RAJ Hosts Realtors from Texas

The Realtors Association of Jamaica (RAJ), as part of its 50^th anniversary, hosted 65 Realtors from the Texas Association of Realtors in the United States on a tour of prime residential and commercial properties in and around Montego Bay, in St. James, this week.

The realtors, who were passengers on board the Jewel of the Sea,  which docked at Montego Freeport on February 24, were also hosted at lunch at the Montego Bay Yacht Club by their local counterparts from the Montego Bay and Kingston RAJ chapters.

“We see this as an excellent opportunity for Jamaica and especially for the city of Montego Bay to forge partnerships for the mutual economic benefit of all stakeholders,” President of  the RAJ, Edwin Wint, told JIS News.

Meanwhile, President and Chief Executive Officer of TAR, Travis Kessler, said the visit was in keeping with the objectives of the association’s International Committee to educate members on the need for international investments; how to do business outside of the United States; and how to be more responsive to the needs of their investor clients.

“The Realtors Association of Jamaica has been very gracious…along with the Montego Bay chapter of the association, by hosting us while we are in port to just learn more about the community, to learn more about the taxing structure, to learn more about the prospects and the opportunities that are available residentially and commercially,” he added.

Among those accompanying Mr. Kessler were TAR Executives – Chairman-elect, Vicki Fullerton and International Committee Chairman, Holly Hightower,  who agreed that the real estate prospects in Montego Bay  are promising.

RAJ Immediate Past President and Board member of the international umbrella group, the National Association of Realtors (NAR), Howard Johnson Jnr., said this was the organization’s third year of playing host to realtors from the United States and Texas, who have shown greater interest in investing in Jamaica.

Among the other events planned by the RAJ to commemorate its jubilee anniversary will  be the staging of a one week Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) training course in June, when several international real estate practitioners are expected to participate.

With nearly 700 active members, or 80 per cent of practising realtors, the RAJ is one of the largest voluntary professional membership organizations in the country.

As the national voice for the Real Estate sector, the RAJ’s main objectives are: to improve the administration of the practice of real estate; to promote  ethical conduct among practitioners; to provide continued educational opportunities; and to build public understanding of the importance and value of using the services of a Realtor.