Where do luxury buyers come from? Jo Ellen Nash says that many of her clients who are purchasing in Vail, Colorado are from Mexico. In contrast, 29% of her purchasers for her properties in Naples Florida are from Germany, England, and Canada. How can you capitalize on this growing trend, especially with the weakening dollar making real estate investment in the U.S. very attractive to clients off shore?
Nash suggests that you become a Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) in order to receive referrals. She also suggests looking into joining the International Real Estate Federation. This allows you to connect with U.S. citizens who are purchasing abroad as well as purchasers from other countries.
According to Nash, 99 percent of all elite buyers are on the web searching for properties. Consequently, it's important to make sure that your website is translated into the key languages of those who purchase in your area. One caveat here--do NOT use any of the automatic on-line translation features such as the ones on BabbleFish and Google. Instead, hire a professor or a graduate student from a local college who is fluent in that language to write the translation for you. There's no need to do the entire site--just the key pages will do.
Two of the best places to post your international luxury listings are at Point 2 and www.UniqueGlobalEstates.com. To take advantage of the Point 2 services, click on the link above and take the time to fill out the form. (About 15 minutes). The site immediately generates a website for you at NO charge. You can then upload your listings and syndicate (send them) to over 30 different websites, most of which are also free. The most important one is the Point 2 Homes site which reaches over 90 different countries
www.UniqueGlobalEstates.com also appears in numerous countries internationally as well. There are over 54,000 listings priced at $1,000,000 more. This site has the creme de la creme in terms of agents and properties. It's important to post your listings there if they are priced at $1,000,000 or more.
Posted by Bernice Ross
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Alot of great info here and I will take advantage.
So nice to hear the sky is not falling and someone else who realizes this is a great time to buy a home.
From Bernice: DaytonaDoug--you're right about it being the best time to buy a house. 2008 may be the best window for buyers in the last 30 years. Let's hope lots of people realize the opportunity and take advantage of it.
Posted by: Daytona Beach Florida Real Estate | January 30, 2008 at 06:35 AM