When is a Real Estate Agent a REALTOR®?
The term REALTOR® is a registered collective membership mark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of REALTORS® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.

Code of Ethics
The Code establishes time-honored and baseline principles that come from the collective experiences of REALTORS® since the Code of Ethics was first established in 1913. Those principles can be loosely defined as:

• Loyalty to clients;
• Fiduciary (legal) duty to clients;
• Cooperation with competitors;
• Truthfulness in statements and advertising; and non-interference in exclusive relationships that other REALTORS® have with their clients.

(National Association of REALTORS®) 

Why Choose a Realtor® with a GRI Designation?
The Graduate REALTOR® Institute (GRI) symbol is the mark of a real estate professional who has made the commitment to provide a high level of professional services by securing a strong educational foundation. REALTORS® with the GRI designation are highly trained in many areas of real estate to better serve and protect their clients. (National Association of REALTORS®)

The Certified International Property Specialist Network (CIPS Network) is a specialty group of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® that focuses on international real estate. The CIPS Network currently has over 1,500, nearly 1,000 of whom have earned the CIPS designation. More than 300 network members live and practice outside the US.

What is a CIPS?
A Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) is an individual who has proven their expertise in international real estate practice by completing CIPS program requirements. CIPS designees are from Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bermuda, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Korea, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Russia, Singapore and the United States. Several hundred more are currently working toward the designation.

In today's market, real estate is complex enough when the transaction is local. Adding an international element to the deal makes it even more so. The International Consortium of Real Estate Associations (ICREA), helps consumers understand the global market business practices and can assist both buyers and sellers. Using online resources, buyers and sellers can learn about how real estate is transacted in the country of interest, so they are prepared for the differences from the practice in their home country. Buyers can search for properties among more than 3 million listings, and locate a broker who will work in a cooperative manner with a broker in another country to ensure the best possible service. Sellers can locate a broker who will market their properties to a worldwide market. This is especially important for sellers with distinctive properties that will attract buyers from around the globe in search of a vacation, resort, or luxury property, or simply one that's unique within its local market. ICREA's greatest value to consumers, however, is the ICREA network of brokers-more than 1 million-who are affiliated with leading national organizations and adhere to a code of ethics that commits them to professionalism and service to their customers and clients. (International Consortium of Real Estate Associations (ICREA)

Ava Gail and members of the the V.I. Territorial Board of REALTORS®,(VITAR), at a White House tour during NAR 's 2008 Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo  in Wash, DC (May 15, 2008)

Looking for a real estate agent who

LISTENS;
has a high level of INTEGRITY;
has a wealth of knowledge on the islands' COMMUNITY & CUSTOMS;
is always upgrading her KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS in the real estate market;
is ready to assist you in all aspects of your BUYING or SELLING experience on St. Croix?  Then Call...

AVA GAIL BOURDON ("GAIL),  has lived on St. Croix for over 35 years.  During which time she has acquired a wealth of knowledge of the island, its community and local customs.   Gail volunteers in the community, and is a member of ROTARY INTERNATIONAL, one of the world's oldest service organization and has held numerous officers position with the local chapter.   Gail is actively involved with the St. Croix Board of REALTOR®, and is currently the membership treasurer .   In addition, she is the member of the Virgin Islands Board of REALTOR® Education Committee.

In her previous career, Gail worked throughout the U.S. and Caribbean in the consumer finance industry for over 17 years.   During this time she obtained a post graduate degree in management and married her best friend Gary.   The experience and knowledge developed in her "Corporate life" adds a wealth of value to her real estate career.  

Gail LOVES being a REALTOR® and is constantly expanding her knowledge and skills in the industry to better serve her buyers and sellers.    She is a Graduate of the Real Estate Institute, (GRI), is Transnational Referral Certified, (TRC), and is a candidate/member of the Council of Residential Specialist (CRS).

Gail has an impeccable reputation and is well poised to provide an unforgettable buying experience in the Virgin Islands.  BUYERS and SELLERS who are serious about home ownership, investment properties and getting the maximum return on their property' investment should consider AVA GAIL BOURDON as their REALTOR® on St. Croix!

NEWS RELEASE

 

   AVA GAIL JAGROOP BOURDON Achieves Membership in

Elite International Real Estate Network

 

(St. Croix, VI) October 3, 2008    – Ava Gail Jagroop Bourdon of  Sun Realty Investments of St. Croix will be awarded the prestigious Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) designation and will join a worldwide referral network of elite global real estate practitioners with expertise in working with international clients as well as immigrants.  The CIPS Designation will be awarded by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), which represents over 1,200,000 REALTORS® in the United States.   Bourdon will be formally recognized at NAR’s Annual Convention in Orlando, Florida on November 8, 2008.

 

Members of the CIPS Network are crucial players in today’s global real estate market.  The CIPS designation recognizes members who have achieved the necessary training and experience to work successfully with international clients and properties.  To earn the CIPS designation, REALTORS® complete rigorous coursework devoted to learning cultural differences and international business practices.  Designees must also prove achievement in international real estate transactions.   Bourdon joins a distinguished society of over 1500 real estate professionals throughout the world who have earned the CIPS designation.  “This is a highly prestigious award in our industry,” said Tony Macaluso, CIPS, NAR International Operations Committee Chair.  “    Bourdon is now established as an expert in international real estate.”

           

For more information on the CIPS designation, contact the National Association of REALTORS® Fax-on-Demand number, 1-800-354-2831 in the USA and Canada, or 1-732-544-2851 internationally or visit the CIPS Network website at www.realtor.org/international.