This week I am in San Francisco for the 2012 Inman News® Real Estate Connect® Conference where I have been connecting with Real Estate industry thought leaders, including several members of our global affiliate network. Today, as the conference comes to a close I will be speaking on a panel with my industry colleagues about ‘Getting Access to Global Real Estate Buyers.’

According to the National Association of Realtors® an estimated $82.5 billion dollars in U.S. residential real estate sales came from international clients in 2012, which is a 28.9% increase from 2011. The sentiment is echoed throughout our network of real estate sales professionals and supports our company’s continued focus on worldwide growth.

As the trusted expert in the global luxury real estate market, our brand is keenly poised to connect buyers and sellers from around the world. International buyers cite location and lifestyle as key factors in their purchase decision, and our network delivers on both. Our global organization has locations in some of the most wonderful markets in the world, and our lifestyle-approach to marketing appeals to the international community.

With language translation on our website, international listing distribution and global media partnerships, our brand opens the door to the global real estate community. Though there are numerous examples to share, here are just a few of our more noteworthy sales from the international real estate buyer.

Photo: ONE Sotheby’s International Realty

The Residences at W South Beach, which is exclusively marketed and sold through One Sotheby’s International Realty, is the ultimate resort-style condominium development in South Beach, Florida. “65% of our buyers at the W South Beach are from the international market,” said Vanessa Ballestas, Director of International Sales and Development Projects at ONE Sotheby’s International Realty. “In particular, these buyers are predominantly from the Brazilian market, with one such buyer purchasing an aggregate of nine units totaling approximately $10 Million,” explains Ballestas.

Photo: ONE Sotheby’s International Realty

Purchased in September 2011, this Mediterranean residence and adjacent lot in Miami Beach, Florida was purchased for a total of $20 Million. The estate, whose buyer is from Russia, includes a wealth of entertaining space as well as eight bedrooms, nine full baths, a 900 bottle wine cellar, waterfront breakfast room, and a private theatre.

Photo: Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty / http://www.olive8.com

Olive 8 is Seattle, Washington’s premier in-city resort lifestyle community. With world-class amenities and services, the contemporary condominium development attracts foreign buyers looking for a vibrant urban lifestyle. One such buyer from Uruguay, who sought investment property in the U.S., purchased an entire floor of the building in early 2011. The buyer, which was represented by Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty could have selected any metro area in the U.S., but settled on Seattle for its economic opportunity and lifestyle.

Photo: Kuper Sotheby’s International Realty

Located just north of San Antonio, Texas, this 4,000 acre ranch was actually part of a large German estate. When the property was being readied for sale, the Sotheby’s Frankfurt office was able to connect the seller to Kuper Sotheby’s International Realty to represent the property. “The Sotheby’s International Realty® brand has given us the opportunity for exponential reach in the international market,” said Rick Kuper, president, Kuper Sotheby’s International Realty. Within just six months on the market, the ranch sold for $16.8 million.

I invite you to follow along with today’s discussion about the international buyer, as it is live Tweeted from our @sothebysrealty Twitter account, starting at 9:35am PST/12:35pm EST.

-Mike

Source: National Association of Realtors® Profile of International Home Buying Activity, June 2012