Foreign buyers flock to Florida

I have dealt with many foreign buyers and sellers in my years in real estate. One of my last closings was for a Canadian buyer and I currently have a Scottish seller who is about to become a buyer and next week I have some French buyers coming to town.

Now comes the proof that Florida is the destination of choice when foreigners want to buy property.

According to a survey by the National Association of Realtors, Canadians, aided by a strong Canadian dollar, were the No. 1 group of international buyers, accounting for nearly a quarter of all foreign buyers in the year ended May 2008. That was nearly twice the share the Canadians represented a year earlier.

Florida was the choice for 33 percent of all Canadian purchases in the United States.

Mexicans, who were the No. 1 group of international buyers last year, dropped to third place, behind the British and Canadians. Forty-two percent of all British buyers chose Florida.

Rounding out the top six were: China, India, and Germany. Buyers from China favored California, which captured 25 percent of their U.S. purchases, but Florida was No. 2 with 11 percent. Fifty-four percent of German buyers picked the Sunshine State.

And there are many financial obstacles in the way of foreign buyers right now so if you are British or European or Canadian and you are looking to buy in Central Florida, then you need an expert on your side.

This is particularly true if you are looking for Windermere real estate, Dr Phillips real estate or homes for sale near Disney.

I am that expert - and not only that, I am the recipient of the Five Star Best in Client Satisfaction Real Estate Agent for 2008. Give me a call on 407 876 8200.

Picture courtesy of the University of Texas.

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(Copyright © 2008 By Simon L Conway All Rights Reserved.)

Please give me a call if you have questions about the Central Florida real estate market. You can reach me on 407 876 8200. Also visit my web site at www.simonconway.net or www.move2orlando.net