Published by the CIPS Network of the National Association of REALTORS®
Third Quarter 2003
Brazil Summit Builds Connections
By Toni Napolitano, CIPS
In the world of international real estate, we have the opportunity to build relationships around the world, have an amazing journey, and make a good living at the same time. For me, as Director of Keyes International, the journey has been especially sweet.
The Keyes Company REALTORS® of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, has been in the international real estate market for more than seventy-seven years. Through our international network, we’ve served buyers of Florida properties from Central and South America, the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Italy, and the Middle East, to name a few. Our international specialists represent more than thirty-one countries in South and Central America, North America, Asia, and Europe—and speak twenty different Languages. Our International Division has formed affiliations with leading real estate companies in South America and Europe.
Last year, in my role as NAR President’s Liaison to Guatemala, I had the pleasure of attending the second Brazil Real Estate Business & Education Summit in São Paulo. The non-Brazilian attendees were from twelve countries, mostly in North, Central, and South America and from twelve U.S. states. Some delegates were there for the second time. It was my first visit to Brazil and of course I wore two hats, representing both NAR and my company.
We were hosted beautifully and given tours of the city and some major development projects. We spent a wonderful day in a Brazilian Real Estate Company, learning how real estate transactions are done there. There were presentations, lectures and classes by the leaders in our industry. All of these events provided many opportunities to form new and special relationships. Sharing these experiences created bonds and connections that will continue to thrive.
Back home, my company Keyes Real Estate was beginning to look for ways to expand its international presence in Latin America. When I returned, we began to explore the possibilities for affiliation with some of the companies whose representatives I met in São Paulo. Through the connections I forged in São Paulo, The Keyes Company has now closed network deals with nine Latin American firms. In the first stage of the Keyes Company’s extensive quest for Latin American representation, the negotiations confirmed contracts with Grupo LA S.A. in Costa Rica, FINPRO Ingeneria Inmobiliara in Argentina, Sanrey Bienesraices S.R.L in Venezuela, Benedict Asociados in the Dominican Republic, Graf y Asociados S.A.C. in Peru, Gonzalez Pasos Bienes Raices in Nicaragua, and Immobilaria del Este SA in Paraguay.
The first three contracts signed were with the firms in the Dominican Republic, in Argentina and in Venezuela. These contracts are based on a referral network system, wherein the Keyes Company can link directly with representatives from any of its affiliated firms to list, buy or sell property.
Our association with the CIPS Network has already generated many referrals, resulting in business coming from all areas of the globe. My world has expanded and shrunk at the same time, creating possibilities I never dreamed of.
Toni K.Napolitano, CIPS, CRS, GRI, is Director of Keyes International in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. As the NAR President’s Liaison to Guatemala, she serves on the NAR International Operations Committee. Her countries of specialization are Guatemala, Italy and the U. S. You can reach her at 1.954.712.9369 or +1.95463.8664, or e-mail her at Toni@PerformanceNotPromises.com.
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