Lynn Minnick
By Lynn Minnick
As a certified international property specialist (or CIPS), I was able to participate in a really fantastic webinar session offered by the National Association of REALTORS®’ Global division. The webinar was presented by NAR Director of Digital Engagement Nobu Hata, who offered very helpful ideas for developing marketing with a global customer base in mind. As a result, here are the items that I am considering implementing to attain a more global reach:
- Photos - They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but in this case it pronounces them in all languages. Go strong with well-composed, well-lit, well-staged photos. Use a professional photographer if the situation requires it. International buyers are visual buyers, too.
- Responsive Design – Does your Web site work well on all platforms? Because it has to. With so many buyers using their mobile devices to search for homes, especially those visiting from abroad, you need to be sure your site works on phones and tablets. Take the time to check. Continue reading »
Cindy Fauth
By Cindy Fauth
Do you think global buyers don’t exist in your area? I’ll bet there are. You don’t have to look hard−just with a different perspective.
Here are a few things to consider before making the assumption that global buyers aren’t in your area, or that you shouldn’t spend your time trying to capture them.
- Global buyers aren’t just big-time investors from faraway places like China, India, the Middle East, etc. This buyer segment includes Canadian snowbirds, or even first-generation (or second-generation for that matter) immigrants who currently live in the U.S. but are more familiar with the business practices of their native country than those in the U.S., or a U.S property buyer looking overseas. Collectively, global buyers purchased over $82 million in U.S. residential real estate last year.
- The NAR Profile of Home Buying Activity concludes every year that international buyers are purchasing in all 50 states. Want proof of that in your state? Check out the NAR State-by-State International Business Reports. Click on your state for a snapshot of what international business activity is taking place there, or click the link to the full .pdf report. You’ll see how immigrants were admitted into your state last year, what countries they came from, and what the top export countries were. (All reports available at realtor.org/research).
- Have you heard about the Realtor.com® International Website? It has changed the way foreign buyers are looking at U.S. real estate. They can view your listings in their language (11 languages are currently available), in their currency, and can convert area from feet to meters. The site launched in November 2011, and since then it averages close to one million unique international visitors each month. That is a lot of international eyes on your properties. Want to know where they are looking? Check out the interactive map that shows which countries are looking most, and what U.S. cities they are looking in.
Working with global buyers can be more complicated than a domestic transaction, but it can be well worth your time. Continue reading »
Dawn Miller
By Dawn Miller, 2009 NAR Conference Blogger
If you didn’t have a chance to go to the YPN reception last night, you missed out! The rooftop of Hotel Solamar was packed as early as 6:30 p.m. when YPNers from across the country met to introduce each other, share, and exchange ideas.
If you did go, I hope we had a chance to meet! Start looking for #ypn and #joinypn on Twitter to help find your fellow YPN REALTORS®. We’ll be able to do more networking, socialize, and maybe even send a referral back or forth.
By this time in the conference you have probably been going nonstop. From meeting to forums, to the expo and receptions. Recharge your batteries tonight, because tomorrow I want to take you on a trip around the world!
Don’t leave the conference without meeting some fellow international REALTORS® tomorrow at the International Networking Center found on the international side of the expo. There will be many networking times throughout the day to meet REALTORS® from many different countries as early as 10 a.m.
Don’t forget to visit my friends Claudette and Roberto at Playa Boninta Beach Residences booth and Luis with Boomers Abroad. I had the opporunity to meet them in July during an International Real Estate Expo in Dominican Republic. As you’re leaving the international side of the expo, take some time to visit with Amanda Dykes at the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing booth where they have incredible opportunities to mix luxury home marketing and International real estate together!
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