The US-Nigeria Business Council has partnered with its member, CrystalOrbit Realty, to offer a program to its members involving the purchase and management of residential and commercial real estate in the United States, particularly in the Atlanta area. CrystalOrbit Realty is managed by a team with over 10 years’ experience in the field, and provides the following services:

1) Search for suitable property based on the buyer’s requirements.
2) Once the property is identified and agreement is reached between the buyer and seller, and financing has been secured, CrystalOrbit Realty, which is owned by a fully licensed Georgia broker, will provide all the necessary brokerage functions (legal paperwork, escrow and title company paperwork) and close communication with our member buyer, to finalize the purchase. All property acquisition services are provided for our members as complimentary, free of charge.
3) If the property is for purposes of investment and will not be owner occupied, then CrystalOrbit Realty is ready to provide a full palette of services to the landlord/buyer. These include:
•    the search for suitable tenants who have been fully screened,
•    collection of rental payments,
•    keeping tenant and landlord security and reserve deposits in a trust account at a bank,
•    arranging for all necessary repairs and maintenance of the property and
•    providing monthly detailed reports to the landlord as well as annual reports for tax purposes and other services as needed by the buyer/landlord.

The fee for these property management services will depend on their scope as well as type of property managed and is subject to negotiation.

The program described above is also being offered to foreign-based real estate investors. The value of the proposed program will be significantly increased if a law, currently being considered by the US Congress, is passed. This new immigration law, if passed, will provide foreign purchasers of US real estate with a Green Card if the investment in real estate totals a minimum of $500,000 through a Regional Center or a minimum of $1,000,000 solo direct investment. Several properties of less value can be purchased to add up to the investment target. The law is designed to encourage investment in US real estate by foreigners in order to help in the revival of this important sector of our economy. We shall keep track of progress in the passage of this new law and inform our members, as well as foreign-based readers and potential members, if and when this law becomes a reality.