Canadian REALTORS® are going global

In the past 12 months, the number of Canadian REALTORS® who have earned their Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) designation has more than quadrupled. And with nearly 40 per cent of properties purchased by international clients having been sold for over $500,000, more REALTORS® are seeing – and looking to take advantage of – the potential to enhance and diversify their income through international real estate activities.

Our President, Pauline Aunger, is one of them. “I am proud to have the CIPS designation and have access to referral partners in 50 countries,” she says. “Not only did I find the course material valuable, but the networking opportunities were phenomenal! The CIPS Institute opened my eyes to a world of global business possibilities.”

Our Director-at-Large, Richard Silver, adds, “No matter what side of the table you are sitting on, North America has strong property rights and will continue to be a popular home for foreign investors. Knowing how business is done in different markets and what expectations are is imperative to best serve your clientele.”

Regardless of the international audience you serve, the CIPS course provides the knowledge needed to grow your global business, covering topics like:

• Trends and indicators;
• Serving diverse clients and customers;
• The transaction process; and
• Setting, implementing and integrating goals.

CIPS designees also gain immediate access to exclusive marketing and technology tools, tips and techniques, as well as access to networking communities.

To help make it easier for Canadian REALTORS® to access the CIPS course, we have recently partnered with several Boards, including the Calgary Real Estate Board, the Toronto Real Estate Board, the Ontario Real Estate Association, the Brampton Real Estate Board and the Vancouver Real Estate Board.  More courses will be offered throughout Canada in 2016. You can also take the course in the U.S.; combining in-class instruction with local market knowledge and networking.

In recognition of our efforts to provide this valuable opportunity to more of our members, the National Association of REALTORS® recently presented CREA with the “CIPS Sponsor of the Year” award at their 2015 Conference & Expo in San Diego. We were proud to receive this honour and plan to continue our efforts to help Canadian REALTORS® build their knowledge and networks.

Interested in growing your share of the international marketplace? Check out our list of resources to help you get started and share your own tips in the Comments section below.