Who are Lowerys USA?

Lowerys USA have offices in both the UK and Florida. Our UK office has been in business since 1947 and has dealt with Florida property in relation to sales, rental and management since 1985. Our Florida office is fully licensed by the Florida Real Estate Commission and has been established for over 10 years. Our expertise is second to none and both our offices will ensure that our clients receive professional and impartial advice.

What properties do you offer?

We can and do offer virtually all property on the market at any given time. There are few exclusives in Florida and even resales are share by all agents via a computerised multiple-listing system. Therefore once you are dealing with Lowerys you can rest assured that we will have access to almost every property for sale whether new or resale.

How are inspection visits organised?

Unlike many of our competitors, we do not place potential buyers in hotels/motels and fail to provide them with a car so that in effect they are “captive”. We always supply a hire car and encourage buyers to acquaint themselves with the area so they are fully comfortable with their ultimate purchase. Also, we try to provide accommodation that is as close as possible to the type of property which any client may be considering purchasing.

What areas are best for rentals?

By far the majority of our clients will want to rent out their home when not using it themselves. In order to do this the property needs to be zoned for short term rental. The definition of a short term rental is any single period of less than 31 days. With some exceptions, the areas in which to purchase where such zoning is available is Osceola, Polk and Lake counties all of which are close to Disney.

Are property values appreciating in the Orlando area?

The forecasts for this decade indicate an average annual growth of 10%. So far the annual average to date has been much higher.

How much deposit will I require?

Assuming you require a mortgage then a minimum deposit of 20% of the purchase price will be necessary. If purchasing a new home then normally you would pay $5,000 on contract and top up that amount to 10% of the purchase price within 30 days. Some builders may require a little more. Other than that there is no further payment to pay until the property is completed. In the case of a resale home then once your offer has been accepted by the seller then you would pay an agreed deposit of normally between $5,000 to $10,000 and the balance upon completion.

Can you help us open a bank account?

We will make these arrangements for you and either take you to a local bank or arrange for them to send you the necessary documentation. This is a simple process but should be set up as soon as possible.

How long can I stay in Florida?

If your entry into the USA is under a visa waver scheme then you can stay up to a maximum of 90 days. An easily obtainable B-1 or B-2 visa will enable you to stay in the US for up to 6 months in any 12 month period. To reside in the US is much more complicated so please refer to the visa section on this website.

Can you arrange a mortgage?

Yes we have a number of mortgage brokers who specialise in finance for overseas buyers.

How long will it take to buy a property in Orlando?

This will entirely depend on the circumstances of the sale. New homes are always sold off plan. This enables the buyer to choose the design most suitable to their requirements and then select the plot on which it is built. On this basis the total time could take up to 12 months before you receive the keys. In the case of an existing resale property then obviously the transaction is much faster and normally completes within 6 to 8 weeks of signing contracts.

Will there be too many properties for the rental market?

Who really knows the answer to that question? The point is that there are some set economic forces in relation to the Disney rental market. If there were such a thing as the closest property to Disney then it would rent first. Bookings tend to fan out from Disney up to a 25 minute drive time. So if the market did get flooded then it would be those owners who bought properties in the outer regions who would suffer the full impact. Those who purchased 20 minutes or closer should still enjoy a high level of rental income. Our advice is to purchase as close to Disney as your budget allows.

Why do I need a broker to represent my interests?

Florida and the USA in general is probably the safest place to purchase property. However, the transaction still needs to be negotiated and the terms of contract agreed. Also sometimes there are strict time limits placed on deposits and other documentation being supplied and a broker representing your interests will guide you through the whole process. There are no discounts for dealing direct with the builder but to have a broker represent your interests costs you nothing - any costs are paid as a proportion of the sellers commission. It is a totally different arrangement to the UK and Europe but fully protects the buyer. Our advice is never to sign a contract without a real estate broker representing you.

What happens once I own the property?

Having guided you through the whole process of property purchase, we will then move forward with placing your home in our rental and management programme. Firstly we shall ensure that you have all the necessary licenses to rent out the property, arrange for the property to be fully inspected to comply with statutory requirements for rental purposes and to arrange for the supply of utilities. We are your representatives in Florida and will look after every aspect of the property on your behalf. Our guide to rental and management will provide you with all the details you need on this aspect. (Please refer the MANAGEMENT pages on this site)