Important: Don’t Buy Real Estate Overseas Until You Talk to These 13 Insiders
Date: 09/23/2005
From: Lief Simon, real estate editor, International Living
To: International Living readers
Re: The third International Real Estate Investment Forum. If you missed out on the previous best-selling events…now’s your chance!
I can now reveal that the dates–November 3 & 4–for the third International Real Estate Investment Forum are confirmed. What’s more, the line up of speakers who have RSVP’d is our most impressive ever.
Please consider this fair warning–places are limited and the previous two events sold out fast.
I’ll be there, along with some of the foremost international land investment experts we know.
That’s right, on November 3 & 4, I am going to show 150 select individuals how you could soon buy and sell valuable property anywhere in the world — without paying a single cent in capital gains taxes! We’ll show you how you can use your IRA to buy overseas Real Estate.
We’ll show you how you could soon take advantage of off-plan buying bonanzas that let you get in for as little as 10% down … enjoy incredible capital gains tax breaks.
And all that’s only in the first hour!
Now if you’re saying, "Sounds too good to be true. There’s got to be a catch" — well, you’re right. And I’ve already shared it with you …
This remarkable, two-day International Real Estate Investment Forum is strictly limited to just " 150 select individuals." And if you want to be among the select few you must act now — because the seats are filling up even as I write!
Here’s why …
Dear International Living Reader,
How would you like to become more successful than everyone else on your street…everyone else at your office…more successful, in fact, than anyone you’ve ever known? Well, we’re going to show you how to make that possible.
And here’s all I want you to do …
First, I want you to get out your calendar and circle the dates: November 3 & 4, 2005. Then, I want you to get out your map and circle the place: the beautiful Hyatt Regency Crystal City in Virginia — only minutes from Washington , D.C. And now, I want you to forget about everything you thought you knew about international real estate.
Because on those dates, in that city, I want you to join me for the biggest, boldest — and most lucrative –"Land Rush" since the Sooners settled Oklahoma !
It’s called the International Real Estate Investment Forum. And, however you walk in, I have a feeling you’re going to walk out wealthy. Because 12 of my closest colleagues and I — international land investment experts everyone — are going to show you exactly …
* How you can cash in on rarely used overseas "Like-Kind Exchange" provisions in the IRS code to legally leverage your real estate investments … defer from 15% to 40% in capital gains and state taxes — and pass on to your heirs a land legacy!
* How you can get in on ground floor "Off-Plan" real estate opportunities in Croatia, Panama, and throughout Eastern Europe that could let you pay as little as 10% down.
* How you could save thousands of dollars in currency exchange fees
Plus, we’ll show you how you could more than double your money in just one year — like I did with a $60,000 purchase in Canadian real estate that yielded a $150,000 return!
I’ll show you how you can get in early on spectacular properties, like my readers who bought in the Santa Rosa resort on Nicaragua ‘s gorgeous Pacific Coast — and values increased 50% in just two weeks!
Plus, I’ll show you how to make a 34%-plus ROI in just 16 months — like the apartments I bought that were going for just $787 per square meter in beautiful Buenos Aires — and were worth $1,400 16 months later!
And, we’ll show you how to do all of this with less upfront money, lower risks, and fewer worries than with any other real estate purchase you have ever made.
How can I be so sure? Well, think about this: Brokers can create stocks out of thin air and creating currencies is as easy as cranking up a printing press. But, land is real, tangible, limited — and as solid as the Rock of Gibraltar. And with the dimes-into-dollars deals on the market right now, the next 12 months promise to be the most profitable ever!
That’s why I am so excited about the upcoming International Real Estate Investment Forum. And why I want you now to be part of this opportunity to learn firsthand how you can take advantage of the "Land Rush" of a lifetime!
Now, in just a minute, I’m going to share with you some of the secrets of why Like-Kind Exchanges and Off-Plan real estate opportunities are making so many people so much money–and could soon do the same for you! Plus, I’ll introduce you to the Forum faculty that’s about to help make your international "Land Rush" flush.
But, first, allow me to introduce myself, so that when you get to the conference we can both hit the ground running — and gunning …
I’ve Never Lost Money on a Real Estate Deal — And Now You Can Take that to the Bank!
My name is Lief Simon. I’m the editor of Global Real Estate Investor, a specialized publication that helps individuals (like you!) find little-known — highly lucrative — international properties. Subscriptions are several hundred dollars a year — and worth every penny of it. But, that’s not why I’m writing to you today.
I’ve lived and worked on five continents. Earned a masters degree in International Management. Worked for a CPA firm, an executive of an international oil company, and as the chief financial officer for a hospitality design and consulting firm that renovated hotels around the world.
Everywhere I’ve gone, and in everything I’ve done, I’ve helped people realize their dream of owning international real estate…and make money at it, too. And now, if you’ll let me, I’m about to do the same for you!
You see, tracking down great deals in global markets is my passion in life. And not just for myself. I count some of the world’s savviest investors among my readers. They trust me implicitly. Maybe that’s because they know I’m still an accountant at heart. I do numbers. And I do them right.
Since 1996, I have bought, sold, and successfully invested in 20 real estate deals in 11 different countries. And right now, I’m responsible for managing over $33 million of global real estate developments.
What exactly do I do for my clients? Exactly what I’m about to do for you: I search the world for spectacular real estate values — and then help them take financial advantage of these incredible opportunities. In short, like The Godfather’s Hyman Roth, "I always make money for my partners" — everywhere in the world — and here’s the past proof:
* Santa Rosa, Nicaragua: 50% in just 2 weeks!
* Norome, Nicaragua: 76% in 2 years!
* Rancho Santana, Nicaragua: 450% in 5 years!
* Costa del Sol, Spain: 30% annualized over 2 years!
* Buenos Aires, Argentina: 35% in just 1 year!
* Costa Maya, Mexico: 200% in 2 years!
* Los Pirules, Mexico: 90% in just 7 months!
* Nova Scotia, Canada: 150% in just 1 year!
Now let me tell you what is most important to you. You can write it down — and take it to the bank: I have never lost money on a real estate deal. And I don’t intend to start now.
In fact, the deals we’ll be bringing to you at the International Real Estate Investment Forum are some of the best I have ever seen — in France, in Panama and Nicaragua, in Central Europe and Croatia. The truth is, they’re more than a deal. They’re a steal — for those who get in now!
And, actually, the Forum goes even beyond that. You’ve heard the old saw, "Give a man a fish and he’ll eat for a day; teach a man to fish and he’ll eat for a lifetime." Well, that’s exactly what my colleagues and I are going to do for you in two terrific, fact-filled (and, knowing these guys, fun-filled) days this November.
These guys are 12 of the sharpest minds in the land game, an international real estate power house. Their private jets are standing by…their packed schedules on hold…because the first week in November, they’ll be in a private conference room in Washington D.C. I sincerely hope you can join us.
We’re going to teach you the fundamentals of acquiring international real estate and turning it into a fortune. We are going to teach you how to approach international real estate from every angle — and how to reap rewards from every approach. That’s why I have brought together some of the top experts from around the world to serve as your faculty, your mentors, and your one-on-one advisors. You see, we’re serious about your success.
That’s why I encourage you now to make absolutely certain you are one of the " select 150" to join me at this Forum. So I encourage you, sign up — right now — before every seat is already taken!
Very shortly, I’m going to reveal to you some of the tax-saving "insider secrets" that could soon help you leverage thousands to make millions. And I’ll show you how "off-plan" real estate opportunities can put you on-course for windfall rewards.
But, first, I want you to pause a moment and imagine what you could do if you got a dollar every time you spent a dime… well, stop imaging — because at November’s International Real Estate Forum, you’ll learn about an internationally obscure technique for making a dollar (or more) on every dime you spend on real estate…
Forum Focus #1
Escaping Capital Gains with Your Like-Kind Tax Cut!
Remember what Ben Franklin said about "A penny saved is a penny earned"? Well, at the Forum, we’re going to go him one better.
In fact, we’re going to show you how $10,000 spent could be $25,000 … $50,000 … $100,000 earned — or even more — with Uncle Sam’s help! Believe it or not.
It’s all possible with a Trump-type, insider secret, incentive known as a Like-Kind Exchange. It’s been around since 1921 (though the IRS hasn’t exactly shouted it from the rooftops). And properly executed, it can totally eliminate your capital gains tax!
Let me tell you what Section 1031 of the IRS Code says, pure and simple: "No gain or loss shall be recognized on the exchange of property held for productive use in a trade or business or for investment if such property is exchanged solely for property of like-kind which is to be held for productive use in a trade or business or for investment."
And here’s what that means for you:
If you follow the right steps in buying and selling investment property — which we will show you at the Forum — then PRESTO, you don’t owe one red cent in capital gains tax. And that 15%, which would have gone to the IRS, goes straight into your pocket.
Then, using real estate leveraging techniques — which we will also show you at the Forum — every dollar not due in taxes enables you to purchase up to 20 times more highly valuable real estate!
And keep in mind, that when you combine the 15% capital gains tax with state taxes as high as 11% Like-Kind Exchanges can save — and earn — you a family fortune!
I think now you can see why we’re bringing some of the nation’s leading tax experts to the Forum to help you sort out Like-Kind. In fact, if you’re like most investors, the amount of money you’ll be able to pocket from the Like-Kind workshop alone will make the Forum far more than worthwhile — for decades to come!
Let me give you a real quick example … Let’s say you bought a rental unit 10 years ago for $100,000. It’s now worth $250,000. And you want to sell it to buy a chunk of waterfront land as an investment. Let’s say the waterfront land is for sale for $300,000. The $150,000 appreciation in your rental unit is subject to a 15% capital gains tax — so your total proceeds are reduced to $227,500.
But, if you know the procedure involved in a Like-Kind Exchange, the capital gains tax is reduced to zero — and you have an additional $22,500. Which gives you $250,000 to leverage in purchasing the waterfront property. (And, remember, this doesn’t even include state taxes that were sidestepped at the sale.)
It’s kind of like getting an entirely legal, interest-free, no-term loan on taxes due from the federal government. Which just has to sound highly appealing. That’s why, at the Forum our Like-Kind Exchange experts will show you:
* How to quickly and easily execute the six documents used in 1031 exchanges
* How to save thousands of dollars in legal fees alone by greatly reducing the time it takes an attorney to complete his work
* How to avoid "timing and intent" penalties that can quickly wipe out potential gains
* How to find the right "middleman" to meet your needs
* How you can do even more Like-Kind Exchanges, defer even more taxes — and make sure your heirs qualify for a stepped up tax basis that allows them to escape the tax altogether
Now I don’t want you to get bogged down in tax matters — either here or at the Forum. But it is vital. So let me just say this:
The Like-Kind Exchange is truly one of the last powerful tax advantages left in real estate. And no one can guarantee how much longer it will last. You need to know about it now — while it could substantially increase the net worth of your real estate portfolio for decades to come. So, I urge you to get your reservation in — to make your fortune at the Forum!
You’ve probably noticed by now that each aspect of the International Real Estate Investment Forum is carefully focused on helping you leverage every dollar you save, earn, or invest.
That’s because one of the very important lessons I’ve learned in my many years of international land deals is this: If the key to lucrative real estate opportunities is "Location, Location, Location," the lock is "Leverage, Leverage, Leverage."
And, as you’ll soon find out at the Forum, what I’m about to reveal now — Off-Plan real estate opportunities — give you the very best of both …
Forum Focus #2:
How Off-Plan Can Put You on Course for a Cash Killing!
If you want to make money off- plan, you must be on time. Let me explain …
Off-Plan Properties are pre-construction opportunities. You get to come in at the blueprint stage. Before the first roof is raised. Before the first nail is driven. Before the ground is even broken. And that means, you pay less — to get more!
For you, Off-Plan Properties are the very essence of buying low and selling high. They’re every investor’s dream. That’s why the banks, the developers, and savvy governments around the world are bringing Off-Plan on line.
The best part of this kind of investing can be the terms: an initial deposit of 5% to 10% of the purchase price with no progress payments required until completion of your unit. By attending the Forum, you will have the inside track on incredible opportunities! These opportunities will be brought to you by speakers who have successfully followed this strategy in markets such as Spain, Ireland, Panama, Romania, France, Hungary and Croatia.
We’ll tell you about Off-Plan opportunities at the Forum that I know you’ll like.
For example, you’ll learn about luxurious opportunities in Croatia and emerging markets in Central Europe.
Let me put it this way: The Off-Plan market has never been hotter — and your opportunities have never been greater. At the International Real Estate Investment Forum, we’ll tell you where, when, and how to set up the maximum appreciation on the minimum purchase — time and again — worldwide.
Plus, as an extra-added Bonus, I’ll give you my proprietary Offplan Report (a $149 value) — ABSOLUTELY FREE! My gift to you. So don’t miss out — sign up now!
If Off-Plan is proof positive that good things are worth waiting for, then what I want to tell you about next may be even better — for those who don’t mind waiting a little longer.
I call them "Dream Developments," for two very good reasons. First, because they often start out in the mind’s eye of the beholder — and, second, because when they become a reality, they provide the kind of refuge every investor dreams of …
Forum Focus #3:
How to Find an International Development Company that Can Turn Real Estate Into Real — and Lasting — Returns!
Let me tell you right from the start that this is one of my favorite workshops — and not just because I get the chance to teach it.
The fact is, once you know how to find the right international real estate development company, the rest is really not all that difficult. I do it all the time. And in this breakout session, I get to tell you how.
To me, that’s downright exciting. To you, it can be highly rewarding.
As you can tell from everything I’ve told you above, I take the fun of foreign investments very seriously. Properly done, they can yield returns far in excess of any other investment available today. But, if not taken seriously, they can leave you tossing and turning, wondering if it was a good idea to trust your hard-earned money to someone who no hablas.
Well, in this session, I’m going to make sure that never happens to you. I’ll show you exactly what to look for, including:
* How to analyze an international land developer’s pro forma to make sure he’s all-pro — and no con!
* How to quickly analyze the political lay of the land to make certain the laws of the land are in your favor!
* How to assess a country’s economic structure to make sure it’s on sound fiscal footing!
* How to listen for the key words and phrases, that tell you whether a developer is the kind of company you want to keep!
Forum Focus #4:
Beat the Banks: How to Save Money…and Make Money…Before You Spend a Single Dime
In the States, getting a mortgage is as easy as opening your mailbox. But one of the biggest challenges in foreign real estate, especially if you’re just getting started, can be coming up with the initial capital.
Ideally, you want to use leverage to invest a small amount yourself, but, if the property increases in value, reap the gains on a larger amount.
But financing isn’t always available overseas — and when it is, the interest rates can be crippling.
That’s why we’re going to show you how to get competitive financing in almost any market you could think of…and two markets in particular:
* Country #1: This country is the most popular with U.S. expats, yet financing — if you can get it — will make you feel like you’re getting held up at gunpoint; 14% interest rates are the norm. But that’s all about to change…
The way property is "officially" valued in this country (i.e. artificially low) discourages U.S. financial institutions from entering the market. But this country’s government is waking up to how much tax they’re losing–especially on new construction–with these false valuations and are making moves that could see U.S.-style rates enter this market for the very first time.
You can position yourself to best take advantage of this coming tidal wave of financing–we’ll show you how.
* Country # 2: This country, one of Europe’s up-and-coming stars, has beautiful beaches, ever-increasing tourism figures, great-value real estate prices…in short, it has everything going for it–except it’s impossible for foreigners to get mortgages…until now. We have just learned of an exciting development that will crack this market wide open…and enable you to get one of the lowest interest rates on financing in Europe. We’ll tell you everything in November.
Do you know what the "tourist rate" is? I’ll tell you — it’s a way for your local high street bank to rob you blind.
Unless you buy real estate in a dollar denominated market (and we’ll tell you about plenty if those) you’ll have to make a currency exchange when you buy real estate abroad. The best rate for trading currency is the interbank rate, the rate used by banks to trade hundreds of millions of dollars worth of currency. The worst rate for trading currency is the "tourist rate," the rate you got when you exchanged the £10 your aunt in Britain sent you for your birthday.
Believe it or not, even though we’re talking about hundreds of thousands of dollars, most U.S. buyers only get the tourist rate when they exchange funds for a real estate purchase abroad.
We’re going to show you how to do better than that–much better. You could save thousands.
This is the type of insider knowledge and closed-circle information that successful real estate professionals rely on every day–and we’re going to share it all with you at Forum Focus #4.
One of the international real estate professionals I will be introducing you to is Bob Fordi. He has extensive successful experience in real estate development in Nicaragua, Panama, Canada and the US and has worked with us for many years.
He’ll tell you all about some truly golden opportunities he has recently discovered And, he’ll also teach a special Forum session featuring his highly popular — and profitable — talk "My Personal Experiences as an International Land Developer." Call it Forum Focus #5. I have heard it before, and I can tell you absolutely beyond doubt, you can (and should) take it to the bank!
So, don’t delay one more moment. Click below, come to the Forum — and cut your best deal for your own place in the sun!
There you have it — all the expertise you will ever need to turn foreign property into a private fortune. On November 3 and 4, they will be gathered at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City hotel, with only one item on their agenda — helping you learn the success secrets of the world’s wealthiest real estate investors. It doesn’t get any better than that.
The Forum Will Focus on Just " 150 Select Investors" — So Call — or Click — Now to Cash In!
This once-in-a-lifetime International Real Estate Investment Forum has been priced at just $1,245 per person. And, the fact is, were you to approach any one of the Forum faculty members for even an hour of their time, the knowledge you would walk away with would easily be worth 10 … 20 — even 100 times — that much. For many years to come. So, imagine all that you’ll learn in two full days!
That’s why I am absolutely committed to your being one of the "select 150" who joins us at this very special event. So I want to give you not just one, but several separate opportunities to come aboard for a mere fraction of the usual fee:
Register before October 3 — and I’ll take $100 off as an Early Bird Bonus!
If you are a member of International Living, the Sovereign Society, or the Oxford Club — I’ll take an additional $50 off!
If you are a lifetime member of International Living or The Sovereign Society, a Directors or Chairman’s Circle member of The Oxford Club — I’ll subtract $150 (in addition to your $100 Early Bird Bonus)!
And, if you are a subscriber to my Global Real Estate Investor newsletter or a Roundtable Member of International Living — I’ll give you a $200 "Faithful Friend Discount" (just so you’ll know, it really does pay to have good friends in high places)!
Feel free to bring a guest for just an additional $595–or just $495 if you register before October 3.
So there are many ways to save on what I’m convinced is the international real estate opportunity of a lifetime. And, remember, no matter how you come aboard, you’ll get my Offplan Report (a $149 value) FREE OF CHARGE!
To reserve your place, simply fill out this online registration form or call our Conference Liaison, Patricia Goltry, today at: 1-866-381-8446 (toll-free in the USA/Canada) or +1-410-230-1243 or email: conferences@internationalliving.com.
Please don’t delay. Previous International Real Estate Investment Forums sold out quickly. Seats are limited, and I’d hate for you to miss out.
Sincerely,
Lief Simon
Editor, International Living’s Global Real Estate Investor
P.S. Directly after the third International Real Estate Investment Forum in D.C., we’re hosting the fourth International Real Estate Investment Forum in Panama City, Panama, Nov. 7-8. The itinerary will be similar to the D.C. event…plus, as a special bonus at the Panama event, I will lead a unique field trip–a practical master class in international real estate analysis. You will accompany me as I investigate several different types of real estate in Panama as if I were a potential buyer and I’ll walk you through my thought process for evaluating real estate. Patricia has all the details: tel. 1-866-381-8446 or e-mail conferences@internationalliving.com or register online here.
P.P.S. Let me tell you a little bit about the team I’ve brought together on your behalf. They would probably tell you that I’ve saved the best for last. And, you know, in some ways, they may be right …
The Forum Faculty in Focus:
Your International Dream Team Come True!
One of the advantages of traveling the world is that when it comes to finding top talent, you really do get the pick of the lot. And that’s just who you’re going to be teaming up with at the International Real Estate Investment Forum.
I’ll say it flat out: when it comes to global finance, these guys are the best. Whether they are talking about Like-Kind Exchanges, Off-Plan Properties, international banking, or building development communities from the ground up, they know how to do it…and they do it well.
So, let me briefly introduce you to these remarkable people. People who will soon be your mentors, your confidants — and your trusted friends for years to come. Count on it.
Meet the Experts You’ll Meet and Hear From in November
Lief Simon is editor of Global Real Estate Investor: He spends half the year on the road in search of real estate opportunities around the world. 21 months ago, Lief recommended Argentina and showed his readers how and where to invest. Property prices in Buenos Aires are up 25% to 40% since his original recommendation. In December 2003, he got readers in on the ground floor of a development where prices increased 76% in 6 months.
Paul Coghlan, CEO and Founder, the Prestige Group. Under Mr. Coghlan’s leadership, the Prestige Group has facilitated in excess of ?1.5 billion in property on behalf of its private clients. Mr. Coghlan opened offices in Manchester, UK and Budapest, Hungary in 2004 and has expanded the group’s property portfolio from the original UK and Eastern Europe foundation with recent projects in South Africa, America, and France.
Relying on his extensive knowledge of the European property market — coupled with 20 years experience in financial services — Mr. Coghlan will talk this November about global real estate opportunities in prime residential property.
Turalu Brady Murdock — Tuey is Vice President/Counsel of the Caribbean/Latin America Division of First American Title Insurance Company. She has been a member of the First America executive staff since 1976 in a variety of key positions: In the Santa Ana, California , National Legal Department, she was a national Title Counsel; in the Denver Regional office, she served as the Rocky Mountain Regional Counsel; and in the New Orleans Regional Office as South East Regional Operation Manager.
Her years as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Colombia , South America and a Board Member of the National Peace Corps Association in Washington , D.C. , helped establish her bona fides throughout Central America . She has lectured extensively on title insurance related issues in the United States , the Caribbean , and Latin America.
Tuey will help smooth the way for your offshore investments and put her extensive Caribbean contacts to work on your behalf from the opening offer to closing the deal!
Gregory F. Lu — The creator and director of IMONVEST International, Gregory specializes in advising foreigners investing in France via secured and packaged real estate investment. His recent experience includes top-level executive positions with Conseil Patrimoine SARL in France and Aarakis L.L.C in the United States.
Gregory has been lauded internationally for his extensive experience in real estate development and investment (shopping centers, residential/ commercial buildings and hotels) in the Baltic States and Russia . This includes site research, market and financial studies, construction, marketing, sales and management.
His education and training include a mortgage a degree in business administration, marketing and finance specialities from L’Ecole Commercial de la Chambre de Commerce et de l’Industrie de Paris, an accounting diploma, 1 st Degre, and a Law University, 1 st degre level, University of Paris V.
It is not an overstatement to say that Gregory Lu is one of the most honoured and respected property investment experts on the European continent. His mastery of the subject and his hands-on experience have engendered trust and confidence worldwide. On November 3 & 4, you’ll learn why — first-hand!
Frank Trotter is President of the National Banking Group of EverBank and a member of the Executive Management Group. A founding partner of Everbank, Mr. Trotter has acquired over 20 years experience in the banking industry. He has served as Director of the International Markets Division at Mark Twain Bank where he created the WorldCurrency tm family of deposits and directed the global launch of eCash tm.
Mr. Trotter is a graduate of St. Olaf College and holds an M.B.A in finance and international finance from Washington University . Trotter is a widely quoted speaker on financial topics and especially the currency markets. Publications quoting Mr. Trotter in 2003 include: the Wall Street Journal, New York Times , US News and World Report , CBS MarketWatch, USAToday, CNNfn, the Chicago Tribune and many others. Trotter also served as the keynote speaker for the 2000 Financial Technology Expo and as a panelist at Bank Director’s conference session: Internet Banking: Turning the PC into a Source of Funds.
Janice Houff is the Sr. Vice President/Regional Manager of First American Exchange Company, LLC, a subsidiary of The First American Corporation, the largest provider of real estate information services in the nation, having its origin in Orange County, California in 1889. First American Exchange Company provides qualified intermediary services in connection with tax deferred exchanges under Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code and accommodation titleholder services in connection with reverse exchanges.
Janice has extensive experience in the field of real estate having worked with First American Exchange Company for over eight years and having previously worked as a legal assistant for nineteen (19) years with large, prestigious law firms, including Shutts & Bowen of West Palm Beach, Florida and Jacobs, Robbins & Gaynor, P. A. of St. Petersburg, Florida.
Robert Chernick is a senior executive with specific expertise garnered by over 35 years in business.
His professional qualification include having graduated as a Canadian Chartered Accountant (CA) in 1961, and becoming a member of the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (CPA) in 1966, which membership is still current.
Throughout the 1960′s in New York, Mr. Chernick was a well-known venture capitalist raising funds and creating ventures with major institutions such as Citicorp and Chase Manhattan Bank, in conjunction with various Federal Government programs such as the SBIC and MESBIC programs. Subsequent to this, he was instrumental in finalizing the negotiation for the Canadian Franchise Rights for Century 21 Real Estate, and prepared its five-year business plan. Following this plan, Century 21 Canada grew nationwide with 7,560 agents and 9 billion in annual sales.
Mr. Chernick became the President and board member of a Canadian public company that functioned as a merchant bank to the real estate development industry. After two successive additional share issues to the public totaling $70,000,000, he directed the operations to the ownership and management of hotels which ultimately totaled in excess of 4,000 rooms across the United States.
He prospected and arranged for an IPO of $150 million for a proposed merger of time-share interests and the Company’s hotel portfolio. Mr. Chernick was the architect of, and engineered the ‘off-shore’ structure of the Company, and was headquartered in Barbados for 3 years concomitant to that structure. He is considered an expert in the intricacies and complexities of off-shore structures and taxation. Under his stewardship, the company had a portfolio of development product totaling in excess of $900,000,000.
Michael Cobb. During a successful career in the computer industry, Mr. Cobb decided to leave and pursue more pioneering opportunities in the emerging real estate markets of Central America. He and his business partner formed a company, Exotic Caye International, to provide loans to North Americans purchasing properties in Belize, Honduras and throughout the region.
As the need for capital outstripped the supply, the mortgage company was converted to an international bank under the jurisdiction of Belize. It continues to provide mortgage services, but has expanded its services to encompass the full realm of financial products. Exotic Caye is now a holding company for several other ventures including a resort on Ambergris Caye, Belize and a 100 acre teak plantation in Panama.
In August of 2000, Exotic Caye purchased 3.5 miles of Pacific Beachfront property due west of Managua, Nicaragua.
Unlike the traditional Central American development models, the Gran Pacifica business unit is planning to build a world-class 250-room resort hotel, 27 holes of golf, and associated amenities before selling the real estate, thereby supercharging returns to investors.
Additionally, Mike Cobb has spoken at numerous international conferences about real estate financing and development. He has acted as a consultant to the Oxford Club and gives counsel to various real estate projects throughout Central America. He, his wife Carol, and 2 daughters Amanda and Emily make their home in Managua Nicaragua.
Douglas Johnson and his team at HIFX work closely with their clients to assist them with the currency aspects of their international investments and purchases. Before becoming involved in the currency market Douglas received his degree in Economics and moved onto an operations role at an American banking institution, learning the intricacies of the banking world. He joined HIFX as a Corporate Currency Consultant and is now expanding the Private Client Division for the company. HIFX’s Private Client Desk helps private individuals buy and transfer currency at commercial exchange rates. Douglas remains committed to providing a level of service which is rarely given by the main stream banking establishments. Straight forward explanations of currency risks and how to best protect against them, as well as free transfers and zero commission ensures that every aspect of your currency transaction is as simple as possible.
Robert Fordi — Robert has real estate interests in the U.S. , Canada , Nicaragua and Panama . He is a speaker at financial conferences and author of numerous reports for financial newsletters discussing international real estate markets. He has been quoted in U .S. News & World Report, Wall Street Journal, Conde Nast Traveler and Gentlemen’s Quarterly.
In addition to managing real estate investments and partnerships in the U.S. , Robert is a world-class developer with projects in Nicaragua , Panama and Canada.
He holds a B.S. in Economics from Towson University , and an M.S. in Real Estate from The Johns Hopkins University.
Robert not only talks the talk, he walks the walk. So, when he tells you about lucrative international opportunities, he has already put his money where yours could (and should!) be. He’s been there, done that — with the profits to prove it — and now he’s coming to tell you how.
Richard Luchsinger — With 20 years in of financial experience and a strong background in investment management and planning, Richard’s advice and consent is sought by property investors worldwide He is securities licensed with the NASD series 7 and 63, plus the Florida life insurance licensing board.
Of special importance to off-shore investors, Richard has attained the coveted CFP® designation from the CFP® Board of Standards. This designation is awarded only to individuals who have successfully completed the rigorous CFP® Board’s initial certification and met its ongoing certification requirements.
The Associate Director of Sovereign International Asset Management, Richard has extensive experience in helping clients purchase real estate — domestic and offshore — with IRA funds.
If you’ve ever tried to purchase property with IRA funds, you know how tricky that can be. Richard will teach you all the tricks of the trade for buying property worldwide without the taxman cutting into your investment — or your returns! This session will help you avoid the "penalty for early withdrawal" — but there will be a penalty for late arrival. So, sign up now!
** Speakers and topics are subject to change.
