The Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA) has formed a chapter in Vancouver. Founded in 2003, AREAA is an international professional trade organization dedicated to promoting sustainable homeownership opportunities in Asian North American communities, by creating an international voice for the housing and real estate professionals that serve the market.
The AREAA Vancouver Chapter Board of Directors. from left: Arthur Azana, CA; Ishaq Ismail, managing broker, Sutton West Coast Realty; Sharon Lum, associate broker, Re/Max Select Properties; Greg Lowe, project marketing; Tina Mak, founding president of AREAA Vancouver Chapter and associate broker at Coldwell Banker Westburn; Ian MacLeod, vice-president of AREAA Vancouver Chapter and leader of LuxuryHomes.com; and Richard Bell, lawyer.
Tina Mak of Coldwell Banker Westburn Realty, the newly elected president for AREAA Vancouver says, “This new chapter of AREAA acknowledges the importance of the Asian community in Canada and especially Vancouver. AREAA, which already has a strong presence in the United States, will help real estate professionals in Canada better serve this growing market.”
The Board of Directors for AREAA Vancouver comes from a diverse background in real estate and related industries and includes Realtors, a lawyer, an accountant and a marketing executive, all from several different ethnicities. AREAA’s membership represents a broad array of real estate, mortgage and housing-related professionals that serve the diverse Asian market.
The association serves 13,000 members in 39 states with 23 affiliate chapters and two chapters in Canada.
AREAA says that during the next 20 years, Asian North Americans will be one of the fastest growing populations. Because most Asian North Americans are first generation, they face significant language, cultural and knowledge barriers that have kept the homeownership rate relatively unchanged over the past 20 years. AREAA says it will initiate national and regional efforts to address these challenges.
AREAS Vancouver is holding an event on Jan 31, with guests coming from Toronto and the United States. For more information, visit the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/AREAA.Vancouver?ref=hl.
