Monday, March 15, 2021 / by Vanessa Saunders
By Vanessa Saunders, MBA, MIMC , Broker Owner, Global Property Systems Real Estate.
Does life in the United States ever get so (insert your own adjective here - boring, irritating, complicated, expensive, whatever bugs you,) that you think about just cashing it all in and moving to another country? You can, but be prepared for some unexpected costs of living. When you discover that many of the things we take for granted here in the good old U.S. of A are either more expensive, heavily taxed or totally unheard of in the States, you may just decide that the "Ex" in Ex-Pat stands for "Expensive."
Car insurance and healthcare
Compared to many countries, U.S. car insurance is relatively inexpensive. Not so in other parts of the world. But don’t scrimp on coverage. Be sure you have the insurance you need for anything that might happen on the road. And if you plan to avail yourself of your new country’s legendary free health care system, think again. Unless you’re a cit ...
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hudson valley property, 'urb to 'burb, vacation property, retirement, global investment properties, international properties, international real estate, foreign citizenship, foreign residency, golden visas, pet safety
Tuesday, December 1, 2020 / by Vanessa Saunders
After a while, pandemic sheltering at home is like the lyrics in Hotel California, the Eagle’s iconic song. “You can check out any time you like, But you can never leave."
Actually, if you want to leave, you can. Consider moving to Belize.
Formerly known as British Honduras, Belize has long been known as a tropical tourist destination, for its world-class diving, fishing, and snorkeling, lush jungles, ancient Mayan temples and miles of white sand beaches, Currently, Belize is in the middle of a building boom, with investors building both residential and hotel properties.
For Americans interested in moving to the Caribbean or owning a tropical island rental, Belize offers several advantages. It is the only Central American country where English is the official language, with Spanish, Mayan and Creole also spoken. It is politically and economically stable. 1991, the ODECA countries (Spanish: Organización de Estados Centroamericanos) signed the Protocol of Tegucigalp ...
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buying a home, 'urb to 'burb, home investment, pandemic, executive homes, vacation property, global investment properties, international properties
Wednesday, October 28, 2020 / by Vanessa Saunders
By Vanessa Saunders, MBA, MIMC , Broker Owner, Global Property Systems Real Estate.
Depending on how deeply felt your political persuasion, you may be joining an increasing number of Americans threatening to move to another country if the wrong candidate wins the 2020 presidential election. Like Billy Joel sang, "I'm movin' out!"
A recent survey asked more than 3,000 American voters if they would consider leaving the country if the presidential candidate they support loses the election. Sixteen percent said they would, up from 9% during the 2016 presidential contest. Broken down by who they plan to vote for, 20% of people who plan to vote for Joe Biden would consider leaving the country if he loses, while 15% of President Trump’s supporters said the same thing.
So if you plan on watching the election night results with a U-Haul parked in the driveway, here are some tips on preparing for your big move. (Keep in mind though, that you won't be going to any foreign na0 ...
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hudson valley real estate, hudson valley property, hudson valley home, home investment, 'urb to 'burb, retirement, global investment properties
Monday, September 14, 2020 / by Vanessa Saunders
By Vanessa Saunders, MBA, MIMC , Broker Owner, Global Property Systems Real Estate.
I recently observed an online discussion string among people so fed up with American politics that they were planning on moving out of the country. Many were British ex-pats making plans to return to Old Blighty (the UK). But some were Born-in-the-USA citizens looking for a place to live with fewer hurricanes and less governmental turbulence.
If you’re an American thinking about permanent residency elsewhere, keep in mind you can’t just go without a visa from your intended new home country granting you permanent residence status and a passport. Getting a visa can be a time-consuming project which may not always turn out as intended. So what’s a soon-to-be expatriate to do?
If you pick the right country, you could just buy one.
Called “immigrant investor programs,” or Golden Visas, these programs are designed to attract foreign capital and business people by providing ...
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buying a home, home investment, 'urb to 'burb, global investment properties, international properties, we sell italy, golden visas, living abroad, foreign residency, foreign citizenship
Tuesday, March 10, 2020 / by Vanessa Saunders
By Vanessa Saunders, MBA, MIMC , Broker Owner, Global Property Systems
The Coronavirus (COVID-19) has caused massive global uncertainty, including what we call the Corona Crash, (not to be confused with a Cinco de Mayo hangover) the global stock market correction no one could have seen coming. While much of the news has been about the effect on various markets, let’s also acknowledge the true impact it continues to have on lives and families in the Hudson Valley and around the world.
With all this uncertainty, how do you make powerful and confident decisions in regard to your real estate plans?
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) anticipates:
“At the very least, the coronavirus could cause some people to put home sales on hold.”
While this is an understandable approach, it is important to balance that with how it may end up costing you in the long run. If you’re considering buying or selling a home, it is key to educate yourself so that you c; ...
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