Being a Russian born American Realtor(R) who works for sellers and buyers in Greater Cleveland, I enjoy travelling back to Russia and other European countries and meeting with the colleagues from different places while teaching Real Estate marketing, principles and practicies or closing the deals for my International clients.
That's the last day of my long trip to Ukraine and Russia. I've been real busy teaching the classes in Kiev (Ukraine), Tumen (Russia) and Moscow (Russia) for the last 18 days. I've been meeting with about 300 wonderful people, professional, very well educated, eager to learn in these beautiful cities. It was incredible informational support from the biggest Russian professional Real Estate portal http://NERS.ru. Yes, Russian speaking Real Estate people are lucky to have on-line professional Forum. It's not that advanced as Active Rain but it's good.
They don't have State licensing in Russia and Ukraine. They don't have real MLS in most places, just the Internet data base, open for both public and professionals. However, despite the differences it's a lot of common features and concerns among our colleagues, no matter where we practice Real Estate. Few observations about what concerns Real Estate people in different places:
1. Unfortunately, crisis is a common topic all over the world. Everyone is suffering from declining demand, lack of financial leverage and undecisive buyers and sellers. Our mature experience in survival is in a big demand. Good news about the first signs of revival of RE market in America makes people more enthusiastic. Let's spread the word about it!
2. Buyers' and Sellers' representation and fee structure. In few words, Should we charge the buyer if the seller's agent offers insufficient co-op commission? Should we charge less or more on declining market when our services become more needed by our clients?
3. Internet marketing and on-line presentation of our listings and services. Should we pay to the Big guys or promote our own web sites?
4. Brokers' cooperation and unethical methods of competition on tough market. Everyone hopes that tough times will help to clean the house.
Globe is so small and the problems are so common!
That's a big honor and responsibility to represent the American way of doing business in Real Estate to the colleagues from different countries. That's a big hope that we will keep our leadership in developing the ethical, civilized, yet profitable Real Estate brokerage business here in America.
Sincerely,
Svetlana Stolyarova, Local-n-Global Realty
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