JZ Group mantra: To invest and educate in real estate

“Our company has been making contribution for the betterment of the community and we are happy to do that,” said JZ Group Inc. president Eric Guo (Photos by Bea Cabrera)

When Jiang Zheng Group Inc. president Eric Guo first came to Saipan in 2013 for a reunion trip with his school buddies, he fell in love with the place and saw potential in putting up a business. Two years later, Jiang Zheng Group Inc. was established on Saipan and it is Guo’s first investment outside of China.

Guo, a successful realtor in Shanghai, has been in the business for 14 years. He manages 50 offices and 200 employees in China. “On Saipan, we are currently focused on selling land. Initially, we sold houses, apartments, and land. We realized the business and marketing of selling land and houses are different,” he said.

“We shifted our focus to just land because most of our clients want to buy land and they do the improvement. We guide them through out the sale and as after sale service, our professional team help them acquire permits and the whole process makes the clients happy,” he added.

Guo said that in China, people cannot own land as land is considered public land. “At most that they can do is own an apartment or house for a maximum of 70 years… when the 70 years expire, they pay little bit of money to extend.”

“That’s why the land here is very attractive for the Chinese market because this island is very beautiful and very close to mainland China. It also imbibes the American way of life, culture, education, and hospital care,” he added.

According to JZ Group general counsel Jordan Sundell, the company covers two transactions. “…what sets us apart from other realtors is we find land here and then market and sell it to clients in China… we also cater to other markets or clients that come to us for realty needs…. all the other brokers can find land but they cannot sell it,” he said.

JZ Group Inc. general counsel Jordan Sundell and JZ Group Inc. president Eric Guo, center, receive a plaque of appreciation from Marianas Young Professionals for sponsoring an educational initiative called “Open Reef Innovations” where many students participated to learn about virtual and augmented reality technologies in September this year.

“Our strength is we invest a lot to be able to successfully sell property in China. That’s our biggest advantage overall,” he said.

Guo uprooted his family from China because he is not only building a business, he also wants to build a life here. “I like this island very much and my family is here. Personally, I want to see the island to be more beautiful and help improve this island from my heart so I try my best to connect with the local people,” he said.

“Our company has been making contribution for the betterment of the community and we are happy to do that,” he added.

In September, Marianas Young Professionals, a non-profit organization that helps promote young professionals in the CNMI, recognized the initiatives of JZ Group by giving them a plaque of appreciation for investing in the skills and talents of public school high school students.

JZ Group sponsored an educational initiative called “Open Reef Innovations” where many students participated to learn about virtual and augmented reality technologies.

“Also part of giving back to the community is we started doing regular seminars where we share information that is designed toward the local market. We help them understand real estate, transactions, probate, and estate planning…we want them to make smarter decisions and have a better idea of what is going on,” Sundell said.

“It is intended to be educational, there are no sales pitch as we are not trying to do business, and everyone is welcome to come listen hear and learn. The first one we held in our office in Garapan and the second one was held at the public library in Susupe. We plan to organize more seminars like this in the coming months,” he added.

Guo said that JZ Group will be here for the long term. “We have some projects that are pending…although tourist arrivals have been slow especially after Super Typhoon Yutu, I know this is how business goes. It changes and you have to be ready to ride with the changes. I take it as wintertime but come Autumn, we will reap the fruits of hard work.”

“…I want to continue to contribute to the island… my vision is to help make it nicer like Guam and Hawaii… if that happens 20-30 years from now, I can happily say that I was involved in that,” he added.

JZ Group’s office is located in Garapan. They are open Monday to Friday from 9am to 9pm. For more information, call (670) 233-1010.