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Lawmakers across the country have sounded the alarm on foreign influence over agricultural production and national security in the U.S., but a Forbes article published in March states that 18 other countries own more agricultural land nationwide than China. 

From Manhattan to Miami, foreign investors seeking U.S. visas are a growing source of real estate financing through the job-creating federal EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program.

To help developers navigate the program’s complex requirements and frustrating delays, veteran developer Rodrigo Azpúrua’s new book, EB-5 Visas & Real Estate Development, provides a step-by-step approach to create successful projects.

The book guides real estate professionals in designing and building commercial real estate projects that meet requirements of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service’s (USCIS) EB-5 program. It’s a financing method being used nationwide to fully or partially fund projects including office buildings, mixed-use centers and resorts.

“When traditional financing evaporated in 2008, the EB-5 program really came into its own,” explains Azpúrua, who has been responsible for managing over $200 million in land development projects that created about 1 million square feet of office space throughout Florida.  “For development teams who master the complexities, it’s great financing alternative,” he said.  “Funding is relatively low cost, since investors are more focused on finding a reliable project to secure their immigration status than on high returns.”

Foreign participation in the EB-5 program keeps climbing, from 1028 visa petitions in 2009 to a 6,041 in 2012, toward the government’s current annual cap of 10,000 visas.  Launched in the early 1990s, the program lets qualified foreign investors obtain conditional resident status (green card) for investing a minimum of $1 million in U.S. businesses, or $500,000 in an economically challenged Targeted Employment Area.  If the individual’s investment creates at least 10 jobs within two years, the government grants permanent U.S. residency.

The book’s readers will learn how to:

  • Establish a job-producing project concept that aligns with EB-5 regulations and investors’ needs.
  • Assemble the multi-disciplinary team crucial to secure funding and manage the process.
  • Gauge if a project should move forward, based on financial feasibility, site selection, due diligence and marketing planning.
  • Understand EB-5 requirements, the Immigrant Investor Visa process and who can apply.
  • Evaluate job-creation projections, based on USCIS precedent and econometric analysis.
  • Create the highly disciplined business plan needed for government approval.
  • Reduce investor risk at every stage of the project.

Azpúrua brings life to the technical topic, sharing his first-hand development and immigration experiences.

An attorney who practiced real estate law for 14 years in his native Venezuela, he immigrated to the U.S. in 2001 and launched his development career in Miami.  He travels regularly to speak about EB-5 investment to audiences in the U.S., South America and China, and he has appeared as an expert on the subject in media including CNN and Fox News.

For information visit www.rivierapmo.com

Adam Von Romer, CCIM, Senior Investment Associate at Fitzgerald Group also has a new book on the shelves, “Getting Started in Commercial Real Estate Ten Step Program to Success!“ The book was co-authored by Von Romer and Patricia O’Connor.

Adam has taught or spoken for national and regional companies and associations such as Tandy/Radio Shack, Wiechert Realty, Marcus & Millichap, Coldwell Banker, Century 21, ERA, the Florida Association of Realtors, West Virginia Career College, and many more. He routinely conducts workshops and seminars on commercial real estate sales, commercial real estate leasing, commercial real estate financing,and commercial mortgage restructuring and modification.