RE/MAX franchise opens on Saipan

Government officials and business leaders witnessed yesterday the grand opening of RE/MAX Paradise Realty, the local franchise of the leading real estate company in the U.S. and throughout the world.

RE/MAX Paradise Realty owner and now real estate broker Joe Ayuyu, along with wife Marcia and daughter and office manager Mable Ayuyu, said their new venture marks the revival of the islands’ real estate industry.

RE/MAX was founded in 1973 in Denver, Colorado by owners Dave and Gail Liniger. Four decades later, RE/MAX has expanded into a global network composed of over 100,000 agents in more than 80 countries in Central and South America, Canada, Asia, Australia, Europe, and Africa.

RE/MAX, which stands for Real Estate Maximum, is also expanding its reach to the Pacific region, having offices in Guam, the CNMI, and soon in Palau and the Philippines, according to Joe Ayuyu.

Joe Ayuyu, in his remarks, said that he has a propensity of being associated with leading brand names. Twenty years ago, he bought the franchise for fastfood chain McDonald’s and now, he has acquired the No. 1 brand name in the real estate industry.

“I’m very pleased and happy to be associated with RE/MAX, which is considered the number one real estate company in the U.S. and around the world. Its far-reaching network is what makes it unique,” Joe Ayuyu told his audience.

Joe Ayuyu noted that starting up a real estate business comes with challenges, which he’d overcome with the training he received from RE/MAX University and with the assistance of the RE/MAX Guam office, which sent representatives to yesterday’s event. They were Leonard P. Campos, managing director for international development; Gina Campos, associate broker and certified residential specialist; John P. Duenas, DC Micronesia partner; and Elizabeth C. Duenas, associate broker.

Joe Ayuyu introduced to the audience four of his five real estate agents, who will be dealing with clients of RE/MAX Paradise Realty. They are Juan I. Tenorio, Geralyn Dela Cruz, Diego Benavente, and Ramon Dela Cruz. Vicente Sablan was unable to make it to the ceremony.

“You can look forward to a professional group of people that will assist the community in selling, buying, and managing their properties, bringing a higher level of standard as far as real estate is concerned,” added Ayuyu.

Gov. Benigno R. Fitial thanked the Ayuyus for their “countless contributions” in the community.

“Despite our current challenges, they pushed forward with this new venture because they see how much potential lies ahead,” said Fitial, adding that the community will now have the chance to meet their real estate needs “with the most trusted name in the business.”

“Joe and Marcia have done a tremendous and fantastic job running McDonald’s and I believe that they will do the same with RE/MAX,” said Mayor Donald G. Flores.

Department of Commerce’s Ivan Blanco, who represented secretary Sixto Igisomar, said the opening of RE/MAX translates to jobs and “locally-made dollars” for the CNMI economy.

Commonwealth Development Authority executive director Manuel Sablan described Joe Ayuyu as a “visionary” who can be emulated by the rest of the community.

“He started something that nobody has done before: acquiring and promoting the largest U.S. franchise in the real estate business…He is a local who sees an opportunity despite what everybody is saying about the economy,” added Sablan.

Fr. Ike Ayuyu led the blessing of the new office located at the RJ Plaza Building in Dandan. Guests were served light refreshments after the ceremonial ribbon cutting.