(Updated January 2015)

Many real estate professionals have discovered the benefits and values of the world of international real estate. If you are thinking about going global or have already ventured into this arena, this field guide will provide you with tips for locating and working with international clients, etiquette, cross-cultural business guides and international networking opportunities. You will also discover an assortment of international real estate information sources, including a wealth of worldly resources from the REALTOR® organization, including referral opportunities and business partnerships in over 60 countries where NAR has established relationships! Plus, the international eBooks available in the Virtual Library at nar.realtor are definitely a must-read. (H. Hester, Information & Digitization Specialist)


E - EBSCO articles available for NAR members only. Password can be found on the EBSCO Access Information page.


Networking Opportunities at Home & Abroad

2015 International Conferences / Meetings & Events

Jan. 28–Feb. 1

Expo Immobiliaria ACOBIR, Panama City, Panama

Expo Immobiliaria ACOBIR is an annual conference attended by local and foreign buyers, international commercial and residential investors, real estate brokers, design and architecture professionals, hotel and multinational business executives, and the general public. Contact NAR liaison Carla Rayman for more information.

Mar. 10–13

MIPIM Commercial Real Estate Expo, Cannes, France

This large commercial real estate expo attracts global investment real estate capital with over 16,000 attendees. NAR will have a booth at the show. Contact Jan Hope at NAR for more information.

Mar. 23–27

CIPS Institute, Sao Paulo, Brazil

CIPS Institute (Global Real Estate: Local Markets, The Business of U.S. Real Estate, Asia/Pacific & International Real Estate, The Americas & International Real Estate, Europe & International Real Estate). Course is in English. Contact for additional information: silviacgama@gmail.com, chicopesserl@gmail.com

Apr. 19–21

2015 AREAA Global & Luxury Summit, Chicago, IL

This conference focuses on teaching you the necessary skills to position yourself as the cross-border transaction leader in your market. Take part in powerful workshops to hone your skills as a luxury professional, listen to international investment experts to gain the insight and knowledge necessary for dealing in these complex transactions, and connect your business to a network of thousands of like-minded professionals in this ultimate luxury event.

May 20–21

MIPIM Japan, Tokyo, Japan

MIPIM Japan is a forum for global property innovation that allows Japanese real estate professionals to share their projects and know-how with the world and international stakeholders to source capital or new opportunities in Japan.

May 26–31

FIABCI World Real Estate Congress, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

At the FIABCI World Congress, you'll participate in exciting programs filled with information about global real estate, working sessions, and study and recreational tours, and will have many opportunities for business development and networking.

Brochure

June 12–15

AMPI Summit, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

This annual event focuses on Mexico's second home and resort market. It includes property tours, networking, and activities designed for international REALTORS® interested in marketing overseas projects. 

July 10

Costa Rica Global Association of REALTORS® Sunset Cocktail Party and Golf Tournament, Tamarindo, Costa Rica

This annual event follows the July 6-10 CIPS Institute and brings together top real estate professionals from across the Americas. For more information, please contact crgarrealtors@gmail.com.

Aug. 30–Sept. 2

2015 SECOVI Convention

Participants will take part in exciting programs filled with information pertaining to global real estate. Convention activities will include working sessions, study and recreational tours, and numerous opportunities for business development and networking.

October (dates to be determined)

AMPI (Mexico) National Congress, Zacatecas, Mexico

This event brings together over 600 leading real estate professionals from around the world for three days of networking and education. Check AMPI's website often for detail and updates.

Oct. 5–7

Expo Real, Munich, Germany

This large commercial real estate event focuses on Central Europe.

December (dates to be determined)

FMAIM International Conference, France

Join over 3,000 French and international real estate professionals at this annual conference, with features lectures and round tables with industry experts, economists, business leaders and political figures. There will also be workshops on real estate topics, and an expo featuring products and services developed for real estate professionals.


International Real Estate Information Sources

Association of Foreign Investors in Real Estate

Global Real Estate Project (University of Denver).

Global Property Guide


Finding & Working With International Clients

Foreign Direct Investment and Immigration (Global Perspectives in Real Estate, Oct. 2014).

Online Marketing (Global Perspectives in Real Estate, Aug. 2014).

Profile of International Home Buying Activity (National Association of REALTORS®, July 2014).

Not a US Citizen?  Not a Problem (Global Perspectives in Real Estate, June 2014).

Investment Visas (Global Perspectives in Real Estate, Feb. 2014).

Competing for Investors on a Global Scale (Global Perspectives in Real Estate, Feb. 2014).

Networking Primer (Global Perspectives in Real Estate, Dec. 2013)

How to Make the Most of Every Networking Event (Global Perspectives in Real Estate, Dec. 2013)

The International Mentoring Association

National Mentoring Partnership

Top Markets for International  Home Buyers (REALTOR® Magazine Online, Mar. 26, 2012).

East Meets West (Global Perspectives in Real Estate, Feb. 2012).

Canadian Buyers (Global Perspectives in Real Estate, Dec. 2011).

Strength in Numbers (Global Perspectives in Real Estate, Oct. 2011).

Finding Global Clients (Global Perspectives in Real Estate, June 2011).

NAHREP Report: Latinos, First-Time Homebuyers Are the Key to the Housing Recovery (RISMedia, June 21, 2011).

Becoming a Global Agent (Global Perspectives in Real Estate, Feb. 2011).


Global Resources From the REALTOR® Organization

NAR has 81 cooperating real estate associations in 61 countries

The Certified International Property Specialist Network (CIPS) is the specialty membership group for international practitioners of the National Association of REALTORS®. The CIPS Network is comprised of 2,500 real estate professionals who deal in all types of real estate, but specialize in the "international" market. Also follow CIPS on Facebook.

Global Perspectives in Real Estate, a bimonthly newsletter, serves as a resource for global professionals who wish to globalize their local market.

View Archived Issues of Global Perspectives in Real Estate

Market to Market (Note: The National Association of REALTORS® is functioning solely as a facilitator/clearinghouse, and we do not guarantee any business development from participation in the International Market-to-Market Program.)

NAR's REALTOR® University is an Internet-based education delivery system where real estate professionals can takes courses online, click this link to browse the catalog for details on how to take the five required CIPS designation courses online

International Real Estate Research

Resort Area & Second Home Specialty Resources on nar.realtor

Realtor.com® goes global

International REALTOR® Membership

Global Resources for Association Executives

Diversity Initiatives

For more resources and information on global issues visit: www.nar.realtor/global.


eBooks & Other Resources

eBooks.realtor.org

The following eBooks and digital audiobooks are available to NAR members:

The Brazilian Economy (Kindle, Adobe eBook)

International Real Estate Handbook (Kindle, Adobe eBook)

Internet Resources and Services for International Real Estate Information (Kindle, Adobe eBook)

Risk in the Global Real Estate Market (Kindle, Adobe eBook)

A Reference Grammar of Modern Standard Arabic (Adobe eBook)

Advanced Spanish Grammar (Adobe eBook)

All Audio Spanish - Step 1 (Overdrive Audiobook)

Arabic on the Move (Overdrive Audiobook)

Beginning French for the Utterly Confused (Overdrive Audiobook)

Business Across Cultures (Kindle, Adobe eBook)

Buying a Property in Eastern Europe for Dummies (Adobe eBook)

Business Without Boarders: A Strategic Guide to Global Marketing (Adobe eBook)

Chinese Business Etiquette and Culture (Kindle, Adobe eBook)

Chinese on the Move (Overdrive Audiobook)

Collins English to French Dictionary (Kindle)

Communicating Globally An Integrated Marketing Approach (Adobe eBook)

Dr. Blair's Express Lane: Chinese (Overdrive Audiobook)

Dr. Blair's Express Lane: French (Overdrive Audiobook)

Dr. Blair's Express Lane: German (Overdrive Audiobook)

Dr. Blair's Express Lane: Italian (Overdrive Audiobook)

Dr. Blair's Express Lane: Japanese (Overdrive Audiobook)

Dr. Blair's Express Lane: Spanish (Overdrive Audiobook)

Dr. Blair's French in No Time (Overdrive Audiobook)

Dr. Blair's Spanish in No Time (Overdrive Audiobook)

French on the Move (Overdrive Audiobook)

The Global Etiquette Guide to Africa and the Middle East: Everything You Need to Know for Business and Travel Success (Kindle, Adobe eBook)

Global Etiquette Guide to Mexico and Latin America (Kindle, Adobe eBook)

Global Color: Clues and Taboos (Adobe eBook)

Instant Immersion Arabic (Overdrive Audiobook)

Instant Immersion French (Overdrive Audiobook)

Instant Immersion German (Overdrive Audiobook)

Instant Immersion Italian (Overdrive Audiobook)

Instant Immersion Mandarin Chinese (Overdrive Audiobook)

Instant Immersion Spanish (Overdrive Audiobook)

Italian for Dummies (Overdrive Audiobook)

Italian on the Move (Overdrive Audiobook)

Learn in Your Car French Complete (Overdrive Audiobook)

Learn in Your Car French Level One (Overdrive Audiobook)

Learn in Your Car French Level Two (Overdrive Audiobook)

Learn in Your Car French Level Three (Overdrive Audiobook)

Learn in Your Car French Verbs 101 (Overdrive Audiobook)

Learn in Your Car German Complete (Overdrive Audiobook)

Learn in Your Car German Level One (Overdrive Audiobook)

Learn in Your Car German Level Two (Overdrive Audiobook)

Learn in Your Car German Level Three (Overdrive Audiobook)

Learn in Your Car German Verbs 101 (Overdrive Audiobook)

Japan: Doing Business in a Unique Culture (Kindle, Adobe eBook)

Multicultural Manners (Kindle, Adobe eBook)

Pocket Business German Dictionary (Adobe eBook)

The Rise of the Chinese Consumer (Kindle, Adobe eBook)

Russian A Self Teaching Guide (Kindle, Adobe eBook)

Spanish for Dummies (Overdrive Audiobook)

Field Guides & More

These field guides and other resources in the Virtual Library may also be of interest:

Field Guide to Cross-Cultural Business Etiquette

Field Guide to Marketing to the Hispanic Community

Field Guide to Real Estate Organizations

Information Services Blog

Field Guide to China Real Estate

Field Guide to Doing Business with Brazil

Field Guide to Foreign Investment Trends in the US

Field Guide to International Referrals


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The inclusion of links on this field guide does not imply endorsement by the National Association of REALTORS®. NAR makes no representations about whether the content of any external sites which may be linked in this field guide complies with state or federal laws or regulations or with applicable NAR policies. These links are provided for your convenience only and you rely on them at your own risk.

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