The International Division of Gary Greene is comprised of over 120 agents, speaking 33 different languages that are trained and certified to accommodate the language and cultural nuances of Houston’s International community. From whatever corner of the world Houstonians originate, the agents of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Gary Greene’s International Division are professionally and personally prepared to provide lifestyle information and guidance to International home buyers and sellers. It’s what makes us unique; it’s what makes us Gary Greene.

1. Oscar Gonzales, MBA, PhD | International Division Director

2. The Why

3. In 2012, Houston was named as the
4th best place for real estate
Houston Region is now the
investment in the World.
The
most
ethnically and culturally diverse large
metropolitan area in the country.
In 2012, foreign investors pumped
$1.26 billion into Houston
commercial property, up 32 percent
over 2011.

4. In the international business community, the Houston region
ranks as an influential global market leader with impact
worldwide.
The Houston region has:
• More than 90 consulate offices;
• 20 foreign banks, representing 9 nations;
• 765 foreign-owned firms;
• 395 companies with branches in 143 other nations; and
• More than 3,300 firms, foreign government offices, &
nonprofits conducting international business.

5. Population Trends

6. Houston Population by Race
1960 - 2012

7. Houston’s Population by Age & Ethnicity

8. The How

9. Going Global
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate | Gary Greene is the only real
estate company in the Houston metro area with a team committed to
servicing the needs of International homebuyers and sellers.
Comprised of over 110 agents, speaking 33 different languages
Working Local
Expand our scope to International.
Provide global transaction generating resources to each agent and office.
Help forge global business relationships and networking across multiple
industries.
Position Gary Greene as the premier International real estate resource for
consumers, businesses, and community organizations in the Houston Metro
Area.

10. Multicultural Advisory Groups
(MAGS)
Asia Team
European Team
Americas Team

11. Multicultural Advisory Groups
(MAGS)
The Role of the MAGS are to:
Serve as “Cultural Advisors” to the International Division.
Serve as “Ambassadors” to International and Cultural
businesses, social, educational, and community organizations
for Gary Greene.
Establish goals for each MAG as a benchmark for success.
Asian Team
European Team
Americas Team

12. Over 33 Different Languages Are Spoken
Among Gary Greene Agents

14. EDUCATION
• 3 Hour MCE - International Certification Class
– Multicultural Certified Real Estate Professional designation
(MCREP) is designed to help you understand the language,
cultural, and religious practices that accompany International
buyers and sellers and their families.

15. INTERNATIONAL RESOURCES
City of Houston –Mayor’s Office of International Trade and Development
(MOITD) http://www.houstontx.gov/intltrade/
Objectives include promoting Houston to the world and bridging
international barriers to help Houston's companies expand their business to
embrace global partnerships and international trade.
MOITD Events Calendar http://www.houstontx.gov/intltrade/calendar2013september.pdf
Divisions
Africa * Americas * Asia/Australia * Canada * Europe * Middle East/North Africa
* South Asia

16. INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE ORGANIZATIONS
Asian American Real Estate Association (AAREA)
http://aareahouston.org/
Houston Black Real Estate Association (REALTIST)
www.hbreahouston.com
National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals
(NAHREP) http://nahrephouston.wildapricot.org

17. INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
World Affairs Council of Houston
www.wachouston.org
Greater Houston Partnership
www.houston.org
Asia Society Texas Center
www.asiasociety.org/texas

18. INTERNATIONAL CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE
Bilateral U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce
http://bilateralchamber.org
Houston-Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
www.houstonhispanicchamber.com
U.S.-Mexico Chamber of Commerce
www.usmcocgc.org
Texas-Turkish and VietnameseAmerican Chambers of Commerce
info@vacchouston.org
Asian Chamber of Commerce
www.asianchamber-hou.org

19. OTHER INTERNATIONAL CHAMBERS
Italy-American Chamber of Commerce
http://iacctexas.com
Swedish-American Chamber of
Commerce:
www.sacctx.com
German-American Chamber of
Commerce
http://www.gaccsouth.com/en/chapterspartners/south-texas/houston-office/
Danish-American & GermanAmerican Chamber of Commerce:
www.daccsw.org
British American Business
http://babchouston.org/
French-American and NorwegianAmerican Chamber of Commerce:
www.facchouston.com
Australian American Chamber of
Commerce
http://aacc-houston.org/
Colombia-Texas Chamber of
Commerce
http://colombiatexaschamber.com/

20. F E B R U A R Y
2 0 1 4
V O L U M E
Internationale
A PUBLICATION OF INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE FROM
BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS REAL ESTATE | GARY GREENE
2 ,
I S S U E
1

21. Internationale
A PUBLICATION OF INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE FROM
BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS REAL ESTATE | GARY GREENE
In this Issue:
Korean Air to Launch new Houston-to-Seoul Service
Expat Housing in China
Understanding Islamic Mortgages and Sharia-Compliant Financing
Upcoming Networking Events
F E B R U A R Y
V O L U M E
2 ,
2 0 1 4
I S S U E
1

22. Korean Air to Launch New
Houston to Seoul Service
Korean Air will launch a new nonstop service between Houston's George Bush
Intercontinental Airport and Seoul, South Korea's Incheon International Airport
Click on image to learn more

23. Expat Housing in China
An expat transferring to China will place value on things such
as property condition, proximity to public transport, and
international schools.
Home searches should begin at least eight weeks before the
move-in date given some ownership restrictions.
Click on the image to learn more

24. Understanding Islamic Mortgages &
Sharia Compliant Financing
Islamic mortgages and Sharia compliant financing prohibits charging interest on loaned
money. The basic principle of Islamic banking is based on trade rather than risk-transfer
as in conventional banking.
In an Islamic mortgage transaction for example, a lender will buy the property from the
seller and resell it to the home buyer at a profit. The home buyer pays the lender in
installments with the property being registered in the name of the home buyer. The
lender's profit cannot be made explicit and no additional penalties for late payments can
be assessed. To protect itself against default, the lender may require absolute collateral
in the property.
Another alternative allows for purchase in the form of rental. The lender and borrower
form a partnership with each providing capital to purchase the property. The
partnership rents out the property to the home buyer and charges rent. The lender and
the homebuyer share the…….

25. Upcoming Networking Events
FEBRUARY 6TH
8:00AM
Asia Society Texas Center: Crisis in Governance, Energy Security, and
the U.S. Withdrawal from Afghanistan
Asia Society
713-496-9901
FEBRUARY 11TH
12:00 PM
German American Chamber of Commerce South Houston:
Wirtschaftsrunde—German Business Roundtable
German Consulate General
sjehlitschka@gaccsouth.com
6:00 PM
Russian Chamber of Commerce: Reception Honoring Russian
Delegation to Arctic Technology Conference 2014
Four Seasons Hotel
713- 429- 4680
FEBRUARY 13TH
8:00 AM
Asian Chamber of Commerce: A Taste of A.S.I.A.—Exceptional
Presentation Skills
HESS Club
713-782-7222
FEBRUARY 15TH
9:00 AM
Bilateral US-Arab Chamber of Commerce: Bilateral Model Arab
League Conference
University of Houston
713-568-8473
FEBRUARY 19TH
11:00 AM
German American Chamber of Commerce South Houston: Houston
Keynote Luncheon—TTIP & Transatlantic Economic Forecast
Federal Reserve Bank
sjehlitschka@gaccsouth.com
FEBRUARY 20TH
11:15 AM
Danish-American Chamber of Commerce: Luncheon with speaker
Laurie S. Fulton, former US ambassador to Denmark
Hilton Americas Hotel
713-620-4200
FEBRUARY 21ST
8:45 AM
Colombia Texas Chamber of Commerce: Palermo Free Trade Zone
as Industrial and Logistics Platform for the Oil and Gas Industry.
Federal Reserve Bank Houston Branch
713-9621014
FEBRUARY 22ND
2:00 PM
Indo-American Chamber of Commerce: American Tax Laws As
Applicable to NRIs and Overview of 2014 Changes
India House
rsvp@iaccgh.com
FEBRUARY 27TH
7:30 AM
Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce: Networking and
Business Development Breakfast
Federal Reserve Bank
713-644-7070

26. The Gary Greene organizational culture accommodates
the International clients’ language, lifestyle, and
cultural nuances.
It’s what differentiates us from the
competition

27. Oscar Gonzales, MBA, PhD | International Division Director
Better Homes and Gardens, Real Estate | Gary Greene
10575 Katy Freeway, Suite 100
Houston TX 77024
Office: 713-465-6644 ext. 204
oscar.gonzales@GaryGreene.com
www.garygreene.com
INTERNATIONAL DIVISION