-2020 Tow To Go

Everyone Have A Safe New Year’s Eve Tonight! Tow to Go is a partnership between AAA & Budweiser.[...]
Wyze Labs Data Breach

Wyze Labs Data Breach

Multiple Data Breaches Exposes Information Of 2.4 Million Customers. Wyze Labs' low cost, inter[...]
Westbound SR 70 Southbound I75 Ramp To Close

Westbound SR 70 Southbound I75 Ramp To Close

8 Months of New Detours Loom Large! Starting at 11 p.m. Thursday, January 2nd, the westbound on-[...]
Wawa Data Breach

Wawa Data Breach

Wawa Facing Wave Of Lawsuits Over Data Breach. On December 10, Wawa's information security team [...]
December 26, 2019 Deck the Halls @ Ca' d'Zan

December 26, 2019 Deck the Halls @ Ca' d'Zan

Ca' d'Zan All Decked Out. On December 26th, from 5:00pm – 8:00pm join The Ringling for Deck the [...]
January 22, 2020 Ringling's Wisconsin Pullman Tour

January 22, 2020 Ringling's Wisconsin Pullman Tour

Private Tour of the Wisconsin Pullman Car. Join Jennifer Lemmer-Posey, Tibbals Curator of Circus [...]
Commercial Investment Division Changes Name

Commercial Investment Division Changes Name

RASM Commercial Division Now Know As Commercial Real Estate Alliance. The Realtor Association of[...]
December 3, 2019 GivingTuesday

December 3, 2019 GivingTuesday

Join the GivingTuesday Movement. GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement unleashing the po[...]
Translate »