By Nathan Booth

If you feel like you have been left out and don't understand the many specialty designations that are offered by the National Association of REALTORS® and are unable to keep up with the many rapid changes you are not alone. You are in fact in the majority. Many if not most of the rank and file members of NAR have yet to be exposed to the newest designation "CIPS" Certified International Property Specialist.

Inevitably new designations suffer from a lack of specific as well as general information and many times are subject to inaccuracies, misunderstandings, and misinformation. So what really is CIPS?

Whether you are a real estate agent specializing in commercial, residential, industrial, agricultural, or other area such as property management, the skills taught to earn the CIPS designation apply directly to how you will be better able to compete in the emerging global real estate market. The essence of the training is to prepare real estate professional for handling transactions with the many diverse clients and customers they encounter in the new real estate market place of the new millennium.

A small number of local REALTORS® participated in the first series of CIPS classes and are poised to take advantage of the opportunities to expand their market via their new international skills. They made a wise and prudent business decision to become globally trained.

The CIPS courses are designed to provide the knowledge needed to understand the basic principles of global marketing and the advanced techniques of international investment. Five courses are offered which include; Essentials of International Real Estate - a two-day course providing the analysis of the real estate business environment, including capital flow, currencies, government. regulations, networking, marketing, cultural norms;

CIPS Europe - a one-day course which provides key information on property and people from the western and central European countries, also includes study of the EU (European Union)

CIPS Asia/Pacific - a one-day course on Asian cultures and opportunities that this region provides, also includes study of APEC trade group.

CIPS America - a one-day course on Latin America, Canada, Caribbean, NAFTA and FTAA trade groups.

CIPS Finance - a two-day course which provides skills evaluation international investments and development of international business plans.

Remember, CIPS training complements whatever your real estate specialty is. You will learn how to provide special service to foreign nationals and diverse cultures in a professional manner.