Meet Kayofa, a successful real estate agent
It takes hard work, dedication, and perseverance to become a successful real estate agent, but that does not mean it is an easy career or that everyone succeeds.
To become an agent, you must take classes, pass a test, and find a broker to work for and once you get your licence the work is not over as you must learn to sell houses, which they do not teach in real estate school.
If you can make it through the licencing process and the first few months, real estate can be a wonderful business to be in.
This is the exact example of Eve Kayofa, who has overcome similar challenges before establishing herself as one of the country’s top real estate agents.
Eve Kayofa (EF)) sat down with Confidente’s Michael Uugwanga (MU) to speak about her job.
(MU): Can you briefly introduce yourself to us and share with us what your job entails as a real estate agent?
(EF): My name is Eve Kayofa and I am originally from Okongo (Ohangwena Region), but my work base is in Oshakati (Oshana Region). My role in real estate is to reach the customers’ needs. My aim is to prioritise our customer base and to make sure that we meet their living standards.
(MU): What made you venture into this field of real estate?
(EK): I went into real estate because my first mission is to own my own property that I can call my home so that I have an environment where I can actually raise my family. Secondly, because going into real estate helps others achieve the same feat that I also achieved in my livelihood.
MU): What are the pros and cons of pursuing a career as a real estate?
(EF): First of all real estate is a serious business. First of all make sure that your company is a registered company. Work for someone with experience.
But my best advice to whoever wants to move into this industry, one needs to patient about it.
You need to love what you do, it is not just about a matter of signing a paper, you have to have psychologically, emotionally strong because clients come with different emotions, so if you are patient about helping people your job will be easy.
(MU): How do you balance these work and family time?
(EF): Saturday and Sunday are basically for my private life. So family time is family time and there is no debate or dispute on that. That is why I always make it clear to my clients that these days are for my private life.
(MU): In your view what is the quality of real estate in Namibia in comparison to those in other parts of the world?
(EF): Yes because there is a huge difference in the market value of the properties and the commission, but overall the approach is just the same.
(MU): What do you think needs to be done to create more opportunities for those who want to venture into real estate?
(EF): We need training, because when you train lots of people they became better at their job.
(MU): What inspires you to keep working in real estate?
(EF): It the knowledge and the skills I gained -my negotiation skills- and I am no longer afraid to talk to anyone, unlike in the beginning when I was shy and afraid to talk to some people.
(MU): Would you like to add anything else? Please do.
(EF): My confidence and my personal growth have helped me stay in this industry.