UrbanToronto sat down with Barbara Lawlor recently to talk about a seminar that Baker Real Estate will shortly be hosting. The free seminar will give interested investors the info they need to understand all aspects of acquiring real estate in Florida.
"After studying the Florida real estate market for over a year, two months ago we opened a Baker office in Boca Raton. It is headed up by Executive Vice-President Jack Halkowich, a veteran of the Florida market, and who we will be bringing in as a guest speaker at our seminar.
"Canadian Snowbirds make up 24% of all purchasers in Florida. It's a huge group, the largest single group who buy in Florida. Canadians would like to understand what they are getting into when purchasing here. There are questions about financing, questions about property taxes, personal taxes, in what is a foreign country. Luckily for us there is a certain ease with buying in the United States, but there are a lot of questions that need to be answered.
"We want to be able to help people buy a retirement spot, a vacation spot, or an investment spot in Florida. Although it was severely hit during the recession, Florida is just starting to bounce. It is an essential time to buy in Florida."
UT: Is there much unsold inventory that you will be handling?
"There were units which were pre-sold from plans, and which were subsequently constructed, but the deals did not close. Those buildings have passed through the hands of receivers to new owners who can now pass on substantial savings to those seeking a real estate opportunity. The financial wrinkles have been ironed out and it is ready to go. In Miami and other places, prices have not just steadied, but are starting to creep. This year, and hopefully next year, is the time for Canadians to act to take advantage of the readjusting market."
UT: The office is in Boca Raton. Will you be specializing in the southeast of Florida?
"We won't be limiting ourselves to it. From the inquiries we received from developers who have product to sell, we have set ourselves up to take a broad approach to Florida."
UT: Will you continue to focus on condominium sales or will you also be acting as agents for single homes?
"We will be staying true to the mandate of selling new construction condominiums, which was Pat Baker's vision when she formed the company in 1993, although we will be offering a freehold townhome development in Pompano shortly.
UT: Are there any specific projects you would like to highlight?
"We have a very high end project in Boca Raton called One Thousand Ocean that we are offering, another in Clearwater. Builders are starting to talk about new construction again, so we are talking with builders about those."
UT: Are these projects being added to your website?
"We have a project up in West Palm Beach at the moment. We are redesigning our website currently, and we will be adding these new projects as they solidify.
"Now is the time to buy. For anyone who has been flirting with Florida, they should sign up for our first seminar next week"
"After studying the Florida real estate market for over a year, two months ago we opened a Baker office in Boca Raton. It is headed up by Executive Vice-President Jack Halkowich, a veteran of the Florida market, and who we will be bringing in as a guest speaker at our seminar.
"Canadian Snowbirds make up 24% of all purchasers in Florida. It's a huge group, the largest single group who buy in Florida. Canadians would like to understand what they are getting into when purchasing here. There are questions about financing, questions about property taxes, personal taxes, in what is a foreign country. Luckily for us there is a certain ease with buying in the United States, but there are a lot of questions that need to be answered.
"We want to be able to help people buy a retirement spot, a vacation spot, or an investment spot in Florida. Although it was severely hit during the recession, Florida is just starting to bounce. It is an essential time to buy in Florida."
UT: Is there much unsold inventory that you will be handling?
"There were units which were pre-sold from plans, and which were subsequently constructed, but the deals did not close. Those buildings have passed through the hands of receivers to new owners who can now pass on substantial savings to those seeking a real estate opportunity. The financial wrinkles have been ironed out and it is ready to go. In Miami and other places, prices have not just steadied, but are starting to creep. This year, and hopefully next year, is the time for Canadians to act to take advantage of the readjusting market."
UT: The office is in Boca Raton. Will you be specializing in the southeast of Florida?
"We won't be limiting ourselves to it. From the inquiries we received from developers who have product to sell, we have set ourselves up to take a broad approach to Florida."
UT: Will you continue to focus on condominium sales or will you also be acting as agents for single homes?
"We will be staying true to the mandate of selling new construction condominiums, which was Pat Baker's vision when she formed the company in 1993, although we will be offering a freehold townhome development in Pompano shortly.
UT: Are there any specific projects you would like to highlight?
"We have a very high end project in Boca Raton called One Thousand Ocean that we are offering, another in Clearwater. Builders are starting to talk about new construction again, so we are talking with builders about those."
UT: Are these projects being added to your website?
"We have a project up in West Palm Beach at the moment. We are redesigning our website currently, and we will be adding these new projects as they solidify.
"Now is the time to buy. For anyone who has been flirting with Florida, they should sign up for our first seminar next week"
Last edited: