Costa Rica REALTORS® Meet Rising Real Estate Activity with New Online Marketing Resources and Outreach Efforts

CRGAR Increases Member Support for Marketing Services for Sellers, Outreach to Investors, and Relations with International Referral Sources.....

The Costa Rica Global Association of REALTORS® (CRGAR) is starting 2013 by expanding its support as a marketing partner for all its members, while Costa Rica also enjoys rising real estate activity and record visitor volumes. CRGAR recognizes its responsibility to help its members keep a unique competitive edge, as expanding market activity draws new players into the profession. CRGAR offers The Costa Rica MLS (CRMLS), is a Bi-Lateral Partner of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), and applies NAR's Standards of Professional Practice to its members.

CRGAR's 2013 Support Includes:

1) More premium internet syndication channels for agent profiles and property listings - CRMLS data, powered by Proxio is automatically fed on a daily basis to Realtor.com/International, Point2Homes.com, the Point2-based personal websites of CRMLS users, World Properties, ProxioPro.com, UniqueHomes.com (Feb 6), Point2-affilated websites like LandWatch.com and Real-Buzz.com, and will soon be available to the global portals connected through ListGlobally.com (serving the UK, Italy, Russia, India, Japan, China, South Africa, Brazil, Switzerland, Singapore, and the Middle East).

2) A completely new, innovative social media strategy that merges the full resources of the Costa Rica MLS (CRMLS) with the of power Facebook Business Pages for each CRMLS user - CRMLS users can take advantage of Facebook's "Shares", "Likes", "Friends", to reach potential audiences of millions with the full CRMLS inventory. Visit The Costa Rica MLS on Facebook, (please "like" our page, then click "Property Search"), to get familiar with CRGAR's installation of SocialSearch by Proxio on our page, and look for similar installations on individual CRMLS user Facebook pages soon.

3) Participating in and sponsoring international events to raise awareness of Costa Rica as an investment opportunity - In the past year CRGAR has sent speakers/messages to 6 different REALTOR® venues in the United States, and sponsored 2 full institutes (in Costa Rica) offering the "Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS)" designation from NAR. The next institute will be held in Tamarindo from February 11-15, 2013. Reply to info@crgar.com for details.


4) B2B networking connecting over 500,000 global professionals making use of instantaneous translation of CRMLS property listing data into 19 languages - Among the unique tools, only available in The Costa Rica MLS, is the ability to communicate in the 19 most dominant global languages, and to have network relationships with real estate professionals worldwide. In the most recent examples of the potential value, as globalization continues, CRGAR has learned that,

a) Brazil's 260,000 licensed realtors are starting to get connected to CRGAR through the Proxio network, at the same time Copa Airlines has established one-stop service to Liberia, Costa Rica, from many major cities there (and South America). Costa Rica's vacation rental companies are reporting dramatically increased numbers of inquiries from Brazil, suggesting that communicating with Portuguese-speaking investors and realtors may become a new priority for CRGAR members.

b) Local tourism officials have reported that advance teams from China are evaluating airports in Costa Rica for its airlines to establish service. Once travel is eased between the 2 countries, the same evolution (as is being seen with Brazil) is likely to generate Chinese language-based opportunities for CRGAR members, as well.

5) Cooperative relationships with other international networks and MLS systems to display CRGAR member profiles and listings around the world - To encourage new interactions between global realtors and investors, as expected above, CRMLS listings are starting to appear directly in the search dropdowns of other MLS systems and networks. The first link established was with Miami Realtors, and in Brazil, Rede SECOVI and Rede Brasil will be next. 

6) A new "CRGAR Referral Member" category, that allows international real estate professionals with an interest in Costa Rica, to be affiliated with CRGAR and get access to CRMLS tools on their own websites in their home markets - International professionals may join CRGAR in a special category and purchase a CRMLS search widget that will display CRMLS listings with their own contact information on their own websites - supporting their role as referral agents to CRGAR members. CRGAR will also facilitate referral payment relationships by offering standardized agent agreements and Costa Rica tax information.



CRGAR Welcomes You to Grow with Us in 2013,

.....As a new or returning Realtor member in Costa Rica, as an affiliated user of the Costa Rica MLS, as a Referral Member from anywhere on the Earth, and/or as an attendee of our CIPS Institute (Feb 11) or our annual professional training classes (March).

For more information, email info@crgar.com. 

Costa Rica Real Estate Dreams Are Waiting.......

Costa Rica real estate opportunities are ready to welcome you and your realtor's referrals! Our market is stable, the national economy is strong, and prices are climbing. 

See more opportunities on our website, Costa Rica Real Estate Store.

Email to crresinfo@gmail.com for more information and/or a copy of these images as a full-size PDF.

We look forward to welcoming you here!

New Year's Eve Morning View from Costa Rica!

Best Wishes for 2013 from Costa Rica! 

Come visit us during the new year!

Fly to direct to Liberia International Airport (LIR), one hour from this view!

Realtors - Get your CIPS Designation in Costa Rica at the beach in February! Email to becky@bwpcr.com for the brochure.

Contact us anytime with your Costa Rica questions! (crresinfo@gmail.com)

Leading Costa Rica REALTORS® to Focus on Social Media Integration with Costa Rica MLS

Costa Rica MLS Listings and Social Media Search Tools Set to First Appear on Facebook Business Pages of Costa Rica REALTORS® in December!

      

The Costa Rica Global Association of REALTORS® (CRGAR), will be offering a series of special professional events on Monday, December 10, 2012, in Playa Hermosa, Carrillo, Guanacaste. These events will focus on the emerging importance of social media tools and services to the real estate industry and CRGAR members, new services and features of the Costa Rica MLS (CRMLS), CRGAR’s 2013 membership policies and fees, “hands-on” training for using new social media resources and new features of CRMLS, and will conclude with CRGAR’s Holiday Cocktail Party, a short distance away at the El Velero Hotel on the beach. 

These events are open to all real estate agents, brokers, developers, franchise networks, and allied professionals. We also hope to welcome professionals from other parts of Costa Rica and neighboring countries who are interested in adding some of CRGAR’s services in their home markets, to network with Costa Rica, and who may be considering new database support.

The event is organized into sessions as follows:

1) 10:00AM-11:00AM -The Emerging Integration of Social Media with MLS Databases – A New Dimension in Listing/Agent Syndication.

CRGAR has arranged for an expert from the United States to lead this discussion and be available throughout the day. Until recently, Pablo Ceron was a REALTOR® in Miami, and he is also the developer of SocialSearch, a Facebook application for real estate professionals and businesses, acquired by Proxio. SocialSearch will be available to all users of the Costa Rica MLS for the first time on December 10^th.

 

Pablo is now a part of the Proxio Global Team, is bi-lingual English/Spanish, and is deeply involved in all areas of social media. He will discuss how social media applies to the real estate industry now, and how it is likely to evolve in the near future. His appearance will give attendees special insights to the state of the art in social media, and special assistance with starting your SocialSearch account on CRMLS.

Pablo’s SocialSearch team is also considering an enhanced SocialSearch product for developers and large projects – with either in-house sales or contracts with outside real estate professionals. The intent is to provide enhanced global project marketing with seamless integration to other SocialSearch users. He would like a chance to share these ideas with representatives of projects and get feedback for product planning. 

2) 11:00AM-Noon – New Features and Services of the Costa Rica MLS

Starting on December 10, 2012, the Costa Rica ML will offer its users new services and features, as well as some policy revisions. Others are in the pipeline and will be demonstrated on December 10th for release in early 2013. All changes are intended to make CRMLS more useful and effective for your professional purposes. The new items include:

SocialSearch by Proxio – A detailed explanation of the new social media connection between CRMLS and Facebook (as Phase 1 of SocialSearch), and the advantages of Facebook Business Pages, if you do not already have one. (Individual “hands-on” training will be part of the 2:30PM session in the afternoon.)

Listing Syndication to UniqueHomes.com – A new, free outlet for listings above a certain minimum asking price.

New Landing Pages for Accounts – (Demo only Dec 10) – A new page that opens after an agent logs in to CRMLS. The format will include an overview of activity of your listings, your syndication channels, your network, your colleagues in CRMLS, and the Proxio system.


“Featured Listing” Widgets – Proxio is releasing new custom widgets that will scroll images and basic information about your listings, which also work as links to them in the database.


Listing Syndication to ListGlobally.com/Worldposting.com – (coming in 2013) – 2 of the largest global syndication networks will be available on a selective basis.

         

 


Window Flyer – First of new flyer formats.

Mobile Ready – Update on progress toward CRMLS being available on mobile, hand-held devices.

3) 2:30PM-4:00PM – “Hands On” Clinic for CRMLS Users

This session is primarily designed to  help CRMLS users install SocialSearch. It will have a “free” format, to also respond to any type of questions from CRMLS users and/or CRGAR candidate members.

Bring your devices to connect to the internet and install SocialSearch in your CRMLS account before leaving the Embassy Theater. If you do not have a Facebook Business Page, create one before December 10. Or, if you need Facebook assistance, a session about creating a Business Page will be part of this clinic.

General assistance will be available for new and existing users from CRMLS resource people, Pam Wright, Alberto Triquell, and Allen Lungo, as well as other experienced, CRGAR members. As requested, a small group demonstration of the basic CRMLS system will be possible for member candidates.

4) 4:30PM-? – CRGAR Holiday Cocktail Party (cash bar) at Hotel Velero, Playa Hermosa

We will conclude our December 10^th events with our Holiday Cocktail Party with sunsets, appetizers courtesy of Mike Simons and RE/MAX Tres Amigos, a “50/50” cash raffle, and a chance to enjoy the season’s spirit with your peers.

Thank you for your attention, and we look forward to seeing you on December 10^th in Playa Hermosa!

Costa Rica Global Association of REALTORS®

Costa Rica REALTOR® Institute Offers International Designation - "Certified International Property Specialist" - February 11-15, 2013

"Designation Vacation" at the Beach in Costa Rica!

The Costa Rica Global Association of REALTORS® (CRGAR) is offering more details for its second annual Costa Rica CIPS Institute during the week of February 11-15, 2013. The "Certified International Property Specialist" (CIPS) Designation is one of the most prestigious credentials a REALTOR® can earn, especially with globalization of real estate sales increasing year after year. 

The CIPS Institute is scheduled for the week of Valentines Day, offering added incentives to come to Costa Rica with a loved one who will help share a "Designation Vacation". 

During that same week, CIPS companion golfers will be welcome to play in the charity "Have a Heart Golf Tournament", at Hacienda Pinilla, benefiting area educational programs. Details are available through CRGAR.

David Wyant - Awarded "2012 Instructor of the Year" on November 10th by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) in Orlando!

Instructor for 2013 Costa Rica CIPS Institute 

David Wyant congratulated on his award by Teresa Kinney (R), CEO of Miami Realtors, the largest local REALTOR® association in the United States, and Janet Branton (L), Senior Vice-President of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), with headquarters in Chicago, Illinois.

Tuition for the 5-day experience is $600.00 (USD) for attendees who have paid by December 1, 2012. Credit cards are accepted. Tuition increases monthly afterward. Accommodations are available for all budgets and include both hotels and vacation rental condominiums.

Request our full brochure, registration form, and travel information from Becky Clower, Broker, at Blue Water Properties: becky@bwpcr.com.

The 2012 Costa Rica CIPS Institute (this past January) was a great success, drawing attendees from Canada, Costa Rica, and many states in the US. 

Photos of the events are available on www.crgar.com. 

CRGAR appreciates anything you can do to help us spread the word about the 2013 Costa Rica CIPS Institute among, colleagues, friends, and families. We look forward to welcoming everyone to Costa Rica!


CRGAR is the only real estate association in Latin America requiring all of its members to belong to the National Association of REALTORS® while applying its Standards for Professional Practice. Visit www.crgar.com for an overview.








CRGAR also offers The Costa Rica MLS, displaying agent members and their property listings. (Powered by Proxio)

Best Regards,

The Costa Rica Global Association of REALTORS® 

Florida Gulf Coast Real Estate Tour Offered by Pinellas REALTORS®

November Events Offer Property/Office Tours, Speakers from Costa Rica/Belize/Mexico/NAR, and Receptions at Dali and Chihuly Museums.


The Pinellas Realtor® Organization and the Pinellas International Council will host international and local practitioners for a three day Pinellas County experience.

The Florida Gulf Coast Tour will take place immediately following the National Association of REALTORS® Annual Convention in Orlando (Nov. 12-15, 2012). It will give local REALTORS® an opportunity to connect with their international peers and build professional and personal relationships. The tour will showcase the unique Florida Gulf Coast lifestyle with property tours, office visits, local arts, culture and cuisine. 

Among the arts highlights will be tours of the Salvador Dali and Chihuly Museums,  both cultural gems of Florida's Gulf Coast.

During the morning of Tuesday, November 13th, speakers from 3 Latin American countries and NAR will offer perspectives for attendees. They include:

    Allen Lungo - President, Costa Rica Global Association of REALTORS®

    Macarena Rose - Founder, Belize National Association of REALTORS®

    Carlos Fuentes - NAR Regional Coordinator - North America, Central America and Caribbean

    Velia Amparo Rivas - Region I Coordinator for México National Association of REALTORS®

Bus service from NAR/Orlando to the Florida Gulf Coast Tour will be available on Monday morning, November 12th. Please contact Michelle Schaefferkoetter  at 727-216-3031 or ms@tampabayrealtor.com for pricing and registration information. 

Event flyer:

CIPS Institute Returns to Costa Rica - Plan Your February 2013 "Designation Vacation"

2nd Annual CIPS Institute Set for Week of Valentine's Day, 2013!

The Costa Rica Global Association of REALTORS® (CRGAR) is pleased to announce sponsorship of a second annual Costa Rica CIPS Institute during the week of February 11-15, 2013. The "Certified International Property Specialist" (CIPS) Designation is one of the most prestigious credentials a REALTORS® can earn, especially with globalization of real estate sales increasing each month. (And, bring your "Valentine" for that special beach vacation during Costa Rica's sunniest season.)

Request our full brochure from becky@bwpcr.com, including rates.

The 2013 Costa Rica CIPS Institute will offer a full set of 5 courses from Monday to Friday for anyone wanting to taking them all at once, or just finish off the last ones needed for the designation. Our brochure provides a complete overview, as well as the dates set aside for each course. The instructor will be the renowned David Wyant, teaching in English. You will also find contact information for travel advice and attendee coordination through our CRGAR Board Member and CIPS Institute Chairman, Becky Clower.

The past 2012 Costa Rica CIPS Institute (January) was a great success, drawing attendees from Canada, Costa Rica, and many states in the US. Photos of the events are available on www.crgar.com. The week also included sunset receptions hosted by supporting developments and organizations, organized dinners, and a closing party to congratulate the graduates. A 2013 event schedule will be published for attendees.

We also appreciate anything you can do to help us spread the word about the 2013 Costa Rica CIPS Institute among, colleagues, friends, and families. We look forward to welcoming everyone to Costa Rica!

CRGAR is the only real estate association in Latin America requiring all of its members to belong to the National Association of REALTORS® while apply its Standards for Professional Practice. Visit www.crgar.com for an overview.

CRGAR also offers The Costa Rica MLS, displaying agent members and their property listings. (Powered by Proxio)

Best Regards,

The Costa Rica Global Association of REALTORS®