Florida Real Estate, Tourism and Immigration News

An EB-5 Visa update from Lake Buena Vista Resort here in Orlando:

The Lake Buena Vista Resort continues to surpass its occupancy numbers for the last two years. In March 2011, we enjoyed 92% occupancy rate versus 84% in March 2010 and these figures continue to increase. More and more people are finding out about our Resort and the excellent ratings and reviews we are receiving from our guests.

Since the Lake Buena Vista Resort is located only minutes away from Disney World and close to SeaWorld and Universal Studios (featuring the Wizarding World of Harry Potter), this is an excellent location for visiting all the popular theme parks. Our spectacular Pirates Plunge Aquatic Center features a derelict pirate ship and waterslide which is a huge hit with kids young and old. The poolside tiki bar and three hot tubs around the pool area seem to keep the adults happily content. Don’t delay, make your reservation today. Just go to www.lbvorlandoresort.com or call 1-866-401-2699 and speak with one of our reservation specialists.

For the ultimate in relaxation visit Reflections Spa-Salon located in the Reception Building at the Resort. Remember May 8th is Mother’s Day. Reflections Spa is offering a wonderful Mother’s Day Special. For only $99, Mom will receive a Chocolate Pedicure, 25 minute massage and 25 minute scalp massage. What a great gift for Mom… or yourself! For a menu of relaxing, therapeutic services, visit www.reflectionsspaorlando.com.

Get ready to Shop ’til You Drop at the Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores located right next door to the Resort. With the opening of Ann Taylor LOFT OUTLET and Under Armour® you will surely find something for everyone. The mall features 50 of the most sought-after outlet stores with savings up to 75% on name brands. If you are looking for the perfect gift for Mom, you will find everything from performance gear, to casual and dress, accessories, swimwear and more.

Lake Buena Vista developer Sam Sutton was a presenter at the Greater Fort Lauderdale Board of Realtors’ Global Council meeting held last month. The meeting focused on international buyers. Sam discussed the opportunity for Realtors regarding the EB-5 immigrant investment program and our Regional Center. He was very well received and invited the Realtors to visit and tour our project in Orlando.

Representatives from the Lake Buena Vista Regional Center will be at the upcoming American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) annual convention to be held June 15-18, 2011 in San Diego, California. Look for us at Booth #412.

You are always welcome to visit and take a personal tour of the Lake Buena Vista Resort Village & Spa in Orlando Florida.

Bill Cowie President

www.britishhomesgroup.com
www.eb5investmentvisas.com

Orlando Florida

Kissimmee Office 407 396 9914

Direct (Mobile) 407 620 7777

The Lake Buena Vista Resort Team is getting ready for another busy summer season. We continue to see foreign visitors touring our Resort and investing in our Regional Center. This is their fast track to obtaining permanent U.S. residency and a Green Card. If you are a foreign national and would like more details regarding the EB-5 visa program and our Regional Center, please visit www.eb5greencardusa.com.

Another reason visitors (and muggles) will be flocking to Orlando is the June 18th grand opening of “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” at Universal Studios. Excitement is in the air and anxious Potter fans have made their reservations to stay at our Resort. We are only minutes away from Universal and have FREE transportation to this and other area theme parks like Disney and SeaWorld. To book your stay, go to www.lbvorlandoresort.com See for yourself why our award-winning Resort is so highly rated on travel sites and with our many visitors.

Don’t forget, you’re on vacation. So relax at our Reflections Spa-Salon located on the top floor of the Reception Building. This signature health spa is not to be missed. After our wonderful Mother’s Day specials, we couldn’t forget dad. Our Father’s Day special is called “King for the Day.” This includes a 30-minute full body massage, 25-minute scalp massage or foot massage, and a 25-minute hydrotherapy bath. Your special guy will enjoy all of these fantastic services for only $99. Hurry and book your appointment today. Visit the Reflections Spa web site for more details at www.reflectionsspaorlando.com.

The Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores are located next door to the Resort. With over 50 factory outlet stores offering incredible discounts on designer and name brands, be sure to leave some time for shopping. Events coming up at the center include a Memorial Day Weekend Sidewalk Sale from May 28th – 31st. If you are in the area next month, there will be a Father’s Day Weekend Sidewalk Sale June 18th – 20th. You can also visit the newest store to be added to our mall, American Swimwear. For more information about the outlet stores, visit www.lbvfs.com.

May 12, 2010 – Washington DC – InfoPass is a free service that lets you schedule an appointment with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Immigration Officer by using the Internet any time of day or night. If you have an immigration issue that is best handled by a trained USCIS Immigration Officer, InfoPass will let you schedule an appointment instead of requesting it in person at your local USCIS office. To read more about this new, free service, Click Here.

May 11, 2010 – Washington DC – The USCIS announced it has redesigned the Permanent Residency “Green Card” to incorporate several major, new security features. State-of-the-art technology prevents counterfeiting, obstructs tampering, and facilitates quick and accurate authentication of the card. Beginning today, USCIS will issue all Green Cards in the new, more secure format.

Earlier this month, Lake Buena Vista Resort’s Ofer Fridfertig was invited to Fort Walton Beach, Florida by the Emerald Coast Association of Realtors to speak at their seminar and class entitled “EB-5Visas and International Investors.” There was a great turnout for this event organized by Paula Bailey, Educational Director of the Emerald Coast Association and sponsorship lead by Gail Silvers, Chairperson of Emerald Coast’s International Council. Realtors were very interested to learn how they could help their international clients invest in the United States and obtain a permanent Green Card. Mr. Fridfertig answered questions and invited the attendees to visit the Lake Buena Vista Resort and see for themselves why this is such a great investment opportunity.

The Lake Buena Vista Team will hold a seminar in Santa Cruz, Bolivia on June 17, 2010 from 5 PM – 10 PM at the Cainco Industrial and Business Chamber of Commerce. Also hosting the event will be USA Minar. You must be registered to attend this seminar.

Come join us in the Sunshine State – where the water’s warm and the prices are right!

Sincerely,

Bill Cowie  President

www.BritishHomesGroup.com

Kissimmee Office: 407 396 9914

EB5 Investment Visas for International Investors in the US

US GOVT ALLOWS DEVELOPERS TO ‘SELL’ HNW PERMANENT RESIDENCY VISA-BASED PROJECTS

The US government has finished the test phase of a new immigration category called EB-5 (Employment Based Statute 5), which grants individuals permanent residency in the US if they invest $1million into a local job-making business or property development.  The visa allows for a $500,000 investment if it is invested in an area determined by the USCIS to be in special need of economic stimulus.

Designed to boost a region’s economy, the scheme has been piloted in 23 markets across the US and allows a high net-worth investor (HNW) to move to the US permanently, as long as the project (residential, mixed-use or commercial), employs 10 people as a direct result of the investment. The developer or business owner is allowed to sell 35% of the business to 35 individual investors, each taking a 1% stake, along with property or a physical holding at the company.

Property professionals across the US have already started partnering with owners of mixed-use projects in the country and marketing this visa-property solution to HNW international buyers.

The latest partnership has been signed in Orlando, Florida, between mortgage broker and agency the British Homes Group (BHG) ( www.britishhomesgroup.com/eb5.php ) and the developer of a luxury twin-tower condominium resort, one mile from Disney World.

Bill Cowie, director of BHG, said believes that this will be of particular interest to agents with British, European, Russian and Asian clients.

“The US government is working to attract more investment into the country and this is a genuine solution for investors wishing to obtain a residency permit in the US,” he said. “The cost-of-entry is a little steep, but the financial returns are immediate and the life-style rewards are immense. Agents, of course, now have an exciting new product and substantial income opportunity for their clients both in the UK, Europe and around the world.”

Investors into the specific Orlando project will pay $1million for a 1% share of the development company and will receive two condominium apartments for personal use or rental income.

For more information please visit: www.eb5investmentvisas.com