ShareRegional Coordinator's Message: Carla Rayman-Kidd
We’re seeing strong interest in CIPS education throughout the region, which is currently the biggest component of NAR’s outreach efforts.
In Mexico, the Asociación Mexicana de Profesionales Inmobiliarios (AMPI) is extremely active, hosting many networking and educational events each year, including CIPS courses. It’s one of the easiest markets for CIPS designees to find networking opportunities.
The REALTORS® Association of Jamaica (RAJ) just celebrated its 50th anniversary and has made major strides in raising industry professionalism, primarily through the establishment of a code of ethics largely modeled after NAR’s. RAJ also hosted their first 5-day CIPS Institute in 2016 and is planning a second in 2017.
CIPS classes have also been hosted by the Costa Rica Global Association of REALTORS® (CRGAR), and the Bahamas Real Estate Association (BREA) has their first training scheduled for February 2017. In several other countries, including Panama, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras, NAR’s President’s Liaisons are currently working to cultivate relationships further.
Additionally, the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) is an active partner with NAR. NAR members and CREA both share the REALTOR® trademark. Also, several CIPS Institutes are held in Canada yearly.
Getting Involved
When CIPS designees ask me about building their own global real estate practice, I always emphasize the importance of face-to-face involvement, including these steps:
Attend the REALTORS® Conference & Expo in November. It’s the most important international real estate event in the world and the easiest way to meet CIPS designees and other delegates from many other countries.
If you want to focus on a particular market, get on a plane occasionally and spend time there. Trade missions, conferences and educational events are all excellent entrees.
Learn and adhere to the local customs. You’ll be welcomed around the world as long as you respect others’ protocols and show a genuine interest in learning local real estate practices.