Monthly Archives: December 2015

Hot Springs Village, America’s largest master planned community, (nearly 27,000 acres), has several unique opportunities for both home builders and hotel operators. Owned and managed by the debt free HSV Property Owners Association, this gated community is about an hour from Little Rock, AR. Surrounded by a National Park and only 6 miles from Hot Springs with more than 2m annual visitors, this community is poised for growth. Two commercial studies show demand for 3 on-site hotels, one four star full service and two, three star, (Hampton Inn or similar), that will enjoy 95% annual occupancy. There is only one branded hotel in the market, a Courtyard by Marriott.

More than 650, 2015 property sales, among the 12,000 owners of more than 9,000 homes are served by only one, mom & pop builder. There is also high demand for more home builders. The POA owns and controls more than 5,000 building sites, on paved roads with utilities in place. All amenities are in and operational. They include; 8 Troon & 1 Club Corp golf courses, 7 lakes, hiking & walking trails, Base camp and much more.

ROI’s above 8% are very realistic. Site subordination for models and or hotel pads are possible options. The POA is aggressively accepting LOI’s from qualified builder & hotel partners.

Call Dave for details and to submit an LOI 561-299-6249.

Weather and changing demographics have altered U.S. home buyer patterns. The tried and true WWII Generation mantra of “Honey its time, let’s go south”, is being supplanted by Baby Boomers, many of whom already moved, re-position their assets close to home for maximum enjoyment and sustainability in light of fewer guaranteed pensions. Once people reach age 75, most are not very likely to purchase a new home/move unless its related to a health issue like physical decline. They will either move nearby (or in with) family or into health facilities. The youngest WWII buyer is 72. Boston & NY, had record warm Christmas Day temps triggering hotel cancellations in FL and the southeast US. Severe record rain and tornadoes have hit, TX, MS, AL, AR & TN.

Florida passed N.Y, as the third most populous state. N.J., with lagging real estate values, still leads the nation in new foreclosures, no longer originates the most retiree/snowbird buyers. Cities like Atlanta, Charlotte, Jacksonville, Miami, Nashville, Orlando, Raleigh, Richmond and Tampa are becoming the new buyer originators for many communities around the southeast U.S.

If old WWII Generation buying patterns and weather has been your driver of urgency to sell property, its important to update your marketing strategy and offset the projected decline of those buyers. Adjustments early in the first quarter of 2016 can help bolster spring, summer & fall sales. Now is the time to reach out to prospects and engage them. There is a shortage of housing inventory and aligning your unique selling position with effective messaging to capture the most retirees & snowbirds will yield positive sales. Act now, contact Dave Robertson, Real Estate Community Advisor, LLC, 561-299-6249.

Canadians, in spite of a high US dollar, are still buying U.S. properties in large numbers. They purchased 30% of all Florida property sales 2013, to international buyers, 6% of all sales. Growing at 4% annually, 4m Canadians visit each year and pay $500m in U.S. property taxes.  They are closer than Europeans, and though most sales are cash, it is easy to get a mortgage through a Canadian bank that operates in the U.S. Mostly snowbirds, they stay longer, averaging 6 months and arrive earlier than other American buyers. The National Association of Realtors reported that in September Canadians were the most active foreign consumers on realtor.com. The most popular property searched cities were New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Fort Lauderdale and Orlando, FL.

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Americans chose Florida in a Harris Poll, as the state they would most like to live in, for sunshine and water. California and Hawaii rounded out the top three. Miami, 5th and Orlando 10th most popular cities.

Bloomberg reported that November new housing construction permits jumped nearly 11%, the biggest increase since June. This sets the annual unit rate at 1.29m, below current demand at 1.5m. It signals that housing remains strong.

Congress passed a tax & spending bill averting a government shut down. There are several elements that were supported by both the National Assoc. of Realtors and the National Assoc. of Home builders that benefit the housing industry. These include; renewing the EB-5 visa program,  Another component makes condominium certification easier and reduces the primary owner only requirement for financing (which makes lender approval  more attainable for resort and snowbird properties), It also made mortgage interest deductions, essential for housing, permanent, And it extends the tax deduction for certain kinds of restaurant equipment. The bill is expected to be signed by President Obama and funds the government through September 2016.

Wishing you and yours a Joyous holiday season and happy new year!