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AR NXT, the REALTOR® Experience, will bring together agents, brokers, association leaders and industry experts from around the world to Houston in November. The event will focus on expanding networks and tapping new markets, with a particular spotlight on the partnership between U.S. and Mexican real‑estate professionals and the growing cross‑border investment flow.
A Spanish‑language session will teach participants how to seize opportunities in Mexico’s market, offering practical strategies for agents and brokers. Local developers will showcase investment projects and second‑home options at the Mexico booth, which will open with a ribbon‑cutting ceremony on Friday, Nov. 14. Mexico’s active role at NAR NXT underscores the significant investment moving between the two countries.
**Foreign Buyers in the U.S. Housing Market**
Last year, foreign buyers purchased 78,100 existing homes in the U.S. for $56 billion—about 2.5 % of the total dollar volume of existing‑home sales. Mexico ranked third among foreign buyers, spending $4.4 billion, and 49 % of those transactions were all‑cash offers. According to the Mexican Real‑Estate Association (AMPI), the trend is driven by family ties, business interests, a growing middle class, and the desire to diversify wealth in dollars. Geographic proximity makes travel, property management, and relocation easier than for buyers from other regions.
**Texas: A Magnet for Mexican Buyers**
Mexican buyers are especially drawn to Texas, where four out of ten U.S. purchases by Mexicans occur. Texas’s long history with Mexico, its vibrant Mexican culture, and the prevalence of Spanish speakers (29 % of residents aged 5+ speak Spanish at home) create a welcoming environment. The state’s economic dynamism—leading the nation in job creation, rapid population growth, and hosting many Fortune 500 firms—also attracts investment. In 2024, foreign‑backed projects added 18,200 jobs, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
**U.S. Investment in Mexico**
Mexico is the top destination for Americans buying property abroad. The legal framework—bank trusts (fideicomisos) and Mexican corporations—provides a secure path for U.S. buyers, who often acquire vacation homes or investment properties at lower prices. In the 1990s, reforms removed restrictions on buying near coastlines and borders, making Mexico more accessible. The nearshoring trend also boosts demand for industrial space, as U.S. companies seek cheaper warehouses and offices close to the U.S. market.
**Brenda Taylor’s Global Practice**
Agent Brenda Taylor, a RE/MAX Dallas Suburbs broker, illustrates the benefits of a global perspective. With 75 % of her business coming from international referrals—Mexican, Indian, Colombian—she emphasizes the importance of cultural understanding. Taylor, an AMPI member and Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) instructor, notes that Mexican business culture prioritizes friendship before transactions. She advises agents to recognize regional nuances within Mexico and to build trust through personal relationships.
**NAR’s International Partnerships**
NAR maintains relationships with real‑estate organizations in 78 countries, fostering ethical practices and professionalism worldwide. The long‑standing partnership with AMPI gives members access to vetted Mexican professionals, streamlining cross‑border referrals. NAR’s global technology accelerator, REACH LATAM, is headquartered in Mexico City. Many Mexican agents have joined NAR, making them the second largest group of International REALTOR® members after Canada. International members gain access to the REALTOR® logo, marketing assets, and REALTOR.com domains.
To support Spanish‑speaking members, NAR launched NAR en Español in 2020, offering a Spanish‑language website and bilingual consumer guides that simplify the home‑buying process. New guides appear every two weeks on facts.realtor.
**Register for NAR NXT**
Those interested in attending the REALTOR® Experience in Houston can still register online or in person on site. Visit narnxt.realtor for details.
