Who can I be for you?
In most cases, a problem solver. Why? Most people contact me because they want to sell a property in Florida.
Sometimes they only ask for the price and believe that whoever quotes the highest price gets the job. Yes, that’s how listings are created that sit on the market for a year or longer without inquiries—until, at the end of one’s patience, they sell with a significant price cut.
The assumption that selling a property abroad is as simple and tax-free as selling a gold coin is common—but false.
The truth is that selling with my team and me is easy because we love real estate. Especially undeveloped land, which most agents treat as a neglected stepchild.
Your average agent says: “Build your dream home here.” The sales image is an outdated free picture from Google. The agent hasn’t noticed—because he hasn’t checked—that the zoning has changed and only a commercial unit can now be built there. We’ve seen it all!
You only become really good at something when you love what you do!
What can you expect from me?
My team and I look closely at every property and piece of land. We perform a detailed marketability check and identify potential challenges and opportunities early on—instead of just giving you a number.
You actually won’t receive a number from us by email. You’ll receive an invitation to a personal conversation, usually by phone or Zoom. You get to know us, and we get to know you.
Important: Once we both decide to work together, you’ll have a team by your side that supports you throughout the entire process. It’s more extensive and valuable than most people expect.
Richard Banks at a business meeting in Cape Coral, Florida.
Why?
Selling property abroad is an adventure with several stages. There’s the preparation, presentation, and negotiation phase, and—if successful—the closing. This is often where an agent’s responsibility ends. But who guides you through the tax return process and ensures that the money from your sale actually arrives in Germany?
Commission-based sales don’t yield so much profit that every job must be taken. It should be fun and help people successfully complete their Florida adventure.
Why can we do it?
Because we’ve done it successfully over 140 times. First with our own money as investors, later on behalf of clients. Not only on the official market, as agents usually do. Auctions, network contacts, and special marketing actions are part of our toolbox.
While others use outdated but free Google images, we commission current professional aerial photos.
You can also buy property with us
Buying property is rarely requested from me. Again, the majority of people think in terms of existing listings and jump on whatever is visible on the market.
The best purchases we’ve made were for properties not yet on the market but perfectly matching the buyer’s vision.
This home in Cape Coral now generates income from vacation guests for a German investor.
Become an investor
We pass on this fine art to our investors who want to build property wealth in America. This isn’t a gift—it’s a three-year professional mentorship toward becoming a “professional real estate investor.”
Slide from the presentation.
My team and I can do this because we’ve done it ourselves successfully many times before.
Here are some examples from the presentation:
Monopoly with real land in America – a game concept for Germans
The refined work of a land flipper: purchase + improvement + sale = benefit for the buyer + profit for the investor.
This property was acquired through a Tax Deed Auction (foreclosure due to unpaid property taxes).
Money was earned on this property without owning it. The investor—in this case, myself—bought the Tax Lien Certificate at 18% interest. With proper research, it’s a secure investment since the property guarantees repayment. If the taxpayer fails to pay, the security can be enforced through a Tax Deed Application. See the previous image.
Richard Banks as a speaker
I’m actually not a public speaker. I’m a professional investor and creator. But when the organizer at the Waldbund (= Forest Association) Conference asked me to give insight into land flipping in America, the room first went silent in amazement and then became very lively—with more questions than time allowed.
As a speaker at the Forest Association Conference.
If you are part of an organizing team, you can invite me to introduce your audience to this game.
For me, “game” is a fitting word—in a noble sense! Life itself is a game to be played for joy, and it’s up to us which roles and turns we choose to shape within it.
If you read such lines with bitterness, please don’t request my help with buying or selling real estate. But if you do send an inquiry, feel free to include some personal information. It makes collaboration more pleasant.
Anything but ordinary 😉
We also love challenging cases such as inheritances, estate clearances, appraisals, and assignments from courts and the police. Thanks to us, real estate fraud has been prevented multiple times, and we’ve returned “stolen” properties to their rightful owners.
When clearing estates, reliability is key, as clients can rarely be on site. In this case, we had to decide what would be packed and shipped to the retirement home in Germany.
We have successfully recovered 5 properties (=100% success rate) for their rightful owners.
Land valuation and sales are manageable for most agents, though not popular due to lower commissions. However, if you are appointed by German authorities to inspect and secure homes in Florida, utmost sensitivity and reliability are essential.
Despite Florida’s 300 sunny days a year, this isn’t a job for fair-weather agents.
Go straight to the professional.
Of course, we’ve also taken over clients who started with another agent but didn’t reach their goal. It’s a pity for the lost time. Let’s use the time we have in life and make the best of it!
5 minutes with Richard Banks
If you’re unsure whether I’m the right one for your matter, send it to my office. They’ll prepare it for me, and we’ll discuss it for 5 minutes free of charge so you can make an informed decision.
Richard Banks in his Florida territory.
3 sample thank-you letters from our clients
Inherited property saved and sold excellently
This property was almost foreclosed because the estate administrator hadn’t paid taxes for years, and sales attempts failed. At the last hour, the auction was halted, the inheritance clarified, and the property sold with great success. The representative of the heirs wrote:
A very trustworthy and successful collaboration with Mr. Richard Banks and his team lies behind us. Hiring Florida-Grundbesitz e.V. to sell our property in Florida was, in every respect, the best decision we could have made. A letter addressed to my siblings and me by Mr. Banks, offering assistance in marketing our property, was the beginning of this shared journey. With his great competence and outstanding expertise, Mr. Banks was a partner who guided us with advice and action throughout the process. His extensive knowledge of Florida property marketing made it easy for us to follow his lead. The excellent presentation of our property was purposeful and enhanced by a perfect appearance. We must also mention the great assistance of his colleague, who contributed remarkably. We express our highest appreciation and wish Florida-Grundbesitz e.V. many more successful closings. Sincerely, Doris R. – on behalf of my siblings
Problem solved first, then sold for a great price
This client found us through online research, looking for a solution to a problem. Together, we solved it and then successfully sold his property (pictured). He was so delighted with our professional support and network that he sent us fine Swiss chocolate by DHL, with an envelope for each team member. 😉
Stolen property recovered and Florida portfolio sold successfully
As you can see from the image, this case was delicate. A client found us via Google because his property had been stolen. You see—data privacy observed—a sample of the forged documents from the fraudulent transaction. These are shown to illustrate how crude forgeries can still pass. As a property owner, you shouldn’t rely solely on U.S. systems but add our “Property Fraud and Protection Service.” The basic version is free—just ask.
Our new client from Austria hired us to recover his stolen property. It was a complicated and tedious process, but our success rate is 100%. We then sold this and all other lots in Port Charlotte for him, to his highest satisfaction. Costs and commission were billed as agreed. Shortly after, we received a second payment—a bonus. Months later, he wrote again: his FIRPTA refund from the IRS had arrived. Satisfaction turned into enthusiasm. The gentleman is an international property investor and licensed agent himself—a great recognition from a professional. Another bonus payment followed.
My team and I are deeply grateful to serve such wonderful clients.
Nice — that’s how I started years ago:
