Grow with a Global Mindset

5 QUESTIONS FOR TAMARA TYRBOUSLU

International real estate might sound like a specialty reserved for REALTORS® who travel the world or speak multiple languages.

Tamara Larisa Tyrbouslu says, ‘think again.’

Ahead of the CIPS Institute at LVR this September, Tamara explains how thinking globally can create opportunities for REALTORS® with or without passports.

-LOCAL IS GLOBAL-

Do you have to travel or already be an international real estate expert to benefit from CIPS?

“Absolutely not. When I originally took the CIPS Institute 24 years ago, I hadn’t even sold a house yet. I knew I wanted to be involved in international business somehow, but I never thought it was going to be through real estate. What I learned in CIPS, I was able to apply to my business right out of the gate and cultivate global business from the beginning.”

-LEARN THE NUANCES-

How can understanding other cultures help REALTORS® do more business?

“People don’t realize how much business they might have lost because of cultural misunderstandings. You may have been too familiar when you should have kept your distance, or too formal when you should have built a more personal bond. In some cultures, the whole family comes to look at the house. We may be used to negotiating and then putting something on paper, while in some cultures a contract is just the beginning of a negotiation.

There are all these nuances that can make or break deals. Understanding them can help you work more effectively with clients from different cultures.”

-INTERNATIONAL SALES TOOLS-

What can REALTORS® actually learn from CIPS Institute?

“We have exercises where you learn to facilitate an outbound trade mission and design an inbound trade mission. You create a business model that could work in another country. You might also help a fictitious client decide between countries. For instance, maybe somebody wants to retire south of the border, but they’re not sure whether they want to be in Panama or Ecuador. You learn an assessment model that can help them make that decision.”

-NETWORK EFFECTS-

What opportunities does joining the CIPS network create?

“You get access to some of the most talented brokers in the world. When you travel to conferences or trade missions abroad, you’re doing business with high-level people — CEOs and top producers. That network is one of the reasons you want to earn a CIPS designation.
We also have a private Facebook group where referrals are being shared, and there are CIPS tools and resources through NAR that you can use in presentations and buyer strategy sessions.”

-MANY TYPES OF CIPS DESIGNEES-

What else should REALTORS® know about the CIPS course?

“There’s no one type of person who comes to the class. Some are just dipping their toes in the water. Some are new agents interested in international sales and cultures. Some have never left the state. Others have been doing this for a while and want the designation.
And remember, international business doesn’t necessarily mean getting on a plane. There may be opportunities right here in your local market that you haven’t recognized yet.”

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR

Tamara Larisa Tyrbouslu is an international real estate broker-salesperson, instructor, and "soulpreneur" based in Las Vegas. She is also NAR-certified faculty for the Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) designation.

If you're an LVR member, click to register:

If you're a REALTOR®, but not an LVR member, contact the Education department to register:

• Call: (702) 784-5054
• Email: education@lvrealtors.org