Rising Stars: Meet Karina Akouka

Today we’d like to introduce you to Karina Akouka.  

Hi Karina, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
How I got to where I am today…there is so much to tell! I grew up in Berkeley, Ca, with a Bostonian father and Nicaraguan mother. I made my way out to Apex, North Carolina, just about two years ago. Whenever I tell people I’m from Berkeley, there is always a reaction. I’ll tell you, I loved it. I have some truly amazing memories growing up there. My family and I lived in one of the few subsidized housing communities that was always so vibrant and full of children playing outside and hosting community events. While I loved that, I always had a desire to own our own home. In some ways, I longed for something that felt financial unattainable to me. 

My love for real estate truly started in my 3rd-grade class. I remember having a lesson about different architectural styles found around town, and I realized quickly that this intrigued me so much. After this, I would always notice homes, their details, the uniqueness of each property, and imagining how I would style the interior of each home. While real estate remained a very high interest for me, I also love helping people, which led me to work in the social work field for many years. My focus was working with foster youth and Spanish-speaking immigrant families. Helping people and remaining calm in challenging situations has always been a strength of mine, one that I bring with me into helping people while making the biggest investment of their lives. 

In October 2022, I set my sights on obtaining my real estate license. Just like anything else before like me obtaining my master’s degree or getting a number of credentials, it was not an easy feat! I have two amazing girls, a husband that travels, and well, I found myself studying again late into the night to achieve my goal. 

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I am not one to shy away from my truth, and it has definitely not been a smooth road. Getting to where I am today took a lot of work, motivation, persistence, and trust in myself to achieve my goals. From the beginning of adulthood, I have had to be in a place of financial and emotional independence (which makes you incredibly resourceful!) but also makes it really hard to feel alone in your journey and in the goals you’d like to achieve. While it has not always been ideal, the challenges have allowed me to persevere and continue forward in my journey. 

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a realtor coming from a 20-year career in social work. That being said, my heart has always been in serving and helping others. Dare I say that I am pretty good at it! I am known for my calm demeanor, my mad listening skills, and that I love a good laugh. Let’s face it, buying and selling real estate can be STRESSFUL, and it’s important to enjoy the journey as well. Something that sets me apart is that I truly can help people have vision in a space when they may struggle to have it. I notice details and what makes clients tick and make sure to bring that forward in the work with them whether they are buying property, selling property, or thinking of a setting up a rental. 

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I love so many things about the Raleigh area; it’s hard to choose just one! Choosing just one thing, I would have to say all of the greenways and greenery. I find being in nature to be so healing and nurturing, and I love that it is accessible to me throughout the city. One of my least favorite things? The lack of direct flights out of RDU to other parts of the country and world (for now!) 

Contact Info:

• Website: msha.ke/karinaakouka
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karinaakoukarealtor/ 

Image Credits
Alishia Anne Photography
Ashlee Lenzi Burton
@throughalenz