The InvestHER Podcast A Women’s Guide to International Real Estate With Makeda Smith
EPISODE 573: International real estate investing often feels inaccessible for women investors, shaped by persistent myths that it’s only for the ultra-wealthy, legally risky, or too complex to manage from the U.S. Many are interested in diversifying globally but stall because the available information is fragmented, overly technical, or rooted in fear rather than practical guidance, keeping international investing as a nice idea instead of a clear path to growth.
In this episode, Andresa Guidelli sits down with Makeda Smith of Savvy Chicks in Real Estate® to break down what international real estate investing actually looks like in practice. Drawing on her lived experience and on-the-ground expertise, Makeda explains how to evaluate emerging markets, vet foreign developers, navigate short-term rental laws, and assess property values and tax considerations as a U.S. investor. You’ll walk away with a practical framework for determining if international investing fits your goals and the confidence to evaluate opportunities beyond your local market.
What to listen for:
- The scale of the $326 trillion global real estate market, why women investors can’t afford to ignore it, and the key legal restrictions to know before buying property abroad. (02:45)
- How Makeda builds and vets relationships with reputable developers, the red flags she watches for, and how to protect yourself from money-laundering schemes. (10:48)
- What the true entry point looks like for international real estate investing, and how to structure your upfront capital for flexibility and leverage in contractor payments. (14:02)
- How to navigate international banking, financing, and tax considerations as a U.S. investor, and why the right accountant can save you from costly mistakes. (15:06)
About Makeda:
Makeda Smith is an international real estate broker, prophetic business strategist, and the CEO of Savvy Chicks in Real Estate®, a global real estate movement helping women and investors build wealth in multiple countries and currencies without a license, burnout, or spiritual compromise.
Her personal story—rising from teenage motherhood to global influence— offers a vulnerable and powerful look at what it means to lead, scale, and remember who you are when the world tries to make you forget.
She is a global real estate strategist, speaker, and author of Remember Who You Are. She leads a movement helping women build faith-based wealth through international real estate and prophetic strategy. She’s helped hundreds earn across borders, break generational cycles, and heal from burnout in the process.
Connect with Makeda:
- Website: http://www.savvychicksinrealestate.com/
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/makedasmithglobal
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/makedasmithglobal
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Liz + Andresa