During the recent ups and downs of the United States real estate market, one thing has remained consistent: Foreign buyers continue to purchase significant amounts of property here. They view it as one of the safest and most secure investment markets in the world and take pride in having a place in the U.S. to call “home.”
Working with international clients can present some unique challenges and may appear daunting at first. Cultural norms, business practices and communication styles differ from country to country; and language, time, currency and financial differences factor in as well.
Luckily, technology helps transcend these barriers, making the global real estate game easier for both REALTORS® and the clients they serve.
“There is a rising middle class and economic shift in many countries, making it possible for technology to be more widely used and adapted,” says Eleonore Rojas, principal product manager and vice president, Partnerships and Product Integration at realtor.com®. “Not only does this allow prospective buyers to look abroad for investment properties and second homes, it also enables them to consider moving there full-time and approach these properties as a primary residence.”