Look for properties around the world

By Ryan Lajoie Sponsored by: Eastern Connecticut Association of REALTORS®

The International Consortium of Real Estate Associations (ICREA) is a global alliance whose members are leading national real estate organizations in the world's major markets. ICREA provides significant benefits to members of these national organizations who are engaged in the global marketplace – primarily by assisting them in efficiently and profitably facilitating transnational business. ICREA also assists buyers and sellers in locating properties outside their country and in locating a real estate professional who abides by a code of ethics and can best meet their individual needs.

REALTOR.com, the official website of the National Association of Realtors®, began providing listings in 2003 from Realtors® in the United States to WorldProperties.com, the official site of the International Consortium of Real Estate Associations (ICREA).

Foreign investment in real estate is on the rise. With international usage of the internet steadily increasing, it made sense to harness the power of the REALTOR. com site to the emerging international real estate community.

WorldProperties.com displays more than 3 million international property listings from 24 international ICREA member associations, including NAR. The site features real estate professionals and properties from around the world.

In today's market, real estate is complex enough when the transaction is local. Adding an international element to the deal makes it even more so. ICREA helps consumers understand the global market business practices and can assist both buyers and sellers. Using online resources, buyers and sellers can learn about how real estate is transacted in the country of interest, so they are prepared for the differences from the practice in their home country.

Buyers can search for properties among more than 3 million listings, and locate a broker who will work in a cooperative manner with a broker in another country to ensure the best possible service. Sellers can locate a broker who will market their properties to a worldwide market. This is especially important for sellers with distinctive properties that will attract buyers from around the globe in search of a vacation, resort, or luxury property, or simply one that's unique within its local market.

ICREA's greatest value to consumers, however, is the ICREA network of brokers—more than 1 million—who are affiliated with leading national organizations and adhere to a code of ethics that commits them to professionalism and service to their customers and clients.

Information about WorldProperties. com is available at worldproperties.com. Visit our web site at easternctrealtors.com.