I live on the Pacific Rim, where there is relative easy access to the Asian marketplace for both buyers and sellers. This region, Greater Puget Sound, is also culturally diverse--with generational settlements of Scandinavians and Pacific Islanders, plus a growing Hispanic community, and recent immigrants from Eastern Europe, Southeast Asia, and Africa. Because isn't that of Florida or Hawaii, it hasn't yet become a major vacation home destination; however, it is growing. From an investment standpoint, this is area in the US where property values have continued to increase when other areas have leveled or decreased. This is do primarily to strong employment forecasts.
Other than the picture of rain that pops into everyone's head when Pacific Northwest or Seattle are mentioned, does anyone have any thoughts as to why this region is not more heavily involved in International transactions?
Riley Jackson Real Estate Inc. - Olympia, WA
your Olympia area Realtor
Teri,
I suppose that in the future, trade with China will increase international business here in the Pacific Northwest. I don't think we'll ever be a major vacation home market, since our coastal climate is not altogether very attractive.
Sandy
Sep 18, 2007 04:38 AM
Tyler Property Management, LLC - Port Orange, FL
CIPS, TRC, CMCA, LCAM
Hi Teri, help is on the way! NWA/KLM just added a direct flight from Seattle to Amsterdam and that will increase the European influence in your area. You are also correct that the easy access from the Asian markets dominate the international buyers mix. Unfortunately, it does not help in marketing that your area has, as many rainy days as we have sunny ones in Florida, however not everyone wants that. More and more people are looking for "Eco-Tourism" destinations to visit and many of them can be turned into buyers in a specific area. As for the marketing aspect of it, promote the advantages of the area instead of the negatives. I am sure that you can find several reasons for anyone to come to your area. One of the things that many of the foreign investors are looking for when making a buying decision is "Do the numbers make sense?" and if the answer is "yes" the location is not as important.
Mar 20, 2008 03:38 AM
Real Living - Columbus, OH
Hi Teri,
Perhaps you are competing with San Francisco, which has better weather and a stronger Asian community. I imagine networking with Canada would be a good international start. You are in good proximity to Vancouver.
I have a worse problem in OH. Flat and no ocean... :)
Good Luck!
Karen
Jan 06, 2009 03:02 AM
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