Antonina
July 23, 2025
3 min

Antonina. Building a Real Estate Business in the Emirates

What experience do you have that people can come to you for advice, expertise, or consultation?

When it comes to business, my core area is real estate — specifically in the Emirates. But before that, I have a background in psychology and have worked with politicians. I’ve also been a trainer for political programs and for trainers themselves. So, I have experience in communication, which naturally evolved into the real estate space.

Now, my hand is fully on the pulse in real estate in the Emirates. I see a moment coming where everyone will start talking about "real estate in the Emirates," and I want to highlight this space properly. I want people to know: yes, it’s about real estate in the Emirates — but why me?

Who is your audience?

That depends. Are we talking about clients, brokers, or employees?

For clients — I have a team of experts in the company, and I lead them. I’m not just a business owner who’s detached from the process. I’m an involved professional. I keep my finger on the pulse, I oversee what my brokers know and what they say to clients. Many clients have been with me for years — I guide them personally. So, I need to know the market inside and out.

We also get access to exclusive projects, especially for investors — properties that haven’t gone public yet. That’s what I focus on. I’m not interested in mass-market projects that everyone is trying to sell. I prefer whisper listings and rare opportunities.

For brokers and team members — let’s be real. What makes me different from others? I’ve been through the struggles brokers face. One of the biggest pains is not getting commissions paid. I made it a priority to ensure top conditions, including 100% commission payouts, paid out the same day.

What kind of person are you, and in what situations can someone turn to you personally?

Real estate is my craft — I live and breathe it 24/7. But beyond that, I’m someone who supports people. If someone comes to me with a human situation, I’ll help however I can. I often say — not just to you — that right now all my money is going into the business. But if someone truly needs support, I’m there.

What are you looking for?

Besides clients — because that’s obvious — I’m looking for something deeper. I want real, meaningful human connections without fluff. Someone who says what they mean and follows through.

In my circle, trust and integrity matter most. I’d love to be surrounded by thoughtful, deep individuals — people who see the world differently, who are creative, unique, even eccentric. In a sea of sameness, I gravitate toward the extraordinary.

What kind of expertise are you looking for?

Right now, I’m building not just a name as a great broker — which I already have — but as the CEO and founder of a company. So I need knowledge and skills around that. I’m looking for experts in:

I often consult with experts and hire consultants myself. Building the right team is my current key point of focus. I didn’t take the conventional route — if I had, I’d have lost by now. Instead, I’m trying a different approach because I believe there’s still a chance to stand out.

What’s your business background?

We’re still small — just over a year old — but we are taxpayers and running. My team is small, but we’ve already made significant progress.

In 11 months, we’ve sold almost $10 million worth of property (32 million AED). Not huge numbers, but solid considering we haven’t run any classical lead generation or marketing campaigns.

Everything was achieved through personal brand and referral partnerships. We’re a team of three. I’ve built a referral network of 46 partners across various cities and countries. Around 20% of them are already actively referring clients.

I haven’t spent a dime on lead gen — it’s all been brand and relationships.

Any other notes?

I like to joke that I’m a shoemaker with shoes — I’ve invested personally in off-plan property in Abu Dhabi.

Also, while I admire old money — I’m not from it. But I’m trying to build something that one day becomes a legacy. That’s the direction I’m heading, even though it’s early days. Right now, I don’t have flashy figures or headlines — just steady, grounded work.

Developers in Abu Dhabi trust me with exclusive listings they don’t give to other agencies. Some even consult me when planning to enter the Abu Dhabi market.

In a city saturated with real estate businesses, standing out is tough. That’s why I took an unorthodox route. I’m not just another agency following the same playbook — I’m carving out a new one.

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