Cross Border Pro

Cross Border Title Insurance and Escrow

Real estate investors in North America can purchase real estate with confidence knowing that title to the property they buy is generally clear and insured.  In the U.S. there is title insurance provided by private insurers.  In Canada title is guaranteed by the provincial governments through a land registry system.  As North American real estate investors move into international developments the need for title insurance becomes even more apparent.  Resort development in Mexico, South America, and the Caribbean by both U.S. and Canadian developers is picking up.  As a result third party insurers and escrow closing agents such as LandAmerica are seeing increased demand for their international services.  When purchasing in foreign countries investors need the confidence that the property they are buying has a clean title and that the closing is handled effeciently and according to the laws of the local market. U.S. based title insurers are also seeing an increase in demand for their services from foreign developers/investors that develop in countries foreign to them.

Florida Homes Have International Appeal, Says Florida Association of Realtors'(R) Study

  “International buyers are major players in the Florida residential real estate market, accounting for 15 percent of total home sales, according to a new joint study conducted for the Florida Association of Realtors® (FAR) by the National Association of Realtors (NAR). For a long time, anecdotal evidence from Realtors® has suggested that international buyers play a sizable role in Florida home sales, but this study marks the first attempt to quantify the trend….Altogether, the Realtors surveyed closed 1,844 home sale transactions to non-U.S. buyers.

* Florida's international homebuyers came from more than 100 countries in all areas of the world, but Europeans bought the majority of Florida homes -- 58 percent -- with more than half those European buyers from a single country, the United Kingdom.

* The United Kingdom alone accounted for one third of all international home purchases.

* One third of international buyers were from South America, Central America and the Caribbean.

* Over one third -- 36 percent -- of international buyers paid cash for their home compared to only 10 percent of all Florida homebuyers.

* For foreign buyers, an almost equal share purchased their Florida homes to use as a vacation home (38 percent) or as an investment (37 percent). Only 17 percent purchased a home to live in while traveling to the U.S. on business.”

via:  Yahoo Finance

I think most people would be surprised if they knew the number of international real estate transactions that occurred in their own community.  Of course, Florida has more than its far share of international buyers simply because of the climate.  In Bellingham Washington there is an often heard quote that “taken as a whole, Canadian companies are the largest employer in Whatcom County.”  Many of the business people and economic development people are aware of this, but your average citizen has no idea.  Most residents in Bellingham go about their day-to-day activity never realizing that several of the stores and businesses they patronized were actually Canadian owned and operated.

Cross Border Properties

Real Estate Gone Wild

  “Property, like politics, used to be local. After all, what demands more on-the-ground knowledge than buying a home? But over the last few years real estate has gone global. Already, there's a good chance you or someone you know owns a second home abroad. You may even unwittingly own a stake in a Guangzhou office block, via your pension fund.”

via: Newsweek International Edition

With the internet and other improvements in communication technology, direct investment in international real estate is becoming more feasible.  It is no longer necessary to restrict real estate investments to your local market.  Through international real estate funds, indirect real estate investment can be achieved.  This can also be a way to diversify your holdings, especially if you are heavily invested in real estate in your local or even national market.

Cross Border Properties

The Certified International Property Specialist Network

The Certified International Property Specialist Network (CIPS Network) is the specialty membership group for international practitioners of the National Association of REALTORS®, the world's largest trade association. The CIPS Network is comprised of 1,500 real estate professionals who deal in all types of real estate, but with one common element: they are focused specifically on the "international" market. Whether traveling abroad to put deals together, assisting foreign investors, helping local buyers invest abroad, or serving an immigrant niche in local markets, CIPS members are consumers' best resource to ensure they are dealing with a professional skilled in the unique aspects of international real estate.

learn more here...

Cross Border Properties

The International Consortium of Real Estate Associations

  The International Consortium of Real Estate Associations (ICREA) is a global alliance whose members are leading national real estate organizations in the world's major markets. ICREA provides significant benefits to members of these national organizations who are engaged in the global marketplace--primarily by assisting them in efficiently and profitably facilitating transnational business. ICREA also assists buyers and sellers in locating properties outside their country and in locating a real estate professional who abides by a code of ethics and can best meet their individual needs.

learn more here...

Cross Border Properties

International Real Estate Federation

   In its 52 years of existence FIABCI the International Real Estate Federation, has built an enviable reputation as the authentic voice of international real estate. Multi-disciplinary and truly international it has no political axe to grind and represents the interests of no one country. Because of this and its concern with generating business opportunities for its worldwide membership, its opinions are sought by international bodies like the UN and regional bodies like the EU, NAFTA and MERCOSUR.

learn more here...

Cross Border Properties