#232 From the Iranian Revolution to Global Real Estate Leadership: MLS, NAR & International Cooperation

This episode is brought to you by HalloCasa, the SEO-ranked digital business card for real estate agents. Looking to find the right agent, no matter where you are?Visit https://home.hallocasa.com to discover and connect with top real estate agents globally.In this episode of HalloCasa, we speak with Alireza Memar from New Jersey, USA — Past President of the Greater Bergen Association of Realtors, Global Coordinator for the Middle East and Africa at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), and Inaugural President of the Board of Advisory at the International MLS Forum.With over four decades in real estate, Alireza shares his inspiring journey from growing up in Iran during the Revolution to becoming a global leader in real estate collaboration. He discusses the challenges of starting from scratch in the U.S., the importance of Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) education, and how MLS systems and data standards are transforming international real estate markets.Timestamps:00:02:50 – Early life and career beginnings00:05:50 – Starting from zero in the USA: language, business, and resilience00:09:50 – Importance of CIPS and global cross-border transactions00:10:50 – Leadership at the Greater Bergen Association of Realtors00:15:50 – The evolving role of Realtor Associations00:17:20 – Global Coordinator for the Middle East and Africa at NAR00:20:50 – Collaboration with bilateral partners worldwide00:22:50 – International MLS Forum 2025 in Toronto00:27:10 – How MLS systems work and connect markets00:36:10 – Global MLS initiatives, RESO standards, and future outlook00:40:50 – Final reflectionsYou can contact Alireza via:https://www.linkedin.com/in/alireza-memar-80771715/