Local realtors get international boost

Carlene Sinclair, president of the Realtors Association of Jamaica (RAJ), expressed great optimism for the local real-estate industry, following the recent acceptance of 400 local realtors into the National Association of Realtors (NAR).

This significant move, Sinclair stated, will set the stage for greater leverage in the global market, positioning Jamaica as an ideal place for property investment to people residing overseas.

"As part of our formalised relationship with NAR, local properties will be added to the listings viewed on Realtor.com, which is managed by that international body. Properties will be displayed with information in many different languages, as this information will be available to persons worldwide," Sinclair noted.

With the association boasting a million members in approximately 80 countries, Gary Thomas, immediate past president of the NAR, said that the recent recruitment of Jamaican realtors signifies a powerful relationship.

"There is power in becoming a member of the National Association of Realtors. It places greater credibility behind your name and title. From this membership, you will also be able to develop valuable relationships with other realtors across the globe," Thomas said in his address to the newly recruited NAR members.

revamped website

He also lauded the RAJ on the launch of its newly revamped website.

"The website has been cited as a valuable resource tool for prospective real-estate investors," said Howard Johnson, immediate past president of the RAJ, noting that, "It was created to mirror the trends of other associations around the world.

"We have moved away from being an online real-estate shop to become a centre for information. Therefore, as a resource centre, we had to reflect professionalism," Johnson pointed out.

Tiffany Gordon, mortgage sales executive at the Jamaica National Building Society, said gaining international certification is a great accomplishment for both local realtors and the RAJ. She stated that with properties and realtors being visible overseas, this should significantly impact sales, particularly among members of the Jamaican diaspora seeking to invest in a property in Jamaica.