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The Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR) 7th Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) Institute took place last week with 15 students registered, including SILVAR CIPS designees who took some courses for audit. REALTORS® enrolled came from around the San Francisco Bay Area and as far as Sacramento.
Interestingly enough, among the full-time REALTORS® registered, only one student was born in the U.S. The other students were born in China, Taiwan, India, and the Philippines. The composition of this year’s class says everything about the cultural diversity in Silicon Valley, according to CIPS instructor David Wyant.
This was the seventh time Wyant and his wife and assistant Patsy, returned to Silicon Valley to teach the CIPS Institute at SILVAR. The Wyants travel all over the world teaching the global real estate courses and are able to share valuable insights with their students. Wyant was named International Instructor of the Year at the National Association of REALTORS® Conference and Expo in Chicago last November. He has received the same award twice before, in 2012 and 2009.
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.
Wyant said global real estate opportunities are everywhere. People move to Silicon Valley from other countries and foreign-born individuals residing here move to new markets. People here may look to invest in property overseas.
“No matter which audience you cater to, the CIPS designation will provide you with the knowledge and tools to expand your business globally,” said Wyant.
Thank you to this year’s CIPS Sponsors of the Day: Darrell Monda with TourFactory; Kyle Chuang with Farmers’ Insurance; Anita Rodal, international liaison with AFEX (Associated Foreign Exchange) and president of SBPI Services, Inc.; and Kim Kim P Nguyen and Suzette Reboton, premier mortgage consultant and vice president and senior branch manager of HSBC Bank USA, Cupertino.
Top left to right: 2017 REALTOR® of the Year Chris Isaacson; Affiliate of the Year Darrell Monda; Spirit of SILVAR Leannah Hunt. Bottom left to right: 2017 C.A.R. Region 9 Chair Chris Isaacson; 2017 President Denise Welsh was presented with her own gavel, a thank you for her service; President’s Award Susan Tilling.
The Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® Installation Dinner on Jan. 25, SILVAR 2017 President Denise Welsh and Executive Officer Paul Cardus presented the 2017 Appreciation Awards to recognize certain members for their valuable contributions to the Association last year.
Welsh first thanked her fellow board members and committee chairs for their support last year, and said it was a privilege to serve the membership of SILVAR as president. Recognized for their outstanding contributions were:
2017 REALTOR® of the Year: Chris Isaacson (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage)
Welsh said Chris Isaacson has been a REALTOR® for slightly over a decade and in that time he has achieved so much for the Association in many different roles, from serving on the district council, as 2015 president of SILVAR, a California Association of REALTORS®® (C.A.R.) Region 9 director, 2017 SILVAR Region 9 chair, and National Association of REALTORS®® (NAR) director.
Welsh described Isaacson as a quiet and effective leader. Working on issues ranging from political to financial, Isaacson has shared his vision and expertise with the Association and its members. “Through his strong, calm leadership, and with an unflappable demeanor, he has strengthened and grown our Association,” said Welsh. Isaacson was also recognized for his leadership and excellent work on behalf of SILVAR and members as 2017 SILVAR Region 9 Chair.
2017 Affiliate of the Year: Darrell Monda (TourFactory)
Welsh said Monda, a longtime affiliate of SILVAR, “has proven to be a dedicated workhorse and a great proponent of our Association.” His firm provides essential state-of-the-art services to SILVAR’s REALTOR® members. Welsh recognized Monda’s professional support for all programs across the Association, from tour meetings, to the CIPS (Certified International Property Specialist) Institute, to the bocce ball tournament in Los Gatos.
“His generosity of spirit and willingness to roll up his sleeves and help where needed enhances the image of our Association and our REALTOR® and affiliated professional members,” said Welsh.
Spirit of SILVAR: Leannah Hunt (Sereno Group)
Leannah Hunt is a REALTOR® who reflects the Association’s commitment to supporting and contributing to the communities it serves and is one of the leaders in real estate in Silicon Valley. Welsh said Hunt “has worked on the frontlines and behind the scenes for the success of the Association.”
Welsh praised Hunt’s efforts to give back to the community by being active in an array of political and civic causes, serving on numerous boards.
“She is generous with her financial support as she is with her time. She is the REALTOR® face in her community,” said Welsh.
President’s Award: Susan Tilling (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage)
The President’s Award is presented at the discretion of the president to an individual whose service to the Association is worthy of special thanks and recognition. Susan Tilling has devoted many years of her time acting as a representative at C.A.R. and is a C.A.R. Director for Life.
Upon presenting this award to Tilling, Welsh said, “We are often asked why we get involved and volunteer. We are trying to find our ‘why.’ There are people who are involved out of a deep conviction that the time spent, the purpose of the organization, provides enough motivation for them to donate their time to the cause.
Welsh said Tilling “embodies the values and principles that drive so many of us to dig in and get involved with organized real estate, to fight for property rights and the ability of every man to achieve the American Dream. It is our ‘Why.'”
$500 for paper option, $450 for paperless option through June!
If you haven’t had the opportunity to take the Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) Institute at the Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS®, now is a good time to do so. SILVAR is offering its 5th CIPS Institute on June 20-24 for all members and non-members at a discount price through June. The five-day CIPS Institute costs $500 for the paper version, which includes a manual for each of the five courses offered, and $450 for the paperless option. Regular price for the CIPS Institute is $600.
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, taught by National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) 2012 and 2009 International Instructor David Wyant 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 CIPS Institute, REALTORS® will fulfill the classroom requirements needed to earn the NAR CIPS Designation.
Members may enroll online at ims.silvar.org. Non-members may register by calling SILVAR at (408) 200-0100. The discount price includes a continental breakfast and lunch provided by our sponsors Darrell Monda – TourFactory, Larry Tringali – Property Inspection Service and Anita Rodal – AFEX (Associated Foreign Exchange) and SBPI Services, Inc.
Limited sponsorships for the CIPS Institute are still available. Each sponsor is given the opportunity to speak about their product or service on an assigned day. For more information on the CIPS Institute and sponsorships, contact SILVAR Public Affairs & Communications Director Rose Meily at rmeily@silvar.org, or call (408) 200-0109.
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.
Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® says ... 