International housing sales
A survey by the National Association of REALTORS (NAR) found that Florida is in the top tier nationally for home purchases by foreigners, according to a press release from Smith & Associates Real Estate.
From April 2015 to March 2016, residential properties purchased by foreign buyers totaled more than $103 billion in sales, a 3 percent increase over the previous 12-month period. California, Texas, Arizona, New York and Florida accounted for more than half of those sales, with Florida topping the list with 22 percent of all sales, according to the 2016 Profile of International Activity in U.S. Residential Real Estate.
Florida’s year-round warm climate, award-winning beaches and easy access to international airports are attracting foreign buyers, according to the survey.
The top five countries of international buyers in the United States are China, Canada, Mexico, India and the United Kingdom. Their purchases were valued higher than the median price of all U.S. home sales, and most were purchased with cash. Nearly half of the sales were in suburban areas.
The survey found that China exceeded sales from every other country in volume and price, accounting for 14 percent of international real estate activity in the nation.
To promote Tampa Bay on an international level, Smith & Associates Real Estate is partnering with Mayfair International Realty, a global real estate group catering to international buyers.
Job fair
Pasco County’s Department of Emergency Services will host an open-house style job fair on Aug. 24 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at 8744 Government Drive, Building A, in New Port Richey.
The county’s 911-call center has 19 positions available.
The county is looking for people who can be calm under pressure, enjoy helping people and want great job benefits.
The 911-center team handles emergency calls on a state-of-the-art computerized dispatch system and determines the appropriate response for each call for service.
Visit YouTube.com to view a Pasco County 911 Call Center Recruitment video.
Applications can be made online or in person at the job fair.
For more information, visit FL-PascoCounty.civicplus.com.
Economic briefing
The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce will have its monthly economic development briefing on Aug. 25 at 11:30 a.m., at Pebble Creek Country Club, 10550 Regents Park Drive in Tampa. The guest speaker will be Hector Mencia of Costco Wholesale.
The $15 cost includes a buffet lunch.
For information, email , or call (813) 994-8534.
Network luncheon
The North Tampa Chamber of Commerce will host a network luncheon on Aug. 25 at 11:30 a.m., at IHOP, 408 E. Bearss Ave., in Tampa. The theme is relationship building with business neighbors. Order from the IHOP menu. A senior lunch menu will be available to all. Minimum of $5 is required if you do not order food, plus you must pay for your drinks.
For information, call TransAmerica at (813) 334-8998, or email Jenn Beaumont at .
Women-n-Charge
Join the ladies of Women-n-Charge on Sept. 2 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., at Pebble Creek Country Club, 10550 Regents Park Drive, in Tampa. The meeting includes lunch, a fashion show with a local store, and time to network.
The cost is $15 for members and $18 for all guests. Please register at Women-n-Charge.com.
For information, call (813) 600-9848, or email .
Breakfast meeting
The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce will have its monthly breakfast meeting on Sept. 6 from 7:30 a.m. to 9:15 a.m., at Pasco-Hernando State College, Porter Campus, at 2727 Mansfield Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.
Guest speaker will be Paul Tash, chairman and chief executive officer of the Tampa Bay Times and Times Publishing Co.
The cost is $15 for members who register by Sept. 2 and $20 thereafter. Non-members pay $20.
For information, contact the chamber at (813) 994-8534 or .
Breakfast meeting
The Wednesday Morning Networking Group will meet Sept. 7 at 7:30 a.m., at The Lake House at Hungry Harry’s Family Bar-B-BQ, at 3116 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes. Each attendee will be able to present a 30-second pitch. The $7 cost for members and $10 for non-members includes breakfast.
For information, contact the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce at (813) 909-2722 or .
Toastmaster class
Zephyrhills Toastmasters will have a class on public speaking on Sept. 8 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at Microtel Inn & Suites, 7839 Gall Blvd., in Zephyrhills.
Overcome your fear of public speaking and deliver more dynamic presentations.
For information, contact Sam Abrahani at (813) 863-4608 or .
Industry awards
The Pasco Economic Development Council will hold its 30th annual Appreciation Banquet and Industry of the Year Awards on Sept. 8 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., at Saddlebrook Resort & Spa, 5700 Saddlebrook Way in Wesley Chapel.
Nominees for this year’s awards are Bayfront Health Dade City, Bayonet Plumbing Heating and A/C, ComPark 75, Crestmark Pharmacy Services LLC, Dixie Belle Paint Company, First National Bank of Pasco, Global Enterprises LLC, Leggett & Platt Adjustable Bed Group, Marjorie’s Hope, Nicopure Labs LLC, Optimum Plumbing LLC, Premier Community Healthcare Group, Rogers Tower P.A., Southeast Bottling & Beverage Co., Southeast Personnel Leasing Inc., Trxade Inc., and USA Underwriting Solutions of America.
The awards recognize top companies in Pasco County that excel in technology, innovations, job creation, growth, capital investment and community involvement. The annual awards banquet is attended by more than 600 business and community leaders, as well as elected officials.
For information on the event, visit PascoEDC.com/events, or call (813) 926-0827, ext. 226.
Business seminar
The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce is partnering with the Pasco Economic Development Council to offer a 10-week business seminar, SMARTstart CO.STARTERS, beginning Sept. 10 from 9 a.m. to noon, at the Wesley Chapel chamber, 6013 Wesley Chapel Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.
The Saturday classes will help business owners and entrepreneurs validate their ideas and learn how to turn those ideas into reality. Up to 15 slots are available. Online registration must be completed by Sept. 7 at 4 p.m.
For information, call Pasco EDC at (813) 926-0827, ext. 225, the chamber office at (813) 994-8534, or visit the SMARTstart Pasco Business Incubator website at SmartstartPasco.com.
