Local Realtor brings the world home
realestate
in the spotlight Local Realtor brings the world home By Thom Kudla
QUICK BIOGRAPHY
REAL ESTATE EDITOR
S
ometimes when we leave home, we eventually find our way back. For Jana Herdova, the way back home was a busy adventure. Herdova, broker for Regency Inc. Realtors in Naperville, started her life in a communist nation Herdova – Czechoslovakia. After seeking refuge from Czechoslovakia in Germany, she and her parents settled in the Chicago area. When Herdova decided to work in real estate, her international background served her well. Though international ventures are no big development in the business world, it’s a relatively new aspect of the real estate business – or at least, it’s new to most agents in America. One of Herdova’s goals is to help raise awareness of this area in real estate. “It’s still a relatively new market,” Herdova said. “A lot of real estate agents don’t know an international market exists. ... National Association of Realtors has a designation called ‘Certified International Property Specialist’ that is a course that introduces you to some of the aspects of inter-
Here are some things you might not know about Jana Herdova:
Bela Szandelszky / The Associated Press
Having been born in what’s now known as the Czech Republic and currently serving as a liaison to that country, Herdova notes the tremendous steps the nation has made toward strengthening its real estate market. national real estate. You can actually work in international real estate without leaving the country.” In terms of international real estate, foreign investors look to America for commercial developments. For example, an Australian company owns the rest of the Skyway. And immigrants come to America with the primary goal of homeownership, she said. As for American interest overseas, companies are working well with China in joint ventures. And Americans on limited incomes or who are otherwise retired especially are interested in more af-
fordable housing, such as the property found in Panama. As Herdova said, “Panama is often compared to Miami at a third of the price.” One of the ways Herdova raised awareness of this market was through arranging the original annual international expo in Chicago. In its third year, this expo gives Realtors the chance to learn more about the international real estate market, to network and to even take a course for Realtor education-approved Transnational Realtor Certification, the status of which gives Realtors
■ Jana was born in Czechoslovakia ■ Her parents were both doctors ■ She once worked for Encyclopedia Britannica ■ Her parents left Czechoslovakia due to political strife, seeking refuge in Germany ■ Upon coming to America, Jana and her parents settled in Hinsdale ■ She earned a BA from the University of Illinois and an MBA from Benedictine University ■ Jana first got interested in real estate because of the flexible hours, which allowed her to take care of her children and, since she always had an interest in properties, it was a perfect fit ■ Her mother eventually moved to Naperville – and so did Jana ■ Both of Jana’s sons graduated from Naperville North ■ Jana has been the NAR president’s liaison to the Czech Republic for the last 3 years
See SPOTLIGHT, Page 5
realestate
in the spotlight SPOTLIGHT From Page 4
better access to the facilitation of international transactions. This certification often leads to CIPS designation. The results of these efforts are clear. “I got my CIPS designation 5 years ago,” Herdova said. “In the NAR back then there were probably, I want to say, maybe 400 to 500 (Realtors with the designa-
tion); today there’s probably 1500 that have the designation to work in international markets.” Herdova also looks forward to the many international trade missions that the NAR plans. The trade mission into Spain and China were both great successes, and it is a sure sign that this market has a bright future. She hopes to get voted onto the board of directors for the local Realtor association – the Mainstreet Organization of Realtors (formerly the Realtor
AN IMPRESSIVE DOSSIER Here’s a profile of Herdova’s expertise: Languages ■ English ■ French ■ Spanish ■ German ■ Italian ■ Czech/Slovak Professional designations ■ Accredited Buyer Representative ■ Certified International Property Specialist
Association of South Suburban Chicagoland) so she can continue to raise awareness of such international opportunities. As Herdova grew to become a worldly, successful real estate diplomat, her homeland – formerly the communistic Czechoslovakia – became the Czech Republic, a nation on its way to tremendous economic success. It’s fitting that, in being the NAR president’s liaison to the Czech Republic, she remains at the forefront tracking her
■ Master of Business Administration ■ Transnational Referral Certification International specialties ■ Brokerage -Not Limited ■ Investment -Not Limited ■ Leasing -Not Limited ■ New Construction - Not Limited ■ Property Manager -Not Limited ■ Relocation-International Region specializations ■ Eastern Europe ■ North America ■ South America ■ Western Europe
native country’s progress. Once leaving home, we can eventually find our way back – and Herdova did so. She found a world of opportunity on the other side of the bridge she helped – and continues to help – build from America to her homeland and other foreign nations. Contact Sun Real Estate Editor Thom Kudla at [email protected] or 630416-5170.
Country specializations ■ Austria ■ Belgium ■ Canada ■ Czech Republic ■ France ■ Germany ■ Italy ■ Luxembourg Affiliated organizations ■ CCIM Institute ■ Employee Relocation Council ■ National Association of Realtors ■ Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council
– National Association of Realtors
Arnulfo Franco / The Associated Press
Herdova says “Panama is often compared to Miami at a third of the price.” This beautiful place serves as both a popular vacation destination and an affordable foreign locale in which to establish a second home.
in the spotlight Local Realtor brings the world home By Thom Kudla
QUICK BIOGRAPHY
REAL ESTATE EDITOR
S
ometimes when we leave home, we eventually find our way back. For Jana Herdova, the way back home was a busy adventure. Herdova, broker for Regency Inc. Realtors in Naperville, started her life in a communist nation Herdova – Czechoslovakia. After seeking refuge from Czechoslovakia in Germany, she and her parents settled in the Chicago area. When Herdova decided to work in real estate, her international background served her well. Though international ventures are no big development in the business world, it’s a relatively new aspect of the real estate business – or at least, it’s new to most agents in America. One of Herdova’s goals is to help raise awareness of this area in real estate. “It’s still a relatively new market,” Herdova said. “A lot of real estate agents don’t know an international market exists. ... National Association of Realtors has a designation called ‘Certified International Property Specialist’ that is a course that introduces you to some of the aspects of inter-
Here are some things you might not know about Jana Herdova:
Bela Szandelszky / The Associated Press
Having been born in what’s now known as the Czech Republic and currently serving as a liaison to that country, Herdova notes the tremendous steps the nation has made toward strengthening its real estate market. national real estate. You can actually work in international real estate without leaving the country.” In terms of international real estate, foreign investors look to America for commercial developments. For example, an Australian company owns the rest of the Skyway. And immigrants come to America with the primary goal of homeownership, she said. As for American interest overseas, companies are working well with China in joint ventures. And Americans on limited incomes or who are otherwise retired especially are interested in more af-
fordable housing, such as the property found in Panama. As Herdova said, “Panama is often compared to Miami at a third of the price.” One of the ways Herdova raised awareness of this market was through arranging the original annual international expo in Chicago. In its third year, this expo gives Realtors the chance to learn more about the international real estate market, to network and to even take a course for Realtor education-approved Transnational Realtor Certification, the status of which gives Realtors
■ Jana was born in Czechoslovakia ■ Her parents were both doctors ■ She once worked for Encyclopedia Britannica ■ Her parents left Czechoslovakia due to political strife, seeking refuge in Germany ■ Upon coming to America, Jana and her parents settled in Hinsdale ■ She earned a BA from the University of Illinois and an MBA from Benedictine University ■ Jana first got interested in real estate because of the flexible hours, which allowed her to take care of her children and, since she always had an interest in properties, it was a perfect fit ■ Her mother eventually moved to Naperville – and so did Jana ■ Both of Jana’s sons graduated from Naperville North ■ Jana has been the NAR president’s liaison to the Czech Republic for the last 3 years
See SPOTLIGHT, Page 5
realestate
in the spotlight SPOTLIGHT From Page 4
better access to the facilitation of international transactions. This certification often leads to CIPS designation. The results of these efforts are clear. “I got my CIPS designation 5 years ago,” Herdova said. “In the NAR back then there were probably, I want to say, maybe 400 to 500 (Realtors with the designa-
tion); today there’s probably 1500 that have the designation to work in international markets.” Herdova also looks forward to the many international trade missions that the NAR plans. The trade mission into Spain and China were both great successes, and it is a sure sign that this market has a bright future. She hopes to get voted onto the board of directors for the local Realtor association – the Mainstreet Organization of Realtors (formerly the Realtor
AN IMPRESSIVE DOSSIER Here’s a profile of Herdova’s expertise: Languages ■ English ■ French ■ Spanish ■ German ■ Italian ■ Czech/Slovak Professional designations ■ Accredited Buyer Representative ■ Certified International Property Specialist
Association of South Suburban Chicagoland) so she can continue to raise awareness of such international opportunities. As Herdova grew to become a worldly, successful real estate diplomat, her homeland – formerly the communistic Czechoslovakia – became the Czech Republic, a nation on its way to tremendous economic success. It’s fitting that, in being the NAR president’s liaison to the Czech Republic, she remains at the forefront tracking her
■ Master of Business Administration ■ Transnational Referral Certification International specialties ■ Brokerage -Not Limited ■ Investment -Not Limited ■ Leasing -Not Limited ■ New Construction - Not Limited ■ Property Manager -Not Limited ■ Relocation-International Region specializations ■ Eastern Europe ■ North America ■ South America ■ Western Europe
native country’s progress. Once leaving home, we can eventually find our way back – and Herdova did so. She found a world of opportunity on the other side of the bridge she helped – and continues to help – build from America to her homeland and other foreign nations. Contact Sun Real Estate Editor Thom Kudla at [email protected] or 630416-5170.
Country specializations ■ Austria ■ Belgium ■ Canada ■ Czech Republic ■ France ■ Germany ■ Italy ■ Luxembourg Affiliated organizations ■ CCIM Institute ■ Employee Relocation Council ■ National Association of Realtors ■ Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council
– National Association of Realtors
Arnulfo Franco / The Associated Press
Herdova says “Panama is often compared to Miami at a third of the price.” This beautiful place serves as both a popular vacation destination and an affordable foreign locale in which to establish a second home.
