Kristina Szekely is a businesswoman, who created the empire of luxury realty, called KS Sotheby’s Realty, which now has 300 offices around the world and 3 of them are located in Marbella.
Her company represents distinctive properties and provides a worldwide showcase for homeowners and home buyers. They offer properties for sale in the Marbella area of Spain, Sotogrande, Madrid and the Balearics, as well as in international locations such as Mexico, Panama, Morocco, USA, and many others. Kristina Szekely has been operating in the real estate industry for more than 30 years, and she is a well known personality in Marbella.
Read the exclusive interview with Kristina for i-Marbella.
How do you spend your days?
I start my morning by exercising and walking on the beach. I also play tennis every once in a while. Usually I always have a nice breakfast, then set up some meetings for later. In the summer I really enjoyed being present at my offices in Puerto Banus, to communicate with clients and also to get the best from the extraordinary marina.
What is your motto at work?
My motto is to please my clients and make sure they’re satisfied. Of course to buy and to sell as well, but keeping your clients pleased is the most important factor. To me, each client is a challenge, that I must conquer and make happy.
What is the meaning of luxurious realty?
Luxurious means the best quality, location, view, surroundings and safety. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a huge villa, it can also be a studio apartment. Our realty prices start from 300 000 euros.
What do you think about the economy in Marbella? Do you think it’s getting better or worse?
I would predict the economy’s boost in Marbella for the next spring, because the signs of it can already be noticed in Germany and also in Britain, a bit also in Spain. I would actually recommend to invest right now, because the prices are at the bottom. I believe that the positive signs of the economy’s rise was present already this summer – all the trendy places were packed, when compared to last summer. The people are all coming back here – people from France, Spain and the Arab countries.
Now also Russians are coming. And because they’re language is a bit stranger, then the amount of attention they get is much bigger. For example if your new neighbour is an Englishman or Frenchman, then no one won’t even notice it, but if it is a Russian, then everybody will be talking about it. Russians are also the ones who purchase very expensive properties here. Talking about the boost for the economy, I believe that the Obama’s visit added some popularity – Marbella made it to the headlines all over the world.
Where have you travelled? And why have you chosen to live in Marbella?
I have travelled all over the world, for example the Caribbean and the south of France also, but they have always been short-term trips. In my opinion, Marbella’s advantage is the fact that the period of the high season is quite long. You can go skiing for a week, but you will never reside in that place. Marbella is a place for long-term vacations and living – it is very international, the weather is nice almost throughout the year and it’s never boring here.
People who come here, are usually wealthy and they are used to the good life in the big metropolises such as Paris or London and they want to enjoy life to the fullest. And that is exactly what Marbella offers – small concentration of luxurious things, service, places, boutiques. Also all the private schools and hospitals. What is more, the new high quality buildings have standards that for every bedroom there must be a separate bathroom. Other than Miami’s Pearl Harbor, I don’t know any other place such as Marbella.
Then again, when you think about it, there aren’t many places where you could wear long dresses and fine jewellery, but in Marbella you get to do it throughout the summer, at different galas, charity events, concerts aso. Here people can dress themselves up and drive beautiful cars. In the Nordic Countries people don’t show off that much and one of the reason is jealousy and envy. Here people enjoy life.
What do you like about the social life?
I love to talk to people and find out what makes them happy. I love couples, who have harmony and are full of true love and excitement – this is so beautiful to watch. And to be around these people is a good feeling. And to see that true love exists! People, who have found it should really treasure it!
Name some of your favourite places in Marbella.
My favourite places are Maxwells, Marbella Club(both the cafe and the restaurant) and there was a recent opening of a very glamorous place called La Sala. I also love having dinner at Aretusa.
Editor comment 2023: Now Kristina prefer to eat Da Paolo or Los Bandidos
