200 Cebuano real estate brokers to join an international network

CEBU, Philippines - To further give boost to Cebu's bid of becoming a preferred second-home destination in the world, close to 200 Cebuanos will officially join the international network of real estate brokers under the National Association of Realtors (NAR) Global this coming June 5, 2011 at the Sacred Heart Center.

Organized by the IRM-Philippines (International Realtor Member) advocators namely Anthony Leuterio, Jun Gultiano, Al Bentulan, and Hil Escudero, through the Chamber of Real Estate and Builders Association –National Association of Realtors (Creba-NAR), hundreds of Cebuano licensed real estate practitioners will join the over a million members of NAR in the world, promoting Cebu’s real estate products to the international market.

 “In an industry where relationships are key to business success, organizational membership helps us stand out among the immense number of professionals,” said Leuterio in an interview yesterday.

Significantly, Cebu which now has the largest membership base of NAR can start off professionalizing the real estate brokers’ standard, avoiding the existence of pseudo-brokers, so that investors and international buyers can only deal with the globally-recognized professionals.

Leuterio, who owns one of the largest real estate brokerages in Cebu, the Leuterio Realty and Brokerage and Filipino Homes Brokerage, said that the “Realtor’s Pinning” ceremony to be held at one in the afternoon on June 5, is an indication that Cebu is ready to attract international real estate buyers, specifically that the province is going to offer thousands of condominium units (both residential and commercial), in the next couple of years.

Officers from NAR will come to Cebu to grace the event, led by Asuncion Henry, NAR President and Liason to the Philippines, together with Charlie Gorayeb, Creba national president, Evangeline Yia, Creba-NAR Global Real Estate Council chairperson, and Julius Topacio vice president for Creba Global Alliance.

 According to Leuterio, there is a need for Cebu to strongly organize its international connection, specifically for licensed brokers in order to maximize the big potential of international buyers, wanting to make Cebu as their second home destination.

“We need to unify, and go for the same direction. The real estate brokerage industry in Cebu needs to group together to and fight for international standard and professionalization, because there are a lot of practitioners today who are using ‘Realtors’ pin and logo, but they not legitimate members,” said Leuterio.

So far, Cebu has the largest number of brokers to be pinned as members of the NAR, compared to other areas in the Philippines, like Metro Manila.

International Realtor members are recognized in the international market both within the industry and consumers.

As “realtor” member, one can be part of an elite group and the world’s largest trade association. The “realtor” brand is exclusive to NAR members only.

Today, there are over 2,000 real estate brokers in Cebu actively selling the different properties and developments here.

In 2010, Cebu gained the attention of the country’s top developers, where billions of pesos had been allocated to change the landscape of the Queen City of the South—making it a truly world-class urban center.

Established developers such as SM Prime, Filinvest, Ayala Land Inc., Aboitiz Land Inc., and among others are just few of the dozens of real estate capitalists in the Philippines that officially announced their serious investments in Cebu in the real estate sector.

With limited availability of land in the Island Province, developers have opted to build high-rise buildings for condominiums, commercial and BPO facilities, shopping malls, hotels, and re-creation centers. (FREEMAN)