The quarterly issue of World Arabia has been released, featuring an in-depth piece on how the UAE real estate industry works behind the scenes of a deal. This year, the editorial team focused on the theme Real Estate & House, and we also produced a film about the people who, every day, determine whether buying a home becomes a source of confidence or years of disappointment.
Those who set market standards through their decisions
The issue is built on the idea that market quality is shaped not by laws or regulations, but by specific people making decisions every day. Brokers are responsible for how clients experience the entire property-buying process–from initial contact to handover of keys. From the inside, we determine whether a transaction becomes a source of security and long-term perspective, or turns into frustration and frozen capital. In the full article, I talk about the working principles of the 2088 Real Estate team, where the meaning of being trusted property advisors in the UAE is rooted in process transparency and the willingness to speak honestly about project risks–even if that means losing a commission. When someone invests hundreds of thousands of dollars in a property, they are not trusting a licensed legal entity but real people who put their personal reputations behind every recommendation. Below, I’m sharing a few insights and cases discussed in the interview.
One case says more about integrity than a thousand words
Before I opened my agency, a close friend invested in five projects–buying an entire floor in each, as well as several individual apartments. When he later asked me to help sell part of the portfolio, I identified a serious issue: one of the projects, Sobha 1, raised red flags. Sixty percent of units remained unsold even after launch–an anomaly for Sobha, which typically sells out projects smoothly. I met with the developer’s representative and negotiated the transfer of my friend’s investment from the problematic project to a more promising one by the same developer. We converted the value of an entire floor into the equivalent of three to four three-bedroom apartments in a premium complex, with a small additional payment. As a result, the client not only avoided losses but made a profit upon resale. Sobha 1 may well succeed in four or five years once infrastructure is complete, but my friend couldn’t afford to wait that long–he needed faster returns. This is the difference between working for commission and working for long-term relationships:
- In the first case, an agent sells anything and disappears.
- In the second, they consider the consequences three years later, when the client decides whether the investment was right.
Investments start with understanding mentality
In an open conversation with journalists, I emphasized a pattern I’ve consistently observed over three years: client preferences depend more on nationality than on budget.
- Chinese buyers actively purchase in Business Bay and Downtown–proximity to water is irrelevant; the center, business activity, and district status matter most.
- Clients from the CIS prefer first-line beachfront properties, private beaches, and the ability to swim at any time.
- British and Indian buyers are also drawn to water–whether the sea or artificial lagoons.
- Germans, French, and Dutch clients look for something entirely different: gated communities with controlled access, areas where movement is limited to golf carts, and neighborhoods where shops and restaurants follow a master plan.
Structure, predictability, and order matter more to them than panoramic views or prestigious addresses. Understanding these differences saves months of searching and dozens of pointless viewings.
Unethical players damage the reputation of the entire industry
The main problem in Dubai’s real estate market is companies that call agents across the Emirates offering “90/10” deals–agents keep 90% of the commission, the company takes 10%, without investing anything into development or support. These phantom agencies have damaged the market environment, creating a cycle in which brokers close a few deals, jump to another firm for a higher split, then return with apologies when the previous firm disappears. I would welcome stricter rules–such as a substantial cash deposit to obtain a brokerage license, similar to requirements in the tourism sector. This would filter out bad actors who harm the industry’s reputation. Another serious issue is high staff turnover and lead theft. An agent gets a strong client, realizes they plan major investments, and thinks: why split the commission with the agency if I can move elsewhere and get an 80/20 or even 90/10 deal?
From financial services to real estate through logic
Before real estate, I worked in financial services with many VIP clients. Many bought property in Dubai through different agencies, and at some point I realized a simple truth: I helped clients move capital, and then that money went to other companies for property purchases. The logical step was to close the loop and open my own agency, offering clients the full service cycle in one place. Other factors followed–competition, ambition, and the desire to build something meaningful in a highly competitive market. I had no mentors in real estate; I learned through experience, sometimes mistakes, constantly analyzing the market and adapting to change. The journey wasn’t easy, but overcoming challenges made it compelling.
2088: a philosophy that doesn’t fit into a slogan
When I developed the concept for a new real estate company in Dubai, I knew I wanted a distinct philosophy to set us apart in an oversaturated market. The number 2088 encapsulates our core idea: we think not only about your near future, but about a distant tomorrow–about your children and grandchildren. Investing in property with our help today means securing your family’s financial stability for decades to come.
As bold as it sounds, I truly believe we are building a legacy. The rebranding was a natural step after nearly three years in the market, as I gained deeper insight into Dubai’s specifics, client needs, and my own ambitions. Today, 2088 Real Estate is a forward-looking company focused on the luxury segment and long-term client relationships. Read the full feature in World Arabia and watch the film about how we shape the industry from within–an immersion into market reality from those who stand behind its quality with their own names.
