Jan. 27 Networking Breakfast Recap
What a great way to kickoff the first 2012 Global Business Council meeting! A New Year feel was present with noise makers and full room of wonderful people. It was apparent from the networking that continued after the meeting that many were just warming up in the first thirty minutes. There were many that needed to catch up from the holidays and new faces that intrigued past members.
We proceeded with a kind thank you to Joe Hancock and Margaret Miele of BBVA Compass for breakfast. It was wonderful to appease our appetites and learn how their products are on the cutting edge for foreign nationals. Commercial and residential programs are available. When buying abroad, check with Jack and Margaret to see what is available.
Our speaker, Zola Szerencses, jumped into his presentation by captivating with wit and charm after introduction by Missi Howell. It was quite an engaging meeting due to interaction from those in attendance. It was also great to have Missi key in on certain points to allow more in-depth conversation. I believe Zola would have easily gone another hour without time constraints. To try and touch on all items covered, here is a bulleted list:
~ Make strides to develop relationships with your peers in global countries
~ Educate each other on the differences in the process
~ Choose a country to focus on or demographic that is moving to northeast Florida
~ Language is not a barrier once you have relationships, relationships, relationships.
~ Optimism
o USA is destination of choice (branding is tremendous)
o 2012 USA housing market is staged for success (30% of foreign home purchases occur in Florida)
~ Global property owners are good for economy
~ Canadians are largest percentage of foreign buyers
o 171K USA versus 365K Canada median home price
o 9 out of 10 buy with cash
~ Items to research: H.R. 3341, Silver Visa, Visit USA Act (EU Countries), FIRPTA
To close, we all have a lot to learn and it is wonderful we have a council to keep it fresh and continue to educate. Remember to create a business plan, FOLLOW YOUR BUSINESS PLAN, and incorporate international real estate into your business plan. Mick Dolan, First American Home Warranty Corp.
About International Business And NEFAR's Global Business Council
NEFAR members know that northeast Florida is a great place to live and work - and the rest of the world is beginning to pick up on how great our slice of the world is also! From an international port, to major league sporting events, to a thriving military presence, northeast Florida is gaining in popularity not only across the nation, but around the world.With globalization having such a powerful impact on real estate markets, NEFAR's Global Business Council was created to support NEFAR members' goals for obtaining business and completing transactions that have an international basis.
Global Business Council Mission ...
To enhance the professionalism of Realtors involved in international transactions by providing education, information and networking resources. Key objectives are to:
- Educate Realtors and the northeast Florida business community on the who, why and where of the international real estate customer.
- Promote the benefits of the Certified International Property Specialist designation.
- Collect, organize and distribute information to NEFAR members and other groups or organizations about international real estate.
Contact The Global Business Council
Chairwoman: Missi Howell / (904) 716-1713 / missihowell@missihowell.com
Membership in NEFAR's Global Business Council is $25 annually.
Links
National Association of Realtors International News
http://www.realtor.org/global
Florida Realtors International News and Events
http://www.realtor.org/cipshome.nsf/pages/news?OpenDocument
U.S. Census Bureau
http://www.census.gov
Online Conversion
http://www.onlineconversion.com
Moneycorp Commercial Foreign Exchange
http://www.moneycorp.com/usa
