Three representatives of the sector believe that the lack of professionalization, weaknesses in legal security, misleading advertising and infrastructure deficiencies are among the main challenges that the new union management will have to face
SANTO DOMINGO – Three real estate entrepreneurs from Punta Cana expressed their expectations yesterday regarding the new Board of Directors of the Association of Real Estate Agents and Companies (AEI). While they viewed favorably the opportunities this administration presents, they cautioned that it will face significant challenges related to informality, agent training, commercial transparency, and land-use planning.
Manuel Vásquez, CEO of RE/MAX Capital; Pamela Núñez, CEO of Canablue Real Estate; and Altagracia Poueriet, CEO of Hummel Inmobiliaria, agreed on the need to consolidate the institutional framework of the industry and implement mechanisms that contribute to increasing confidence and the competitiveness of the region's real estate market.
Among the main concerns expressed are the ease with which people without adequate training can become involved in property brokerage, the promotion of projects with incomplete data, the absence of uniform accreditation criteria , and the existing limitations in urban planning and infrastructure.
These considerations come as the AEI begins a new institutional stage, headed by Reyna Echenique as president for the period 2026-2028 and Osman González as director of the Eastern Zone.
It warns of a lack of transparency and market fragmentation
representative of RE/MAX CapitalPunta Cana, indicated that one of the main commitments of the incoming board will be to expand regional representation and promote business practices that guarantee greater clarity and legal protection in real estate transactions.
As he explained, Punta Cana has particular characteristics due to the participation of national and foreign buyers, tourism investment, buildings under construction and the various marketing models, circumstances that demand more effective coordination among the participants in this economic activity.
"Real estate agents and companies expect a closer, more representative, and more active association in defending the sector's interests. The AEI should be a space where the needs of its members are heard and where the different real estate regions of the country have effective participation," he stated.
Vásquez assessed the proposals of the incoming administration positively, although cautiously, particularly those related to institutional consolidation, regulation of professional practice, and legal guarantees.
However, he maintained that these commitments must be converted into measurable results and translated into constant communication between the organization and its members.
When referring to the weaknesses of the market, he identified its fragmentation, the scarcity of shared information and the differences in levels of technical preparation as factors that reduce the competitive capacity of Punta Cana compared to other areas of the country.
It suggests verifying documentation before marketing properties
Among the initiatives he considers necessary, Vásquez proposed developing a guide to best practices for the promotion of real estate developments and creating an information platform that facilitates the verification of documents, availability of properties and payment conditions.
The specialist warned that selling properties with insufficient or inaccurate data can cause conflicts between buyers, intermediaries, companies and developers, as well as damage the credibility of the destination.
"One of the biggest challenges is to ensure that real estate growth is accompanied by planning, reliable information, and professional responsibility," he said.
Given this scenario, he recommended expanding ongoing training programs in legal matters, off-plan sales, due diligence, responsible advertising, and investor relations.
He also stressed the importance of establishing closer collaboration between authorities and businesses to address issues related to infrastructure, sustainability, and land management.
From their perspective, Punta Cana's international tourism recognition is a significant advantage, but maintaining that position will depend on the professionals' ability to provide verifiable data, follow up after sales, and comply with commercial agreements.
"Competitiveness doesn't depend solely on having more projects; it depends on generating trust and delivering on what is promised," he pointed out.
He warns that the market is growing faster than its professionalization
Pamela Núñez, representative of Canablue Real Estate, identified the lack of standardized training, informal practice, and ethical deficiencies as some of the most relevant problems that the new trade association leadership will have to address.
Pamela Núñez, CEO of Canablue Real Estate. (External source).
The specialist explained that the expansion experienced by the real estate business in Punta Cana, driven by tourism, foreign capital and the construction of residential and vacation complexes, has not always been accompanied by sufficient preparation of those involved in these operations.
"For me, the priorities should be three: education, ethics, and formality. We have grown tremendously as a market, but that growth has not always been accompanied by the same level of preparation and professionalization," he said.
Núñez understands that the AEI must go beyond its representative function and assume a leading role in the development of the skills of its members, through certifications, continuous updating and effective instruments to ensure respect for professional provisions.
"Punta Cana doesn't just need a bigger real estate industry. It needs a better-prepared real estate industry," he emphasized.
As part of his proposals, he suggested establishing agreements with universities to offer diplomas, extracurricular activities and, eventually, specialized academic programs in real estate.
The businesswoman also questioned why a significant part of this activity focuses on advertising developments and attracting potential clients, without paying enough attention to the obligations involved in properly guiding buyers and sellers.
"Selling a property doesn't necessarily make you a real estate advisor. The difference lies in the knowledge, judgment, and responsibility with which you guide the client," he stated.
In his opinion, those who practice this profession must master contractual aspects, negotiation, market analysis and legal and financial procedures, in addition to knowing the responsibilities assumed towards the parties involved in each operation.
Demand certifications and sanctions for ethical violations
Another concern expressed by Núñez is the ease with which anyone can start working as an intermediary without necessarily demonstrating the required knowledge.
The representative of Canablue Real Estate considers this reality worrying, because property transactions can compromise the savings accumulated over years by families interested in acquiring a home or making an investment.
"We cannot demand more preparation from someone who sells a consumer product than from someone who advises a family on the purchase of their property," he argued.
In response to this situation, he proposed moving towards more rigorous accreditation requirements and promoting agreements between public bodies, construction companies, developers and agencies to verify the credentials of those offering intermediation services.
Furthermore, he highlighted the importance of establishing procedures to validate the certifications of foreign agents and to provide them with knowledge about Dominican real estate legislation and practices when necessary.
Regarding ethical behavior, he noted that associations must have defined protocols to investigate possible irregularities and apply disciplinary measures, including the suspension or separation of members when appropriate.
"Because a code of ethics that is neither followed nor enforced is nothing more than a document full of good intentions," he warned.
Núñez also proposed that Punta Cana be used as a pilot project for real estate professionalization, whose experience could later serve as a model for other locations in the Dominican Republic.
Among the advances he expects during the first year of administration, he mentioned university agreements, more complete certification systems, ongoing training, and working groups with state entities, construction companies, developers, and firms in the sector.
"The success of this new directive should not be measured by the number of events it organizes, but by the changes it manages to establish in our profession," he emphasized.
It points to structural weaknesses that affect real estate competitiveness
Altagracia Poueriet Gil, of Hummel Real Estate and former director of the AEI East Zone. (External source).
Meanwhile, Altagracia Poueriet Gil, of Hummel Inmobiliaria and former director of the AEI East Zone, stated that the accelerated development of Punta Cana has highlighted structural limitations that demand joint responses from industry professionals and the competent authorities.
Among the most significant difficulties he mentioned were insufficient territorial planning, infrastructure deficiencies, informal practices, and the need to expand legal guarantees.
"Punta Cana has experienced rapid real estate growth, but faces structural weaknesses," he said.
Poueriet Gil explained that the construction of new buildings must proceed in conjunction with regulatory measures, clarity in processes, and defined guidelines that contribute to preserving credibility with investors and fostering organized development.
Similarly, he indicated that unfair competition, misleading advertising and certain commercial practices constitute obstacles to consolidating the reputation of those who practice real estate intermediation.
"The main challenge is to strengthen the credibility of the real estate sector in the face of informality, unfair competition, misleading advertising and practices that affect investor confidence," he warned.
From that perspective, he recommended that the AEI play a more active role in establishing ethical criteria, responsible procedures, and good practices in operations.
The former regional director believes that the evolution of this industry should not be evaluated solely by the number of construction projects completed, but also by the existence of conditions that allow for the protection of investments and the maintenance of the destination's competitive position.
He calls for an AEI that is closer to its members
Based on his experience leading the organization in the Eastern Zone, Poueriet Gil called for promoting greater integration of agents and affiliated companies, through an administration that addresses their concerns and facilitates spaces for participation.
Referring to the election of Reyna Echenique as president of the AEI and Osman González as regional director, he expressed that both appointments represent an opportunity to improve the representation of professionals in the area.
"I expect a close, participatory and transparent management that promotes inclusion, listens to its members and strengthens the sense of belonging," he said.
The businesswoman highlighted the importance of developing lifelong learning programs, legal updates, business ethics, and responsible practices that would enhance the skills of intermediaries.
Along those lines, he deemed it essential to strengthen relations between the association and public bodies, particularly in matters related to legal protection and decisions that influence land use and development.
At the same time, he suggested establishing regular meetings between agents, real estate developers and authorities, in order to identify the most urgent difficulties and contribute to the formulation of solutions.
"A strong union not only represents: it proposes, manages and builds solutions," he stated.
Poueriet Gil added that institutional strength will depend on the AEI's ability to maintain a direct relationship with its members and ensure that they receive support from those in leadership positions.
"Institutions are strengthened when their members feel heard and represented," he pointed out.
New AEI leadership addresses Punta Cana's pending challenges
The opinions of Manuel Vásquez, Pamela Núñez, and Altagracia Poueriet highlight a series of pending issues that go beyond the recent AEI electoral process and that, according to their statements, require measures aimed at improving the functioning of the Punta Cana real estate market.
Vásquez emphasizes transparency in operations, documentary verification, and more effective regional representation. Núñez, for his part, calls for better training for intermediaries, rigorous accreditations, and tools to ensure the application of ethical principles.
On the other hand, Poueriet Gil places among the priorities territorial planning, legal guarantees, institutional consolidation and a broader participation of the members of the organization.
Although their diagnoses are based on different experiences, all three share the concern that the real estate expansion of Punta Cana must advance along with better technical training, commercial commitment, and collaboration between state entities and private actors.
His statements place before the administration headed by Reyna Echenique the commitment to transform union initiatives into verifiable actions, recover or preserve the credibility of investors and ensure that the development of the activity is based on principles of honesty, responsibility and legal certainty.
In short, those interviewed believe that Punta Cana's position in the real estate business will depend not only on the volume of projects built, but also on the industry's ability to provide safe services, safeguard the interests of buyers, and consolidate a trade organization that responds to the needs of its members.
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