Real Estate Professionals and the Global Marketplace

Quick Takeaways

Use high-quality photos and videos
Tailor the house description to your target audience
Spell out details, such as measurements in feet or meters

Source: How to Market Your Home to Foreign Buyers: A Complete Guide (Clever Real Estate, Jan. 30, 2024)

In the context of international real estate opportunities, agents specialize in facilitating transactions across borders, helping clients navigate the complexities of foreign real estate markets, legal requirements, currency exchange, and cultural differences.

Some key points about real estate agents and international opportunities include:

Market Knowledge: Agents specializing in international real estate opportunities have in-depth knowledge of global property markets, including trends, regulations, and investment potential in different countries and regions.

Networking: They have a vast network of contacts, including local agents, developers, legal advisors, and financial institutions, which they leverage to assist clients in finding suitable properties and navigating the buying or selling process.

Legal and Financial Expertise: International real estate transactions often involve complex legal and financial considerations. Agents work closely with legal professionals and financial advisors to ensure that clients comply with local laws, understand tax implications, and secure financing options.

Cultural Understanding: Understanding cultural nuances is crucial in international real estate transactions. Agents with experience in global markets are adept at navigating cultural differences, language barriers, and negotiation styles to facilitate successful deals.

Risk Management: International real estate investments carry inherent risks related to currency fluctuations, geopolitical factors, and market volatility. Agents help clients assess and manage these risks by providing comprehensive risk analysis and mitigation strategies.

Diversification: Investing in international real estate offers diversification benefits by spreading risk across different markets and asset classes. Agents assist clients in identifying investment opportunities that align with their financial goals and risk tolerance.

Overall, real estate agents specializing in international opportunities play a vital role in facilitating cross-border transactions, providing expertise, and helping clients capitalize on global real estate markets' potential for growth and diversification.

See References for more information.

Featured

Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS)

The CIPS Designation

The CIPS designation provides NAR members with the knowledge, research, network, and tools to globalize their business.

International Transactions in U.S. Residential

report

July 14, 2025

The report highlights foreign client purchases and sales of U.S. residential property, and looks at U.S. clients seeking to buy property abroad.

References

NAR Library & Archives has already done the research for you. References (formerly Field Guides) offer links to articles, eBooks, websites, statistics, and more to provide a comprehensive overview of perspectives. EBSCO articles (E) are available only to NAR members and require the member's nar.realtor login.

Networking Opportunities at Home & Abroad

2025 International Conferences / Meetings & Events

75th FIABCI World Real Estate Congress

Hosted by FIABCI-Nigeria, this year’s Congress is themed "Global Real Estate Renaissance" and promises an unparalleled gathering of real estate professionals, thought leaders, and industry pioneers from around the world.

FIABCI World Prix d’Excellence Awards & Dinner – A major highlight of the event, this prestigious awards ceremony celebrates excellence in global real estate, offering an evening of recognition and networking.
Official Installation of the Incoming President & Board of Directors – In keeping with tradition, the official installation of the incoming President and Board of Directors will take place during the Farewell Dinner on the final evening.
First Meeting of the 2025-2026 Board of Directors – The new Board of Directors will convene for its first meeting on the morning of June 14, in a breakfast format.

June 9-13, 2025

Lagos, Nigeria

AFIRE 2025 European Conference

AFIRE members are invited to the Waldorf Astoria in Berlin, Germany, June 11-12, 2025 for the AFIRE 2025 European Conference, AFIRE’s annual executive conference for real estate leaders and institutional investors from around the world.

The AFIRE European Conference is held annually in June in a European city with a focus on the unique challenges of operating a global investment platform.

June 11-12, 2025

Berlin, Germany

SIOR'S International Conference

Global Frontiers: Charting The Future of Real Estate from the World's First Global Village

Get ready to connect with the best of CRE in a setting that inspires. Join top industrial and office leaders from across the globe for our next international conference in Lisbon, Portugal.

June 24-26, 2026

Lisbon, Portugal

BOMA International Conference & Expo

Commercial real estate’s rapid evolution calls for a revolution. At the 2025 BOMA International Conference & Expo, you’ll get equipped with strategies, connections and solutions to make positive changes for your business.

Join the whole CRE community in Boston to rethink the old rules and reimagine a new era for your properties and portfolios.

June 28-July 1, 2025

Boston, MA

EXPO REAL

Discover the entire spectrum of the real estate industry in one place at EXPO REAL, the international trade fair for real estate and investment, from October 6 to 8, 2025. Find out about the entire life cycle of real estate: from conception and development, financing and implementation to marketing, operation and use.

October 6-8, 2025

Munich, Germany

International Real Estate Information Sources

AFIRE

Established in 1988, the Association of Foreign Investors in Real Estate (AFIRE) is the association for international real estate investors focused on commercial property in the United States.

AFIRE currently welcomes more than 180 member organizations from 25 countries with approximately $3 trillion AUM in the US.

The World Property Journal

Our editorial focus and goal is simple -- to help all active property buyers, sellers, investors and tenants worldwide -- make more informed transaction decisions. Period.

Finding & Working with International Clients

What Real Estate Agents Need to Know About Working with International Buyers (A Brilliant Tribe, Jan. 24, 2025)

Know Your Audience: Most foreign buyers hail from Canada, China, Mexico, India, and Colombia, with an average purchase price of $314,600.

Offer Cultural Sensitivity: Understanding cultural nuances and customs builds trust.

Hire Multilingual Staff: A team fluent in multiple languages can bridge communication gaps effectively.

Strategies to Attract International Clients to Your Real Estate Business (BidHom, Apr. 30, 2024)

Social media platforms that are popular in your country might not be as popular in other countries. Instagram reels have become one of the most popular mediums to display properties. However, there are 10 countries that have banned Instagram, including China, Iran, and South Korea. In that scenario, you might miss a dark spot if you haven’t done the research right. You’ll have to identify the local mediums through which you can demonstrate your listings.

How Do I Market My Home to International Buyers? (The Best Sarasota Real Estate, Apr. 3, 2024)

Put it in their language. No matter where your home listing goes on the internet, provide a translation option so they can read it in their native language. Moreover, don’t forget to convert measurements, like square footage to square meters.

How to Market Your Home to Foreign Buyers: A Complete Guide (Clever Real Estate, Jan. 30, 2024)

Translate property listings and marketing materials into languages most spoken by potential international buyers. Prioritize Mandarin Chinese and Spanish, but also consider Russian, Arabic, Portuguese, French, German, and Hindi.

International Transactions in U.S. Residential Real Estatepdf (National Association of REALTORS®, 2024)

Top Foreign Buyers

Canada (13% of foreign buyers, $5.9 B)
China (11% of foreign buyers, $7.5 B)
Mexico (11% of foreign buyers, $2.8 B)
India (10% of foreign buyers, $4.1 B)
Colombia (4% of foreign buyers, $0.7 B)

Attract International Real Estate Clients with These Strategies (AgentFire, Oct. 29, 2023)

Engagement and views on your online posts can be heavily determined by when you post. Post at 2 a.m. in your client’s time zone and your post will be buried by the time they wake up. If your clients are located around the world, time zones will play a larger factor than usual in the success of your campaigns.

2023 Profile of International Homebuyer Transactionspdf (Miami Association of REALTORS®/National Association of REALTORS®, Nov. 2023)

Top Miami Foreign Buyers

Colombia (15%)
Argentina (14%)
Brazil (7%)
Venezuela (6%)
Canada (6%)

Top Destinations

Miami-Dade : $3.67 Billion
Broward : $1.07 Billion
Palm Beach: $270 Million
Other Florida counties: 60 Million

CFIUS Real Estate Instructions (Part 802) (U.S. Department of the Treasury)

Pursuant to FIRRMA, CFIUS is authorized to review certain transactions involving the purchase or the lease by, or a concession to, a foreign person of certain real estate in the United States, beginning on February 13, 2020.

Global Resources From the REALTOR® Organization

Center for Real Estate Development is an Internet-based education delivery system where real estate professionals can take courses online.

Unlock global real estate opportunities through the Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) designation, catering to diverse audiences such as international investors, U.S. residents exploring new markets, and local clients eyeing overseas property investments. The CIPS designation equips you with essential knowledge, research capabilities, a valuable network, and tools for business expansion.

The Certified International Property Specialist Network (CIPS) is made up of real estate professionals in over 60 countries, who focus on an international clientele. Through NAR's alliances with 81 national and regional Cooperating Associations worldwide, more and more members are joining the network from outside the United States. You can locate a CIPS Network member through our online directory by specific business, location and language specialties. Also follow CIPS on Facebook.

Global Alliances — NAR maintains formal relationships with more than 100 organized real estate associations around the world, giving REALTORS® confidence in working with professionals that abide by a code of ethics. These bilateral partnerships exist in 77 countries to help you establish business partnerships and referral opportunities.

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

Global Resources for Association Executives — The first step toward building global business is to raise awareness among REALTORS® that opportunities exist at the local level. Nearly every REALTOR® in America has access to global and multicultural clients, but many are unaware of the possibilities that engagement of those groups can create. Association Executives can promote global awareness and business in many ways.

International REALTOR® Membership — Members of NAR bilateral partners throughout the world can join NAR and take advantage of the power of a million-plus member organization. In an industry where relationships are key to business success, this membership helps you stand out among other professionals.

International Real Estate Research — from The National Association of REALTORS® Find out about international transactions in U.S. residential real estate, state-by-state international business reports and much more.

Realtor.com® International — Discover our list of all the available countries/regions and start searching for your global property.

Resort Area & Second Home Specialty Resources on nar.realtor — Find out about the Resort and Second-Home Property Specialist and connect with other members working in this real estate segment.

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 AFIRE Guide to U.S. Real Estate Investing (eBook)

The Brazilian Economy (eBook)

Business Across Cultures (eBook)

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

Buying a Property in Eastern Europe for Dummies (eBook)

Chinese Business Etiquette and Culture (eBook)

Communicating Globally An Integrated Marketing Approach (eBook)

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

Global Etiquette Guide to Mexico and Latin America (eBook)

Global Color: Clues and Taboos (eBook)

The Global Property Investor's Toolkit (eBook)

Foreign Language Study eBook Collection (eBook, Audiobook)

International Real Estate Handbook (eBook)

Investing in International Real Estate For Dummies (eBook)

Multicultural Manners (eBook)

Risk in the Global Real Estate Market (eBook)

Understanding the Global Market (eBook)

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