International Real Estate Investment News

FOREIGN INVESTMENT
Buying into the USA
The combination of tighter immigration standards and an excess of real estate inventory provides a win-win opportunity for the United States and for individuals seeking to immigrate here. US-Immigration-Explained.com reports a recent increase in L-1 and E-2 visa inquiries; two options for U.S. immigration related to investments. The E-2 visa pertains to persons involved in non-import/export investments, including real estate. As there is no dollar limit (although there are strict requirements), the E-2 visa provides opportunities for those able to make an investment of as little as $100,000. The L-1 visa requires one to invest in a branch, subsidiary, or affiliate of their company. The main requirement, therefore, is that the foreign person must have owned or been a manager, executive, or person with specialized knowledge of a firm abroad. (A third, the EB5, has dropped in popularity as it requires an investment of half million plus hiring requirements, which is less attractive in the current economy.) Foreigners with the resources and the desire are investing their much-needed equity into U.S. real estate and, in turn, obtaining investor visas. Overall, this may be very good for the U.S. Outside investment in the real estate market will remove excess inventory from the markets, causing the demand-supply curve to favor higher prices and a return to higher valuations.