Monday, July 28, 2014

Buying a home is impossible

It access homeownership and dignified became almost impossible to achieve for the Venezuelans sleep due to high prices and inadequate housing solutions.

The contraction in the construction sector means that the supply of houses and apartments is almost nil.

The few that are available urbanisms look unattainable, with prices exceeding two million bolivars.

Housing is expensive in a country where 50 percent of the working class perceives the average minimum wage and bank financing is located at 350 thousand bolivars.

The current regulatory framework, input shortages and inflation are some of the factors that maintain reduced the sector, says Rafael Guédez, director of the Venezuelan Chamber of Construction (CVC).

The engineer says the private sector added 17 consecutive semesters in "free fall". "We are in a difficult situation does not allow us to respond to housing production that the country needs."

Solution?

The Mission House, presented in 2011 by the government as the solution to the housing shortage, also shows difficulties.
The Housing Ministry figures show that during the first quarter of 2014 10 000 283 households were implemented, representing a drop of 63 percent from the same period in 2013, when they were executed 29 000 104.

This year the Executive promises delivery of 400 thousand units, but in the first four months alone made ​​2.7 percent, which has yet remaining 97.3 percent.

Guédez warns that there is no way to corroborate the official figures, since there is no information on the location of housing solutions or their characteristics.

In the country's housing deficit is estimated at three million homes, the government promises to build over the next five years.

To fulfill its offer, the Executive must ensure the implementation of 600,000 homes per year until 2019.

high prices

Guédez ensures that high housing prices are related to the increased cost of inputs.

Indicates that the sector does not have access to regulated cement and rebar that are essential materials for the execution of projects.

Add other items such as cables, paints and glass have high prices, especially the shortage that exists in the country, so most have to be imported.

The engineer believes that the domestic industry is reactivated so that the country can produce the items needed for construction.

It also highlights the need to reach agreements between the public and private sectors to increase the implementation of housing required becomes possible.

17 consecutive quarters of contraction sum private construction

"We are in a difficult situation does not allow us to respond to housing production that the country needs"

Rafael Guédez, director of the Venezuelan Chamber of Construction (CVC).

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Massive influx of Chinese investors revolutionizes US housing market

The Chinese are coming and would like to buy your house "; with this provocative title The Washington Post published a column about the phenomenon that occurs in today's real estate market USA and everyone is talking about, because it promises to profoundly change the map of homeowners in the country. After the outbreak of the subprime mortgage crisis in 2007, the gradual recovery of the American real estate market comes with the surprise of discovering a new member in the investment community, possessing a high purchasing power and the potential for significant growth in the coming years.

According to the annual report of the National Association of Realtors (National Association of Realtors, NAR), between March 2013 and March 2014 ethnic Chinese investors bought houses in different parts of the country by value of u $ s 22,000 million. This makes the non-resident foreign group that has spent these last 12 months, ahead of other nationalities historically brick buyers in USA as Canadians (u $ s 13.800 million) and Mexicans (u $ s 4,500 million).

Preferred by Chinese investors cities are on the West Coast, especially in California: Los Angeles, San Francisco and Irvine (south of Los Angeles), because there are already many years large Asian communities. But there have also been shopping in Las Vegas, New York and Washington, especially in the most sought after neighborhoods.

According to the report, March 2013 to March 2014 grew by 35% the volume of investments in real estate by foreign non-residents, reaching a total of $ s 92,000 million (equivalent to 7% of the total amount of operations throughout the country). "We live in an international market; even though all properties are local, that does not mean buyers are also properties, "said Steve Brown, president of the NAR. The organism has been reported in recent years on this process of internationalization of real estate .. For more USA which still embraces a minority share of the total (below 10%), growth remains strong and sustained.

In the case of the massive influx of Chinese investors, no phenomenon of this magnitude in such a short time imagined, although it did note that, before the subprime bubble burst, there was a growing buyers of that origin. But the financial crisis affecting the American economy from 2008 onwards, together with the consolidation of emerging countries in the same period (with China at the head and about to overtake the United States as the world's economic power), allowed the emergence of this new investor group.

In fact, this year is expected to travel abroad 100 million Chinese tourists, equivalent to the entire population of Mexico. So you do not have to wonder that this increased spending is also reflected in the housing market. "What we see is only the beginning of a tsunami," said Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the NAR and one of the report's authors.

While Canadians continue as leaders of statistics in amount of acquired properties (and not on the total amount disbursed), soon the Chinese will also rise in this item, the report said. The participation of Chinese buyers rose from 5% to 16% of the total between 2007 and 2014, and also is a group that aims to more expensive homes, with an average value of $ 590,000 s, more than a hundred thousand dollars what they pay half British investors, the second biggest spender in American bricks, and more than double the average purchase of a Mexican.

Specialists explain this shopping spree for low prices that still exist in the housing market, below the peak of 2007, before the bubble burst. But also because the dollar is depreciating and that creates more purchasing power among foreigners. Also, if you are looking to invest in assets denominated in dollars, today may be safer bricks Treasuries, against the possibility that the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates in the short term.

For the Chinese, buying a home on American soil also becomes a strategic issue. If the vast majority (76%) of these investors made ​​the payment in cash because he could not access a mortgage loan for non-residency, own property they can help you get the visa, if the children end up studying at a local university . By investing in the United States, many Chinese manage to hide some of their wealth in the eyes of the government and thus avoid the risk of seizure might suffer in their own country. Moreover, in China there is a bubble in real estate that drives many to protect their wealth by transferring it from abroad.

Meanwhile, U.S. property are rubbing their hands at the arrival of these powerful investors. In recent years, more than nine million Chinese millionaires moved abroad (his favorite destination is USA) and up to 64% of the wealthy who still reside in China intends to leave. The NAR report describes the case of a woman from Hong Kong who paid u $ s 6.5 million in 2013 for a two bedroom apartment in the tallest tower in New York, the One57, so your daughter can go to Harvard study. The odd thing is that the girl just turned two years.

Monday, July 14, 2014

The Chinese also rescue the housing market in the U.S.

Chinese investors are leading the wave of purchases of residential homes in the U.S. by foreigners, which rose 35% in 2013, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR).

In total, foreign real estate acquired amounting to $ 92,200 million (over 67,700 million) between April 2013 and March 2014, compared with 68,200 million (over 50,000 million euros) last year. Chinese investors became residential property by $ 22,000 million (16,000 million euros) in the period, compared with $ 12,800 million (over 9,400 million euros) last year, according to NAR.

"The favorable exchange rates, attractive home prices and increased purchasing power abroad continue to attract international buyers to the U.S.," the association said in a statement.

Steve Brown, president of NAR, said that foreign investors are seduced by the perceived as "an amazing investment opportunity for the future."

China, Canada, Mexico, India and Britain accounted for about 54% of international transactions, according to data released. Of all transactions carried out by foreigners 60% are made ​​in cash, according to NAR.

The association also noted that European and Latin American investors have helped push prices of residential property in the southern state of Florida to record levels. Asians, meanwhile, concentrated primarily in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Las Vegas.

The NAR said that although China has become the largest investor in dollar volume and represents the sector purchasers of higher growth, Canada still accounts for the largest number of purchases by number of transactions. The average investment of Chinese around half a million dollars.

Monday, July 7, 2014

Portugal luxury homes come with residence visa

For the African construction worker Mamadou Diallo, Portugal's success in attracting investors to its real estate market is full of bitter irony.

The Guinea 38 years said he lives in the country for seven years, working in various construction projects and paying your taxes. That was not enough to obtain residence in Portugal. However, if the buyer of a property of more than 500,000 euros (U.S. $ 682,000), the guy who helps build Diallo, the visa can come with writing.

"If I had half a million euros to buy a house all my problems would be over," Diallo said in fluent Portuguese during an interview in downtown Lisbon. "It's very unfair."

Fairly or unfairly, this practice was announced by the governments of Southern Europe as a much needed boost for economies seeking to leave behind the financial problems of the continent.

While Malta attracted the attention of the European Union this year to implement a program that, in practice, selling citizenship, Portugal is the country that seduced newest residents.

The country granted 1,161 visas since it began its program in 2012, representing 699 million euros of investments, especially Chinese, said this week the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Portugal.

In Spain, 72 visas to non-EU country property investors were issued, newspaper El Pais reported on May 17, citing data from the Department of Immigration. Greece granted 100 visas, according to figures from the Ministry of Interior. Both countries started their programs visas last year.

Luxury Homes

"There is no doubt that the program has achieved the golden visas promote the sale of luxury homes in Portugal," said Jose Brandao de Brito, chief economist at Banco Comercial Portugues SA Lisbon. "The problem is that most of the assets they need to sell are cheaper apartments on the outskirts of the cities that are unemployed due to high unemployment."

Opposition to the peculiar programs can forge political alliances: the anti-immigration party, which received unprecedented support in the European parliamentary elections in May, and organizations that defend the rights of immigrants.

Timothy Macedo, president of the Association of Immigrant Solidarity Lisbon, leads a group of 25,000 members of 97 nationalities. Estimated that an immigrant can expect up to seven years to be granted a residence permit in Portugal since many find it difficult to have a stable job. However, the waiting time for an investor who acquires a golden visa is less than six months, he said.

"The golden apartheid visas are the worst in modern history," Macedo said this week. "These golden visas granted to immigrants first level, while overlooked the poor immigrants and workers who risk their lives to reach Europe."

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

What is a Power of Attorney

Most people do not know what really represents grant power of attorney "Power of attorney" to someone else, and the implications and possible consequences of such action.

It is convenient to start by saying that a power of attorney authorizing, who has to execute any action it deems appropriate on the person or property of him who gives it.

Sometimes I have heard from seniors who entrust their assets to others, trusting that they will act in the same way that they act in a given situation. In most cases this occurs because the person is considered insecure, tired and want to delegate all responsibility to take for fear of making mistakes; but my advice is that while a beam of lucidity, who have worked it, worked hard and managed to build wealth should control; though I make mistakes in their performance.

There is no point someone (either a professional, the representative of an institution, a close friend or the most reliable of all family members), seems to be a good person full of good intentions and to ease life, accept handle him any business, financial transactions and banking background. As you are deciding on any issue affecting its assets, decide it as you see fit, not as you wished it, it is another mind and not yours which is deciding for you, with his own.

More corrosive than sulfuric acid or nitric acid is money, which leads to power. Money has the ability to corrode the soul, shame, loyalty and good feeling that everything within it cradles a human. For money has been made the worst meanness that can be committed by humans. For money he has killed, has been stolen and even has betrays close relatives. So if we know that, why should we tempt the devil?

I know of cases of elders who have been granted power of attorney to children, grandchildren and other close relatives, so that should give good use of their property and shall mantuviesen accompanied comfortable and carefree, until the end of his days; and have gone to nursing homes while their property was dilapidated and they lived their last days among strangers, just waiting to die. One such case was that of a man who told me, in the doorway of a nursing home: "If I had known this I would have spent on pig farming; pigs that at least appreciate the food they were cast, and eventually give meat and butter. "

If you are considering giving a power of attorney never do so without first consulting a lawyer. Recommend it know what suits you best, and perhaps to suggest the advice of a financier to temporarily helpers. Avoid mistakes that can spoil the end of his existence.

Seek advice on insurance condo associations

The confusions are usually paid dearly. That is why we must be very well advised when ownership of a property located in a condominium association is taken.

Usually condominium associations maintain insurance to protect the real property they represent. The most common insurance are to be protected from damage from natural disasters, accidents, conflicts and criminal activities occurring within the premises of communal property.

Other insurance that is mandatory is directly related to flooding (flood insurance), in places that require it. But it understood, the concept flooding in the language of the insurance industry is related to the water that rises from the earth to the heights and not one that falls from the sky, although there is a direct correlation between the two.

It is useful to know that the insurance covers the structure, the policy covering the homeowners association covers only structural property belonging to the group, ie, walls, ceilings and common areas.

The interior of a private drive, must be covered by a single insurance to cover the particular unit and is the sole responsibility of the owner.

There are other related insurance condo associations, such as related to the damage that can cause winds and storms to the property or those that focus on protect unit owners against activities of vandalism in public areas, or lawsuits conducted third party, to the association.

I have seen an owner claim, to justice, the losses caused by a flash flood in your unit, because of water from another unit on the top floor, without obtaining a judgment that favors you, since this required set culpable negligence of the inhabitants of the upper deck in the flood that occurred; and all for want of a liability insurance that would protect the interior of your home.

Any owner should take into account the structural damage insurance protects property, under the umbrella of the condo association to which he belongs, is limited to the exterior of the building; so if the lining of the inner wall Plasterboard (sheetrock), carpets, furniture or electrical appliances that are within the unit are damaged, that it shall assume full responsibility of contents insurance which has concluded owner of the house with the insurance agency and is very unlikely to have any relation to general insurance association or condominium owners.

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Islamic funds increase their confidence in real estate in the region

The Jordanian Ashraf Hamdan began investing in Dubai's property market in 2006 with a modest business rents and then concentrated in more extravagant projects, as a number of luxury developments than the market.

But the housing crisis of 2008 left investors like Hamdan with half-finished projects and difficult to recover losses.

"It was a costly learning experience for a real estate investor. But real estate is in our blood here in the Arab world.'s A tangible investment and from an Islamic perspective, that I find attractive," said the businessman of 53 years.

"I'm just going to start looking for alternatives and brightest to enter the market in future forms," ​​Hamdan said.

The emergence of Islamic funds real estate investment trust (REIT, for its acronym in English) at East Middle East, offering shares in a portfolio with a payment sustained dividend income generated from those assets, might return to investors Hamdan sector.

Islamic REITs differ from their conventional counterparts by banning investment in any asset that pays interest or conducting any business in any industry vetoed as gambling, alcohol or adult entertainment.

Parallel to offer an alternative investment in the Gulf Islamic finance industry could also inject more transparency and regulation, plagued by unrealistic expectations of results and occasionally obscure real estate agreements.

"In the last two or three years, people were frozen in a mode where the focus was on cash and other things," said Daniel Diembers, director of Booz & Company in Dubai.

"The Dubai bubble really helped the housing market matured. This is the time when everything is changing. Much wealth out there," he added Diembers.

Globally, the market capitalization for REITs was close to U.S. $ 570,000 million at the end of 2009, according to a study by Ernst & Young in 2010. REITs Islamic play a small role and Asia functions as the dominant pole supported funds with sharia.

The real estate investment trust Axis Global, based in Malaysia, plans to conduct a public offering of shares (IPO) with an active volume of 1.050 million, making it the world's largest Islamic REIT.

Islamic REITs launched in Bahrain and Kuwait have been relatively small in size: Inovest REIT Mahrab Al Bahrain and Kuwait Tower REIT ripped on less than U.S. $ 95 million of capital each and none were listed yet traded.

But an expected boom in listed infrastructure markets such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar and the launch of the first Islamic REIT in the UAE could maintain confidence in real estate investments, creating more niche to thrive compatible with Shariah funds.

Thursday, June 26, 2014

The price of housing in Ireland rises 10.6 percent in a year

The price of housing in the Republic of Ireland rose 2.3 percent in May from the previous month, so the increase in the year was 10.6 percent, reported today the Central Statistics Office (CSO) .

The increase between the months of May 2013 and 2014 confirms the recovery of the price of housing in Ireland, which had fallen 1.1 percent over the same period last year, although the recovery is recorded mainly in Dublin .

Housing prices rose 2.3 percent last month compared to April, compared to the monthly increase of 0.3 percent in May 2013, in line with the recovery of one of the sectors hardest hit by the outbreak of the housing bubble in 2008.

The collapse of the sector then dragged the Irish banks, which led to the Dublin government to rescue and take on a debt that forced him in 2010 to ransom the European Union (EU) and the IMF to 85,000 million euros, program help to quit last December.

According to the CSO, housing prices in Dublin rose 4.2 percent in May compared to April, while the annual increase was 22 percent.

In the Irish capital houses became more expensive by 4.4 in the month and 22.4 percent for the year, compared with increases of 1.9 and 19.5 percent, respectively, the price of apartments.

The CSO said that the "sub-indices" for the apartment market are made ​​from "the observation of reduced volumes" transaction and therefore subject to a "more volatile" price.

In the rest of Ireland, house prices rose 0.6 percent in May and the annual increase was only 1.8 percent, confirming that the sector's recovery progresses at two different speeds.

Houses and apartments in Dublin are now 44.4 and 53.4 percent, respectively, cheaper than in February 2007, when the sector reached its highest point, to experience a combined decrease of 46.3 percent.

Outside the capital, the price of houses and apartments combined is 47 percent lower and cheaper in Ireland is 45.1 percent.

Monday, June 23, 2014

Rise luxury condominiums in Miami

Gil Dezer, a developer of Miami, five years ago had 850 unsold condominiums and nearly $ 500 million in loans coming due at a time when credit markets were frozen and buyers disappeared.

Today, he is back on the market with what it considers a safe bet: a project of 132 units luxury car enthusiast called the Porsche Design Tower. The units of the 60-story building, with an elevator that transports cars directly to homes, ranging from $ 4.5 million up to 32.5 million for a four-story penthouse 600 thousand square meters.

While they are still building the foundation of the tower located on the seafront, 113 of the 132 units are already sold. All buyers gave 30 percent deposit cash funds that seminal Dezer counted to determine the level of interest generated by the project.

"We set rephrase things and point to a purchaser that is not as sensitive in economic terms," ​​said Dezer, whose former condos started from the $ 900,000.

After the real estate market collapse left Miami with more than 25,000 unsold condos in 2008, developers have returned, and this time differently.

At a time when credit is scarce and construction is the memory of speculators who disappeared when the mortgage financing dried up, construction projects funded with cash payment commitments by buyers of up to 60 percent of the price Cart.

The strategy has begun luxury towers reaching record prices and attract investors as the chief executive officer of Goldman Sachs Group Inc., Lloyd Blankfein, and Leon Black, founder of Apollo Global Management LLC.

BODEGA

Developers units equipped with additional features such as perimeter balconies overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, wine cellars cigar.

"People started asking for larger units and more services, and the price went up a lot," said William PD Pierce, an operator in Miami Beach Coldwell Banker.

Pierce last year found the buyer for a penthouse in Ian Schrager's Residences in Miami Beach Edition. The contract for the triplex of 524 thousand square meters is 34 million, which makes it more expensive operation in Miami.

It is estimated that at least four units that exceed the market price. The most expensive penthouse, which has not been built in Mansions at Acqualina in Sunny Isles Beach-sells for $ 55 million, Pierce said.

There are 21 thousand 430 proposed or under construction around the price level in Miami-Dade County condos, from downtown Miami to the coastal route A1A from Sunny Isles to South Beach, according CraneSpotters.com, analyzing developments in the South Florida.

Friday, June 20, 2014

Subsidies in downtown Houston could affect the property market, say experts

The downtown and Midtown are separated by a highway, but in some respects, are worlds apart.

Midtown's population is about 9,000 inhabitants, nearly double what it had in 2000. Much of its growth has occurred in the past decade, when the area became a favorite urban planners neighborhood of apartment buildings and townhouses.

Meanwhile, downtown growth has not been as robust. In 2000, officials projected that the downtown residential population of 3,000 people then, would triple in 2010. Yet only about 3,600 residents living in the area into lots and remodeled homes in the shadow of skyscrapers that are home to a workforce 150,000 workers.

However, planners are again challenging the idea that the downtown can not be a place where more people live. Some are prepared to build thousands of luxury apartment buildings through a grant program recently expanded to $ 15,000 per unit to help offset the high cost of construction in a congested business district.

Although builders are eager to increase the number of homes in the downtown, the demand for the proposed units, which are expensive, are not insured. Even if you bought new buildings, there may not be the number of restaurants, shops and other businesses to provide services.

"In every city where there are numerous retailers live tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of people," said Ed Page, UCR signature Houston, dedicated to real estate and specializes in retail.

Growth Midtown

Another reason I have not opened more stores in the downtown is because there are many in the surrounding neighborhoods, according to Page.

For example, Midtown has pharmacies and supermarkets, as well as a lot of restaurants and bars.

Just south of Interstate 45, from the downtown, the old ruined area began a process of redevelopment after the city created in the mid-1990s with an area reinvestment tax increase that tax money funneled into the improving public infrastructure.

That reinvestment zone not offer the same type of residential incentive planners providing downtown.

For years, officials have tried to attract retailers with financial incentives. Although they have had some success, the overall trend is declining.

In the past three decades, the spaces for retail stores downtown have dropped 60 percent, according to a report released last fall by a group report that Mayor Annise Parker appointed following the decision of Macy's to close its store Main Street.

The report includes recommendations on how to attract more businesses and reverse chronic decline in commercial activity in the area. One proposal was to use tax money to develop a shopping district in the center of downtown.

Monday, June 16, 2014

Increases in U.S. housing construction

The initiation of construction of U.S. homes in April reached its highest level in months, according to Commerce Department data published on Friday, accurate Agence France Press.

Meanwhile, Efe states that the pace of construction increased by 13.2% in April to stand at an annual rate of 1.07 million, the highest in six months.

In March, the annual rate of new housing construction was located at 947,000 units, according to official figures.

The April increase mainly due to a sharp rise in the beginning of new construction of apartment buildings, which rose 42.9% from the previous month.

Experts believe that the construction of apartments is more volatile than single-family home sector, whose early works rose just 0.8%, which has been interpreted as a sign that housing construction is earthbound firmly behind the recession that began in 2008.

Major advances in new construction of homes in April were for the states in the Midwest and Northeast of the country, which in recent months have been affected by a severe winter which slowed activity in the sector.

Meanwhile, processed permits for new construction rose last month by eight percent, which predicts that the activity will gain momentum in the coming months.

The Federal Reserve keeps interest rates reference around 0.25 percent, despite which has not consolidated the sector due to the difficulties in getting funding families and the increase in house prices, which seems to have anticipated the recovery itself.

A recent study by the U.S. Census Bureau showed that the percentage of homes owned by U.S. households stood at 64.8% in the first quarter, the lowest since 64.7 percent in 1995.

Friday, June 13, 2014

New Real Estate Record: sale penthouse in Manhattan for $ 110 million

The housing market continues to break records beyond our borders. A month ago was sold in London for 170 million euros, a luxury penthouse with 1,500 square meters of Hyde Park. An unusual amount ever paid in the UK for a home. Only two months earlier, came to light that the project will be the world's most expensive penthouse and will be located in Monaco: 3,300 square meters for 300 million euros: 91,000 euros per square meter.

Now, the scene moves to New York. In particular, the island of Manhattan, where he has gone on sale a luxury apartment of 800 square meters for $ 110 million. This is what the Anglo-Saxon slang known as penthouse apartments that usually occupy the upper floors of really tall buildings. This operation to succeed, that is, to find buyer could break the New York property market. The apartment in question is located in the Woolworth Building, which was earlier in the century the tallest skyscraper in the world.

Unmistakable by its more like a church for its neo-Gothic gargoyles and pinnacles, which give a very particular aspect, the building has undergone a genuine inner face wash that has led to 34 luxury apartments ranging in price from 3.5 million dollars for 370 square meters to 110 million asking Alchemy Properties, author of transformation, which will occupy the apartment building's dome, as reported by U.S. media. The company acquired in 2012 the last 30 floors of this legendary building.

Undoubtedly, the attic will have spectacular views of the entire city of New York and its price, 110 million dollars, converted, if finally finds buyer at the highest ever paid for an apartment in Manhattan real estate history.

Among the luxuries of this apartment, which has nine floors and own elevator, stand terrace of 50 square meters, a library or a winery. The sale will start in autumn this year, but remodeling will not be completed until 2016.

The building was completed in 1913. Has 60 floors and 241 meters high made it the tallest building in the world until 1930, when the tower number 40 Wall Street and the Chrysler Building were built, and the Empire State Building in 1931.

The penthouse starts at 50-51 plants, where is located the living area of ​​the house. The main room and winery are located on the 53rd floor, while the 55 to 58 in full dome of the building, the library is located and a gazebo.

Friday, April 4, 2014

Venezuelan Builders help recover real estate in Miami

More and more builders of Argentina , Brazil, Mexico and Venezuela are choosing to meet the demand for Latin American looking for a stable place to invest your money and generate revenue.

The Argentine constructor José Luis Melo watched the real estate market of Miami was affected by the housing crisis in the U.S. and thousands of apartments in the city remained unsold , and decided it was time to build.

It was late 2010 , and Melo , which operates the real estate company Melo Group with his two sons , purchased a plot of land of 1.4 million near downtown Miami.

Months later, Melo raised their first construction crane post housing bubble was in town , betting they could find buyers for departments of a new 17-story tower .

" People told us ," You are crazy . The market is crowded with units and going to build ? "He said, adding that he preferred to sell their own new building. 's 98 departments of the structure were sold in just five months.

The apartments were purchased by wealthy Latin Americans were flocking to buy real estate in Miami , helping to encourage an unexpected recovery in a market that was only three years had faced a housing crisis .

The purchase highlights the role that investors have played in some major U.S. cities that show strong signs of recovery after the crisis.

Wealthy Latin Americans have long invested in properties in South Florida, but this time the revival in Miami also is being driven by South American builders like Melo .

" I've never seen the influence that they are now taking on development and construction," said Peter Zalewski , director of real estate consultancy Condo Vultures . " It really is a period of maturity ," he added .

Driven by high property prices and rising sales , the real estate industry in South Florida faces a frenzy with over 80 announced plans for new residential projects, and Latin American builders are involved in about a third of them, according Zalewski .

The builders are benefiting from the view that Latin American realty industry in Miami is a safe haven from political and economic volatility.

The city, which has a strong Latino presence and where Spanish is widely spoken , is a popular shopping destination and resort.

Recent devaluations in Argentina , Brazil and Venezuela , and fears that currencies continue to weaken these countries are encouraging the purchase of properties, brokers said .

In 2012 , Venezuelan frightened by an economy destroyed by inflation , rising crime and local political uncertainty led all foreign purchases in Miami for the third consecutive year, representing 15 percent of all sales .

A Venezuelan purchases followed the Argentinean and Brazilian .

A sharp increase in the prices of real estate in Latin America has also made more attractive properties in Miami.

According to the website Zillow real estate , the value of the properties in Miami are down almost 50 % from a peak in 2006.

The growing presence of Latin American builders also reflects how the region has benefited from healthy economic growth and given them unprecedented opportunities to look beyond their own borders to build.

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Mortgage Applications Increase in U.S.

Applications for U.S. mortgages rose last week fueled by demand for refinancing at low interest rates, the data showed a trade group.

The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA, for its acronym in English) said its seasonally adjusted index of mortgage application activity, which includes both refinancing operations as shopping, rose 1.8% in the week ended April 26 .

The seasonally adjusted index of refinancing applications increased 2.8% MBA.

But reading orders credits for the purchase of houses, a leading indicator of industry sales fell 1.4%.

Mortgages 30 year fixed-rate averaged 3.60%, down 5 basis points. It was the lowest level for rates since late last year.

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Hispanics suffer in the property market

While the U.S. housing market is recovering, many minorities are not reaping the benefits.

According to the Census Bureau , 75 percent of whites are homeowners, while only 47 percent of Hispanics have their own home.

Hispanic households lost almost half the value of their homes between 2007 and 2010 , according to a new report by the Urban Institute .

Many Hispanics bought their homes just before the recession. As a result , when the housing market crashed , Hispanics were more vulnerable than any other group , falling behind on their mortgages and ending up with a foreclosure.

Banks are another reason why minorities are losing during this recovery . They're doing it harder and more expensive for borrowers to obtain mortgages.

For example , most of the loans are now supported , Freddie Mac Federal Housing Administration and Fannie Mae . These entities sponsored by the government, have made loans more expensive for borrowers who have good credit.

Monday, March 31, 2014

Immigration reform would allow many families to purchase housing

In answering questions from the audience for a videochat dedicated to reforming the mortgage industry, Obama made ​​a mention of immigration reform as " a subject that does not seem to be related, but it is ."

"If we get immigration reform, we suddenly all kinds of families out of the shadows , paying taxes , paying fines, but also most likely buying homes and often in some of the neighborhoods that were more mortgage auction ," said the president during moderate transmission Rascoff Spencer , general manager of the website dedicated to zillow.com selling real estate .

People who legalize with immigration reform " add value to the community , increase the value of the property and that is one reason why it is estimated that immigration reform would bring 3,000 million to the economy, mainly because they would buying houses , "he added .

During his speech yesterday in Phoenix on mortgage industry reform , Obama urged the audience to " encourage Republicans in the House of Representatives to stop dragging its feet ," referring to the reluctance of the Republican majority to debate the bill passed by the Senate in June.

Many Republicans not only disagree with the idea of ​​legalizing people who remain on U.S. soil in violation of immigration laws , but expressed concern that the legalization of 11 million people is likely to accentuate the unemployment rate of 7% currently records the force U.S. labor .

Obama spoke about immigration reform hours after one of the main protagonists in the Senate expressed confidence that a deal can be agreed with the House of Representatives .

" We would much rather the larger project, but we are fine any way in which the House of Representatives passed," said Sen. Chuck Schumer in an interview with CNN. "Things are moving in the right direction."

Proponents of immigration reform plan numerous events during the current electoral districts culminating summer recess the second week of September, with intent to persuade skeptical lawmakers to vote in favor of immigration reform that includes the option of naturalization for undocumented immigrants .

The intervention of Obama followed his speech Tuesday , in which he discussed the need to simplify the current regulations to reduce the frequency with which banks reject loans to families who meet the requirements established by the federal government to obtain an obstacle that plagues especially Hispanics despite signs of recovery recently exhibited by the construction sector .

The insistence of the banks to request a down payment on average 20 % of the total cost of the property is the main obstacle facing Hispanics to take advantage of low interest rates , since it is an unattainable amount for many Hispanic families.

Just 46 % of Hispanics owned housing in 2012 compared to 73 % of Caucasians , according to a recent study by the National Council of La Raza and the Center for American Progress .

The central message of Obama's speech was to bring reform to close the state mortgage banks Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac , which the federal government rescued in 2008 by 187,000 million , with the goal of preserving the supply of mortgages to 30 year fixed and avoid creating another housing bubble like the one that sparked the global recession in 2006 interest.

Speaking at Phoenix was part of a series of talks planned for August on economic policy, whose goal is to prepare the ground for negotiations to increase the debt ceiling and the federal funding that will consume Congress when restart its activities in September after a five-week summer recess . Republicans in Congress have publicly disagreed with the plans of the White House in the two cases .

Obama has pronounced economic speeches to air campaign in Tennessee , Florida and Missouri , in which he advocated funding sources for infrastructure, a reduction in the cost of loans for higher education and reform the tax system . The Democratic president has also accused Republicans of not doing enough to support the American middle class.

Saturday, March 29, 2014

Real Estate in U.S. growing 10% annually and gets dynamism than a decade

Although there is skepticism about the strength of relaunching , the IMF notes that feed signals optimism. 2013 marked the first promising signs in the U.S. housing market in several years, which has analysts hopeful that a more sustained recovery in that country would finally consolidating sector.

According to the quarterly S & P / Case- Shiller , which considers home sales across the country - to the second quarter of this year prices would already retaking the levels exhibited a decade. So , slowly the lows until early 2012 just forget .

Today, the average values ​​of real estate sales increased 10% from a year ago, but still lie 23 % below the peak reached these assets at the height of his pomp , in the second quarter of 2006.

Everything was subprime

In 2006 , fears of a housing bubble in the United States could be about to burst crashed against the reality that financial markets appeared healthy, with a devastating dynamism.

However, since 2007 , several analyst reports circulated about a category of investments that end up becoming part of the vocabulary of average world : subprime mortgages . Subprime indicating that it was financing packages that combined assets of category "A" with other riskier , but remaining well disguised by the former. These corresponded risky roles , majority interests , mortgage notes to people who borrowed taking advantage of low interest rates in the first half of that decade.

The problem is that many of these new borrowers did not have as large a capacity payment, and given that house prices rose , it was also making the amount of debts. Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve began to raise interest rates to control inflation driven by higher consumption.

When it became apparent that there were threats beyond the so-called subprime assets, the fear spread , the value of homes plummeted and borrowers found that their mortgages were worth more than the homes they were paying .

Banks and insurance papers were full of subprime , and attempting to sell out , the market sank further . Investment bank Lehman Brothers could not escape the financial tsunami and announced its bankruptcy on September 15, 2008 , marking the sign of a worse collapse than developed countries still have not recovered.

hope

Today analysts look with greater confidence the rise in real estate assets. " The housing market recovery has been stronger than expected and giving a strong impetus to private domestic demand and economic growth ," said Jarkko Turunen , chief economist of the Western Hemisphere Department of the International Monetary Fund ( IMF).

"With the rise in property prices and the positive effects of public programs of housing finance , now there are fewer homeowners with negative mortgage assets (mortgages ' underwater ' or whose outstanding amount is greater than the value property ) or who are behind in payments, and decreased the number of foreclosures, " he explained.

There are fears , of course , as a rate hike or stop recovery optimism that both inflate a new bubble in the sector.

However, the data show an encouraging picture , with less tendency to foreclosure.

" The steady increase in housing prices is pushing all boats in this real estate market and should include the inventory of homes for sale in the coming months ," said RealtyTrac Vice President Daren Blomquist . RealtyTrac data shows that while 10.7 million owners are very stuck in their mortgages , 8.3 million could be in a position to sell favorably to 2015.

Thursday, March 27, 2014

The New York property market overheats

The developers of a triplex for sale for $ s 100 million, located in the luxury apartment tower 50 UN Plaza in New York, have their eyes on those attending the UN General Assembly in its search for potential buyers.

The companies responsible for the project , Zeckendorf Development and Global Holdings, which belongs to Eyal Ofer Israeli financier , hoping to attract the richest in the world that might be interested in owning a portion of the city skyline diplomats.

The Arthur and William Lie Zeckendorf brothers are building a 44-story tower . The project 50 UN Plaza , designed by Foster + Partners London studio , is one of the many wealthy Americans luxury residential developments that have emerged in New York City in the last two years in response to growing demand from foreign investors and seeking stable investments .

So intense is the demand for exclusive condominiums (defined as those whose value is within 10% of the most expensive apartments) that developers fail to build fast enough and the prices are starting to break previous records .

The Zeckendorf plan to build 88 apartments with prices starting from u $ s 2.5 million. The penthouse of nearly 1500 square meters occupied floor from 41 to 43 will be offered au $ s 100 million when the sale begins in mid-October . The property has 14 bedrooms and 13 bathrooms.

It was originally planned as a duplex, but the developers expanded due to increased demand for larger departments .

The record price for a Manhattan residence he got Sandy Weill , the chairman of Citibank, by his department in February 2012 . It paid u $ s 88 million.

It is believed that two penthouses of skyscrapers One57 could exceed this value when ready next year. And the tower units Extell Development are now valued at $ 90 million s . A group led by billionaire Bill Ackman , and would have bought one of these departments , according to people close to the transaction.

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

The U.S. housing sector

The real estate sector in the U.S. has been in the spotlight in recent years , first by the mortgage crisis and then by the support of the interventionist policies of the Federal Reserve , via bond purchases, which have led to artificially low rates .

This sector is particularly cyclical, having shock and similar to the evolution of the economy recessionary times. Although, if we briefly jump back in time, we see thanks to low interest rates in mid-2000 began a large residential boom, even in times when the economy went through the best of times , until the outbreak the mortgage crisis and the housing bubble burst .

This industry is divided into residential and commercial services, although some companies involved in both. Both the residential and commercial industry are highly fragmented . In fact, the 50 largest companies in residential buildings make up less than 30% of total industry revenue . Since the collapse of the housing bubble in the U.S. and a high unemployment rate under natural unemployment in the economy, the residential industry suffers the consequences of the past. The commercial segment of the industry was a little better than the residential market since the recession .

There has been talk of recovery in the sector given the rise in housing prices in the U.S. example is the evolution of the SP / Case- Shiller U.S. National Home Price Index rate since mid-2012, although it should be noted that continue a series of conditions negative as :

- The delinquency rate on single-family residential mortgages in the United States remains surprisingly high , ranking second quarter of this year at 9.41% .

- Lowering of consumer confidence indicators . The consumer sentiment from the University of Michigan has dropped to a level not seen since December 2011. (down to 72 in November from 73.2 in October)

- It has not been a widespread buying first homes , but the main buyers were institutional , representing one third of existing sales.

- The next reduction of stimulus by the Federal Reserve will raise rates as mortgages and are already pricing in the currency market will produce the appreciation of the dollar against its major crosses.

After these brief remarks about the conditions of the U.S. real estate industry , we have to analyze the companies that form part of the model EAFI Aspain 11 Financial Advisors portfolio for the Real Estate sector after scoring make America the Stoxx 600 .

Weyerhaeuser Co: is mainly engaged in lumbering and the manufacture , distribution and sale of forest products, real estate development and construction. Therefore, to be a wood products company is a convenient analyze data annually instead of quarterly as they have seasonal component. In October, the company announced third-quarter results exceeding expectations . Thus, sales increased 24 % , the profit up 105.62 % , EBITDA by 62 % and revenues by 99 % during the first 9 months of 2013 year on year .

AvalonBay Communities Inc. : dedicated operating apartment communities institutional quality in markets with high barriers to entry in the U.S.. AvalonBay Communities Inc. in October announced a net attributable loss for the third quarter of $ 10,715,000 . This represents a loss per share of 0.08 . The graph of the evolution of the portfolio we can see great value cut from the presentation of these results.

Riocan Real Estate Investment Trust : is a Canadian trust with a total capitalization of about 13.6 billion at September 30, 2013 . It owns and manages Canada's largest portfolio of shopping centers with ownership interests in a portfolio of 346 commercial properties corresponding to more than 83 million square meters, having properties in the U.S.. In mid-November Riocan announced the distribution of 11.75 cents per share for the month of November. The distribution will be payable on December 6, 2013 to unitholders of the trust .

Public Storage : a background composed and self-managed real estate investment that buys , develops, owns and operates mainly storage areas. In the results presented in November announced that they have increased revenues by 5.5% yoy to 441 million during the third quarter, while operating profit rose 7.2% to 316 million .

SL Green Realty Corp: On October 29 announced a public offering of secured 2,600,000 shares of its common stock , par value 0.01 per share. With this, the company intends to use the proceeds derived therefrom for general corporate purposes , including new investments and payment of outstanding debts.

In conclusion , the sector is subject to the evolution of the U.S. economy, where major constraints come from the hand of macroeconomic variables such as GDP, interest rates , unemployment and infrastructure spending by the State . Undoubtedly, more short-term major determinants or conditions come from the Federal Reserve, because if in the coming months adopts the decision on withdrawal of stimuli involved for the housing sector to the start of the rates artificially low mortgage .

Monday, March 24, 2014

Real estate project seeks to develop the City of Doral

In West Miami-Dade County , taken form a new sophisticated urban center with several towers of luxury condominiums, townhouses, apartments , office buildings , shops , restaurants, a charter school, a public park with a pavilion art and a center of government .

Downtown Doral, a development of 120 acres of Codina Partners, attempts to transform the labor -industrial world Doral a true residential city .

The goal, said Armando Codina , CEO of Codina Partners, is to create a community to " live, work , learn and play " where families can enjoy the fruits of urban life , while spending less for housing than they would in other enclaves of Miami -Dade .

" This is not a project, it is a city," Codina said, sitting in a conference room of a downtown sales center of Doral. The community, which extends between 70 and 87 Avenues Northwest , and from Northwest 54th Street to Trump National Doral Miami, will be created in stages , with the most complete parts in five years, he added .

Downtown Doral is the largest investment ever made by Codina Partners - over $ 1,000 million. It also marks the first project Codina has taken from the beginning to the end with her daughter , Ana -Marie Codina Barlick , 37, who on Saturday was appointed the chief executive of the company.

Codina, 67, a pioneer in South Florida best known for suburban office and industrial park developer , has reshaped much of Miami -Dade for decades. He risked almost 30 years ago in what today is Doral, when he built the Beacon Center . In 2006 , merged his former company, the Codina Group, Florida East Coast Industries, and sold the company in 2007 to Fortress Investment Group, based in New York.

Only left with an asset: the Downtown Doral property.

Jack McCabe, real estate consultant , Codina called " one of the best known and capitalized developers in Florida."

" Undoubtedly, this will be a great benefit to the Doral " McCabe , CEO of McCabe Research & Consulting in Deerfield Beach said.

Downtown Doral , which has been planned for several years, comes to fruition amid a flurry of new residential construction in South Florida. The recession and the recent collapse of the mortgage market are now distant memories simple , while property values ​​rise again - and developers are rushing to bring new projects to the market.

" Undoubtedly, in the last 18 months confidence builders and developers is extremely strong," McCabe said. " The developers expect the positive market conditions to continue for at least five to seven years , and have seen larger developments with thousands of new units - 175 new condo projects with more than 24,000 units in South Florida."

Most of these new projects are located east of I- 95, near the ocean or in downtown Miami. Only a handful have been announced in the suburbs, said Peter Zalewski, principal of Condo Vultures LLC, a real estate consultant .

The basic concept of Downtown Doral will have 2,840 luxury housing units - the vast majority , more than 2,100 condominium units spread over eight or nine towers, each 20 stories up . In addition, the project will have three buildings with 454 apartments to rent them , plus over 90 family houses.

" The Doral has never seen anything like this," Codina said. Residents will also have nearby facilities such as golf at Trump National Doral Miami.

Codina , who has shunned condominium projects in the past, brought to Oswaldo Betancourt in September as executive vice president for development and construction , to oversee the development of condominiums in Downtown Doral. Betancourt was previously vice president in the division of condos Related Group .

For the first and second towers, Codina Partners has hired renowned architects Charles Sieger Miami based and Jose Suarez, Sieger Suarez Architectural Partnership , which designed as luxurious Related projects like Apogee , Murano at Portofino and the Murano Grande in Miami Beach, and St. Regis Resort & Residences in Bal Harbour. The designer Adriana Hoyos creates luxurious interiors and are available fully finished floors , kitchens and bathrooms , to move in immediately.

The pre-construction sales for the first tower opened to the public earlier this month. Construction is scheduled to start in six months, and the building will be ready by the end of 2015.

The condos range from $ 200,000 for one bedroom lower , at $ 600,000 per unit with three bedrooms with a study , and $ 800,000 for a penthouse , Betancourt said. Luxury condominiums are expected to compete with towers in urban areas like Briskell Corridor , but at lower prices . A unit that costs $ 370 per square foot in Downtown Doral could cost between $ 550 and $ 600 per square foot in Brickell, added.

" If a developer is able to achieve more than $ 350 per square foot in Doral, cause a wildfire in the residential condominium in Doral ," Zalewski said.

The Doral, a suburban area / Industrial west of Miami International Airport , has become a center for Venezuelans and other Latin Americans. For those perspectival buyers, as well as other locations that Desen live close to work or family in Doral, affordability will be key , analysts said.

" The price level will be very important," McCabe said. "They will need to have price levels that are affordable for Floridians of the working and middle classes."

Undoubtedly, the volume of day laborers in Doral is huge - more than 150,000 according to the city, and rising. The Doral is home to major employers such as Univision , Carnival Cruise Lines, the Federal Reserve Bank of Miami, the U.S. Southern Command and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida and The Miami Herald. It is the number one warehouse / offices in the region , according to real estate analyst David Dabby , director of Dabby Group Advisors in Coral Gables market.

However, the city says it has a population of just 46,000 and the property is somewhat limited. While there are other planned or under construction residential projects, Codina Partners is by far the most ambitious .

Overall, the Doral area is dominated by single family homes and rental units old , " Zalewski said. " And most of what you see is the beginning of a niche construction condominiums and single-family units , to allow people to enter the market , because the economy is very strong there."

Other projects underway are two residential rental Related Group : Doral View Apartments, a project of 260 units of garden apartments with 14 three-story buildings , and CityPlace Apartments, adjacent to CityPlace Doral , which have more than 330,000 square feet retail sales .

With its central location , Dabby says he expects Downtown Doral " will fill the demand for its residential component ... People do not like to drive , they would be happy to live close to their offices ," he said . " Whenever you get the right price, it's a winner ."

So far , we have booked 42 condominium units in the first tower . The urbanizares are requiring a deposit of 20 percent at contract signing , 20 percent when you start to build , 10 percent when the closure is completed and 50 percent, Betancourt said. The condos are marketed both locally and in Latin America, including Venezuela , Brazil, Mexico and Argentina .

Ingrid Sanchez , a real estate agent in the Keyes Co. Doral, has so far sold 15 units condomino all Venezuelans , who were attracted to the project scope - entertainment, restaurants and schools - as well as price she said.

" It is a new product in Doral ," Sanchez said. "It's totally different from what we had seen before."

Friday, March 21, 2014

A paradise island for sale for $ 110 million

Notice to multimillionaires . Off Florida , Sotheby 's International Realty sells an island for a tidy sum .

( LaVieImmo.com ) - $ 110 million (€ 80 million) , this is what you need to buy Pumpkin Keys. An extraordinary 10.5 acre private island off the coast of Florida, just 10 minutes by helicopter from Miami Beach and as boat to the nearest shore house. At that price , you have the option of a quiet island without being away from everything.

A marina and a heliport privatized

The sale price includes a main house of 500m ², a marina , an apartment and two cottages for the guards. Tennis courts and a helipad are also available to prospective buyers .

Pumpkin Key includes 16 separate , but only two are built lots. The space can be redeveloped.

The future buyer will have access to Ocean Reef, a very select club for wealthy corner . The perfect sesame to access community amenities like a spa, salon , restaurants , shops , golf , tennis, art events , schools . The whole boat or helicopter , of course.

Friday, March 14, 2014

Florida: Properties new high

Florida's nickname is the " Sunshine State " . It is a state in the southeastern United States . Most of the state is a large peninsula with the Gulf of Mexico to the west and the Atlantic Ocean on the east. It has a warm and humid subtropical climate. Florida's economy relies heavily on tourism . It is a wonderful vacation spot for decades . It has beaches like Daytona Beach, where hundreds of retirees , sun worshipers , cyclists and nature lovers come daily . This is highly appreciated for its five-star experience .

The future of investment in Florida is bright as it continues to draw thousands of generations of baby boom, retirees and tourists . In fact the Florida real estate is exploding , and will continue to do so for more than 20 years . You will be surprised to know that the population of Florida is expected to grow from 35,000 people per month , for the next 30 years. People flock State regarded as a testimony to the fact that real estate is booming in Florida . So if you're a big real estate man , then invest your money in land and sit on it for years and one day you find yourself among billionaires . Investors should start to " land bank " . Always be optimistic and investment. Let me give you a classic example of Walt Disney who bought 30,000 acres of land in 1965 at a place called Orlando. At that time , the locals sold their land went laughing all the way to the Bank . And you know that Walt Disney won a lot from this agreement .

The reasons for investing in many territories . The first benefit that will occur if you keep your land us for some years is the increase in land value . Then you can build condos villas and hotels and then to sell . The reasons for making profits in real estate from the fact that Florida has 300 plus days of sunshine a year . 1200-1800 has miles of coastline . Of the 80 million retiring baby boomers, 42% plan for retirement in the southeast U.S. , with Florida is the number one destination. Furthermore there is no state income tax in Florida .

Come to the point of preconstruction homes , one of the biggest advantages of investing in Florida preconstruction properties such as condos, villas or hotels that are able to ensure preconstruction opportunity without having to invest a large fortune . In most cases , to reserve your preconstruction investment , you simply need to make a small investment of typically 5-20 % of the total cost of the property . So invest in preconstruction properties such as condos, villas or hotels is high productivity .

To conclude we can say that investors who want to reap the harvest with both hands need to invest a lot of money in the booming real estate market of Florida.

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Bal Harbour ends 2013 with numbers that reflect a steady growth

The tax revenue from tourism exceeded by 53 % the previous year. Not least information to this tiny town that also captures the look of those home buyers willing to pay the most expensive square meter state of Florida .

The real estate in Bal Harbour leading prices with other rival neighborhoods located south of Florida as Star Island and Indian Creek, says Oren Alexander , Real State Broker.

" Bal Harbour brings in a square mile than any other place I have: 5 diamond 5 star hotels , top restaurants , beautiful beaches, most luxurious shopping center in the state and a short distance from the busy , noisy but fascinating town of South Beach. Bal Harbour has a charm and mystique itself that seduces both the sophisticated tourist and you want to own your home in this place. "

The Bal Harbour Shops , finished the year surpassing sales 7.6% over the previous year , and during 2013 has welcomed The Webster Bal Harbour, Akris and Lalique , while existing stores such as Prada , Dolce & Gabanna Loro Piana and expanded its premises.

The Bal Harbour Shops , is internationally recognized for concentrating the elite fashion , by the exhibition of jewelry that are unique or limited nature and as the first to introduce the new premises of flagship brands like Chanel, Saint Laurent Paris and Lavin Paris . The Shops currently produce more than $ 2,800 per square foot, the most profitable globally .

The opening of the popular restaurant The Grill is scheduled for October this year. Have a local 594 m2 located on the second floor of the mall and will have addition to its wide interior room , tables outside of your local located on a terrace overlooking the entrance of the mall .

The Grill is in addition to a full range of restaurants and bars that now owns the mall . Carpaccio with Italian cuisine , Makoto famous for its modern Japanese cuisine and La Gouleu , the charming French bistro . They along with the bars are part of , much frequented by local and international groups visiting the city gastronomic circuit fashion Miami.

" The 2013 has been an incredible year for Bal Harbour Shops , we saw our sales grow by 7.2 % over the previous year and we encourage you to say it's been the best year since the existence of the mall . The multibrand stores Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue had strong growth with double digit numbers . Some of our restaurants saw their turnover by 35 % , "said Matthew Whitman Lazenby , President & CEO of Whitman Family Development , owners of Bal Harbour Shops.

"We believe that the growth of tourism in the area and search for the exclusive and quality is increasing and these are some of the reasons for the success of The Shops . International tourism has given a boost to the regional economy of Miami and this in turn , over the years, has become a destination that can offer the sophistication that the luxury traveler was not before . "

The numbers not only shine for Bal Harbour Shops , The St. Regis Bal Harbour, opened in February 2012, continues to lead the luxury market in terms of average rates , being the highest of the resorts, the five star , five diamond East Coast of the United States , offering guests the exceptional quality of service that defines the St. Regis brand in the world.

Its General Manager Marco Selva said : " The 2013 has been an incredible for The St Regis Bal Harbour Resort year, we have seen not only grow our business and our average fare but were honored with many industry awards . The most recent was the distinction Forbes Five -Award. We are proud and we see the future with enthusiasm , always thinking of new features and services that will surprise those who choose us for their holidays . "

" Success comes from the exclusive destination , the sophisticated experience offered by our hotels, our restaurants and shops ,'' said Carolyn Travis , Executive Director of Tourism Marketing Bal Harbour. " To which he recently joined her programs like Unscripted , public art program , movies on the beach , the new Museum Access program, which provides free admission to all guests of our hotels to museums and art galleries the area. It is a good time to be in Bal Harbour .''

Miami and Toronto, two cities linked by Latinos

From the top of a building on Miracle Mile in Coral Gables, is the undeniable influence of Spanish colonial architecture draws on this side of the city. At the corner of Ponce de Leon, is hard to see a Canadian flag waving shyly hung from one of the light poles and other flags of the Americas. Being American and living in Toronto , a city declared by the UN as the most multicultural world , achievement easily identify how advantageous it is for the north country open doors to the region from Miami.

In the previous edition , we begin to draw what would be the large canvas of the brand Miami. Undoubtedly one of the commonly perceived attributes of what this city is to be a gateway to the Latin world inside and outside the United States. In Toronto , defined by the first settlers as " meeting place" , begins to awaken one of the fastest growing minority groups in the professional segment ; Hispanics. Entrance door , meeting place , Latino professionals , growing segment , multiculturalism, these are elements that unite these two great brands. However, not so evident for Canadian corporations serving the Hispanic segment can achieve penetrate new markets in the United States and the region . These are some of the conditions that make Miami- Toronto regarding a tangible opportunity for entrepreneurs, investors and regional governments :


1. Proximity to key markets : Canadian companies burgeoning Ontario looking out mainly in two directions : 1) entering the market québécoise or Quebec province with a population of about 8 million people with drinking habits and language different from other country , or 2) an incremental consider when looking to enter the American market geographic expansion. Assessing the state of Florida, this has 18 million people where only the Miami -Dade County already has more than 2.5 million Latinos .


Two . Language and facilities: Upon entering the South Florida market can get eliminate two barriers to internationalization, 1) being the Spanish the second language used , the adjustments in terms of communication products and packaging are standardized for entry also Latin America , 2) Miami is a center or logistics hub that the scale of its infrastructure has allowed international companies prefer to settle there before entering Latin America and the Caribbean.


Three . Tourism and Pan American Games : For six months a year the flow of visitors from Canada can be seen in the large number of vehicles with plates of Ontario and Quebec , which represents a significant number of tourists who also invest in real estate. Latinos in Toronto are also part of this group of tourists who come fleeing the cold weather, and even before living in Canada and had to Miami and Orlando as favorite places to vacation. On the other hand , to mobilize the Hispanic - tourism to Canada which brings the possibility of serving a market segment more than 50 million people - the 2015 Pan American Games are the perfect opportunity for all actors involved in the chain of value of tourism sector in Ontario. Until now , the reality is that Latinos in Toronto have not been taken as a group to influence and impact to penetrate international markets , representing an even greater gain for people if they dare to bet on this segment.


To conclude , I leave part of the interview I conducted with Magda de la Torre , business communications , Cuban -American based in Canada , who has made possible the opening of Canada into the Americas:


"Miami and Toronto are two cities which I consider my Two Worlds for 30 years ! When I accepted the appointment of Dominican Republic to open its offices in tourism, business and airline in Toronto , Canada. Vine fascinated and honored to represent a country that was not mine. Because , as you know , I am a ' Miami -Cuban ' . Spanglish is my language, and really live in two worlds , the one we left and we live day to day. came for four years and I have not gone to all that were my roots for many years.


In 2006 , Canada became the country making Florida more business - tourism , business and investment , which inspired me to try to unite my two worlds . That year began a relationship between THCC (Toronto Hispanic Chamber of Commerce ) and CAMACOL (Latin Chamber of Commerce of U.S.) , which ended last year when President THCC in Toronto was part of meetings CAMACOL . Also that year I met two Canadians who live in Miami and have become key pieces for the opening of Canada and Miami in the international world , Ian McCluskey and John Price.

The growth of Latinos in Canada, especially in Toronto, is the main base and the reason why we, the Latinos, we trigger this movement , uniting our two worlds ! "

Monday, March 10, 2014

United States: the recovery of the real estate is launched

Stronger-than- expected new home sales inthe United States increase confirms the scenario of a gradual but steady recovery in the U.S. housing market after months of selling pressure .

Real estate in the USA: The stronger than expected new home sales in the United States increase confirms the scenario of a gradual but steady recovery in the U.S. housing market after months of pressure vendors , analysts at Natixis .

The Commerce Department said Thursday that sales of new single-family homes were up 2.3 % last month to 454,000 units, while economists had forecast sales of 425,000 units.

The median home price reached meanwhile a record level of U.S. $ 271,600 . Over one year , the increase amounted to 14.9%.

Insofar as the proportion of seized property is known to represent a declining share of assets placed on the market, new home sales should continue to grow at a steady pace.

Overall , given the overall signs indicating an improvement in supply and demand , the recovery of the real estate sector is clearly launched in the United States.

Institutional investors rush on goods still available on the market for bank foreclosures , which dries with the improving economy and the real estate market recovery in the U.S.

Investing in Florida Real Estate Orlando

The recovery of the U.S. real estate is felt to Europe , the U.S. growth engine restarts with a strong potential in the years to come. Knowing that prices have fallen 50 % or more since 2007, the potential gain is .

For 18 months, the market is recovering in Florida and especially Orlando and its region, with more than 20 % increase in the last 12 months in some areas. Institutional investors such as Berkshire Hathaway position on the singles market by increasing prices in areas such as Central Florida .

Investing in Florida Real Estate Orlando , is the assurance to place your money in real estate at better prices and generate a comfortable income while enjoying a tax on very light land revenue . Investing in our side , it is also placing your confidence in our team , specializing in the real estate market of Central Florida for over 17 years.

Villas on the lake, the sea or in a Golf Resort, our agency offers a selection of new goods but also classic resale, foreclosure or Short Sale. Enjoy the recovery of real estate to invest in new and guaranteed products or invest in products bank entry , which will be like new after complete renovation .

Orlando Real Estate is the main player in the Florida real estate center for Francophones, like many buyers , join our group and benefit from the best deals of the moment on Orlando and its region.

Saturday, March 8, 2014

9 Good Reasons to Invest in Miami, Florida in 2014

1 - Miami city in vogue , young, explosive , energizing , sparkling , cheerful, optimistic , beautiful as the day and night : the city has become " the place to be ." A city of a thousand and one nights futuristic and it is only the beginning. Stars and personalities from around the world all came at least once in Miami when they do not decide to buy a second home . The airport received in 2103 more than 40 million visitors. Expanding new areas of Miami mushrooming over the past 2 years. Many events and festivals succeed throughout the year making this city more attractive in terms of the entire planet . Miami is also one of the first and most Americans to have recovered from the crisis cities.

2 - A simplified ultra light and digestible taxation: in short you only pay 15% on capital gains , after 2 years, deducted all your expenses, including tickets, restaurants, hotel tickets. Compared to the tax burden in France heritage here paying taxes is not a confiscation.

3 - parity Euro / Dollar more than advantageous .

4 - flexibility in the rental terms . Incomparable with the regulations in France (as elsewhere in Spain ) , the rent laws to protect the owner usa . So who " leads the dance ." Basically leases are renewable annually and leases are made to ensure that the tenant has , roughly , one right , one to pay rent or vacate the premises.
In case of non -payment of rent the tenant will be out within a maximum of 45 days.

5 - Total investment security and title.

6 - A growing market and the good news is that prices have not yet reached those before the crisis. Despite a significant increase in prices in the most desirable areas , there is still room and plenty of bargains to be found not to mention excellent unrealized gains . But a tip: do not wait.

7 - No risk of reviving a collapse of the housing market : The influx of international investors (85% of buyers in Miami are foreign , so 5% of French only , have invested cash ) since the crisis. This has greatly consolidated and therefore secure the market.

8 - An exceptional location : crossroads of the Americas , Miami at the door of South America, is located just 8-9 hours flight from Paris .

9 - A subtropical climate and quality of life very envied . Idyllic beaches and as beautiful as the Bahamas known for their crystal clear waters sea . Nobody can either stress or boredom in Miami.

Friday, March 7, 2014

Two steps to double your income through real estate

▪ In what state of mind would you be if you were to add some EUR 10 000 to your future income without having saved a single penny ?

I published on 5 November 2012 an article in which I anticipated a drop in French real estate 63%. In such circumstances, how is it possible to make money in a bear real estate market?

What I will reveal you now ignored 90% of real estate investors beginners ... but it could help you to multiply your future income by two or more.

You'll see why in a moment ...

Step 1: find the right deal
A good deal is what? This is to purchase a property at a below market price. If you are new to this area, I suggest you focus on the small area studio type or two -bedroom city center over the age of 20 years. If the situation is excellent but the seller has difficulty finding a buyer, it certainly means that housing has one (or more ) drawback (s) in its design.

Most of the time , just improve some strategic points as an additional bulkhead, kitchen fittings , insulation, or paint to make a nest that your tenants will tear . And that an investment in work often representing less than 10 % of the original price.

Step 2: make your investment pay by a bank at a fixed rate over a long period with a very low intake
Forget the price of housing and work because it is not you who are funding but your banker. In addition , monthly payments will be paid by the tenant.

Real estate has the peculiarity of being :
- Cheap when access to credit is difficult,
- Expensive and when access to credit is easy !

Moral: 100 years ago that 95% of people say that it's never a good time to invest in real estate ... while 5% build fortunes in any economic situation.

In other words, when prices are low, " 5% " buy with a lot of cash , and when prices are high , they bought with little cash ... But ultimately, it is the same housing ... so ?

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Why France will STILL go bankrupt
Degradation by Moody's concerns on the side of Germany, unflattering portraits in the press ... the noose is tightening around our country : what will happen now - and especially how you prepare?

Everything is explained here ...

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The savvy investor should not commit the mistake of confusing the price of real estate value "credit" and value "income" . I will have the opportunity to explain it all in detail.

For example, if you invest in a studio you turn into a two-piece value "credit" of EUR 100 000 by adding a contribution of Euro 8000 , what could happen?

- Spending 550 euros / month ( monthly payments and taxes)
- Rent collected 600 euros
- Either 50 euros / month in your pocket.

In addition to being some of owning the entire property and rent at the end of the loan you cash in 7.5% of revenue over 8000 euros actually invested !

And if you want to sell your rental property? You do not sell a property but a rental return on the amount actually invested : contribution !

The day the property will affect the famous 63% reduction , access to credit is terrible and you pocket the cash to do other business ...

Gold fall and real estate in Spain too!

▪ Why stubbornly deny that behind a " negative growth " and consumption that beats the last six weeks wing profile lightning recovery of the U.S. economy that will propel us the Dow to 20,000 points and the CAC 5 000 40 ?

Of course, if all U.S. economic figures argued for a type scenario in January 2000 or July 2007, it would be too easy: 3.5% or 4 % growth, it shows. In this case , it must be creative .

We must imagine all the money poured by the Fed since last September ( wasted as GDP rose from 3 % to -0.1% in the interval ) suddenly reappear by mid - 2013 in the real estate ... which seems falter since November.

We are witnessing a technical reflux ( decrease in the NAHB index , falling 8.5% of housing starts in the United States in January ) of the same type before a tidal wave. The waves withdraw before the emergence of a bullish wave that will sweep our skepticism and our mockery .


Similarly, the small voltage in U.S. long rates (2.04 % over 10 years ) is a precursor to arbitration T -Bonds for shares ( the "Grande rotation). Do not see a fit of nervousness on prospects for debt reduction if the Republican majority in Congress again - as he regularly shows his intention - his guerrilla war against the White House.

▪ In Europe, too , not to worry !
In Europe, the suspense on the Italian elections is already in progress, as the default and the restructuring of the Cypriot debt (18 billion euros ) . And that would be paranoid enough to claim that such a scenario would plunge the Greek banking system , already in agony in new inextricable difficulties ?

We 've seen worse ( with 250 billion euros of restructuring ) , so nothing to worry about in the immediate future.

And since "Super Mario" ( Draghi ) has the magic weapon verb that solves crises, there is no need to worry about this release of the Portuguese Government revises -1% to -2 % in the amount of the anticipated recession in 2013 (after -3.2 % in 2012) .

We do not see how Spain could be affected while you a little more each day precisely the huge stakes and the potential cost measure - as a colossal losses for the country - the bursting of the housing bubble 2008.

The SAREB , the structure of Iberian defeasance (or bad bank on the French model of CDR) created at the request of the European authorities , has acquired to date as 60 billion euros of foreclosed or unsold goods : this is a stock about 90 000 dwellings.

It is only a drop in the light of 200,000 homes seized by banks and stock over a million unsold new homes. Note that the latter figure is an estimate of wills the end of 2012 ... but a figure of two million unoccupied flows emphatically past two years.

▪ In Spain, it's getting better and better
This is not the worst: the "official" decline in real estate of 35% from the peak of the bubble - this hedonistic estimation has so far limited provisions on unrealized losses for banks , otherwise they have already largely failed. However, the potential (often Anglo- Saxon " vulture funds " type) would require a discount ranging from 60 % to 80 % depending on the property proposed lots .

This may seem unfair for sellers but a considerable proportion of the goods concerned are unsellable ( not completed without running water or not related to any sanitation, open to all winds and already severely degraded by weather, looted or vandalized ... ) .

The SAREB - who had taken many assets at a discount of 50% - has already sold 13,000 units (15 % of its stock ) in January. Professionals fear a new blip on prices in 2013 if it forces the pace.

Stocks it holds is only the tip of the iceberg : they represent only 6% of the 1.2 million homes that banks hold in mortgage form or seized property.

This is not counting bank claims on hundreds of shopping centers on the outskirts of deserts ghost neighborhoods and millions of square meters of unoccupied office .

With this in mind , Mariano Rajoy has justifiably pleased yesterday before the Spanish Parliament, summarizing a formula the situation : "The sinking was avoided ."

With close to 7 % of GDP deficit in 2012 and 300 billion unrealized property losses , everyone to their own opinion on the matter.

We feel that it is especially the sense of reality which wrecked ... But this syndrome is not more severe south of the Pyrenees across the Atlantic , where every statistic - especially good and bad - gives rise to completely convoluted interpretations which it is clear that the crisis and the recession are behind us and counterfeit currency central banks will do wonders .

Iconic Russell 2000 indices like the Dow or the Transport struggle daily new records in New York. DT has also not failed to register a 20th consecutive points in 6021 opened yesterday.

▪ And the gold ?
One of the predictions of permabulls is coming true : meet the huge upside potential of equities this year and in 2014 , investors are selling their gold.
Here ounce which unscrews under $ 1,600 , and which seems more decisive in support of $ 1,585 (that is to say, the basis of the bearish channel medium term).

That said, the fall of the yellow gold had nothing to envy to that of the Black Gold: barrel flowed peak of 2.4% in the support of $ 95 to sink up to 93.8 $ .

But nothing in the world will not stay suggest that the general decline in raw materials resulting from the realization that the growth that we are promised are only in speeches intended to trap investors ... that is ie those that are pressed to buy shares now that they are back in full swing while insiders relieve themselves happily .

Monday, March 3, 2014

Investing in real estate in Miami, still great opportunities!

Miami, a sun destination? Yes, but not exclusively ... Since the 1980s, Miami is undoubtedly one of the preferred destinations for American and foreign tourists because of its mild climate and attractive beaches ... Tourists are however more only to be deceived: Foreign investors also flock now to take advantage of economic opportunities offered by Miami ... especially in real estate.

A MAJOR DEVELOPMENT PROJECT: MIAMI 2020
Investing in real estate in Miami, still great opportunities!
The dynamic Miami real estate is now supported since counts in total, more than 170 sites in the project development of the city, called "Miami 2020". Among these sites include not only projects of residential and tourist developments such as the Porsche Design Tower (luxury apartments in Sunny Isle in North Miami Beach), but also many commercial developments, like the Brickell CityCenter built Bouygues and estimated at $ 663 million or the redevelopment of the Miami Beach Convention Center, for $ 1.2 billion. Parallel port activity is booming, since Miami is now the first cruise port in the world in 2013, a number of passengers estimated at nearly 4 million. The commercial port of Miami is also very strong, and increasingly turned to South America.

The economic fabric of Miami thus denser, really, and growth is back in the city, in particular, and Florida in general, where the unemployment rate has declined from 9.1% to 7.6 % between November 2012 and November 2013. Miami is now a city that offers strong economic and not just tourist arguments. The establishment of new companies or new sports franchises, such as the Major League Soccer, are, moreover, great news for investors ... In fact, Miami now ranks among the largest global capitals and continues offer good prospects for capital gains for investors.

PRICES RISING ...
The Miami real estate market consists of several micro markets, where prices remain affordable for a French investor, whether for rental investment or second home. The rebound from the peak in 2006 is, however, undoubtedly began as prices have increased by 15.8% between October 2012 and October 2013 ...
Evolution of prices in Miami - Source: S & P Case Shiller - Miami - January 2000 - October 2013
Evolution of prices in Miami - Source: S & P Case Shiller - Miami - January 2000 - October 2013

OPPORTUNITIES BUT STILL ...
Nevertheless, it is still possible to find attractive products, including apartments, priced between € 1,700 and € 3,500 per m2. A Miami Beach but also in the districts of North Miami Beach, Aventura, or more south of the city, Coconot Grove.

For investors wishing to higher end products, prices are naturally higher, but there also, they are interesting in light of French and Paris prices. 120m2 triplex in the heart of Miami Beach is for example on sale today for € 496,000, or 4130 euros / m2.

Miami recall that, as in all large cities, the location is essential, both for yearly rentals for seasonal rentals. New programs, often very well located, are, in this respect, solid opportunities.

Friday, February 28, 2014

Real Estate News Florida

First, Pierrette Arcand and Jean Feuillet, wish to thank all those who came to meet us during our presentations on real estate in Florida and Saint-Sauveur Quebec. With over sixty people at each session, we discussed the current market and buying opportunities, taxes ( a favorite topic) , and the different types of possible purchase today. It was a success again .

For those who could not come to see us, we will provide on YouTube and on this blog in the weeks following videos on the topics we talked about .

New rules to connect with FPL

FPL , Florida Power and Light provides electricity service in Florida and has over 4.6 million subscribers. Throughout the south of Florida , that is to say, the key metropolitan areas of Fort Lauderdale , West Palm Beach, Miami and surrounding areas , as well as Keys, is part of FPL power grid . This week , FPL has decided to change the rules of service. A summary of these changes:


The accommodation : We call first

The new residents can register online at http://FPL.com/startservice or by calling (800 ) 226-3545 .
For connections on the same day , contact FPL before 14 hours ( 2:00 PM ) .
No need to be at home to connect the service, but it takes a few basic security preparations :
Close all circuits on panel
Turn off household electrical and electronic systems
Remove anything that might be on the stove or in the oven.
the move

FPL disconnects the electrical service in a day when the resident called to close his account.
Before closing electricity, fridge should be disconnected with the door open to prevent mold and odors.
The rate of crime in Miami: 14 safe places

The firm Esri , a provider of geographic data, compiled the crime rate in the region of Miami- Dade from the list of postal codes. It appears that the Miami-Dade County has the highest rate of all crime is south Florida .

The link below compiles 79 postcodes Miami with their index crime rate . This index ranges from 29 to 515 .

The methodology of this analysis establishes an index of "100" as the average , which means a place with less than 100 index is a safer place with more than 100 index.

As you read there are 14 postal codes with a total index of less than 100 crime in Miami -Dade . No comments on the crime rate in Miami !

The results of these compilations for the Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach are available on this link and several other statistics reported by the company Esri.

New condominium complex in Hollywood

The construction of new real estate properties in Florida is distributed . This new 15-storey complex will be located in downtown Hollywood at 2165 Van Buren Street . The first shovels of this project of $ 50 million began there a few weeks. And already there are reports that more than 60 units are sold .

The models for these condominiums measure 594 square feet ( 55 square meters) to 1,579 square feet ( 146 square meters) for a unit of 3 bedrooms. Prices range from $ 190,000 to $ 380,000 . This resort accepts pets and has a swimming pool , a recreation center with gym and a conference room.

More and sketches of buildings here on the Sun- Sentinel. If you are interested , we will be happy to provide more information on this project.

The importance of reading ( and understanding ) the Declarations of Condominiums

When you buy a condominium , it is known that in general, the co- owner is responsible for what he sees in the apartment, and that the union of co- owners, the Association is responsible for what is inside the walls of the condominium.

Thus, plumbing pipes , sewers, electrical conduits , etc. . which are within the walls would be the responsibility of the Association. What about pipes and conduits of a co- owner air conditioner.

"Help Me Howard" , a program of surveys and television station WSVN legal solutions , has released this week a program in which the co- owner was fighting ( figuratively ) against the Association did not want to pay $ 1.900 for replacement led his air conditioning unit that was broken inside the walls.

Howard Finkelstein, public defense attorney in Broward County ( Fort Lauderdale) , after consultation documents of the Declaration of Condominiums , discovered hidden on page 20 of this brick of 150 pages , the Association was responsible for all common ducts which are shared by all co- owners, such as water , sewer, etc. .

The air conditioner is meanwhile regarded as belonging to a single co- owner and ducts and pipes are not shared between the co- owners. So for this condominium complex , each co- owner is responsible for conduits within the walls of the air conditioner that cools their homes .

Which proves that he must be well informed before taking an action that could cost unnecessarily expensive . Video of the show is here on the site WSVN .

That's all for today. Thank you for reading and commenting on this article. Also click on the button "I like this " , it is always a pleasure .

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Real Estate: now or never to invest in Florida

"The prices are very affordable at this time in the condo and town home to Québec investors ," says the vice president of business development for RBC Bank in Fort Lauderdale, Alain Forget.

The strong Canadian dollar and weak combined with an extensive inventory of condos and townhouses interest rates currently play for Canadian investors in our southern neighbors.

Prices vary according to the tastes and financial means for investors. "Let's say it can vary between $ 60,000 and $ 2,000,000 . This is according to the will of the people. But prices are still between 35-40 % cheaper than those observed during the housing bubble of 2006 and 2007 , "says Forget.

For example, Wednesday could reach into the area of ​​Lauderhill ( Broward ) on an existing two-bedroom condo with an area of ​​1,267 square feet overlooking a golf course and access to a swimming pool for less than U.S. $ 74 000 .

In the area of ​​Boynton Beach ( Palm Beach), an existing building of 1,377 square feet with two bedrooms and two bathrooms was on sale for less than $ 160,000 U.S. .

Active Market

It must be said that in recent years the real estate market in Florida is consolidating , while very large developers are back in force .

Canadian investors are most active in Florida, while new players have emerged , including the Russians and Brazilians.

Price stability

Price stability observed since two years also helped boost investment in major real estate companies associated with strong fund U.S. and foreign pension in South Florida .

Here we see how real estate projects ( condo towers ) then unthinkable there are still 18 months in the market.

This is particularly the case in Sunny Isles, in the north of Miami, where developers offer a Porsche car to any purchaser of a new condominium in a 57-story tower located on the seafront A robotic elevator allows Moreover park up to four cars directly to the floor of his condominium at prices ranging between 3 and U.S. $ 9 million.

Data compiled by the Florida Realtors reported a median sale price of U.S. $ 129,000 ( up 23 % year on year ) in the second quarter of 2013 in the market for condos and townhouses for counties Palm Beach, Broward and Miami- Dade .

Cash

Over 13,605 real estate sales in the second quarter in these counties , 10,603 were by cash transactions . Vendors say and have obtained an average of 95 % of original price displayed.

At the end of June , there were 19,112 and condominiums and townhomes available in the market in the counties of Palm Beach , Broward and Miami- Dade, down 14 % compared to the same period last year (22 175 units).

Homework Before Buying

The steps leading to the acquisition of a property in Florida are not the same as those in Quebec. Some direct and indirect costs can easily make up the bill . " In Florida, the cash is king ," says Alain Forget RBC Bank , which advises future owners to be prequalified before taking action . Having in hand the amount of money to buy a house , then a prospective buyer becomes very attractive to a seller. No wonder the majority of transactions take place in cash in the counties of Palm Beach, Broward and Miami- Dade .

There is also a tax on every mortgage contracted in Florida. Some buyers prefer therefore mortgage their home in Quebec to finance their purchase in the United States . For example, getting a mortgage in Florida can take up to 45 days ( this is the norm ) , while in Quebec , this time is about a week , said the vice president of consumer services, area Quebec, the Royal Bank, André Labbé.

Other legal and financial aspects should also be taken into account, including inheritance Canadian side where the heirs of a person who has a home in Florida may have to pay hefty fees when you sell . Anyway , Mr. Labbé recommends prospective homebuyers in Florida sit with their financial advisor to carefully study the tax laws related to this type of investment .