Greetings, 

Did You Know...that a transaction with a client who was born or previously resided in a country outside the U.S. is considered an international transaction?

Announcing an Exciting New Business Tool: www.realestateconnections.tv	International BYB (build your business) Tip #2 Identify and develop a network of contacts in your local international community.  “Social” or ethnic clubs (i.e. French Clubs, Ukrainian Clubs, Polish Clubs) are a great place to get started! International Business Data NAR Research recently released “Business Data for Engaging in International Real Estate Transactions in Connecticut”.  The report presents recent economic data related to international business activity directly associated with Connecticut and explores the possible opportunities in real estate business in today’s global economy with foreign nationals, foreign companies and foreign referral counterparts. Click here to download a copy of the report. International IQ Click here to take a brief quiz and test your international IQ! CIPS Courses Start the New Year off right by creating a whole new market niche for yourself!  According to NAR’s 2006 statistics, the median income of REALTORS® in the Northeast without the CIPS designation was $35,000-$49,000 but for CIPS designees, it was $100,000-$150,000.  CAR is co-sponsoring the two-day prerequisite course “International Real Estate for Local Markets” with the Greater New Haven Association on February 25 & 27 in North Haven.  Click here for further details/to register. Click here for a full schedule of CIPS courses being offered.   International Calendar Click here for a full list of upcoming international meetings, events, conferences and expositions. Click here to check out CAR's International website. Click here to visit NAR's International website.
Ever wonder how you can connect with real estate professionals worldwide without even leaving the U.S.?  Real Estate Connections is the first global online community that helps professionals network with their global peers.  The site offers the typical community features – blogs, forums, a member directory – and much more!  The site also gives you the latest syndicated video real estate news from around the world, country information so that you can expand your global knowledge and video profiles to meet agents (virtually) from around the world.  To take the video tour and learn more about the site and all of its features, click here.
Canadian Buyers Look South
Reprinted with Permission of NAR's International Real Estate Report  U.S. REALTORS® have long looked south for foreign buyers and investors as many Latin American countries looked to put their money into the U.S. market.  More recently, it has been our neighbors to the north that have been buying up U.S. properties, drawn by the buying power of the newly strong Canadian dollar combined with depressed U.S. home prices.  The largest proportion of foreign buyers of U.S. homes from May 2007 to May 2008 (23.6%) were Canadian, double the percentage of a year earlier... click here to read the full article including consumer tips on how to attract Canadian buyers which REALTORS® can consider for their own marketing purposes.
The ABC's of International Acronyms
In a 2006 International survey conducted by CAR, 83% of members responding were not familiar with the acronym “ICREA”.   ICREA stands for International Consortium of Real Estate Associations.  The National Association of REALTORS® is a founding member and co-chair of this alliance whose members are leading national real estate organizations in the world's major markets.  Through a multilateral agreement and specific business practice protocols, this alliance provides significant benefits not only to its constituent members who seek to do transnational business but to its domestic constituents as well.  ICREA's primary objective is to assist members of the respective organizations in efficiently and profitably facilitating transnational business, including through a Transnational Referral System and a Distinctive Properties Advertising service.   For more information on ICREA, click here.
CIPS Spotlight: Linda St. Peter
Commercial REALTOR® and CAR 2009 President Linda St. Peter has held the CIPS designation since 2002.  She has also served as Chair of the Greater Hartford Association’s International Committee, Chair of CAR’s former International Advisory Committee and on NAR’s International Operations Committee.      As she begins her year as CAR President, we asked Linda to share her international experience/insights with us:   "Growing up in New York City, the commonalities and diversities of the world were always part of my local neighborhood.  Back in 1973, my first trip abroad was with an American Leadership Study Group where I spent the summer studying the history of western civilization at universities across Europe.  My most recent trip abroad was participating in the opening festivities of the Cultural Olympiad in Beijing last summer.   What I learned on both of these very different trips separated by many years was the same – it is the simple things everyone embraces.  “Home” is common in every culture – food, family, the security of a place to live and nurture our family and friends.  While in Beijing, I was invited to tea at a Hutong (the historic type traditional home built around a courtyard).  As REALTORS®, we embrace shelter as one of the most basic human needs – we build the communities that provide it every day – how special to see a family still living in their ancestral home dozens of generations later.     The cultural education aspects of the CIPS program helped me bridge the cultural gap that day...to enter a home as strangers, to part as friends.  It’s not about the “differences”, it’s about the common goal of homeownership and how we as REALTORS® can reach out within our local communities and better serve clients of every imaginable background in achieving this dream.  I would highly recommend that any REALTOR® obtain the CIPS Designation to help to expand their minds and their market...all real estate is still local, it’s just got a global spin now!"

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