ListHub, the industry-leading listing syndicator whose centralized intelligence platform supports brokers, agents and MLSs, has announced a new relationship with the National Association of REALTORS® to help guide Realtors® in maximizing their opportunities in the global real estate marketplace.

The agreement provides real estate professionals with “best-in-class international listing distribution and global education as well as discounts for Realtors® to leverage the worldwide advertising exposure available through ListHub Global,” the company stated.

"The prevalence of international investment in the United States presents a tremendous opportunity for Realtors® to expand their market and reach international buyers and investors, if they are prepared to do so," said Steve Brown, 2014 president of NAR. "This arrangement offers the education and tools to provide global real estate service, as well as an economic advantage for Realtors® to reach the international marketplace through ListHub Global."

The agreement provides discounts for NAR's Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) curriculum, a series of global real estate courses that provide the knowledge, research, network and tools to help Realtors® globalize their business and acquire international clients, for ListHub Global customers. CIPS-certified Realtors® have access to the CIPS Referral Network, comprised of 2,300 elite agents in 45 countries worldwide.

Related: How Can Agents Position Themselves as an Expert Overseas

The agreement also provides CIPS designees with a 10 percent discount for the ListHub Global service. The ListHub Global network offers brokers the opportunity to increase global exposure of their listings within a controlled platform, with ListHub's signature streamlined management, comprehensive data protections and unmatched performance metrics. With the merger of ListHub Global network partners EdenHome and ListGlobally, the ListHub Global network includes more than 70 international property publishers in over 40 countries, reaching 60 million international customers.

Helping Realtors® Become Global Experts

The CIPS program helps Realtors® develop the specialized expertise required in an international transaction, from currency issues and financing to visa and tax laws. The exclusive discounts available through the arrangement with ListHub Global empower Realtors® to invest in the combined resources for an unparalleled market advantage when working with international buyers.

The international market is at peak levels, reaching a record $92.2 billion in sales between April 2013 to March 2014 according to NAR's 2014 Profile of International Home Buying Activity, released this month. Sales to international clients have jumped 35 percent from the previous period's level of $68.2 billion.

The report also highlights a substantial increase in sales to buyers from China, increasing from $12.8 billion in the prior period to $22 billion in the 12 months ending in March 2014, and now accounting for nearly 25 percent of total sales to international buyers. Buyers from China generally purchased in higher-priced markets, and 76 percent of reported transactions were all-cash purchases. Appreciation of the Chinese yuan and affordable property contributed to the appeal of the U.S market for many buyers from China, according to the report.

The ListHub Global network includes the leading real estate search website in China, SouFun, which reports more than three million unique visitors each day. Among the site's 12 million SouFun members, 25 percent have plans to invest in properties outside China within the next three years.

"Buyers from China are predicted to continue to grow in the coming years, yet China's rigorous Internet regulations limit opportunities to advertise listings in mainland China without working directly with China's property portals," said Celeste Starchild, vice president and general manager of ListHub. "ListHub Global allows Realtors(R) to reach buyers in China within the same secure platform they use for national advertising, in a seamless experience that ensures the data is Multiple Listing Service (MLS)-accurate across the global network of real estate search websites."

ListHub will host a free, 30 minute webinar July 24 at 4 p.m. EDT. “Global Perspectives - Tips for Expanding Your Global Reach” will be hosted by ListHub Global Team Leader Aldana Gentinetta and NAR's Director of Global Marketing and Business Development Katie Stouffs Grimes. The webinar will highlight the latest insights from NAR's international report and tips for reaching global buyers. Click here to register.

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