PUERTO PENASCO, MEXICO ... HOST OF THE 2010 CIPS CERTIFICATION PROGRAM JUNE 14 - 18TH 2010

[Raul O'Farrill]

The Certified International Property Specialist Network (CIPS Network) is a
specialty group of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® that focuses
on international real estate. The CIPS Network currently has over
1,500, nearly 1,000 of whom have earned the CIPS designation. More than
300 network members live and practice outside the US.

What is a CIPS?

A Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) is an individual who
has proven their expertise in international real estate practice by
completing CIPS program requirements. CIPS designees are from
Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bermuda, Brazil,
Bulgaria, Canada, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany,
Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Korea, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand,
Philippines, Poland, Romania, Russia, Singapore and the United States.
Several hundred more are currently working toward the designation.

Consumers can benefit from the representation of real estate professionals who have earned the CIPS
designation. NAR International administers the CIPS program and
designation which focuses on ownership and transaction principles of
international real estate, including specifics on real estate markets
in Europe, the Americas and the Asia/Pacific region. Topics covered in
the CIPS classes also include cultural diversity, market data,
investment trends, marketing strategies, currency issues and financing.


NAR studies show that CIPS designees tend
to be highly experienced both in real estate and in dealing with
clients from diverse cultures. For example, 85 percent of CIPS
designees have been working in real estate more than 10 years; 35
percent have more than 20 years experience. Over 30 percent of CIPS
designees were either born outside the US or are now based outside the
US. CIPS designees are increasingly relied upon by local community and
business organizations — including Chambers of Commerce and boards of
REALTORS® — as international business resources.


NAR's CIPS Network




The Certified International Property Specialist Network (CIPS Network) is
the specialty membership group for international practitioners of the
National Association of REALTORS®, the world's largest trade
association. The CIPS Network is comprised of 2,300 real estate
professionals who deal in all types of real estate, but with one common
element: they are focused specifically on the "international" market.
Whether traveling abroad to put deals together, assisting foreign
investors, helping local buyers invest abroad, or serving an immigrant
niche in local markets, CIPS members are consumers' best resource to
ensure they are dealing with a professional skilled in the unique
aspects of international real estate.

Through NAR's alliances with 81 national
and regional Cooperating Associations around the globe, the CIPS
Network is attracting a growing number of members from outside the US.
The Network has over 2,000 CIPS designees (individuals who have
completed a week-long education program on international real estate)
with approximately another 300 CIPS Network members working to complete
their course work and other requirements for designation status. 300
CIPS Network members live and work outside the US and belong to one of
NAR's international partners.

CIPS Education

The Certified International Property
Specialist (CIPS) course curriculum is the educational foundation of
the CIPS Network. It distinguishes CIPS designees as individuals who
have both hands-on experience in international real estate
transactions, as well as successfully completed an intensive seven-day
program of study focusing on critical aspects of transnational
transactions, including currency and exchange rate issues and
cross-cultural relationships, regional market conditions, investment
performance, tax issues and more. A more detailed description of the
six courses is provided below.

U.S. REALTORS® must complete the two-day
"International Real Estate for Local Markets" (formerly Essentials)
before joining the CIPS Network. Non-U.S. practitioners are
also encouraged to take this course, but it is not currently a
requirement. Whether or not a practitioner intends to work toward the
CIPS designation, this course is ideal for anyone who may encounter
opportunities in their local market to assist in an international
transaction, e.g., assisting an immigrant or foreign investor, or
helping a U.S. resident purchase property abroad.


Course Descriptions
Six courses (five of which are required - only three of the four one-day
regional courses are necessary) comprise the education program of the
CIPS Network. The prerequisite "International Real Estate for Local
Markets" course is required for CIPS membership and the remaining
courses must be completed within two years of declaring candidacy for
CIPS Network members. Following is a description of each course and a current course schedule.

CIPS I: International Real Estate for Local Markets (formerly Essentials) - is
the two-day prerequisite introductory course to the CIPS international
real estate courses. The course is an analysis of the international
real estate business environment, including capital flow, currencies,
government regulations and cultures. The practical aspects of
international brokerage, networking, marketing and selling are
discussed. Students must take this course before taking any of the
other CIPS courses. Students will receive At Home with Diversity
Certification (except when taking the online course which does not give
AHWD credit) in addition to ABR, RSPS, and CRS elective credit with
successful completion of this revised course.

CIPS Institutes
concentrate four international CIPS courses into a one week format,
allowing students to save travel costs and complete the education
program quickly. Three of the four regional courses are required
(Europe, Asia, Americas, and Middle East/Africa). Many Institutes
include a variety of special events in addition to the required
classroom time. Property tours, networking events with local
businesses, panel discussions and social functions may be incorporated
into the week's program to provide a well-rounded and exciting learning
experience. These courses also may be offered individually.

1. Europe and International Real Estate
(1 day) – Provides information on working with clients in Western and
Central Europe. The European Union and its impact on international real
estate are covered, along with economic and real estate trends,
networking and relationship building, plus marketing and selling
practices.

2. Asia/Pacific and International Real Estate
(1 day) – Covers real estate practices in Asia and the Pacific with
emphasis on cultural influences, economic trends and assessment of
investment opportunities. A special chapter on working with the
Japanese is included.

3. The Americas and International Real Estate
(1 day) – Practical information for professionals who work with
Caribbean, North, Central, and South American investors. Historical and
cultural influences, regional relationship, and investment
opportunities are covered along with a special focus on Mexico.

4. Middle East/Africa and International Real Estate (1 day) - Learn
the logistics of how to conduct real estate transactions with clients
from the Middle East and Africa at the Certified International Property
Specialist (CIPS) Network’s new one-day designation course. The course
will introduce attendees to cultural differences you need to know when
working with clients from the Middle East and Africa.

5. Investment and Financial Analysis
(2 days) – Provides the tools needed to present investment information
to international clients--in their currency and area. You will learn
how to measure investment performance, prepare financial projections,
and understand the effects of taxes and exchange rates on investment.
This course is waived for students who have passed the CCIM Intro, CCIM
101, or CRS 204 courses. An HP-10BII calculator is REQUIRED for this course.

Details about location, price etc. will be provided by AMPI Penasco in the AMPI/NAR Network and AMPI facebook groups soon.... Keep in touch.

LINK TO AMPI/NAR NETWORK

[Russ Black]

Exciting news, thanks Raul for the great release on this news

[David MacLean]

Hi Paul, this sounds very interesting to me. I'm an agent based up in Toronto, Canada. So, I'm not a member of NAR. Would you know whether or not I'd still be able to attend this training? Is there a main contact person/number for information, and registration details for this event, where I could find out whether or not I'd be eligible to attend, and the cost for the training, etc.? Thanks again, David

My San Miguel Buyer/Investor Trips Webpage

[Russ Black]

I will see Raul later and find out for you!