Our business model is based on long-term relationships we won’t just push a sale for a commission, nor will ever sacrifice quality for volume. We take time to understand what it is that you need or want, to explain how the process will unfold, to educate by bringing facts into to the conversation and to make sure that not only you understand them, but that you’re on the same page because this is like marriage, , there has to be chemistry, knowledge and trust from both sides for things to work well. On the other side, we think that we both have very kind and engaging personalities, a smile even at -30, and a positive attitude without being unrealistic.

How did you get into this real estate business. 

If we think about it, Real Estate found us. Actually, it found Jose first. He had just returned to the Dominican Republic from Montreal (where we met, by the way), and his sister was able to negotiate a great real estate deal for their father in Santo Domingo. The Realtor in charge of the negotiation was impressed with her skills and asked her to join her team at RE/MAX, but she didn’t feel this was her call. She did mention that her brother – Jose – had just arrived from finishing some studies in Canada and that she would pass on the information to see if he would be interested. Jose felt attracted to the Real Estate business model and joined this Realtor’s team. It took only a month for Jose to decide to leave the team and become a RE/MAX affiliate on his own. By the time this happened, Claudia was back in Colombia where she was working for a multinational and we had already discussed the possibility of her moving to the Dominican Republic. She decided to go for it and applied for an internship with an International Organization in Santo Domingo. The position wasn’t approved but she had already moved so she agreed to help Jose with structuring the Real Estate business. This was the year 2001 and here we are 17 years after. We’ve been a husband and wife team ever since. 

What is the most exciting part of working with your life partner. 

We think there is not just one thing but many, but if we have to think of one, we think that being able to serve as a support to one another because you both understand the responsibilities and risks of the business we’re in, is fantastic. A simple example, if either of us has to do open houses during the weekend, or schedule client visits our of regular business hours, the other doesn’t get mad for not being able to be at home or with the kids at that time. We also keep each other accountable to a certain degree and have found that each one has different abilities that compliment really well to creat great results. Each one attracts different type of clients, which makes our relationship with other people always rich and interesting. 

How do you manage to keep things fresh and inspiring. 

We’re restless and inquisitive by nature. We’ve always been open to embrace change and adapt to circumstances. This helps us to be looking for ways to reinvent ourselves, our business and to continue finding ways to improve. Inspiration comes from different sources: our family, our goals and dreams; we also look up to what other great Realtors have achieved and we’re always ready to learn from them. When we see the results of what we’ve accomplished so far, we continue to be inspired and we’re challenged to continue improving in all facets of our lives. 

In a profession where so many people are emotional about either buy- ing or selling, how do you keep it cool. We never take things personal and constantly remind ourselves to look for the solution, not to drown in the problem. 

What is the most common question that you are asked by your client. 

It depends on if the client is a buyer or a seller but both segments are most of the time focused on price. For buyers – especially under the current market scenario of “bidding wars” – the most common question is: How much do you think the property is going to go for? For a seller it’s: How much do you think I can get for my property? 

What makes your team stand out in such a crowded field? 

We think it’s a combination of details. Our business model is based on long- term relationships we won’t just push a sale for a commission, nor will ever 

sacrifice quality for volume. We take time to understand what it is that you need or want, to explain how the process will unfold, to educate by bringing facts into the conversation and to make sure that not only you understand them, but that you’re on the same page because this is like marriage, there has to be chemistry, knowledge and trust from both sides for things to work well. On the other side, we think that we both have very kind and engag- ing personalities, a smile even at -30, and a positive attitude without being unrealistic. 

Do you really bring chocolate to your clients. 

Oh yes! And chocolate is just dessert! We feed you if needed. We think it’s in our Latin American DNA, we’re like the “abuelas” , once you’re under our care, we will take the best care of you and that includes food of course! 

Who are Claudia and Jose. 

Claudia and Jose together are pure synergy.
Jose is air, so you need him to breath, and Claudia is earth, so you need her to grow. He’s the man of the thousand ideas and Claudia the connection to reality.
Claudia is a long-term planner, the executor, committed, loyal to death, a perfectionist, the one who makes the numbers work, driven and above all, family always comes first for her. She’s strict, Jose’s flexible. Claudia follows a recipe, Jose cooks from what he finds in the fridge. Claudia can sit still and stay focused for a long time, Jose needs to be on the move all the time. He’s the hound, the enabler, the deal seeker, he loves strategizing and he never gets stuck in a problem. He finds it fascinating to negotiate and exceed cli- ents’ expectations. He lives in the present and although you’ll hardly see him planning, he’s mind is not at ease if he’s not getting the results he expects. He’s a writer, a romantic and extremely sensitive to seeing people being taken advantage of, so he’s also a protector (of his family, his friends or even a stranger) and if he can help, he won’t keep himself. They’re both bound by the same core values which is part of why they understand each other so well and they find extreme joy in connecting people and with people.