Mainstreet HQ, Downers Grove – Mainstreet REALTORS® conducted the International Transactions Survey of its members in lockstep with an NAR initiative to gather data and provide transparency about residential sales inside the US. The survey focuses on transactions that took place between April 2023 and March 2024.
As one of the world’s largest economies, the United States is a kaleidoscopic compilation of both domestic and foreign real estate markets. The International Transactions Survey is a complex collection of data regarding inbound international buyers. It harvests this intelligence for a simple purpose: to identify the trends and prospects of international transactions within the U.S. and Mainstreet’s jurisdiction.
“Since 2009 (NAR) has conducted an annual survey of its members to measure the volume of U.S. residential real estate transactions with international clients, gather information on the origin, destination and buying preferences of international clients and identify the challenges and opportunities faced by REALTORS® in
serving foreign clients” – NAR Mission Statement regarding the Survey.
Chicagoland offers a welcoming and inclusive environment for a diverse range of home buyers, including international and non-citizen purchasers. Mainstreet wants its members to have the local data regarding residential transactions from international clients to draw awareness to the foreign clients most likely to purchase in our market. This helps Mainstreet's Global Business Council identify areas of focus for education and prepare members to service these clients well.
The data immediately suggests the international buyer marketplace offers significant upside. For starters, 38% of homes purchased by international clients in Mainstreet’s 
market paid in cash for their property. Secondly, the homebuyers were from one of five different countries (Mexico, China, India, Egypt and France) and four continents (North America, Asia, Africa and Europe). 688 Mainstreet REALTORS® who expanded from domestic real estate markets to international markets ® generated $643 million in sales (~1.8% of all Mainstreet transactions).
Mainstreet 2023/2024 Global Committee Chair Marsha Collins-Mroz provides further insight into the results of the International Transactions Survey. As a Certified International Property Specialist, she is uniquely positioned to elaborate on the importance of the survey and why it matters to REALTORS® who see the data. "This is valuable information especially for the newer Broker looking to identify the largest group of international inbound purchasers in our market place.”
She pointed out that for the REALTOR® out there looking to navigate into the international residential marketplace to explore a region of interest and apply the survey data, “If you don't already have an affinity to a specific country or culture, this information is a great starting point.”
- NAR collects the same data but from a larger group of participants. To view their data, click here.
- Mainstreet will be hosting an event in September to explore the International Transaction Data further as well as host open discussions about international certifications. Click here for more details.
- Don’t take our word for it. Mainstreet’s 2024 International Residential Transaction Survey is free to view for Mainstreet members. Click here to view the survey results.
- Are you a REALTOR® with wanderlust? Mainstreet has a Trade Mission to Mexico coming up October 22-26. If you are interested in obtaining your Mexico Real Estate Certification, click here to buy tickers today.