Ho hum. Another day, another article about the dismal state of affairs in the real estate industry. Woe to the glut of listings, not selling because buyers are too mean - unwilling to overpay for overpriced property. Oh, what am I talking about? There aren't any buyers any more, right? They all just disappeared with the "stricter" rules around lending - all that nonsense about having to have good credit and all...

But, let's not dwell on the bad. Certainly something must be good. And yes, indeed, there certainly is good news in the housing market: it's called the Dollar. And since it's so low (in terms of currency exchange) it's creating a boom in exporting here in the good ol' United States. Government reports today indicated that exports rose to an all-time-high in July - mostly on an affordable dollar that's finally got even the Canadian's economy looking "pricey"!

And how might the erstwhile real estate industry benefit from the weaker dollar? Well, let's see: a solid econonic growth, low unemployment and fairly vigorous property laws: sounds like a super place to invest - especially if you're living in a not-so-low-tax or politically-whimsical foreign country.

In other words: the time is right to tap into international investors in American property.

Good thing most real estate agents are prepared for that, too, huh? I mean, look: websites, email, instant messaging, all sorts of goodies that make networking, relationship building and selling internationally easier than ever. No more trying to figure out how many Euros it takes to send a postcard mailing to Paris. No more reconfiguring your printer for A4 envelopes the Italian postal system prefers. No more overnight listing packages to Tokyo running up a $50 Fedex bill.

Just the internet, a video camera, and a plan. And it can't be that hard: homebodies do it on Ebay every day, so why not professional agents? In fact, if you're selling American real estate to foreign investors, especially the Euro-happy with an overvalued currency, you're really an exporter - and one with tremendous value since American property represents a safe, strong, growing (in long terms, not handwringing two-year spans) investment that is certain to be attractive to buyers looking for a vacation home, relocation opportunity or just investments.

Oh, sure, London isn't in your MLS. Right, you didn't translate your listings into Spanish yet. But what's keeping you? Need some help? Check out the International Real Estate Digest (www.ired.com) or better yet, the NAR resource section on international real estate. WorldProperties is also pretty cool - has lots of country research for you to leverage. There's even an internatioanl referral network for members of the International Council of Real Esate Associations - and a training program to get up to speed. And sure, you can find some cool properties online - like this little gem of a home in Florence... which, interestingly enough, is listed with an agent from Naples... Florida...

 Or you can connect with Agents from the Czech Republic - like this Craigslist poster:

Reply to: see below
Date: 2007-09-06, 3:13AM CEST

Need female assistant to assist in Real Estate transactions.
No former experience ncessary. Must speak English well and be able to
converse and carry yourself in a professional manner. Must be able to read
contracts and translate to English in an understandable manner.
Some travel around Europe and the US will be required. All expenses will be paid. Candidate must be intelligent, outgoing, interesting and attractive.
You will be assisting a sales staff and will be given bonuses upon the completion of sales purchases.

Send brief BIO and photo to:
Attn Stuart Location: CZ Republick

 

Wouldn't it be nice if you struck up an online conversation with them so that, perhaps, the assistant would come to visit (and bring deals) with you on her trips to the US?

So, the internet, international real estate Associations, Craigslist and some email. Guess it's not such a big deal if the market is "down" in your town any more, is it?

- M