WhereIn The World Are People Buying Luxury Homes? (NAPSA)—Whether considering the purchaseof a picturesque 18th century villa in Tuscany or a penthouse suite with sweeping views of New York City’s Central Park, high-end home buyers may learn that the real estate market has increasingly become an international one—a trend that could be to their benefit. While many Americans invest in second or vacation homes both domestically and abroad, increasing numbers of consumers and investors living outside of the U.S. are purchasing homes in the U.S. in popular destinations such as New York City and parts of Florida. Profile Of Second Home Buyer The 2005 National Association of REALToRS profile of international buyers in Florida found that the state’s international homebuyers account for 15 percent of the state’s total home sales and come from more than 100 countries. The majority of these international home buyers—58 percent—are Europeans. Global Real Estate Online Technology advances, specifically those pertaining to the Internet have and will undoubtedly continue to help drive the global real estate marketplace and the demand for luxury real estate in the world’s most desirable locations. Through informative Web sites, consumers have the ability to search for and view properties and even connect with local real Me While Florida’s international homebuyers came from more than 100 countries, the majority of all home purchasesby foreign buyers in Florida—58 percent—were made by Europeans. estate representation from virtu- ally anywhere with Internet access. Agents WhoSpecialize Anyone eager to find a home of distinction can call on the services of international real estate organizations such as Century 21 Real Estate LLC, a global residential real estate sales organization. Through the company’s Fine Homes & Estates program, the organization offers specialized luxury real estate marketing through its more than 7,600 independently owned and operated franchise offices located in 42 countries and territories worldwide. To learn more, visit the Web site www.century21.com/luxuryhomes or visit a CENTURY21 office.
