Double the fun in the sun; Place in the sun DAVIE SNAPS UP TWO FAB PADS IN FLORIDA.Byline: Laura Davidson Businessman Davie O'Connor doesn't do things by halves. After deciding he fancied a holiday home abroad, he soon snapped up not one but two fabulous pads in sunny Florida. He said: "Anyone who knows me will know this is typical of me. I don't really go for half measures half measures Noun, pl inadequate actions or solutions: the education system cannot be reformed by half measures . "I bought my first place in Florida in December 2007 and five months later I decided to go for a second ...across the street from the first. "I loved the style of the houses and the quality of the build is fantastic. I also bought at a time when the exchange rate of the pound against the dollar was fantastic. It was an opportunity I couldn't let pass me by." Davie, 49, has just one regret - that his late wife Anne isn't here to enjoy his new purchase with him. She sadly died four years ago, aged 46, having suffered lengthy health problems after being born with a hole in the heart. Davie, director of a training company, said: "Anne would have loved relaxing by the pool in the sun. It makes it all a bit bittersweet bittersweet, name for two unrelated plants, belonging to different families, both fall-fruiting woody vines sometimes cultivated for their decorative scarlet berries. but I know Anne would be really happy for me." Davie, of Bishopton, Renfrewshire Bishopton (Baile an Easbaig in Scottish Gaelic) is a large village in Renfrewshire, Scotland, a few miles west of Erskine. Transport Links Bishopton sits a couple of miles from the southern end of the Erskine Bridge, which spans the River Clyde between , has been a regular visitor to America for some time. His younger brother Colin moved to Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. more than 20 years ago and Davie has made frequent trips to see him. But when considering buying his own place in the States, he decided Florida would attract more rentals from the UK than LA. He said: "It's a Brit version of the US - a mix of Britain and America. I'm also a big kid at heart and I love all the theme parks." In 2007, David contacted Hazel Kirkland of Scottish-based firm Florida Select Villas. She sent him details of various properties and he really liked Highgate Park, Davenport. After looking at pictures, surveying the specification sheet and speaking to the developers, he went for it. Davie said: "A lot of people would think it's mad to buy a house you haven't seen but I was content I was getting a good deal." Davie's five-bedroom, twostorey villa with private pool came fully furnished and cost him EUR EUR In currencies, this is the abbreviation for the Euro. Notes: The currency market, also known as the Foreign Exchange market, is the largest financial market in the world, with a daily average volume of over US $1 trillion. 305,000 (now pounds 200,000). Weeks after the purchase was finalised, just before last Christmas, he made a trip out. He said: "Because the villa was furnished, I just had to turn the key in the door and settle in. It instantly felt like a home from home." Bitten by the property bug, Davie bought his second villa. This time unfurnished, it cost EUR264,000 (now pounds 171,000) in May 2008. It's a carbon copy of the first villa in the same development, just across the road from his first house. Davie paid a deposit of a third of the purchase price on both villas, using equity from his home in Scotland and taking out mortgages for the balance. He said: "I'm not overly worried about the credit crunch Credit Crunch An economic condition whereby investment capital is difficult to obtain. Banks and investors become weary of lending funds to corporations thereby driving up the price of debt products for borrowers. as I'm not planning on selling any time soon. In the meantime Adv. 1. in the meantime - during the intervening time; "meanwhile I will not think about the problem"; "meantime he was attentive to his other interests"; "in the meantime the police were notified" meantime, meanwhile I have the choice of two villas to spend my holidays." To rent one of Davie's villas, log on to www.floridasunsetvillas.com FACTFILE If you are buying an older property, ensure the seller is using a standard Contract for Purchase and Sale of Real Estate. This is produced by the Florida Association of Real Estate and Florida Bar Association and can be tailored to individual needs. Confirm everything in writing - verbal agreements are not enforceable under US law. Hire a US real estate attorney to review the closing papers and, if you are buying a house under construction, to draft or review the purchase contract. Completion on the purchase will require all outstanding balances to be paid, so factor in enough time to allow for mortgage approval. This generally takes 2-3 weeks in the UK but less in the US. For more info about buying property in Florida, call Hazel Kirkland at Florida Select Villas on 01505 613603 or see www.floridaselectvillas.com CAPTION(S): Davie's plush five-bed villa in Davenport, Florida, is close to major theme parks; Two-storey home has a spacious kitchen and dining area, private pool and large bathroom; Davie plans to rent out both of his properties when he isn't enjoying breaks in them |
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion