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Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS)

Gain the expertise to work with international clients in your local market. With the surge of international investment in the U.S. real estate market and the rapidly growing immigrant population, specializing in this market can help you reap great rewards.

Awarded to REALTORS® who:

  • Pass the two required core classes:  Local Markets and Transaction Tools as well as three regional courses or two regional courses and one of the following courses: At Home with Diversity (AHWD), Resort & Second-Home Property Specialist (RSPS), or Pricing Strategies Advisor (PSA).
  • Accumulate 100 elective points through various activities or events.
  • Submit completed designation application ($75 fee).
  • And, maintain CIPS Network membership ($220 annually).

Designees may easily be located at REALTOR.com by consumers and at REALTOR.org/global and through the CIPS Network for referrals.

Earn the CIPS and receive:

  • The monthly e-newsletter Global Perspectives.
  • Monthly CIPS Mentor Program Sessions – join industry experts for insightful presentations and Q & A’s; connect with mentors and peers to discuss your CIPS journey.
  • Customizable marketing materials including postcards, web banner ads and press releases.
  • “Find a CIPS” Directory listing with Profile.
  • A smartphone app for conversions and language translation.
  • Virtual Networking Sessions to expand your connections and global presence.
  • Private CIPS Facebook group to facilitate referrals and exchange knowledge.
  • And, invitations to exclusive events.

Required courses:

Global Real Estate: Local Markets (CIPS)

Last year, foreign buyers invested more than $82 billion in residential real estate in the U.S., paid $100,000 more on average than the overall U.S. median price, and the majority paid all cash. Local Markets will show you how to connect with this client base and help you uncover global opportunities in your local market. This course provides elective credit toward the ABR designation and the RSPS certification as well.

This course covers:

  • The advantages of international investment in the US market
  • How to position your local real estate market in a global economy
  • Serving foreign-born clients
  • Building a global presence

CE Credit: 7.5 hours, including 2 hours in Cultural Competency
Cost: $150 members/$350 non-members

Upcoming 2025 classes:

  • Not offered in 2025

Register online

Global Real Estate: Transaction Tools (CIPS)

This course explains the concepts and tools to serve clients in a global market including how to research markets; convert metric measures; monitor currency trends; and alert clients to tax and visa matters affecting their transactions.

This course covers:

  • Researching foreign and local markets and compiling dossiers of market information.
  • Alerting clients to currency, fund transfer, and financing issues, and guide them to seek expert advice.
  • Convert and combine currency, area, and time calculations.
  • Alert foreign clients and customers to tax considerations of real estate transactions.
  • Compile, organize, and present financial data so that clients can make informed decisions.
  • Identify properties that meet the personal and investment objectives of clients and customers.

CE Credit: 7.5 hours, including 2 hours in Cultural Competency
Cost: $150 members/$350 non-members

Upcoming 2025 classes:

  • Not offered in 2025

Register online

Regional Courses:

CIPS – Africa and International Real Estate

This course will help elevate your knowledge, skills, and understanding of the real estate industry in Africa. Learn about the geography, demographics, government, economy, and real estate sectors in 11 countries, and be introduced to our newest bilateral partners in Ghana, Nigeria, and South Africa. Because this is such a dynamic continent, you will be provided with resources to keep you up to date with current economic and real estate trends. Finally, you will learn about the cultural norms that affect business practices in each country.

CE Credit: 7.5 hours, including 2 hours in Cultural Competency
Cost: $150 members/$350 non-members

CIPS – The Americas and International Real Estate

As we explore the Americas, statistics will be used to compare individual countries, examine their patterns of growth, and determine their investment potential. The Americas have experienced dramatic changes within the last few years. This course is designed to introduce real estate professionals to the basic skills and knowledge necessary to facilitate real estate transactions within the Americas by understanding regional differences.

The Americas introduces participants to the unique dimensions of international practice in North, Central, and South America, including:

  • Social, economic, political, and geographical characteristics of major American countries.
  • Laws and real estate practices in major American markets.
  • Procedures for evaluating American investment patterns, investor profiles, and opportunistic real estate activity.
  • Methods to develop a business network that will enhance international practice with American clients and/or properties.
  • Techniques to promote properties, markets, and professional services.

CE Credit: 7.5 hours, including 2 hours in Cultural Competency
Cost: $150 members/$350 non-members

CIPS – Europe and International Real Estate

The overall impact of globalization has driven Europe to become a major market in competition with the Americas and the Asia/Pacific region. Consequently, Europe is a very active source and target of international real estate investment. This is due in part to the size of this region, which offers tremendous investing potential.

Upon successful completion of this course, a real estate professional will be able to:

  • Discuss the social, economic, political, and geographical characteristics of major European countries.
  • Discuss the history, purpose, and economic impact of the European Union.
  • Identify important characteristics of certain European real estate markets including influential laws, business culture attributes, and real estate/brokerage practices.
  • Assess opportunities in certain European markets by evaluating significant investment patterns, investor profiles, and real estate activity.
  • Identify ways to develop a business network and start or enhance an international practice with European clients or properties.
  • Identify ways to promote properties, markets, and professional services.

Knowledge and awareness of basic cultural, political, and economic conditions in Europe will enhance a real estate professional’s ability to represent, interact with, and command the respect of clients. The concept of unification is still new and there are many who do not want to lose any more of their national identity. These are important facts to know and understand as you work with customers and clients from affected countries.

CE Credit: 7.5 hours, including 2 hours in Cultural Competency
Cost: $150 members/$350 non-members

 

CIPS – Asia/Pacific and International Real Estate

In this new world of globalized business, we are in contact with people from Australia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Korea, and the Philippines. Their economic count on countries of the Americas and the Pacific Rim to provide access for their goods to our markets. We count on them supplying us with quality merchandise at reasonable prices and providing new markets for the products of the Americas. One such product is real estate. This course provides information, insights, and skills for working with Asian investors seeking overseas properties and for investors from the Americas seeking investments in Asia.

Course objectives:
Upon successful completion of this course, a real estate professional will be able to:

  • Discuss the social, economic, political, and geographical characteristics of major countries in the Asia/Pacific region.
  • Identify important characteristics of the real estate market in certain Asia/Pacific markets, including influential laws and real estate and brokerage practices.
  • Evaluate opportunities in certain Asian markets by analyzing significant investment patterns, investor profiles, and real estate activity.
  • Discuss ways to develop a business network to start or enhance an international practice with Asian clients or properties.
  • Discuss techniques to promote properties, markets, and professional services.

CE Credit: 7.5 hours, including 2 hours in Cultural Competency
Cost: $150 members/$350 non-members