Valerie Levy, says as a member of LeadingRe of Chicago, she can now market local homes internationally. - File

Ashford W. Meikle, Business Reporter

In an attempt at international exposure as well as to market Jamaican real estate overseas, local realtor, Valerie Levy, has teamed up with the Chicago-based international association, LeadingRe, a worldwide network of independent real-estate agents.

"It's global, they are all over the world with some 5,500 offices and about 165,000 agents who are members of the leading real estate companies of the countries and with whom we are directly linked to," Levy told Sunday Business.

"It's a great marketing tool and means invaluable exposure for our country since it will open Jamaica up more to make us more easily accessible to people who want to buy or rent here."

An investor interested in property in Jamaica, once that prospective client contacts a LeadingRe agent in his/her country, the agent would make contact with Levy here.

"We have been doing that sort of thing for a while but [with LeadingRe] the company overseas would interview the client, qualify them so that by the time they come we would know what they are looking for and have it ready," said Levy.

"They have a tracking system online, just like when you send a package overseas with DHL, so we are constantly on top of what is happening with the prospect and what is happening with the transaction."

Valerie website

In fact, once one visits LeadingRe.com and clicks on Jamaica, one is automatically rerouted to the website of Valerie Levy and Associates.

"You have to put a profile of Jamaica on LeadingRe's website and once someone decides to look up Jamaica, they have automatic access to all our listings."

With this association, Levy, who is the managing director of real estate brokers, Valerie Levy and Associates Limited, says that she is able to market Jamaicans homes to the world.

local exposure

"When you are selling your home, you need out-of-area as well as local exposure to the highest possible number of buyers. As a member of LeadingRe we will receive inbound clients from all our network associates in the 25 member countries."

Levy, who has some 30 years experience in the real-estate industry, explained that she opted for membership in the association rather tha with international franchises because of the flexibility of LeadingRe.

"I was looking for the answer to get the world recognition [but] I was already a name here and I did not need t myself with the overseas franchises, for brand recognition," she said.

"Most of the real estate companies worldwide are independent, not franchised. And these are the persons like myself who got together to form LeadingRe," said Levy who is a certified international property specialist.

All members of LeadingRe have to do regular training courses online, she said.

"You have to be established and professional. The licence is renewable every year so if you don't perform, you lose it."

The realtor explained that she did not find the condition of the international franchises attractive, hence her decision not to co-brand.

"You have to pay an eight per cent franchise fee off the top in U.S. dollars for the right to use that name whether you are making it or not. Plus, they wanted to sign you up for 25 years and I didn't want that, you know, because I have my children in the business."

ashford. meikle@gleanerjm.com