Raiqeu: Real Estate’s Rich Tapestry

Pita Raiqeu, the proud owner of Blesson Real Estate has had a tapestry of experiences in his diverse career from sugar cane farming and civil service, to real estate.

Raised by his maternal grandparents in the sugarcane-rich Barotu Saivou Ra area, Mr Raiqeu’s upbringing was focused in the traditions of farming life, and the harmonious co-existence of Indo-Fijian and iTaukei farmers.

It was then that Mr Raiqeu gained valuable insights, learning from his elders’ connections and networking with fellow sugarcane farmers that sparked a hope to serve the diverse community of Fiji and bring to life everyone’s goal of home ownership and wealth generation.

In the midst of a Civil Service career, a setback in 2015 prompted Mr Raiqeu to revisit a childhood dream of working in the real estate sector.

Joining Bayshore Real Estate in 2017 marked the beginning of Mr Raiqeu’s ascent in the industry, where his dedication and passion soon earned him recognition, including consecutive agent of the year awards.

Blesson Real Estate

In 2023, Mr Raiqeu achieved his long-standing goal of establishing his own real estate agency, Blesson Real Estate.

“From winning rookie awards in my first year to becoming agent of the year consecutively, after five long years with Bayshore, I resigned in 2022 and fulfilled my long-standing goal by founding Blesson Real Estate in January 2023”, he said.

The challenges of the first year tested Mr Raiqeu’s resolve.

“It’s not easy to start a business, but you have to treat the business like your baby and look after it and nurture it,” he said.

“I almost lost control of it due to inconsistencies in revenue, and it was hard, but I managed to get through the first year.”

Mr Raiqeu’s clientele encompasses a diverse range of individuals, from high-end property investors to those seeking more affordable options.

Responding to the demands of his followers, he expanded his services to include farms and other budget-friendly properties.

The Blesson Real Estate website that Pita Raiqeu created using Softr and Airtable.

Real estate in Fiji

Discussing the shifting landscape of Fiji’s real estate industry, Mr Raiqeu highlighted the impact of COVID-19 on market dynamics and afterwards, the surge in tourist arrivals leading to a heightened demand for both residential and commercial rentals.

Short-term stays gaining preference over long-term leases and reshaping the housing market, created new opportunities and challenges for property owners.

“This shift in preferences is reshaping the dynamics of the real estate market,” he said.

“Lion One Gold mine’s success in Nadi, boasting around 600 staff, has led to an increased demand for housing.

“Primarily composed of individuals relocating from Vatukoula gold mine, this influx has created a shortage of houses in Nadi and across the western division.

“It’s crucial to inform property owners and landowners about this pressing issue so they can start developing their lands and build more affordable houses.”

Mr Raiqeu stressed the importance of proactive measures to address the housing shortage, particularly in areas experiencing rapid industrial growth.

He urged property owners and landholders to seize the moment by developing more affordable housing options, thereby contributing to the socioeconomic development of their communities.

Website building

During the process of starting up his business, Mr Raiqeu identified a website as essential for elevating his business standards, professionalism, and meeting the diverse needs of his customers through accessible property listings.

He handles all the content management and website maintenance himself and expressed excitement at how quickly he was able to pick up digital skills.

“I’m thrilled to personally handle the website uploading and management, empowering me with the confidence to compete with major players in the Real Estate industry,” he said.

The website uses tools without code, such as Softr and Airtable, allowing Mr Raiqeu to manage the site himself and without cost.

Advice for aspiring property or business owners

Mr Raiqeu advises all to work towards their personal goals with focus and determination, but to also consider how personal growth can contribute to your local communities and the broader Fijian economy.

“To young businesses, my final advice is to uphold honesty, integrity, and professionalism in your work. Ensure accurate declaration and timely payment of taxes and fees to contribute positively to our economy,” Mr Raiqeu said.

By: Shenal Harakh

• Shenal Harakh is the founder of her eponymous software development agency Shenal (www.shenal.online), which builds tech products for startup clients around the world.She is currently based in Fiji and is running workshops to digitally upskill communities. Head to https://fiji.shenal.online/ to sign up and keep up to date with new workshops, or follow her work on LinkedIn: Shenal Harakh or Twitter: @shenalyo.

Feedback: frederica.elbourne@fijisun.com.fj