For the second year in a row, the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) has recognized the Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR) with its prestigious NAR Platinum Award as part of its Global Achievement Program. The local professional trade organization representing over 4,500 REALTORS® and affiliate members engaged in the real estate business on the Peninsula and in the South Bay, is the only REALTOR® association in Northern California to achieve Platinum status since the program’s inception in 2011.

SILVAR was one of eight REALTOR® associations in the nation that was recognized with the NAR program’s highest honor at the REALTORS® Conference and Expo held in New Orleans Nov. 7-10. SILVAR 2014 President David Tonna accepted the award on behalf of the local trade association at the International Night Event on Nov. 8.

“We are honored to receive the National Association of REALTORS® prestigious Platinum Award for two years in a row. This award reflects SILVAR’s commitment to helping our members expand and excel in the business of global real estate,” said Tonna.

SILVAR’s commitment to international real estate goes beyond members assisting foreign nationals buying property in Silicon Valley. As a membership benefit, SILVAR REALTORS® have free access to Proxio, the global networking platform that connects them with real estate agents in the U.S. and abroad and enables them to share their listings with each other. Members also have access to the Proxio Developer Showcase, which connects REALTOR® members to property developments around the world.

The local association’s global business council conducts activities and education programs to raise members’ awareness of global business in their local market. SILVAR offers NAR-accredited courses for REALTORS® seeking the At Home with Diversity certification and Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) designation. The CIPS courses focus on ownership and transaction principles of international real estate, and provides training in international business issues, including currency conversion, cultural awareness, and legal and tax requirements. The courses also provide an analysis of the real estate markets in Europe, the Americas, and Asia.

“SILVAR is dedicated to helping our over 4,500 members serve their clients. This award is a testament to SILVAR’s accomplishments and mission to give its members the proper tools that will help them succeed in their business here and abroad,” said Executive Officer Paul Cardus.

In recognizing SILVAR, NAR noted the great strides made in SILVAR’s global initiative over the past year, its impressive CIPS (Certified International Property Specialist) designee growth during that time, the extensive outreach efforts the association conducted over the past year, and specifically its collaboration with ethnic real estate associations in the area.

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