More June 25, 2015

June Premier Networking Breakfast: Windermere Agents Come Together to Learn About Being Culturally Savvy

 

Every month, Windermere brings together its top luxury agents for the Premier Networking Breakfast. This month’s breakfast saw more than 100 Puget Sound area agents come together to discuss the latest luxury housing market trends and activity. Agents from as far away as the San Juan Islands joined local agents at Broadmoor Golf Club to present their newest $1 million-plus listings and hear speakers talk about the nuances of working with international and multicultural clients.

 

Agents discussed the ups and downs of the local luxury housing market, where sales are strong, but buyers continue to struggle to find homes amidst some of the lowest inventory levels in recorded history. As one agent put it, “As long as rates are low and jobs are up, I don’t expect much to change”.

 

Real estate attorney, Daniel Shin, from the law firm Inslee, Best, Doezie & Ryder, PS, presented some very interesting information on Chinese homebuyers. He stated that China recently replaced Canada as the largest population of international home buyers in the U.S. And Seattle is increasingly becoming one of their favorite destinations – but not necessarily for its investment potential. Rather, Mr. Shin said that the Chinese are drawn to the area for the clean air, top schools, and quality of life.

 

Lance Grob, who is the Business Development Leader for Multicultural Markets at Chicago Title, added to this by talking about how to be a culturally savvy real estate agent. He gave helpful insights into engaging with multicultural clients, whose customs and culture often differ from our own, as well as the importance of understanding other culture’s communication styles.

 

Given the growing number of international and multicultural home buyers and sellers in the greater Seattle area, our agents found both presentations particularly helpful and relevant to today’s rapidly evolving real estate market. The group’s next breakfast will be held in July at Overlake Golf and Country Club in Medina.