Philippine Real Estate Investment and Retirement

The Philippines offers affordable real estate investments and retirement opportunities in a tropical climate

2009-11-02 14:34:19

For many British, Australians and Americans, retirement time is just around the corner. At home, with low interest rates and high cost of living, the prospect of trying to live on a pension, in old age, is a daunting one unless you are prepared to substantially downscale your lifestyle. For some, moving to retire in another country is an option which has been successful in the past with Spain, Portugal, Mexico and Puerto Rico being among some of the more popular destinations. But why not consider retiring in the Philippines?

Over the past decade, the Philippines has become a retirement haven for thousands of foreigners, particularly the Japanese, Korean, and Northern Europeans. Along with Thailand and Malaysia, the Philippines developed communications, infrastructure, and service delivery systems specifically geared to meet the needs of foreign retirees. Better yet, unlike most European Countries and South America, nearly everyone speaks English in the Philippines.

Read more

The Next Middle Class

In this article, published in NAR’s quarterly magazine, Global Perspectives in Real Estate, Economist Lawrence Yun explains how the rise of international trade leads home purchases inside and outside the United States. Enjoy. . .

http://www.realtor.org/IntUpdt.nsf/Pages/TheNextMiddleClass

Americans Tame Their Wanderlust

U.S. Housing Market Still Attractive to Foreign Buyers

NAR has just released its 2009 International Home Buying Activity report. While the report shows a further decline in home sales to foreign buyers from the 2008 and 2007 studies, the percentage of decline has narrowed. According to the study, 23% of REALTORS® served international clients in 2008/2009, compared to 26% reported in the 2008 study and 32% reported in 2007. The decline mirrors the overall decline in the existing home sales market, which decreased 39% between September 2005 and January 2009. There is confidence that once the global economic market conditions improve, the rate of home purchases by foreign investors and buyers will increase as well. The reports offers detailed information on sources of in-bound buyers and buyers’ location and property type preferences. New with the 2009 study is data on commercial purchases and also information on barriers to successful transactions by foreign buyers of U.S. property. Download the full report.

CBS Evening Newscast: Retirees from Abroad

Here is a newscast about “Retirees from Abroad” who are interested in spending their years and money in the USA. ~ jmiller

 To view the entire newsclip click here!

North American Markets: CBS Evening News

07/12/2009: 06:00 PM – 06:30 PM

00:20:12 TZ; Retirees from Abroad: A new visa would allow retirees from other countries to live out their lives in the states. V; Michael Smith, big house, pool. Michael Smith, a British retiree, had to start a business in order to retire in the US. V; Floors and Blinds van. I; Michael Smith, British retiree, said he just wants to go out, spend money, and tour the country. I; Smith said what is the logic, he is bringing money in, paying property taxes, and paying sales tax. I; Tony Macalusso, lobbying for silver card, said when you look at the people we bring in for political asylum as well as the tired and poor, we’ve done that well, but these people are not in that category. Hundreds of thousands of jobs could be created by allowing foreign retirees to retire in Florida. I; Macalusso said at first he fought arguments of security, but he’s never seen a terrorist over 55. No legislator has agreed to write a bill. Kelly Cobiella reporting. 00:22:50

 

Ideal Living’s Top Places To Retire

Below is an article pertaining to the resort and second-home market. It is derived from a survey of the Ideal Living Magazine readers who identified “Lifestyle” as a major motivator in buying a retirement home. What do you think about the results? ~ jmiller

Ideal Living’s Top Places To Retire

By leeh • Jul 7th, 2009

Taking a break from media doom and gloom, remember why you want a place in the south. Isn’t it time to re-ignite your passion and dream?

Based on our reader surveys, the “lifestyle” is most desired…

Active year-round outdoor activities, small-town flare with big city access, a sense of community, golf, boating, abundant walking trails and more. Read more

NAR Awards $730,000 to Support Workforce Housing Initiatives in Five States

This is exciting news for resort and second-home specialists. Affordable housing for workforce is a key issue in many resort areas. ~ jmiller

 

            WASHINGTON (June 9, 2009) – The National Association of Realtors® has awarded $730,000 to five state Realtor® associations through the Ira Gribin Workforce Housing Grant. The grants will help support workforce housing initiatives in California, Idaho, Maine, Maryland and Washington.

Ira Gribin Workforce Housing Grants are awarded to state Realtor® associations to fund programs that promote safe, decent housing for people with low and moderate incomes who cannot afford to live in the communities where they work. The grants are named in honor of Ira Gribin, a former NAR president who was a tireless advocate for fair and affordable housing for diverse populations.

Read more

MSN Money picks the top 10 places to buy a second home

This article was released in 2003 but I was very interested in which areas made the top 10 list. I was hoping there might be comments about whether this list is accurate. -jmiller

~~~~~~

By Liz Pulliam Weston

Looking for vacation property that’s a good investment as well? These communities offer weather, scenery and active real estate markets. Plus: 10 more up-and-comers.

Popularity is a mixed bag when you’re looking for vacation property.

A hot destination means more crowds, more traffic, longer lines. But if you’re keeping an eye on investment potential — and more than one out of three second-home buyers say they are — then you want to buy where others want to be.

Read more

New Requirements for the RSPS Certification

A NEW! path to earning the Resort and Second-Home Property Specialist (RSPS) Certification has been created. The RSPS Workgroup has decided to change the core course requirements. The RLI Tax Deferred (1031) Exchange course will no longer be a required course to complete the certification. Applicants must complete only one required course – The Resort and Second-Home Markets Course. This course is offered both online and in a classroom setting, please check course calendar for locations near you!

Read more