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Mastermind Recap: Building a Global Real Estate Brand with Lizna Nel

  • Writer: Colby Casoria
    Colby Casoria
  • May 7
  • 3 min read


🌍 The Power of Thinking Bigger


Lizna opened with a powerful mindset challenge:

“You cannot achieve something bigger if you don’t allow yourself to think bigger.”

She encouraged REALTORS® to break out of their local comfort zones. Real estate doesn’t need to be limited by zip code. Thanks to global networking and platforms like eXp Realty, building an international brand is not just possible—it’s already happening.


Key Takeaways:

  • Real estate is no longer a purely local business.

  • Global opportunities often begin with expanding your mindset.

  • Question your habits: Are you doing things the best way or just the way you know?


✈️ Lizna’s Journey to Global Growth


From cruise ship HR to building one of South Africa’s top eXp teams, Lizna shared her winding road:


  • Started in real estate in 2018, joined eXp in 2021.

  • Built the Realtor South Africa brand—now over 60 agents strong.

  • Learned by trial (and travel!)—including a tough but educational attempt to expand into Dubai in 2023.


Lessons from Dubai:

  • Understand licensing laws and regulatory challenges in new markets.

  • Timing matters—launching too early can be a setback.

  • Use failures as learning labs.


🔑 Strategies for Going Global

Lizna emphasized that relationships come before strategy—but both are needed. She outlined key steps:


1. Establish Your Why

  • Why go global? Diversify income, grow your network, unlock new referral pipelines.


2. Understand Local Differences

  • Culture, communication, and licensing all differ.

  • Example: U.S. agents often text, while South Africans primarily use WhatsApp.

  • Use tools like ChatGPT to research market norms before entering a new country.


3. Use Events to Build Relationships

  • IRL connections matter. Lizna's first U.S. event led to meeting Eva and Colby—key relationships that blossomed.

  • Action Tip: Commit to at least one real estate event abroad in the next year.


🧠 Systems, Branding & Social Media


Lizna’s systems mindset allows her to scale without burnout.


Tech & Tools:

  • Use automation and AI to manage follow-up and marketing.

  • Fireflyer (for email) and tools like ChatGPT make scaling more accessible.


Personal Branding:

  • Your face is your brand.

  • Post both business and personal content—let people know who you really are.

  • Prioritize consistency and authenticity across all platforms.


🤝 Collaborating Across Borders (and Brokerages)


Although affiliated with eXp, Lizna emphasized the importance of collaboration beyond company lines:

  • Hosts the Success Builders podcast featuring agents from all brands.

  • Created the “AHA Club” in South Africa: Agents Helping Agents—brokerage-agnostic meetups focused on shared learning.


🚀 3 Actionable Steps to Go Global (This Month!)


Lizna’s challenge to attendees:

  1. Talk to Agents in 3 Countries Before May Ends

    • Use LinkedIn or Instagram to reach out.

    • Be curious. Ask about their markets, challenges, and culture.


  2. Show Up Online as You

    • Showcase your life, not just your listings.

    • Build know-like-trust factor digitally.


  3. Create or Collaborate on Scalable Systems

    • Don’t wait to get organized—set up for growth now.


🌟 Final Thoughts: Curiosity Over Fear


Lizna closed with this reminder:

“The world is smaller than you think. Focus on value, not geography.”

And of course, we got an exciting invitation—eXp Con International is happening in Cape Town in February 2026. Let’s make those global connections face-to-face.


📌 Stay Connected


Until next time—keep growing, keep connecting, and keep moving.—Every Move Collective

 
 
 

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