Jeffrey Hornberger, Director Global Alliances, National Association of Realtors, Linda Neil, Presidential Liaison NAR and Coordinator International Commission of AMPI John Glaab, Director Emeritus AMPI La Paz, at the NAR mid-year meetings in Washington DC, in May 2012.
Each of the three NAFTA countries has a strong real estate association. This helps buyers and sellers be assured of solid, safe, legal transactions.
The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) is the body governing the industry in Canada. It also owns the trade mark for MLS (Multiple Listing Service) in Canada. In November of 2011, CREA signed a letter of agreement with the Mexican Association of Real Estate Professionals (AMPI). As with other countries affiliated with the U.S. National Association of Realtors (NAR) Canada has a Presidential Liaison to NAR. He is Harry De Leuw from Winnipeg.
AMPI is 56 years old. It has over 60 Sections throughout the country. Some of the strongest and most active are in the tourist areas. Two examples are the Sections in the Banderas Bay area and in Baja California. All Sections have access to a “flex” Multiple Listing Service (MLS). This allows people from around the globe to find that special retirement or vacation home to buy in Mexico. Many Canadians and U.S. citizens have and continue to purchase property in Mexico. They are encouraged to use the services of AMPI members. One reason is that as of this date, only a few Mexican states have licensing laws.
The National Association of Realtors ® (NAR) is the largest trade association in the U.S. The Association is over 100 years old. It has formal agreements with both CREA and AMPI. AMPI member Linda Neil is the Presidential Liaison form NAR to AMPI. She is also the Coordinator of AMPI’s new International Commission. Her job is to promote sales in Mexico by members of CREA and AMPI. Each year at NAR’s midyear meetings in Washington D.C. the Presidential Liaisons from countries around the world participate in the meeting of NAR’s Global Alliance Committee.
In short, the real estate associations in the three NAFTA countries are aligned to promote solid industry standards and sales.
Author, John Glaab, making his NAR report to AMPI La Paz in May 2012.
