November 13, 2007
Living and Working in Florida
Despite the hurricane season, the sunshine state of Florida continues to allure thousands of British travellers every year. Most of non-resident owners of property in Florida stay there between three weeks and one month. They may even spend up to half a year in the state which is the maximum period a foreigner is allowed to stay on a B-2 visa. To get this visa, an interview with a consular officer is required. The officer must be convinced that your trip is only temporary and that your permanent residency is outside of the US. However, it is the US Immigration Inspector, who examines your passport and visa upon arrival in the US, that will determine the date you must leave the country.
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Posted on: Florida
November 10, 2007
Living and Working in Florida: The Floridian Lifestyle
You will have to adjust to the Floridian way of life if you are considering to stay in Florida for at least a few months. It is not enough to know that it is going to be warm and sunny and that most likely there will either be beaches or theme parks near to your property. According to Peter Stanhop of Florida Brits Realty “The greatest obstacles will be getting used to driving on the wrong side of the road, handling the curious names and words for certain things and telling a US$1 bill from a US$10 one – they look identical. It’s only when you start to spend longer periods over there that you feel the need for acclimatisation”. He further says “This can be something of a chore and a challenge.
Posted on: Florida
November 2, 2007
Buying property in Florida continues to thrill: Caution advised
The Florida Consultancy advises homebuyers that there are other considerations to think of aside from adequate insurance. Although Florida’s real estate market is established, investors must be warned that there are still possible pitfalls in several areas like renting restrictions. According to Andrew Batty of The Florida Consultancy, outside the south-west Orlando vacation rental area, buyers must be aware of the restrictions on renting that may affect the property. “These may be through zoning but often they are through community deed restrictions. Very few communities allow vacation rentals, although most allow long-term rentals for winter residents,” shares Batty.
Posted on: Florida
November 1, 2007
Property in Florida looking to a bright future?
The past year has seen the property market in Florida take a bit of a slow turn as much of this is due to an oversupply in housing.
Nonetheless, tourism is Florida’s number one industry with visitors to the state showing no sign of abating. Property in Florida could still be considered a sensible investment,if not necessarily in the short-term.
Kim Williams from Special Dreams property management says that there is currently a lot speculation about the longevity of the housing market as a good investment. Williams adds that there are so many homes being built. She thinks that there is still a good opportunity for investment if one is in it for the long haul.
Posted on: Florida
October 27, 2007
The regions and areas of Florida uncovered
Whether you’re searching for a holiday home, permanent residence or investment property, the Sunshine State is the perfect place with its friendly sun and beautiful beaches.
For this reason, Florida property prices have risen significantly in the last few years. According to the Florida Association of Realtors, between July 2004 and July 2005, the rates increased by 33 per cent. However, inspite of the increase, many are still seeing Florida as a place for a sound property investment. If you wish to invest, here’s a quick tour of the Sunshine State.
North West Florida
Some of America’s best beaches nestle along this region’s coastline. Unfortunately, some have been ruined by extreme modernization and commercialization. The Tallahassee regional airport can be accessed from any of Florida’s airports run by UK. The main towns in Nort West Florida are Pensacola and Tallahassee. The later is Florida’s state capital and is the north-west’s largest habitable city.
North East Florida
This coastline borders the Atlantic. It is lined by golden beaches and miles of peninsulas flanked by barrier islands. Jacksonville airport is not very well served by flights from UK, but can be reached by air from inside Florida. North East Florida is dominated by the state’s largest city, Jacksonville. Ponte Vedra is one of the many exclusive communities in the region.
Posted on: Florida
October 25, 2007
US Visa scams & Florida Brits on TV
US Visa scams & Florida Brits on TV
A recent television documentary featured US Visa scams where majority of the victims were Brits. One of Britain’s most popular documentary TV programmes ‘Tonight with Trevor McDonald’ bought into question the immigration policy where Brits who had bought property in Florida and invested in the region were not guaranteed the right to live in the United States. The documentary showed a couple who ran a company with American citizens as employees and had settled into Florida life but lived in uncertainty every two years about their status in America.
Mick Leggett, a city businessman, is awaiting trial in the US over an alleged visa scam. According to the show, he is one of those who tried to con Brits out of their money. One case showed John Sewell paying a company Royal Development $120,000 in May of 2004 after selling his property to invest in the venture which he was told would guarantee his Visa. The 50-year-old investor has yet to see returns on his money or the promised visa and has since been embroiled in a legal battle with Mr Leggett. According to the documentary, Sewell is extremely pleased that Leggett is being investigated. “I want to see Mick Leggett go down for a very long time because he has totally destroyed my family,” claims Sewell.
Posted on: Florida
October 16, 2007
Fractional ownership in FloridaFractional ownership in Florida
The Florida property market is presently contemplating on the idea of fractional ownership.
Florida property has been a recent topic of hot debate due to a slump in the market. “Anything you purchase you have to look on as a long term investment, not a quick turnaround. If you are happy to wait three to five years then you will see capital appreciation of about 5 to 6 per cent per year,” opines Suzanne Morrill from World of Florida.
Posted on: Florida
October 13, 2007
Bush Strengthens Floridian Property Rights
Florida governor Jeb Bush has ratified a law strengthening the rights of private Florida property owners in the state against possible action on the part of local authorities. Bill HB 1567 - passed into law - puts strict limits on the right of local governments to acquire private property through ‘eminent domain’ (compulsory purchase). From now on, authorities using eminent domain to seize homes or land must offer to sell the property back to the previous owner as soon as it is no longer required by the authority itself. If the previous owner does not wish to buy back the property, the authority must wait ten years before it is allowed to sell it, and then the sale must follow a competitive bidding process.
Posted on: Florida
October 11, 2007
Winter break in the Florida sunshine: Winter warmer
More and more people are flocking to the Sunshine State during the cold unbearable seasons of the UK. “My wife Jean and I have spent five winters in Orlando, Florida, so far,” shares Peter Stanhope from York. “The time we tend to spend in the state varies from three to five months, either in one stretch or split into two visits with a return to York to spend Christmas and New Year with our family and friends. We usually go out in early November and stay right through to the end of March, just before the Easter rush, returning to York in the spring with a beautiful yellow carpet of daffodils blooming on our ancient city walls to welcome us back.” Stanhope believes that winter is the best time to visit Florida “as there is none of the humidity or the bugs that you get in the summer, and no hurricanes either!”
Posted on: Florida
October 9, 2007
Where to buy an overseas property for leisure: Florida
According to David Fuller of World of Property, many work to invest on homes abroad so that they can have a place to escape and distress when the everyday demands of life becomes too much to bear. For this reason, many choose to make the most of their well deserved vacation time. Fuller suggests to buy a home in a resort purposely designed to cater to a leisurely lifestyle. Citrus Hills in Florida is one such place. A relaxing round of gold in the morning, a soothing afternoon at the spa and an interesting evening at the movies at the Citrus Hills will guarantee to wash your worries away.
Posted on: Florida
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- Living and Working in Florida
- Living and Working in Florida: The Floridian Lifestyle
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