March 19, 2024

International Business

Stronger International Markets Buoying Florida

Still, challenges remain.

Mike Vogel | 11/1/2009

Foreign buyers and investors in Florida real estate have had as rough a time as the homegrown variety in the past three years. For proof, witness Miami’s Everglades on the Bay, an 849-unit condo project built by Mexico’s prominent Cababie family that’s in bankruptcy court. But anecdotal evidence indicates foreign interest may be strengthening.

Roy Barquet
Foreign nationals, says Foley & Lardner partner Roy Barquet, still want to buy real estate in Florida. [Photo: Daniel Portnoy]

Florida has led the nation for years in purchases of homes by foreign buyers — one in four of the national total. According to a July survey by the National Association of Realtors of its members, foreign buyers accounted for 32% of home sales in Florida in the prior 12 months, up from 29% in 2008.

Credit opportunism. One in five of the members surveyed said the recession boosted buyer interest. A weak dollar makes already discounted real estate even more of a bargain. Cold cash helps too. Nationally, 93% of home buyers take out a mortgage. Foreign buyers, in contrast, used a mortgage only 32% of the time in Florida, according to the association survey. That’s in sharp contrast to the survey in 2007, when 62% borrowed to buy. Savvy foreign buyers use their ability to pay cash as a negotiating tool, says Roy Barquet, a partner at Foley & Lardner in Miami and chair of its immigration practice. They tell developers in Miami’s overbuilt condo market, "I don’t need a mortgage. I don’t need to prequalify. I don’t need to talk to your Freddie Mac person. I’m ready to wire the money right now."

Foreign Buyers of U.S. Real Estate
Top States’ Share of Foreign Buyers ?
Florida
23%
California
13
Texas
11
Arizona
7
Florida’s Share of Foreign Buyers
?
United Kingdom
47%
Latin America
45
Europe
33
International Buyers in Florida by Region
?
Canada
26%
Latin America
23
Western Europe (excluding U.K.)
22
United Kingdom
16
Eastern Europe
5
Market Share of Foreign Buyers in Florida
?
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-
Miami Beach
27%
Bradenton- Sarasota-Venice 11
Orlando-Kissimmee
11
Tampa-St. Petersburg- Clearwater
8
Cape Coral-Fort Myers
5
Naples-Marco Island
5
All other areas in Florida 32
Source: National Association of Realtors
Latin America, whose recession has been less severe, is providing relatively more buyers in Florida this year. The association survey sees a higher relative percentage of foreign buyers from Latin America and that’s translated into more demand for southeast Florida property than the rest of the state among foreign buyers.

In southeast Florida, Argentina displaced the United Kingdom in the top three countries of origin for buyers while Mexico displaced Ireland in Orlando. The percentage of buyers from Latin America increased in Miami, Orlando, Bradenton-Sarasota and Tampa Bay.

Foreign buyers are even making a dent in Miami’s condo inventory. Barquet points to recent news reports about several Brickell condo buildings selling out or nearly selling out as primarily foreign nationals paying cash snatch up units on the heels of drastic price cuts by developers.

There’s good news for a real estate industry increasingly dependent on foreign demand. Barquet, whose immigration clients are at the high end in terms of wealth, education and investment potential, reports no drop in interest in living in the United States and its desirability as place of refuge economically, socially and politically.

Tags: Banking & Finance

Florida Business News

Florida News Releases

Florida Trend Video Pick

Incoming income tax instructor indicated
Incoming income tax instructor indicated

Affordable housing remains an issue; Income tax guidance on its way; What's in the 2024 budget; A mysterious threat to endangered sea life; Bass Pro Shops founder's "Florida Dream"

 

Video Picks | Viewpoints@FloridaTrend

Ballot Box

Should Congress ban the popular social media app TikTok in the U.S.?

  • Yes
  • No
  • Need more details
  • What is TikTok?
  • Other (Comment below)

See Results

Florida Trend Media Company
490 1st Ave S
St Petersburg, FL 33701
727.821.5800

© Copyright 2024 Trend Magazines Inc. All rights reserved.