Real Estate in Northeast Florida and Around the World

The last 3 weeks have been an amazing journey for me.  Because there are so many people from Germany that are investing in second home and rental property in the U.S. right now, I planned a business development trip more than a year ago, to find new connections and begin relationships with Immobilienmaklers - real estate agents - in Germany. 

Each of my contacts from around Germany were very interested in how we do the business of real estate in the USA.  There are many misunderstandings and miscommunications that I was able to clarify, from explaining the customs of who pays what in the U.S. (which is very different than who pays what in Germany), to explaining our multiple listing service.  The MLS is something that most Americans and real estate agents take for granted, as this is not the custom in pretty much the rest of the world.  I have to say that I was taken aback by the pleasure they seemed to have in having a personal contact in Florida and in the United States.

I also had the opportunity to meet with the Communication Director for the Immobilienverband Deutschland (IVD), which is somewhat the equivalent of our National Association of Realtors.  Their association is relatively new, only 7 years old.  Just as the National Association of Realtors has had challenges in its past in soliciting members and helping members to understand the benefits, the NAR has had over 100 years in establishment to create a professional organization with over 1,000,000 members.  The IVD has 6,000 members currently, with over 12,000 firms (not agents) located throughout Germany.  Germany has no official real estate licensing requirements, nor certification process.  Members of the IVD agree to participate in continuing education each year, and also to abide by a code of ethics similar to those created by the National Association of Realtors.

So, I come back from Germany delighted to have met all of my new friends, honored to have such professional people included in my network, and feeling blessed for the opportunity to have made this journey.

Now.....if I can only find a bakery back in Jacksonville that makes this wonderful bread I have grown accustomed to having every morning.....