Meet Nyanza’s top-notch real estate agent

Karia opened her firm, Lake Estate Agency Ltd, mid last year, but is quickly making strides.

“I believe in creating transparency, integrity and professionalism with my clients. These are the main key principles of this profession,” says Mrs Karia, at her well-furnished office located at Omalo’s Building, along the Oginga Odinga Street, Central Square in Kisumu.

She asserts that women can be successful in business if they believe in themselves and also work hard. She says as the world marks International Women Day today, the fairer sex must be aware that the world has changed in terms of roles. “Unlike some years ago, more women are economically empowering themselves, as opportunities are opening up for them,” says the businesswoman who completed her undergraduate and graduate studies in the UK, four years ago. And in addition to her work, Karia engages in philanthropy. She provides food for over 30 children at an orphanage in Kisumu, fortnightly.

“I believe in giving back to the society, and for me the most fulfilling thing is supporting less-fortunate children,” she says, adding that she also feeds street children.

And how did she develop an interest in real estate?

Karia took a diploma course in real estate in the UK, and thereafter worked with a firm dealing with property, for close to a year.

Title deeds –She says the encounter opened her world on the intricacies of real estate agency-buying and selling of land and houses and the management of rental houses. However, Karia says many quacks have invaded the profession resulting in many people being conned of their money and others having fake title deeds.

She, however, ensures that the property she sells or buys are genuine.

The 5.9 feet tall and pretty woman says more prospective land and house buyers in Kisumu are keen on Dago and Riat Hills, as the initial high-in-demand leafy Milimani has become congested. “The two areas (Dago and Riat) have sufficient space and they are on the outskirts of the town,” says Karia of the two areas, which are about five kilometres from the town centre. Besides, the cost of land in Milimani is exorbitant. For instance, half an acre in the two areas goes for about of Sh1 million, while in Milimani it goes for between Sh30 million-Sh50 million. She says the Kisumu International Airport and devolution of Government that is going to take place after the General Elections are the two main factors that have made the demand for the property surge in the last three years, in the lakeside town.

Karia reveals that she not only deals with prospective property buyers in Kisumu, but those of any other parts of the world — because she is registered.