More and more evidence points to the non-US buyer cherry-picking US real estate.  Whether for residency, investment or accelerated Visa, the non-US buyer is capitalizing on US property.  The US provides clear title, rule of law, stable-to-improving property value and a quality of life to be envied.  Just because DC politics are a mess does not jeopardize the overarching dynamics of a country where an entrepreneural spirit allows entrepreneurs to prosper. Just look at WhatsApp. Can you say $16B!  And so, do international buyers know that your property exists?

In my January 2014 analysis of single family sales in Old Town Key West, I concluded by pointing out how important it is to bring the non-US buyer into your real estate sale. I pointed out how important it is for Realtors to have a strategy to work with non-US buyers - who overwhelmingly buy US real estate with cash.  84% of real estate purchases in Florida in 2013 by non-US residents were in cash!! If your Realtor does not have a strategy to tap into this growing buyer pool then your sale could end up DIW - Dead in the Water.

Need Proof?

Unigroup is an International Moving Company conglomerate, in fact the International Moving Company of the Year 2013.  UniGroup Relocation provides international moving services designed to solve your mobility needs. Their worldwide network of international movers can help with every step of your relocation.

Unigroup produced a report in January 2014 that reveals the increased trend of foreigners moving to the US.  The countries heading that list are the United Kingdom, Germany, China, Australia and France.

What about it Dear Seller -

1. Are you positioned to receive inquiries about your property for sale from buyers in these countries? 
2. Is your Realtor associated with a Real Estate Company with global reach?  
3. Does your Realtor's Premium Marketing Plan incorporate the international buyer?

There are many sources of information and reports, this report from the National Association of Realtors, that detail the who, the what and the where about international buyers. And this report about those international buyers who love to buy in Florida.

What is not so easy to find is how Realtors and real estate Advisors create a strategy to tap into this generally above average income set of International Buyers.  Admittedly, few Realtors are going to go through the effort of developing and implementing a campaign to find international buyers and then just put it out into the open market for others to copy.

Even when I Sign In to the National Association of Realtors website, www.realtor.org, and Search for "How do I find international buyers" there ain't shineola. 

There are two specific atributes that you, as a Seller, want in your Realtor:

1. To be part of a Global Company
2. To have earned a Global Designation

Global Company

Engel & Voelkers, headquartered in Hamburg, Germany and in business since 1977, is a true Global Company.  Its 550 offices, strategically spread across 38 countries and 6 continents, will distribute and display your property through its:

1. Intra-office email network
2. Its own Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and
3. A company-wide closed circuit TV network that streams continuously photos and information of its premium properties.

Imagine your property on display in Boston, Santiago, London, Paris, Munich, Milan, Athens, Dubai, Johannesburg, Hong Kong, Phuket (Thailand), Buderim (Australia) and hundreds of cities in between!

For more on Engel & Voelkers, click here.

Global Designation

A Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) is a rare and noteworthy designation.  There are only 2500 CIPS Realtors worldwide, 1900 in the US and 700 in Florida. 

The CIPS designation is the only international designation recognized by the National Association of REALTORS®. Only Realtors who have completed the coursework and demonstrated considerable experience in international business can call themselves a CIPS designee, and use the name and logo.

A Realtor with a CIPS designation is recognized as having specialized working knowledge in several areas with a specific focus of the global client.  Among these are:

1. Currency and exchange rate issues
2. Cross-cultural relationships
3. Exact market conditions
4. Investment performance
5. Tax issues

A CIPS designated Realtor must be willing to travel and learn continuously about the environment of their client.

I am one of five CIPS designees in the Florida Keys.

The combination of a global company and a CIPS designated Realtor is going to place your property at the forefront of not only domestic but international buyers as well. Why is this good for you?  Easy.  More visibility = more offers = a better sales price.

If you have any comments or questions, please contact me here.

Thank you and Good luck!

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