The expert is part of the panel of speakers who will lead the discussion at the AEI 2022 Congress “The New Real Estate Era”, to be held on August 4th of this year at a hotel in Santo Domingo.
SANTO DOMINGO - Cindy Castillo is one of the guest stars scheduled to speak this year at the congress of the Association of Real Estate Agents and Companies (AEI), which will take place on August 4th in Santo Domingo and is generating a lot of interest as it is the main meeting held in the country, exclusively for real estate agents who wish to enrich and strengthen their knowledge.
Born in Queens, she was brought to the Dominican Republic at 40 days old, where she was raised under the hot Caribbean climate, returning to the United States at the age that marks adulthood in her native land, to study at Boston University.
This passionate teacher, coach/mentor, has excelled in the North American market, where she has been an agent for over 14 years and has held important representations of prominent guilds, with a sales portfolio that reaches extraordinary figures; owner of a philosophy based on solidarity and good practices.
“The best part is being able to be a good role model for many of my colleagues and helping them achieve their goals and surpass them. I believe that everyone has potential, and that by providing them with the right tools, they can achieve their dreams, no matter how difficult they may seem,” the experienced agent states in her resume, where she shares her dreams, aspirations, and career path.
El Inmobiliariospoke with the talented Cindy to learn about her life, her aspirations, and her work in the real estate sector. We share this interesting interview with this experienced agent, who is one of the main speakers at "The New Real Estate Era," the AEI 2022 Congress.
Who is Cindy Castillo?
I am a believer in God's favor and I give back what I have received. I want to contribute to the success of my colleagues.
What part of the Dominican Republic are you from?
I was born in Queens, NY. When I was 40 days old, they took me to live in Santo Domingo.
When will it arrive in the United States?
I returned at 18 to attend college in Boston, MA.
How did you get into the real estate world?
In 2006-2007 I was an assistant to an agent and then I decided to get my Real Estate license.
What has been their career path?
My journey has been a process of growth with every family or investor I've guided. When I started, there were no mentors or coaches in Spanish to help me achieve my goals more reliably.
What things do you think define a good real estate advisor?
He is a professional who, above all, invests in himself and gives his best in every transaction.
How well do you know the Dominican market?
I have been studying the Dominican market for the last 3-4 years and, just like in the United States, it is constantly changing.
Do you come to the country frequently?
I visit the country 3-4 times a year for family and business reasons.
What are some of the country's plans that you're involved in from where you are?
I try to create strategic alliances in order to obtain as much information as possible about projects and their developers.
What qualities should a good real estate agent possess, and what qualities should they not possess?
A good agent should be well-trained in their field, have a value proposition for their clients, demonstrate integrity, and be adaptable. What an agent should not do is prioritize their own interests over those of their client, create false expectations, or fail to study the market daily.
What is the difference between the North American and Dominican markets in terms of real estate?
In the United States right now, properties have low inventory, high prices and interest rates, while in the Dominican Republic there are many opportunities for investment.
Are you concerned about any weaknesses you observe in the Dominican Republic's real estate sector?
I would like it to be more formal, requiring training for everyone who practices this wonderful profession. In the state of Florida, the exam for agents is the fourth most rigorous among licensed professionals, and we are regulated by several entities.
How do you rate the expertise and techniques used by Dominican agents?
I have had the pleasure of working with some very good colleagues who are at the forefront of the real estate field.
Any advice?
We should never stop learning and helping each other. Any real estate agent's business plan should include at least one or two specializations per year and continuous learning because the real estate world is constantly changing. Airbnb is a hot topic these days, and we should all be informed about all aspects of it so we can present it to a client or for ourselves. I personally have been on this platform for four years to diversify my income.
Any other input?
Love what you do and you will be able to transmit all your knowledge to benefit each client without getting tired.
