In today’s unusual market, buyers and sellers benefit from luxury agents with international connections.
When Eugenia Foxworth tells you about the FIABCI network, one thing is immediately clear: it works.
FIABCI-USA is the U.S. chapter of the International Real Estate Federation, formed in France in 1951 (the acronym stands for Fédération Internationale des Administrateurs de Biens Conseils et Agents Immobiliers). To say that it’s been a key part of Foxworth’s business from the beginning would be an understatement.
Soon after obtaining her license in New York City in 2000, Foxworth started attending FIABCI events in the region. “As a matter of fact, one of the people responsible for my joining FIABCI was Christina Lodar, who was my Unique Homes sales associate. She asked me what did I want to accomplish in real estate? I told her that I wanted to grow my business. She told me about FIABCI and the opportunities that they offered. At that time, you needed to be sponsored. She was a FIABCI member also, and she sponsored me.”
The connections proved to be the business building blocks Foxworth needed.
Above photo: Rome – istockphoto.com / e55evu
Cover photo: London – istockphoto.com / sborisov
“FIABCI is an organization that works. As a new agent, I was amazed at all of the tools and advantages that they offered. The referral network, our sponsors, academics, our own listings on the FIABCI-USA and FIABCI-ORG website, publications with websites just geared to the luxury properties, et cetera — it was amazing. We referred clients and friends to each other. A lot of my business came from FIABCI members my first few years.”
Foxworth, who is the FIABCI-USA president-elect, isn’t the only one extolling FIABCI’s virtues. Christian Ross of Engel & Völkers Atlanta is the president of the FIABCI Southeast Council. She explains how the network has given her greater insights into markets all over the world, how she’s gained knowledge for marketing campaigns and global developments, and connected clients to potential investments.
“For sellers, marketing to the international buyer and curating a marketing plan that targets and attracts a buyer from across the globe is essential. With that is also the knowledge of how to maximize currency exchanges, understanding the challenges of moving funds from certain countries and the geopolitical news that may affect all of those concerns,” Ross says. “For buyers, discovering and understanding how to connect them with opportunities they are exploring for international investments, as well as consulting with them to understand all aspects of their competition in the marketplace, helps them put their best foot forward.”
Hugh Gilliam, the director of International Real Estate at RealtyHive in Atlanta, is the current FIABCI-USA president. In almost 10 years, he’s gained dozens of listings through the network. When asked where he sees FIABCI going, he says the potential is unlimited.
“Our community comprises over 40 professions, including architects, brokers, developers, investors, financial institutions, and the list goes on,” Gilliam says. “In addition to expanding membership within these professions, we are adding new countries to the organization annually. This makes it very clear that the sky is the limit over the next decade.”
And Foxworth describes how even the pandemic has not impacted FIABCI’s effectiveness. “We have had many challenges throughout and we overcame the challenges,” she says. “Even at this time with COVID-19, we are continuing to do business globally. The Internet has allowed our members to work together very efficiently. The Zoom seminars and presentations are taking us to another level of selling luxury real estate, and we have several success stories.”
THIS ARTICLE ORIGINALLY APPEARED IN THE Fall 2020 ISSUE OF UNIQUE HOMES. TO SEE THE DIGITAL VERSION OF THIS STORY, CLICK HERE.
Eugenia Foxworth
Foxworth Realty
15424 Amsterdam Ave., Suite #2, New York, NY 10031
212.368.4902 | eugenia@foxworthrealtyonline.com | www.foxworthrealtyonline.com
Eugenia Foxworth is a unique real estate Broker “without borders” specializing in exceptional Properties in New York City, Riverdale, NY and Internationally. She has acquired a reputation with both buyers and sellers as someone who can make a deal happen through her tenacity, knowledge of the market, professionalism and personality. She has established a reputation for “being out of the box” while getting the job done, therefore this economy does not phase her. Ms. Foxworth is the President/Owner of Foxworth Realty. She is a New York State licensed Broker, CIPS (Certified International Property Specialist), a member of REBNY (Real Estate Board of New York), NYRS (New York Residential Specialist), NAR (National Association of Realtors), MANAR (Manhattan Association of Realtors), NYSAR (NY State Association of Realtors), MWBE (Minority & Women-Owned Business Enterprise) and is on the Executive Board of Directors for FIABCI-USA (the International Federation of Real Estate) that is an NGO (non-governmental organization) with the United Nations and is in 65 countries.
Featured Listing by Eugenia Foxworth
RIVERDALE, NEW YORK
The Whitehall
The Whitehall has long been recognized by real estate influencers as the premier residence in Riverdale. The latest addition to this unique property is this 30,000-square-foot green roof. The largest development of its kind that boasts walking paths, picnic areas, tree-shaded and open-sun seating areas, a hot pit, children’s playground and the finest glass-domed indoor pool in the area. Designed by Genie Masucci, principal of G. Masucci Architects in consultation with Site Works, one of the landscape consultants to Manhattan’s renowned High Line.
Price upon request.
