dunroving

Some people just need to get over themselves. the OP's feelings don't need defending - he already left.

Jerseygirl

Merry Christmas Susy.

chrisfromusa

Poor OP. But hopefully at least we saved his honorable self from dishonoring himself by avoiding foreclosure down the road. But it's true for the naysayers out there, in Miami you either live there full-time, or you have a good paying job to own a place that doesn't get robbed. All the clubs, bars, street parties, sun, tropical winter heat doesn't pay your housing costs.

Ray

Obvious you dont live in Miami

dunroving

We just got back from a wintry walk in the same hills you can see in her photo. Can't get that in Miami.

Ginblossom

Maybe the OP is still around and lurking. I hope so. After all, not much of a board if anytime someone new comes along they are scared off.

As for the whole holiday home thing, its no big deal. I mean, wtf's with the intent of saying well at POE you are going to get banned.

Think about it. Average joe has some cash saved up. They buy a US holiday house somewhere :Call it FL or Az if you want.

They work in the UK and live in the UK. They come to the US for say 3 weeks, nice long hoiday in their newly acquired home.

They go home again for three months, come back again for say another 30 days. Repeat. At POE, Immigration are going to say what to them? Purpose of visit? Vacation. Stamp.

End of story, everyone's happy. And most of all, no need to jump down anyones throat just because they asked a question about buying a house.

Sally Redux

That would be a second home, though.

Ray

Of course you have never had to commiserate with the people who never asked first...

Ginblossom

Most probably, but still irrelevant. US Immigration doesn't ask you how many homes you have or indeed where you live when you arrive at the POE in the circumstances I describe above..

fatbrit

Unfortunately they do. They ask most people very little until the person appears above the radar, i.e. by visiting an awful lot. Remember most Americans have one vacation a year for two weeks, and probably wouldn't consider travelling further than a neighbouring country for it.

So if you're young, not a billionaire sport star and have a 1-month vacation every quarter, you're on that radar waving your red flags. Once they start questioning, they can ask you anything they fancy. And they're not particularly squeamish about it either. As you have basically no rights (someone a couple of years ago did manage to get far enough to sue in civilian court after being beaten up by a CBP officer at a Texas crossing, though!), the sky is the limit.

meauxna

You're making a declaration of eligibility by signing the I-94W and/or applying via ESTA; review the eligibility for using the VWP. Or, review the post I already made in this thread discussing a home outside the US you do not intend to abandon.
The people you describe might be fine for a long time, or a short one. There is no guarantee. And, those people are NOT what the OP described.

The guy asked "What are the pit falls?" and people told him. I don't see what the big drama is here. No one can guarantee that he will be admitted to stay in the home he (hypothetically) owns in the US. If he is OK with that, fine.. purchase away. But, maybe he didn't know some of the facts of life. I don't think anyone was particularly cruel to him.. his question was reasonable.

Now, interestingly enough, there is a guy posting today who *did* have that travel pattern and situation I described above, and he says he's been coming and going on the VWP for 3 years. He clearly had the right sort of evidence/story for his border agents, or his card never got punched.

Ginblossom

I don't really see the issue here myself. The guy was told from the get go, that basically he was going to hit a ton of immigration problems. I disagree.

I disagree because, assuming said home is a holiday home, which the OP came back and basically said yes it was, then there is no issue.

As for the comments about visiting a lot, I don't think that is an issue.

As long as the person sticks to the time / in time out rule there is no big deal. I personally flew in and out of the States pretty much on a two weekly basis at once point ...and never had an issue at multiple POE's. Why, because I never infringed on the system. And yes, I liked to have a holiday or visit people. And more than once a quarter!

It is not illegal to own a vacation home. A guy who owns a house anywhere in the US who stays out of the country for more time than he is in it, is not going to have any serious issues assuming everything he does when he is the USA is completely legal. i.e. he doesn't start applying for jobs or something similar.

Yes, of course at POE they can ask you anything, refuse you entry if they absolutely want too but a law abiding vacationer, why would they. It really is most unlikely.

Sometimes I think people just want to make more of it all than it is actually is. Why, I have no idea. Perhaps it adds to their own perceived self importance.

BritishGuy36

You're entitled to your opinion.

In this case, however, it's wrong.

Ginblossom

Well, we all know the quote about everyone having opinions and those being similar to that of body parts.

But, ok, I'll bite - why I am wrong?

Noorah101

I think for me, the biggest hurdle for the OP is that he has NO stable home outside the USA at the moment. Instead of this Miami home being a 2nd home for vacation purposes, it will be his ONLY home that he owns. I know, that still doesnt' mean he intends to live there permanently, but since he can't demonstrate any ties to the UK in the form of property or work, then I think that diminishes his chances at being able to spend significant time in Miami.

Rene