ABoR Global

THINK GLOBALLY, THRIVE LOCALLY

ABoR Global is among the country's leading global real estate programs, delivering award-winning programming, education, and tools that position REALTORS® better to serve international buyers, sellers, and investors.

The heart of our program is our Global Business Alliance Network (ABoR GBA), a community of REALTOR® members, affiliated members, and friends of ABoR Global who are passionate about the global real estate market.

We're actively building connections worldwide with various cities, chambers, and real estate associations.

Click here to read the 2022 Global Year in Review.

GLOBAL ALLIANCE WITH CANADA

We first partnered with The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), signing a renewing Memorandum of Understanding in June 2020.

We strengthened our international partnership between the ABoR and CREA with ongoing programming, events, and networking, including The Canadian Road Show, regular Market Updates, and Global Networking throughout the year. And there are more good things on the horizon!

AMBASSADOR ASSOCIATION

In January 2022, we hit the ground running with one of our global "Big Rocks" goals by hosting a delegation from Ireland and the IPAV - Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers. In July, we took our first international trip as an association as the NAR Ambassador Association to Ireland. We met with the IPAV leadership at their headquarters in Dublin and attended their Annual General Meeting in Athlone, Ireland. As a featured speaker on the Emerald Isle, ABoR CEO Emily Chenevert helped us take the next big step in building relationships with real estate associations worldwide. Read more about the partnership here.

NEWEST MOU GLOBAL PARTNER

To build on our growing collaboration with the Asociación Mexicana de Profesionales Inmobiliarios (AMPI), ABoR entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on September 30, 2022, as part of our continued commitment to our collaborations and to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.

Like our MOU with the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and global partnership with IPAV, this new partnership with AMPI will encourage cross-border collaboration, provide an avenue to exchange information, promote professionalism, and provide broader educational opportunities for our respective memberships. This will continue our efforts to help real estate agents in México and Texas become more knowledgeable of each other's marketplace and better facilitate cross-border referrals.

If you are interested in learning more about these or other countries of interest, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our ABoR Global Advisory or Global Ambassadors to help you navigate and make appropriate introductions where they can.

ABoR members can access economic reports, training resources, and more in our Document Library, including our 2022 Global Handbook. Earn your Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) designation October 2 - 6, 2023, with the Austin Board of REALTORS®.

Austin is a Global Destination

Austin is a truly global city. More than 20 percent of Austinites are foreign-born, and we speak more than 100 languages. With a business-friendly tax structure; 20+ colleges and universities; and a high-tech, innovative, and creative culture, Austin has become one of the nation's most attractive destinations for tourists, families, and businesses.

A Great Place to Live

Texas ranks third in the nation for homes sold to international buyers, according to the 2022 International Transactions in U.S. Residential Real Estate. Texas was the third top foreign buyer destination, with an 8% share. Thirty-one percent of Texas buyers came from Latin America/Caribbean, and 27% from Europe. Texas was the top destination among Mexican buyers and the second top destination among Colombian buyers.

Global Recognition

International companies such as Dell Technologies, Whole Foods Market, and Vrbo are some Austin-based companies with global operations. In addition, tech giants like Samsung, Tesla, Amazon, and Apple are increasingly choosing Central Texas to build their next campus. But we’re not just known for innovation; we also know how to have fun. First known as the “Live Music Capital of the World,” Austin has gained global recognition for its many festivals and attractions, such as SXSW, the Austin City Limits Music Festival, Formula 1, and more.

Foreign Trade & Investment

Ranked the top exporter in the U.S. since 2002, Texas exported a record $315.9 billion worth of goods in 2018 alone. In the Austin area, our leading trading partners are South Korea, Taiwan, Mexico, Japan, China, and Malaysia. Texas ranks No. 2 in the nation for foreign and domestic investment. According to the Austin Chamber of Commerce, Austin garners 12 percent of the state's foreign direct investment (FDI) and has nearly 300 foreign-owned firms. Texas also ranks No. 2 in the U.S. for commercial real estate buyers working with REALTORS®, according to NAR’s 2022 Commercial Real Estate International Business Trends Report.