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AR Going International? Why Not?

I have an idea: why don't we invite some agents from other continents and other countries to join AR?

Terry Kuehn's article about the World Real Estate Market: "Ireland, Spain, Australia and Britain all beat us" inspired this idea.

I recently wrote a blog entitled: "Show us Your Market! Amazing Comparison!!! You Have to See This!" after my trip to the Hamptons and my introduction to a $ 75,000,000 listing there (Yes, you read right: 75 million dollars!!!).

I invited my readers to reveal what the $ 400,000 budget and the million dollar budget would garner in their respective markets. Our wonderful AR members, generous as usual, have shared prices and pictures, making the comments escalate the value of that blog from "fair" to "outstanding".

I very much enjoyed learning what the dollar can command in various parts of America (USA and Canada; what the heck, we are but one country, except for they have a better health care system). It was quite an education. Now I'm wondering about the Real Estate prices in the rest of the World.

Inviting members from other countries would be easy enough: a five minute Internet search in the country of your choice and a few invites to specific agents. Most people speak English, even in the far reaching corners of the World ("The World is Flat", remember?), not to mention that many of us here are bilingual. I could invite members from Romania, since I am fluent in Romanian. Or we could use Google Translator and convey whatever message we want to put on the AR Invite. So what do you say? Are you game? Let's go International!

AR Rocks! ...Worldwide! Let's do it!

PS: The fringe benefit is that it might actually garner us some International clients... Not too shabby!

Mirela Monte, Your Myrtle Beach Real Estate Connection

Proud Optimist!

Posted by Myrtle Beach Real Estate by Mirela Monte on 08/30/2008 03:54 AM

Comments (91)

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Originally posted at: Myrtle Beach Real Estate by Mirela : AR Going International? Why Not?

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91 Comments on AR Going International? Why Not?

AUG

2008

I have been hinting at the same thing! Why not really? It would be wonderful!

Courtney: Let's do it! Tomorrow I'll invite 10 International members. If all of us did the same... BINGO!!!

We might actually garner some great ideas by simply perusing THEIR Websites...

I suggested this a long time ago, especially for Central America and the Caribbean & Bahamas. I think it is strongly needed.

Sean Allen

Sean: What's stopping you from launching invites to agents in those countries?

Hey, if you forge an alliance with those agents and just HAVE to "suffer" through the "ordeal" of long, say two weeks "Business Trips" to visit your "associates" in those countries, that would be tax deductible, wouldn't it?

Sean... I like the way you think!!!

Do we have any International members here already?

I know there are some Canadians on AR already... so techniqually AR is international already, nothing wrong with expanding that though I don't think :-D

Chris: No disrespect, but haven't you read my opinion up above:

"USA and Canada; what the heck, we are but one country, except for they have a better health care system"...

Oh, I forgot: their Loonie is worth more!

In that case... we are International already!

Oops! I just checked: TODAY you get 6 cents more. Tomorrow....

Like I said: We are International already!

It could be a great thing for our listings...since we are 'on sale' right now and the Euro is strong. maybe those International agents have International buyers?

Idea exchange too...

A good goal.

Michael: Thank you!

I've already invited 6 different agencies in Romania to join our network tonight, as part of my "experiment" here. Tomorrow I'll invite more. Do you know that you get 10% of the points they garner? That's how my competitor here is getting close to beating my AR score. He's sponsoring other Coldwell Banker agents. I'll sponsor other European agents. Let's see whose scores climb faster...

I have been pressing for this lately. Makes total sense to me. We already have a number of international members among us, we just need to create some additional geographical locations. We could learn much from our fellow RE pros in other countries!

Hi I think it is a great idea. I will be inviting several agents from other countries in the next few days.

Would be very interesting to learn how real estate is practiced in other countries. There is so much diversity even within our own boundaries. We can share and learn from each other.

Mirela-What a great idea! Also Michael Caruso is so right about the Euro.

Joe

Mirela - I love your idea. I am originally from Russia and have a very strong connection with Russian Real Estate community. There is a wonderful on-line community of RE professionals at http://ners.ru (sorry, it's all in Russian). I teach Real Estate in Russia, blog in Russian, speak at National Congresses of Russian Guild of Realtors.

For our Russian colleagues language bareer is a little bit of a problem. Many of our colleagues can read but are not ready to write in English. If AR could support multilingual entries - that might be wonderful! Machine translations are not real good - you know better than me how ridiculous they can be.

Anyway, it's a great idea - let's do the counsil of International Rainers.

What a terrific idea. The world is getting smaller and smaller. It would be interesting to hear what works for Realtors in markets in other countries.

My thoughts too! I have several commenters that are regulars from the British Isles that as of right now cannot be regulars. What a great idea!

Mirela....excellent idea! I've been thinking about the international market for a while, especially after watching that TV special last month on Dubai. Talk about expensive dirt !! The old saying about real estate "they don't don't make any more of it"...not true in Dubai. Nothing like just "creating" your own islands to build on.

We already have international groups on here that are from international countries. I belong to several of them. I am chatting with these people on here. They are from Spanish Speaking countries (Mexico, Chile, Panama and a couple of others). So they are reaching out and joining our site.

I found a buyer on active rain from the UK. It does help in bring internatioal business

I realize you are talking about agent, but just want to mention that my best clients from online have been International. Also, I think I read a blurb this week on the next Inman Conference being a more "global" event topically - so it does make sense to invite them here to AR now.

Wow! What great responses! Keep them coming! I'll have to come back here later on when I finish working and respond.

I am so glad you embraced this idea and have contributed so wonderfully to this!

Mirela - I think it's a great idea. I don't know all of the logistics of going international, but I would love to see it happen.

I've been wanting that for a long time since we already have Canadian clients and places to post to the rest of the international community is missing out. They should see if they could add other countries.

I have noticed a lot of people moving into our area from other countries. I just wonder how to get the word out that we are here to help?

Mirela: This is a GREAT idea... This could be the next BIG thing for Active Rain.

Definitely there is a market for international. We see a number of international people in the market for Arizona real estate.

Excellent concept Mirela, I also love your reference to "Most people speak English, even in the far reaching corners of the World ("The World is Flat", remember?)"...

Anyone who hasn't read Thomas Friedman's book, do it! It's an eye opening look at what the world has become.

From what I've read, 30% of people on the web are skilled enough in English to regularly consume english language content yet 70% of all web content is in English. There is a huge mismatch in content vs users that want real estate content.

Tony

We are a certified realtor in India and wish to specialise in helping Asian Residents in investing into properties in North America & Europe. We are primarily focusing in developing a network of buyers' agents across North America & Europe that can help us negotiate REO / Bank Owned / Short Sale / Foreclosure / etc. properties for our clients.

Mirela, this is a really great concept. Especially since many people from other countries are buying the US up like crazy because our value in the dollar keeps shrinking. It would help sell real estate, that's for sure.

Mirela,

What a great idea--it might really help us to market real estate to international buyers too.

Evening Mirela, I thought there were some international agents among us. Am I incorrect ?

Mirela, I am curious too. i know when I visited London, the prices were quite high even compared to NY City, but areas around the world in the countryside might be real deals.

Sam - a good buyers' agent will point out that concentrating on REO/Bank Owned/Short Sale/Foreclosure properties MAY not be the best buys.

I was invited. I grew up in California but now I live and work in Costa Rica. I just started the site last week and just loving the people and the blogs.

Hi Mirela--

Been gone awhile and life's been crazy. Hoping to get things settled a bit soon....

Great idea. I see a couple of international agents have responded. I know one of my blogs had a response from an Australian mother that was checking on the fires because her daughter was now living in Truckee... So they are definitely seeing us!

And like Michael, I love the way your mind works!

I hope this doesnt get too long and boring for you guys!

Sharon, thanks for being the first to reply...and your point is well taken. I would like to explore other other kinds of best buys too and would also like to offer commercial space, semi-finished residential development, etc....anything that makes an Indian buyer interested in allocating a substantial portion of his RE portfolio to the US. While I travel atleast twice a year to the US and have some equity in the operations of a Californian Mortgage Broker, my understanding of the market is fairly limited and therefore I was looking at offering my Indian clients simpler and safer REO Bank Owneed kind of properties.

To give you a background, the Indian RE market had been on an upswing and had been registering Y-on-Y growth of over 50% for the last several years. The same was the case of the Indian stock markets. Now, both these have started falling and are expected to do so for the next few years and there are individuals and businesses with huge amounts of investible funds desiring to invest in other international markets that have nearly bottomed out.

My question is, since you guys have such a great site operational and have established a close network amongst yourselves, could we not set up a 2 way proces wherein you identify properties and I showcase them to my clients in India. We could build a great business model out of this and most importantly you all may widen the scope of your clientle/market.

...think about it!

You've started the ball rolling Mirela! Great job and THANK YOU!

Some great ideas flowing in the comments. Can't wait to see where this leads us... I'm off to find a few international real estate agents to invite! I'm game...

Mirela,

It's time to do it. Global economies are getting more intertwined and so are the real estate markets. And finance markets. Lots of foreign entities are buying our mortgage products and vice versa. Good idea.

Mirela,

I have become quite active in the greater blogosphere. I do think it may be a bit short sighted to overlook the opportunity of foreign investment. I did a post a few days ago that highlighted some of my favorite blogs from the world outside AR. While most of these are not real estate related, it is easy to find real estate industry related blogs from all over. This is a great idea.

Great idea! Many agents in my office already serve European clients. This sounds like a good opportunity for all of us.

AUG

2008

Sam Chopra, thank you for a brilliant idea!

I read your comment on my blackberry and I stopped in my tracks and went directly to my computer where I've been working ever since.

We now have a place to expose those "Deals of Deals" directed to the International Market, or to any major investor ready to access a good deal of cash.

Please go to: AR International Showcase of Deals and post any fantastic Real Estate deals in your area. About half of my practice is currently REO related, so I am on the front lines in my market.

I am proposing that we do a tier 1 analysis, which is a "quickie", a tier 2 analysis, which is very thorough and a tier 3, which is the most comprehensive. I have already posted a tier 1 and I am finishing up a tier 2 analysis on the same property, so at least we could have a couple of examples for reference. Feel free to bring suggestions as to what improvements we could make to the three types of analysis.

Mirela!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi Chris! Can you see what's going on here?

It's history in the making on AR!

It's so hard for us to even communicate these days....maybe we should start seeing other people.

Mirela!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes!!! I'm excited. This is certainly historical...and you will be given credit.

I still love you Chris! I've just been working hard, and you've been mostly gone...

This has always been your vision for AR!

I don't care about the credit! I just want us all to benefit. The dollar is weak and we have a fertile ground for the foreign investor...

I love AR! It was conceptualized by visionaries. It is nurtured by an incredibly talented and decent group of people and I am honored to have a platform here!

I love you too. Mirela! I will always love you...for you are AR in my world...always have been.

I really like the International idea.

I'm so proud of you, Mirela! I really am.

Chris, come and join our new group and post a tier 1 listing, if you have an incredible deal in your market. It doesn't have to be your listing. You can be the Buyers' Agent in it.

AR International Showcase of Deals

I will visit this now

Here I am!

This is a wonderful idea

Good! I am still working on my tier 2 analysis and hope to post it there soon. Let me know what you think about it.

On Monday I will post several other deals. I am going to the Horry County Foreclosure Sale on Tuesday Morning. By Thursday I'll have a bunch of new REO's to sell.

Thank you Chris! I appreciate it!

You little investor you...

I am taking a few weeks off from real estate (for medical reasons). I'm supposed to travel soon to FL but I'm not sure if I can. I still wnt to visit Myrtle Beach

Did you get the e-mail yet?

I feel like I've been in an automobile wreck...hip...foot...back....

I never have problems like this...grrrrrrrrrr

Email? I'll check...brb

Well? No e-mail back yet...

Warum?

I'm back

What is the first word that comes to mind when you see the above picture?

I love Corvettes...especially 1967 convertibles.

Are you back yet, Mirela??? I'm tired of talking about birds and automobiles...

Maybe I should check my email...brb

Can you help, Mirela?

Tamara wrote me today, Mirela.

Isn't she sweet?

Mirela????

Chris, check your e-mail. You have an entire holistic regimen waiting for you. You'll be all better in no time. The FDA would close down my practice if I posted that here. Wait a minute: I don't have a holistic healing practice... it's just for friends and family!

Thank you, Mirela!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't wait to hear how much better you're feeling!

Must go...take care and thanks again...I will update you on my progress.

A 75 million dollar listing. that's nice. [ short pause]. WHAT!?!?!?!?

Chuck, just click on the link!

Scott is amazing! Great one to network with! Down to earth, nice guy who is SHARP, SHARP, SHARP!

He is my associate. I introduced him and his team of Top Producers to AR. He has the largest Independent Real Estate Firm in the Hamptons.

I think international is a natural fit. We do have an international member, Poppy, on A/R. Poppy is from London. She wrote a post pretty recently that got featured and when I commented I told her that A/R should open up to an international membership, and knowing the A/R guys that could be very likely.

I enjoy reading about real estate in London via Poppy's blog; why not the rest of the world too?

Incredible stuff here .. thank you !!!!!!!!!!!!

Being in the Houston, Texas market is an incredible place for international investing ... take a look at a few of the recent articles about our market .. its the BEST place to be in the USA ..

Amazing Home Flips and Rentals:

International Relocation Client:

Amazing half Million Dollar fixer house .. WOW .. this is GORGEOUS..

Poppy ... is that your REAl name ... sorry, had to ask, it is the #1 question of my WHOLE life ... pippa (yes, it is my real name ) ... http://activerain.com/blogsview/642984/Pippa-Is-that-your

SEP

2008

Hi Mirela:

This could also be the start of AR's first international transaction!

I am traveling to North America from 6th to 17th Sep and would be visiting LA, Toronto and New York to look at some homes, land parcels and some commercial properties on behalf of my Indian investor clients.

It would be great if any of our co-networkers could show me some heavily discounted properties with rental opprtunities.

Sam Chopra, sam@pkchopra.com

925-415-5327 (7am to 12noon PST, other than 6th to 17th Sep)

310-706-5025 (24x7, btwn 6th and 17th Sep)

09/02/2008 01:01 PM

by Sam Chopra (FIRANGI-PROPERTY.com)

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Delete

SEP

2008

Hi Sam,

Good to see you here!! i have some heavily discounted properties in Arizona and CA. If you need my help, you can call me at 626-701-3285. my office no has been changed.

Thanks

Sam, have you checked out the International Showcase I made for you?

OCT

2008

Mirela, sound like a fantastic idea! The world real estate market is so interesting.

OCT

2008

Tanya, I've already established a connection with a few Romanian firms I contacted when I wrote this blog. Next, I'm inviting them to join us here. After that... referrals?

OCT

2008

Mirela, I will host a small International meeting with our colleagues from Russia, Ukraina and Canada in regards of International buyers' referral network. We are planning to be in Orlando and then in Miami on November, 7th. Would you be interested in joining our group discussion? Would anyone be interested? Please let me know.

Svetlana, you might want to write a blog about it and post it on our Optimist Board and to some of the other Groups. I would love more details on it! I have not made a commitment to cometo Orlando for the NAR convention yet, but if I do, I would love to join you.

NOV

2008

I like it since we all want international clients these days!

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