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Turning Global Connections into Biz Opportunities

By Marla Martin

Lessons from convention: Real estate is local and global. TRREB CEO shared Canadian market insights - 71% of Canadians who buy real estate in the U.S. choose Florida.

ORLANDO, Fla. — If you’ve ever wondered whether international connections matter to your real estate business, the message from this year’s Florida Realtors® Convention & Trade Expo was simple: They do.

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Go Global: 5 Moves to Boost Your Business

  1. Canadian demand is unmatched. With 71% of Canadian U.S. buyers choosing Florida for their purchases, tapping into this market can mean high-value deals.
  2. Referrals create wins. Building ties with international colleagues often results in direct client opportunities.
  3. Events are investments. Attending Realtor Quest and trade missions is an investment in your business growth.
  4. Global knowledge is a differentiator. Understanding foreign markets allows you to position yourself as a trusted, informed advisor.
  5. Collaboration builds trust. Working with international Realtors helps clients feel supported on both sides of the border, leading to smoother transactions and repeat business.

Learn more about Florida Realtors’ global business events and how to get involved.

The Diversity Committee meeting featured keynote speaker John DiMichele, CEO of the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB), who not only shared market insights from Canada but also highlighted why Florida and Canada are so closely tied.

“Real estate is a $7 trillion driver of North America’s economy,” DiMichele said. “Seventy-one percent of Canadians who buy real estate in the U.S. choose Florida. That tells you everything you need to know about the importance of our partnership.”

Canadian market insights – why they matter in Florida

DiMichele noted several challenges facing the Canadian housing market:

  • Interest rates remain a brake on sales, though a cut could unlock pent-up demand by 2026.
  • Affordability pressures mirror those in Florida, with high prices still shaping buyer behavior.
  • Construction slowdowns highlight the need for more diverse housing options, a challenge familiar to Florida builders and Realtors®.

For Florida’s Realtors, these insights provide context to better understand international buyers and anticipate trends that spill across borders.

Realtor Quest: A must-attend business builder

One of the most practical lessons came from Realtor Quest, Canada’s largest real estate event, where 134 Florida Realtors participated this year. According to DiMichele and Florida Realtors Vice President of Commercial and Global Business Maria Grulich, the event isn’t just about networking – it’s about direct business growth.

Several members of Florida Realtors shared what they gained from the event:

  • Carlos Alleyne, Broward, Palm Beaches and St. Lucie Realtors® first vice president and global chair, called it “an event that shouldn’t be missed,” noting that Canadian Realtors want Florida partners to help clients on both sides of the border.
  • Charmaine Hickey, national 2026 treasurer-elect of the Women’s Council of Realtors® (WCR), explained how one conversation turned into a $75,000 referral. “Relationships win. Collaboration wins,” she said.
  • Peter West, vice president, Venice Area Board of Realtors®, described it as “an extra nugget in my toolbox” that sets him apart from competitors.
  • Michael Hinton, 2025 president of the CCIM Institute, Florida chapter, said he was struck by “the strength of Canadian capital and the ongoing demand for Florida properties.”

The message? Realtor Quest – and events like it – are practical, profitable tools for Realtors in Florida.

Beyond Canada: Global trade missions

The convention also hosted guests from international real estate organizations, including Mexico (AMPI), Jamaica, the UK (Propertymark), and Canada (TRREB). These leaders participated in inbound trade missions, visiting Florida Realtors and several local Realtor associations to build relationships and explore partnerships.

Florida Realtors already has collaborative agreements with TRREB, AMPI and Propertymark and is exploring one with the Realtors® Association of Jamaica. These agreements open doors for members, making collaboration smoother and referrals easier.

For Realtors in Florida, the global stage should be part of your business toolkit. Whether through Realtor Quest, trade missions, or everyday relationships with colleagues abroad, global connections translate into tangible business results.

© 2025 Florida Realtors®

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