This section of the website is designed to help you with information about important topical issues in the country where you are buying your property. For many of these issues, there is a good chance that you will have already received conflicting advice from different sources.

As with every part of the service at International Mortgage Brokers, the information given here is completely honest and unbiased. It is aimed to give you a general overview of the topics only. Although these pages do contain general guidance, professional assistance should always be sought before engaging on the purchase of an overseas property.

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Using a specialist lawyer
Using a specialist lawyer when purchasing overseas is completely essential to ensure that the property purchase transaction is exactly what you expected.

One point to remember is that you would not purchase a house in the UK without the use of a solicitor. Because you understand that there are certain issues that will arise requiring the help only a solicitor can provide you, you would not think twice about paying the fees. When buying overseas, the potential problems will not be so apparent and may not be covered at all by the property sales agent.

Although all documents and language will be in English it is an easy and common mistake to think that it is the same as in the UK. It is important to realise that American Law is very different to UK law. Using a Lawyer enables you to fully understand any contract that you sign and of the full implications of local planning laws.

At International Mortgage Brokers we only use tried and tested lawyers for overseas property purchase, as the standard can vary dramatically. We have been working with our current lawyers now for over five years.

Currency issues
When buying a property abroad it is important to take into consideration the effect that exchange rates can have on your property purchase. This can prove costly if the exchange rate moves against you from the time you place a deposit to making the final payment for the house.

For example, lets say you placed a deposit on a new property of $20,000 with a final payment of $80,000 in 6 months time.  At the point you placed the deposit the Exchange rate was £1.00 GBP - $2.00 USD. This would mean Sterling funds required of £40,000 to meet the final $80,000 payment.

If we say that in 6 months time due to economic influences the pound weakens against the dollar and the FX rate becomes £1.00 GBP to $1.47 USD this will significantly effect the sterling equivalent funds you now need to meet the final $80,000 payment. The new sterling equivalent amount would be £54,422, a difference of £14,442.

Currency traders can "lock in" the exchange rate at the time you make your deposit for a small fee. By doing this in the example above you would have been able to pay the $80,000 at the $2.00 USD exchange rate that you "locked in" when you paid the deposit and saved the £14,442 difference.

Working in Florida
As Britain is a close ally of America, you will be given entry privileges that are not open to citizens of other countries. However, there are a number of considerations that you should take into account - especially if you are planning to move to America permanently.

Under the Visa Waiver Program you are able to enter the Unites States of America "visa free" for a period of no longer than ninety days. This applies only if you do not plan to either work or study during the duration of your stay.

There is no "rule" of how long you must leave the country after the ninety-day period has ended before re-entering but if the immigration officer feels that the privilege is being abused, he will handle the situation appropriately.

If you are looking to stay in the United States of America for longer than ninety days, the necessary visa will be required. The type of visa needed will depend on your circumstances.

Immigrant Visa
An immigrant visa is required if you wish to enter the United States permanently regardless of seeking employment or not. There are four different ways to obtain an immigrant visa, only three of which apply to U.K citizens.

1. Immediate Relatives
Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens are eligible to qualify for immigration under this heading. This applies if you are a:

Spouse of minor child of a U.S. citizen An immigration visa may only be processed for a child if he/she has no claim to U.S. citizenship

Parent of a U.S. Citizen U.S. citizen must be 21 or over

Step-parent or child of a U.S citizen Step-parent, step-child relationship must occur before the child's 18th birthday

Spouse of a deceased U.S. citizen Petition must be filed within 2 years of the death of the U.S. citizen

NOTE- Grandparents, aunts, uncles, in-laws and cousins cannot sponsor a relative for immigration.

2. Family Based Immigration
A person seeking to immigrate on the basis of the family based category must establish that they have the necessary relationship with a U.S. citizen. This can be one of the following:

Unmarried son or daughter over the age of 21 of a U.S. citizen

Spouse or unmarried son or daughter of a lawful permanent resident

Daughter of a lawful permanent resident

Brother or sister of a U.S. citizen U.S. citizen must be over 21

NOTE- Grandparents, aunts, uncles, in-laws and cousins cannot sponsor a relative for immigration

3. Employment Based Immigration

Priority Workers

Members of the "professions", persons with exceptional ability in the sciences, arts, and business

Professionals

Skilled and unskilled workers

Special immigrants

Investors

Non immigrant Visas
There are numerous non-immigrant visas that apply to the many different circumstances on which the U.S. allow entry into the country. Here is a brief list of categories under which you may fall:

Academics and researchers, Athletics, artists and entertainers, cultural exchange, diplomats and government officials, employees of international organizations and NATO, exchange visitors, media, religious workers, and student

When looking to obtain either an immigrant or non-immigrant visa it is important that you consult the American Embassy to gather information that will cater to your individual circumstances.

Retirement
Unfortunately there is no such thing as a "retirement visa". Therefore the only way to "retire" in Florida would be to obtain an immigrant visa. This is only possible if you meet the specific criteria listed above.