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Biography
Trinita Akpan is a serial entrepreneur with interests in the Fashion and Real Estate Sector. A focused and result oriented professional, her personal philosophy is to create value and solve problems, by empowering minds to embrace positive and creative thinking, helping them achieve personal goals by establishing strategic relationships. Akpan is a trained professional with a First Degree in Marketing and an MBA from the Prestigious University of Ife. Also referred to as the Lady Realtor, Akpan has over 14years experience in high profile networking for both public and private sectors, spanning the Banking, IT and Real Estate Industries. Her Jewellery line, Stillmii Jewelries supplys quality and stylish items for high end and everyday use to suit the varied pockets of her esteemed clientele. This she delivers with exceptional customer service. She is also the Chief Executive Officer for Triakot Properties, a legitimate Real Estate Marketing firm in Lagos, Nigeria, that seeks to connect her clients to amazing, affordable and genuine properties.
Early years
I come from a middle class family and we were taught early the value of smart work. One saying that was our guideline was that quality input resulted in quality output. My Father was a disciplinarian while my mother showed us the value of prayer and relationships. We were taught contentment, to deal honestly with everyone, to value a good name over money and never be afraid of hard work for therein will you find success.
Why the decision to go into real estate?
I’ve always been people oriented and when I took the decision to launch out on my own after years in paid employment, it was clear to me that it had to be something that built relationships by contributing superior value to them. Being in the banking industry exposed me to various businesses but I was intrigued by proposals of real estate developers. That’s when I knew I would someday play in this field. It can be very satisfying to assist people with important decisions like choosing what property to invest in. And so Triakot Properties (A Real Estate Consulting & Marketing Firm) was birthed.
Challenges on the job
Well, much as it is satisfying to see successfully closed transactions on house purchases, it is also disheartening to be in the middle of an almost non-existence mortgage system. Where new home buyers yearn for an affordable payment plan spanning several years but are faced with high interest rates. As a country, we are still very far from achieving this. Secondly, most investors or home buyers are poorly informed on the statutory fees required to complete a purchase not just the price of the property, hence you see most people quibbling when these fees are requested. That is why at Triakot Properties, we don’t just sell you a property, we take time to educate you thoroughly on all the fees, processes, regulations and timelines regarding your property purchase.
Playing in a male dominated sector
For many years, men have dominated the Real Estate industry, maybe due to the way it was done before with ‘omo ni les’( meaning street boys laying claims to benefits from the land) and local land agents. The structure of real estate business has changed since then thanks to the leadership of Lagos State government which has resulted in a level playing field for honest and value driven realtors. It is very exciting and encouraging to see that in recent times, these valued individuals are Lady Realtors. Top Realtors like Nonso Onny-Ezeh of Assist2sell and Udo Maryanne Okonjo of Fine and Country who have put in well over 10 years in the industry are stretching forth their arms and showing younger female realtors the ropes. I see clients trusting women more and more with their transactions, as it goes beyond just profit and loss.
Is it easy to own properties in Lagos ?
Yes! I firmly believe so. As long as you are realistic with your budget and desire. You may desire a Banana Island location for instance but cannot afford it. Go for an alternative location closest to Banana Island that you can easily afford even if it is in Ajah/Sangotedo axis. Lagos State is set to become the 3rd largest economy in Africa. Some key government projects are situated in Ibeju Lekki. Housing needs are on the rise in that area. Any smart investor is encouraged to get as much as he/she can. Your asset will always appreciate. There are spread payment options. However, you must follow the rules. Invest in titled lands, spread your investment across midterm and long term locations, employ the services of a trusted realtor and your lawyer to guide you. As a rule, my firm ensures thorough searches are carried out on both the property and developer. We like to be sure of what and who we are dealing with. We also help individuals confirm their land purchases for a token fee so that you can be confident of the purchase you are making.
Price of houses increased or decreased?
Real Estate is gold that never suffers depreciation. As long as population increases there will be more demand on land and as such, the value of Real Estate always appreciates. Even in the midst of the recession, activities slowed down on the high end property corridor but value never dropped. Instead, buyers sought out other cheaper locations towards the suburbs which in turn also increased the value of property in that axis.
How do you help people who desire to own their own houses but do not have the complete funds at once?
Property investment has evolved over the years. We see quite a number of developments with spread payment options. So even though you might not be able to afford a choice property in your preferred location, you can settle for the nearest location that fits into your budget. We also have a few organisations that offer mortgages to interested subscribers. If the investor works in a firm, we advise and package land purchase deals for staff cooperatives which ensures a spread package based on their salaries that makes it easier for them to purchase.
Housing and proper documentation
The need to get the documentation right from start cannot be over emphasized. I always advice buyers or investors to pick options with established titles, that way, the process of perfection is much easier and tidier. And if you must invest in a property whose title is not clear cut, be sure to fully understand the terms and conditions as well as history surrounding that property. Always involve a competent Realtor and lawyer in all dealings.
In real estate business, where is the money?
Billionaires all over the world have considerable investments in Real Estate. It has produced more wealth than any other industry in the history of time especially if you know what you are doing. Here are a few tips. Firstly, buy cheap lands in suburbs, wait a few years and resell at a good profit or buy undervalued homes, renovate and resell. Secondly, invest more in residential and commercial properties. They have lower volatility than stocks. Thirdly, invest in areas with high demand for short term leases.
Career in real estate
A career in Real Estate is very challenging yet rewarding. While some earn in 7 figures, others struggle with a few thousands. To develop a career and make money in real estate, you must set your own schedule and work strictly with it. You will also need to be organised and ambitious enough to actually work at your business every day. Organisation skills are important because you will be dealing with contract deadlines, client appointments and follow-ups with other professionals in the field. Trainings and relevant certifications are necessary. Another major thing to set straight is to be sure you have the right character trait to stay ambitious and motivated, to relate excellently with people across different strata.
Projections for your business
I would like to see Triakot Properties be the go to place for fast, cost effective Real Estate transactions in Nigeria. We aim to continuously explore new ideas and technology to make the selling and buying process easier.
Kemi Ajumobi
