Networking is essential to building a successful international real estate practice. But making quality contacts in the right places can be somewhat daunting. NAR facilitates networking by bringing international practitioners together, online and face-to-face. In addition to events and meetings, the synergy of Ambassador Associations, President’s Liaisons and Regional Coordinators, Cooperating Association partnerships, and Local International Councils creates an incomparable network of productive relationships.

CIPS Network

International Memberships

Real estate professionals who reside outside of the United States, and are affiliated with one of NAR’s Cooperating Associations, have three membership options for joining NAR directly:

§  International REALTOR^® Member

§  International CIPS Network Member

§  CIPS Designee

A direct membership option is also available for real estate professionals in markets not covered by the Cooperating Association alliance.

International Membership Application Form

2008-2009 CIPS Network Directory Order Form

Cooperating Associations

Through an international network of 76 national real estate associations in 57 countries, as well as the NAR Ambassador Associations and President's Liaisons assigned to each country, NAR maintains formal relationships with organized real estate associations around the world. View the current list of these groups including addresses, e-mail contacts, and Web sites.

International Consortium of Real Estate Associations (ICREA)

The national real estate organizations of ICREA collectively represent two million brokers and agents worldwide. The Consortium’s mission is to set standards for international real estate practice and transactions for the benefit of industry professionals and consumers. ICREA supports the Transnational Referral System and Certification as well as WorldProperties.com.

President’s Liaisons and Regional Coordinators

President's Liaisons, who are assigned to specific countries as representatives, help to maintain NAR's important relationships with foreign real estate associations. Five Regional Coordinators are also appointed to serve North and Central America and the Caribbean; South America; Asia and Pacific; Western Europe; and Central/Eastern Europe.

Ambassador Associations

The Ambassador Association program is modeled after the international Sister-City programs by linking Cooperating Associations with a state or local REALTOR^® association. The Ambassador Association works closely with a President’s Liaison and Regional Coordinator to expand global business opportunities. They also host Cooperating Association delegates at NAR meetings and during official visits to the United States.

Local International Councils

State and local REALTOR^® associations organize International Committees or Local Councils to bring together members interested in international real estate. Activities range from a simple brown-bag lunch to a foreign trade mission, but they all have one thing in common—helping members develop business opportunities in the growing international marketplace.

Real Estate Connections Online Community

The NAR international online community launches in September 2008 with additional staged releases to follow. It is the first global real estate community of its kind. The site offers a forum for members to interact and share information as well as network on a broader basis and make referrals in real time. Features include a searchable blog, news exchange, Web casts, video library, Ask the Experts forum, and worldwide service directory. Plus, network members can post their own contact videos to showcase their services.

International Night Out

An event held at NAR’s Midyear and Annual Conventions brings together globally-minded practitioners from the U.S. and abroad for an evening of social networking, connecting with old friends, and making new ones. International Night Out at the Annual Convention attracts more than a thousand attendees for a gala black-tie dinner and awards event where new CIPS designees and International program award winners are recognized.

Sample Schedule

REALTORS^® Annual Conference and Expo Sample Schedule

REALTORS^® Midyear Legislative Conference and Expo Sample Schedule

Embassy Visits

Held in conjunction with the NAR Midyear Meeting in Washington, D.C., this program offers CIPS designees the opportunity to meet with the ambassador and commerce staff of foreign embassies. Discussion focuses on points of interests between the U.S. and the embassy country. The visits promote NAR and CIPS designees as a professional resource for the country’s global real estate needs. Invitations are sent annually to CIPS Designees.

Market-to-Market Program

Much of the global business done by REALTORS^® takes place in local markets with immigrant buyers, foreign investors, and Americans buying abroad for investment, retirement, or second homes. The new market-to-market initiative builds on this trend by supporting business development opportunities in specific markets or countries. The program provides resources for individual agents and brokers, as well as state and local associations. An online guide provides a planning roadmap as well as a market-to-market toolbox of resources and contacts.

Who's Who in International Real Estate Directory Listing

The CIPS Network directory is the referral source for international real estate. It is mailed to all Network members and Cooperating Associations as well as World Trade Centers, Chambers of Commerce, multinational corporations, relocation companies and other key constituents. All CIPS Network members are listed in the printed directory. Directory entries for CIPS designees include a photo and brief biography. Expired listings for maximum exposure are also available

Online CIPS Network Directory

The online CIPS Network membership directory features the same information as Who’s Who in International Real Estate, but is updated weekly.

Find a Transnational Referral Certified Real Estate Professional Online

ICREA-affiliated brokers and sales agents who have completed the Transnational Referral Certification (TRC) training on transnational referrals can be located in this online searchable database. TRCs understand the concept of paid referrals and are prepared to participate in a fee-sharing arrangement.

REALTORS^® Annual Conference and Expo and International Networking Center

With 25,000+ real estate professionals from more than 50 countries, the REALTORS^® Conference and Expo is a great opportunity to make new contacts from all over the world and a truly international event. Located on the Expo’s main floor, the Network Center, INC for short, is the place to connect, network, and promote specific inbound and out-bound investment markets. The INC offers attendees an internationally-focused trade exhibition, country networking sessions for each of NAR’s Cooperating Associations, and a real estate theatre for specific market and product presentations.

International Second Home Pavilion

NAR and SIMA, Europe's largest second home and resort exposition of worldwide properties, co-sponsor the International Second Home Pavilion at the REALTORS^® Annual Conference and Expo. This show within the show features more than a hundred developers from the U.S. and worldwide.

NAR Participation in International Expositions

NAR’s participation in leading international trade shows facilitates networking for REALTOR^® attendees. Its presence as a major exhibitor and sponsor raises awareness of the REALTOR^® brand and also provides a home base for NAR attendees. For a list of major trade shows see the “Extra: Trade Shows” of this guide.

Salón Inmobiliario de Madrid

SIMA is the world’s largest international second homes exposition, with more than 150,000 visitors and 750 exhibitors. Its visitors include 15,000+ real estate professionals, representing 40 countries. REALTOR^® attendees receive exclusive access to the International Business Center (IBC) which offers computers, meeting areas, and a lounge. Country networking hours, social events, and sponsored receptions at the IBC connect real estate professionals internationally. The annual event, held in May in Madrid, includes a professional program with speakers from around the globe and simultaneous translation.

Expo Real

Expo Real International Commercial Property Exhibition, held in October in Munich, includes 1800 exhibit booths spread among six halls and draws close to 40,000 participants.  Show registration is reasonably priced and participation is very business focused. Expo Real includes markets worldwide. REALTOR^® attendees may use the NAR booth as a meeting point, message center, and information distribution channel. NAR members and their guests are also invited to an in-booth reception.

Marché Internationel des Professionnels d’Inmobilier (MIPIM)

MIPIM is held annually in two locations—Cannes and Hong Kong. These property marketing shows focus on the commercial real estate industry in Europe and Asia but both include a growing U.S. and Latin American component. NAR sponsors the USA pavilion at MIPIM Asia. NAR members receive a discount on registration and may use the NAR booth as a meeting point, message center, and information distribution channel. NAR members and their guests are invited to participate in an in-booth reception.NAR members use this form to register and receive a 30% discount.

More International Events

NAR International publishes an up-to-date list of expositions, global property marketing events, international business meetings and events with links (when available) for more information and registration.  Events that NAR participates in or supports are noted.  Although NAR does not specifically endorse all events listed at this site, it makes this information available as a service to members who are seeking additional global venues for business networking and property marketing.