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The Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® 8th Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) Institute was held June 10-14. The CIPS Institute provides training in international business issues, including currency conversion, cultural awareness, legal and tax requirements, transaction principles of international real estate, and specifics about the real estate markets in Europe, the Americas, and Asia.
After completing five courses and other requirements, REALTORS® earn the prestigious National Association of Realtors CIPS designation. There are about 3,250 CIPS designees in the U.S.
SILVAR has offered the CIPS Institute every year since 2012. Teaching this year’s classes was REALTOR® and broker associate Bobbi Decker, a NAR REBAC instructor.
“We had a very vital and enthusiastic group for this CIPS class at SILVAR this week. NAR is very eager to have its members up their professionalism, particularly in this global economy and changing market dynamics of the real estate industry,” said Decker.
The CIPS designation gives REALTORS® an edge over other agents when dealing with foreign clients. Decker noted that Silicon Valley is an epicenter for innovation. “Certified International Property Specialist is an essential designation for REALTORS® working in this melting pot that draws people from all over the world.”
According to NAR’s “2018 Profile of International Activity in U.S.Residential Real Estate,” foreign buyers purchased $121 billion of residential property from April 201 to March 2018. Five states accounted for 53 percent of total residential property purchases: Florida (19 percent), California (14 percent), Texas (9 percent), New York (five percent), and Arizona (five percent). The major foreign buyers were China ($30.4B), Canada ($10.5B), the United Kingdom ($7.3B), India ($7.2B), and Mexico ($4.2B).
The CIPS Institute had five sponsors this year. Anita Rodal, international liaison with AFEX (Associated Foreign Exchange) and president of SBPI Services, Inc., informed Realtors the exchange rate can fluctuate on a second by second basis, so the exchange rate on the internet is not be the actual exchange rate. She also explained how market volatility affects inter-bank currency exchange rates and how AFEX helps foreign buyers convert their money to dollars quickly and at a competitive rate.
Avery Bibbs, business development manager with First American Exchange Company, delivered a presentation on the 1031 exchange and tax updates for 2019. A 1031 exchange allows an investor to sell a property, reinvest the proceeds from the sale in a “like kind” property that is of equal or greater value and defer all capital gain taxes. Examples of “like-kind” property exchanges are a single-family rental house for a duplex, an apartment building for a retail center, land for an income producing vineyard, etc.
Michael Cobb, CEO of ECI Development, spoke on how local REALTORS® can help clients interested in purchasing property abroad. Cobb said in addition to investors buying property overseas, Americans are looking at retiring abroad. Their move overseas is driven by cost, having a higher quality of life for less money.
Lisa Wendl, a loan officer with General Mortgage Capital Corp., provided information on loan requirements for foreign buyers. Wendl said because it is getting harder for Chinese living abroad to get money out of China, she has clients who have bought high-end properties in the Bay Area who are seeking to do cash-out refinancing in order to remain liquid. If the China government does not ease up on its restrictions on the outflow of money, Wendl anticipates some Chinese will be forced to sell their homes.
Amy Ku, Sandy Lee and Dean Chang represented the team of Winnie Ho, premier mortgage consultant with HSBC. Ku said a portfolio lending bank, HSBC is a one-stop shop designed to accommodate global clients. HSBC a number of programs that offer flexible terms to foreign buyers, like interest-only loans and family assisted programs for buyers who need help in qualifying for loans.
The Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS®’ (SILVAR) fifth Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) Institute took place this week with 17 students registered. The students, many of whom are SILVAR members, hail from the San Francisco Bay Area. One traveled all the way from Canada. Many are well-traveled and come from different cultural backgrounds. All were eager to learn more about the international real estate market and how to grow their global business.
The courses were once again taught by 2012 and 2009 National Association of REALTORS® International Instructor of the Year David Wyant, assisted by his wife, Patsy. The Wyants travel around the country and the world teaching the CIPS courses. This is their fifth trip to Cupertino. Each time they come, they remark about Silicon Valley’s growth.
Wyant also noted, “Silicon Valley REALTORS® are among the most intelligent in the nation.”
The CIPS Institute provides training in international business issues, including currency conversion, cultural awareness, legal and tax requirements, ownership and transaction principles of international real estate, and specifics about the real estate markets in Europe, the Americas, and Asia. The week-long CIPS Institute includes two required core courses and three elective courses. Students must pass a multiple-choice exam at the end of each course.
Upon completing the required five courses and fulfilling other necessary requirements, graduates of this year’s CIPS Institute can receive their CIPS designation and have the opportunity to be recognized at the 2016 NAR REALTORS® Conference and Expo, which will be held in Orlando, Fl. on November 4-7.
Thank you to this year’s CIPS Sponsors of the Day, who provided breakfast and lunch each day. They are Amy Ku, VP Mortgage Sales Manager for Northern California with HSBC Bank; Janet Case, CEO of Proxio; Anita Rodal, international liaison with AFEX (Associated Foreign Exchange) and president of SBPI Services, Inc.; Darrell Monda, owner of TourFactory Bay Area; and Larry Tringali, owner of Property Inspection Service.
Last chance to register or audit a class!
SILVAR’s 5th Certified International Property Specialist Institute (CIPS) is on June 20-24. If you would like to learn how to expand your global real estate business and earn the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) CIPS designation, enroll in the CIPS Institute. Classes start next week, so you need to register right away. Cost for the entire CIPS Institute, which includes five courses, is $450 for the paperless option $500 for the paper version, which includes a manual for each of the five courses for both members and nonmembers. Regular price is $600.
Members may enroll online at ims.silvar.org. Non-members and those who want the paperless option may register by calling SILVAR at (408) 200-0100. Breakfast and lunch are provided and included in the cost, thanks to our generous sponsors Darrell Monda of TourFactory; Larry Tringali of Property Inspection Service; Anita Rodal, international liaison with AFEX (Associated Foreign Exchange) and president of SBPI Services, Inc.; Janet Case, CEO of Proxio; and Suzette Reboton of HSBC.
If you are a CIPS designee, you can audit a course for $20 for paperless and $30 for the paper option. Cost also includes breakfast and lunch. There are always new developments taking place in real estate markets around the world. Every two to three years CIPS courses are revised with updated statistics and relevant information. The most recent courses updated are Global Real Estate: Local Markets (May 2016) and Global Real Estate: Transactions Tools (May 2016). Instructor David Wyant, who will be teaching the courses again this year, also regularly furnishes students with information on the latest developments in international real estate.
If you would like to audit a CIPS course, please contact SILVAR Public Affairs and Communications Director Rose Meily at (408) 200-0109 or email rmeily@silvar.org.
The CIPS Institute provides training in international business issues, including currency conversion, cultural awareness, legal and tax requirements, ownership and transaction principles of international real estate, and specifics about the real estate markets in Europe, the Americas, and Asia. Members using Proxio, which is a SILVAR benefit, may find the CIPS courses very useful in advancing their global real estate business. See registration form and class schedule below.
CIPS SCHEDULE AND REGISTRATION FORM
Proxio CEO Janet Case says knowing the languages spoken by clients helps REALTORS® better serve them.
What language do you speak in your home? New information from the U.S. Census Bureau shows while most of the nation’s population speaks English at home, at least 350 other languages are spoken in U.S. households. In fact, 20 percent of U.S. families do not speak English at home.
“Multilingual is the new normal across the U.S.,” said Janet Case, CEO Proxio, an international networking platform that connects real estate agents and their listings, including real estate developments, around the world.
Speaking at the Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR) 4th Certified International Property Specialist Institute in October, Case said according to the latest Census Bureau data, 20 percent of U.S. families speak a language other than English at home. In California, the percentage is higher – 43 percent. Other states with the most non-English speaking households are Texas, 34.2 percent; New York, 29.8 percent; Nevada, 28.2 percent; Arizona, 27.1 percent; and Florida, 26.6 percent.
Cities with the most non-speaking households are Miami, 71.9 percent; Los Angeles, 59.7 percent; New York City, 48.7 percent; San Francisco, 45.4 percent; and Chicago, 35.3 percent.
The Census Bureau information, based on American Community Survey data collected from 2009 to 2013, tabulated the number of languages and language groups to 350. The tables provide the most comprehensive data on languages spoken less widely in the nation, such as Pennsylvania Dutch, Ukrainian, Turkish, Romanian, Amharic and many others.
“While most of the U.S. population speaks only English at home or a handful of other languages like Spanish or Vietnamese, the American Community Survey reveals the wide-ranging language diversity of the United States,” said Erik Vickstrom, a Census Bureau statistician. “For example, in the New York metro area alone, more than a third of the population speaks a language other than English at home, and close to 200 different languages are spoken. Knowing the number of languages and how many speak these languages in a particular area provides valuable information to policymakers, planners and researchers.”
In the San Francisco metro area, at least 163 languages are spoken at home, with 40 percent of the metro area population age five and over speaking a language other than English at home. One of the smaller language groups found there is Panjabi, with 19,985 speakers.
In the Los Angeles metro area, at least 185 languages are spoken at home, with 54 percent of the metro area population age five and over speaking a language other than English at home. One of the smaller language groups found there is Indonesian, with 12,750 speakers.
Case said as foreign buyers continue to look at Silicon Valley property, “global marketing matters.” Knowing the languages spoken by clients helps REALTORS® better serve them.
Proxio, which is a free benefit for members of SILVAR, translates agents’ listings in 19 languages, 55 currencies and metric measurements. In addition to activating Proxio, Case said REALTORS® seeking to break into global real estate can market “international” as their specialty by including the U.S. country code with their phone number and languages they speak in their website and business cards and partner with agents who speak other languages.
Congratulations SILVAR 2015 CIPS graduates!
The Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR) 4th CIPS (Certified International Property Specialist) Institute ended on Tuesday. This year’s Institute had a total enrollment of 31 students. SILVAR welcomed back instructor David Wyant and his wife and assistant Patsy Wyant.
This year’s students were a very diverse and well-traveled group from all over the Bay Area, Southern California and Arizona. Once the students complete and submit their CIPS applications to the National Association of REALTORS®, they can receive their CIPS designation and get pinned at the NAR Conference and EXPO, which will be held in San Diego November 13-16.
A highlight of the last day was a visit by Joe Schneider, NAR manager of Global Business Development and Outreach. Schneider spoke to the students about the value of the CIPS designation, especially in Silicon Valley, which continues to attract many international buyers.
At the end of the last course, SILVAR’s Global Business Council hosted a CIPS Reception, which was also attended by SILVAR CIPS designees, who shared their global real estate experiences with the students. Jennifer Tasto, NAR Liaison to the Philippines, also reported on the International REALTOR® Conference held in the Philippines and NAR’s project to build a REALTOR® village for Super Typhoon Hainan victims there.
The success of this year’s CIPS Institute would not be possible without our generous CIPS Sponsors of the Day. Each sponsor had very informative presentations.
Darrell Monda, owner of TourFactory Bay Area, took students on a virtual tour of homes, a platform that works as a very good marketing tool, especially for foreign buyers who cannot physically be at a property they are interested in purchasing. TourFactory has certified aerial photographers and is the only company in Northern California that has a waiver from the FAA to use drone photography in its business.
The students enjoyed Kyle Chuang’s presentation, which included tips on how to take a multiple choice exam, a requirement at the end of each class day. Chuang, who is with Farmers Insurance, also tested students on home insurance information helpful for their clients.
Janet Case, CEO of Proxio, introduced the REALTORS® to the international networking platform that links REALTORS® and their listings with other agents around the world, including real estate developments. Proxio translates listings in 19 languages, 55 currencies and metric measurements. Case said studies show 20 percent of U.S. families do not speak English at home. In California, the percentage is higher – 43 percent. Proxio is a free benefit for SILVAR REALTORS® who are members of MLSListings Inc.
Kenneth Chan, premier mortgage consultant with HSBC, focused on how foreign buyers who don’t fall under the 2-2-2 rule (provide a two-year U.S. residency, two-year work history and two-year credit history) can qualify for a mortgage loan, other obstacles foreign buyers face, and success stories.
Anita Rodal, international liaison with AFEX (Associated Foreign Exchange) and president of SBPI Services, Inc., educated the students on foreign currency exchange and SBPI Services’ captive insurance program, which enables Chinese investors to take millions of dollars out of China and invest the money from the policy in real estate.
Take advantage of SILVAR’s early bird special price and complete all classroom requirements needed to earn the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) designation. The courses will be offered at SILVAR on September 30, October 1, 2, 5 and 6.
SILVAR is offering an early bird special for members and nonmembers through June 1 – $500 for the paper version, which includes a manual for each of the five courses offered, and $450 for the paperless option. After June 1, regular cost of the entire CIPS Institute is $600 for the paper option and $550 for paperless. Cost for an individual course is $175 for hard copy and $150 for paperless. Members may enroll online at ims.silvar.org. Non-members may register by contacting SILVAR Public Affairs & Communications Director Rose Meily at rmeily@silvar.org, or call (408) 200-0109.
The CIPS Institute provides training in international business issues, including currency conversion, cultural awareness, legal and tax requirements, ownership and transaction principles of international real estate, and specifics about the real estate markets in Europe, the Americas, and Asia. The week-long CIPS Institute includes two required core courses and three elective courses. Students must pass a multiple-choice exam at the end of each course.
David Wyant, 2012 and 2009 NAR International Instructor of the Year, will be returning to SILVAR to teach the CIPS Institute. Wyant has taught three previous CIPS Institutes at SILVAR and received excellent reviews.
Upon completing the required five courses and fulfilling other necessary requirements, applicants receive their CIPS designation and will have the opportunity to be recognized at the November 13-16, 2015 NAR REALTORS® Conference and Expo in San Diego.
Limited sponsorships for the CIPS Institute are available. Each sponsor is given the opportunity to speak for 20 minutes about their product or service on an assigned day. For more information, contact SILVAR Public Affairs & Communications Director Rose Meily at rmeily@silvar.org, or call (408) 200-0109.
Congratulations 2014 CIPS Institute graduates!
Twenty-three REALTORS® attended the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) Institute offered at the Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR) on November 17-21. Attendees included REALTORS® from SILVAR and other REALTOR® associations around the Bay Area. It was the third CIPS Institute offered by the local trade association to both members and nonmembers, providing them the opportunity to learn more about global real estate so they can better serve their international clients. Florida resident David Wyant, NAR’s 2012 and 2009 International Instructor of the Year, returned to the Bay Area to teach the week-long courses, which focused on ownership and transaction principles of international real estate, including specifics on the real estate markets in Europe, the Americas and Asia. “The great thing about teaching the CIPS classes in Silicon Valley is that the REALTORS® here ‘get it.’ Many of them are already experiencing business with international clients. Others quickly grasp the opportunity that exists here and begin to put their business plan in place to exploit it,” said Wyant. Wyant added, “Silicon Valley is a brand well known in virtually every country in the world, and our CIPS graduates report that they have experienced success reaching out to clients in their preferred ‘niche’” Sales to international buyers reached a record $92.2 billion last year, according to NAR. California, Florida, New York and Texas are the most popular states where international buyers search for properties. Upon completing the required courses and other necessary requirements, the REALTORS® have the opportunity to receive their CIPS designation at the annual REALTOR® Conference and Expo slated for November 2015 in San Diego. Since SILVAR began offering the CIPS Institute in 2012, more than 50 REALTORS® have earned the CIPS designation.
SILVAR Global Business Council Chair Jennifer Tasto welcomes everyone to the association’s global heritage potluck.
Over 30 SILVAR members attended “Global is Good Business,” a heritage potluck promoting SILVAR’s global business initiative on Monday. The event featured an array of traditional California and ethnic dishes, social networking, and an education segment in which real estate professionals with international experience spoke briefly about the importance of doing business globally.
SILVAR Global Business Council Chair Jennifer Tasto and SILVAR President Suzanne Yost explained SILVAR’s global initiative and the purpose of forming a Global Business Council. They said the number of foreign and immigrant buyers has steadily grown in recent years, and SILVAR would like to provide members with the tools and resources that can help them succeed in this market.
Janet Case, CEO of Proxio, explained how the international MLS can help REALTORS® extend their market reach and gain a competitive advantage. “Silicon Valley home buyers come from many cultures and from many parts of the world,” said Case. “Proxio provides multilingual marketing services to agents and brokerages, so they can serve multicultural and foreign buyers better, and global marketing tools that gain international exposure for sellers.”
Kenneth Chan, premium mortgage consultant with HSBC, and Citi mortgage consultant Evelyn Figueira said foreign buyers experience financing challenges like meeting mortgage requirements, moving funds from their country, and foreign income and asset verification. “It’s not as simple as having the money to buy property,”said Chan.
Michael Repka, managing broker and general counsel for DeLeon Realty, said foreign investors are drawn here due to business opportunities, the stability, and appreciation potential. “Real estate is becoming increasingly global,” stressed Repka.
Zach Benjamin, Business Development and Outreach Manager for the National Association of REALTORS® Global Business and Alliances Group, identified some tools and resources from NAR that can help agents, including NAR’s Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) designation.
SILVAR is offering the five CIPS courses required to fulfill the classroom requirements for the designation on November 26-30 at an early bird registration price of $550 for any AOR member, if they register by Monday, October 15. These courses are open to the public, as well. You don’t have to be a REALTOR® in order to enroll in these courses.
In line with its global initiative to provide educational opportunities for members to succeed in global real estate markets, SILVAR is offering members and other real estate professionals the opportunity to complete classroom requirements for the National Association of REALTORS® Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) Designation on Nov. 26-30.
CIPS courses provide training in international business issues, such as currency conversion, cultural awareness, and legal and tax requirements. The CIPS curriculum focuses on ownership and transaction principles of international real estate, including specifics on the real estate markets in Europe, the Americas, the Middle East/Africa and the world. Attend the 5-day CIPS Institute at SILVAR and fulfill the classroom requirements for the CIPS designation. You must complete the two core courses, three elective courses, and pass a multiple-choice exam at the end of each course.
The week-long courses will be taught at SILVAR by David Wyant, CIPS, ABR, AHWD, ePRO, GRI, TRC, SFR, a certified NAR faculty member, and 2009 NAR International Instructor of the Year.
SILVAR is offering an early bird registration special of $550 for the entire CIPS Institute (five courses) for any Association of REALTOR® member who registers by Oct. 15! Regular cost for the entire institute for SILVAR members is $599/$625 after Nov. 1; non-members, $625/$650 after Nov. 1.
It is also possible to take individual courses. Each course for SILVAR members is $150/$165 after Nov. 1; Non-members $175/$190 after Nov. 1. Breakfast and light lunch included each day.
Many business professionals take one or all of the CIPS courses in order to expand their knowledge and skills about international business. The invitation to attend SILVAR’s CIPS courses is open to the public.
VIEW FLYER for more details and registration form.
Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® says ... 