Question for Florida Home Owners

[ccarcher]

Need some general help, advice and or suggestions from those who live or rent property in Florida

As part of our long term decision to obtain a green card and emigrate to the states, one of our requirements is to start a business in the US

We already have a number of ideas in mind, of the type of business that we would like to start up, however we have a question for existing homeowners, either those who live or rent in Florida

Is there a business or service that you just cant seem to find in Florida,

It may well be a service or business that you use currently, that is not quite up to scratch

Or is there something lacking that you feel would be of benfit to you and your own guests of the property

Our thoughts are that with the number of properties available in Florida, there must be a hole or something missing from the rental market, and property services , tourist areas

So asking you to all think outside of the box, and let me know what your missing and would improve your own position and business markert

Thanks in advance

[LBV75]

Not a property owner, but I can imagine that British owners would rather deal with reliable a reliable British owned management company. You could then employ pool cleaning staff, window cleaners and general maintenance people.

Perhaps this is the most obvious suggestion. Good luck with your application.

[St Kitts]

One thing I have noticed in Florida is there are no travel agents - such as we would find in the UK. Does everyone book using the internet? - but how did you book holidays before the internet?

With the temporary introduction of the new visa (I think its called and EB-5) which guarantees a green card as long as you have $500K to invest would it not be better to buy an existing business? Our properties are looked after by an english couple which we think is best as most of our bookings originate from the UK.

Good luck with your application. Must confess that when we came back after our recent holiday it did make me question why?


Christine :wavey:

[Malcolm]

Had a gathering the other day at a villa owners place out here in Orlando and there were people there with a good knowledge of the visa system and one of the guests asked about comeing out here with his computer business and the advice he got wasnt too promising and that was for any business looking to move out here at the moment, anything to do with property or building includeing pool/garden/managment company/mortgage/realty dont even think about it, look up www.expatsvoice.org its a site you may find very helpfull.

[rusty30]

I maybe wrong but I dont think start up businesses qualify for the VIsa. You have to buy an existing business and, investing a certain amount of money (a percentage of which can be financed) and it has to employ a certain number of American Citizens. They are VERY picky about what businesses qualify for the visa - you cant just choose something at random.

You could of course, start a business from here I suppose, employing Americans to run it for you, but it may get sticky if you go over and do any "work" for the business whilst you are there.

We have our own business in the UK which could easily be migrated to the US - the type of work we do is in big demand in the US, but its not that simple.

Id get some professional advice and dont do anything without a very good immigration lawyer and a contact at the US Embassy and the immigration dept. Be prepared for years of paperwork before anything comes to fruition!

[tomnj]

I'm not a Florida home owner but I do live in US. And I agree with rusty30 and speak with a US immigration attorney. An experienced attorney will be up to date with the latest visa requirements. This is important because congress and DHS can change the requirements anytime at will. For example congress did not extend this year the H-2B visa program and now 60,000 visa holders must leave or cant re-enter the US. Must be frustrating for them.

As far as businesses go I would think owning a franchise a restaurant like Perkins maybe even fast food would be possible. Gas station and convenience store like Wawa not sure if they would cover 10 employees. Beauty and nail salon? Hotel/motel may be too expensive. Of course, the business doesnt have to be in the Orlando area. The health care field is always in demand esp with the senior population. You can check local newspapers to see what business are for sale and what jobs are wanted to give you an idea of the business climate. Still, I think the immigration attorney may have the solution for you.

Someone asked about travel agencies. Since the airlines stopped giving commissions to them many have closed. In the US agencies bread and butter were corporate accounts, cruises, AI and exotic vacations and now many people use the internet for ease and low prices. I recently went to a few to price a trip and they were all more expensive than an online DIY. Most added fees to bookings. Unlike UK people dont go to a TA to save money but for information and one-stop pricey shopping.

[tomnj]

. You have to buy an existing business and, investing a certain amount of money (a percentage of which can be financed) and it has to employ a certain number of American Citizens.

I dont believe they have to be US citizens but just someone legally employable in the US.

[tomnj]

Had a gathering the other day at a villa owners place out here in Orlando and there were people there with a good knowledge of the visa system and one of the guests asked about comeing out here with his computer business and the advice he got wasnt too promising and that was for any business looking to move out here at the moment, anything to do with property or building includeing pool/garden/managment company/mortgage/realty dont even think about it, look up www.expatsvoice.org (http://www.expatsvoice.org) its a site you may find very helpfull.

I just looked at that website. Sorry I did :(:(:(

UK business owners complaining of poor American work ethic, laziness, fragile egos, etc.

[Asher]

We have a British management company for our villa, I know they enjoy living in Florida but financially no better off than at home. I would echo what Malcolm said look up www.expatsvoice.org
there is plenty of advice on it.

There are a lot of unscruplous people out there claiming to help get visas for example http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6967044.stm or http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/money/article30450.ece so if you do try for a visa make sure you get ligimate advice.

[Splashman77]

Hi

Can I point you to maybe a good starting place for enquiries/information etc with this link hopefully it will answer some of your queries

http://www.andrewbartlettflorida.co.uk/default.aspx

Regards

Splashman