Dubai’s real estate market is maturing fast, bringing with it the need for a new level of accountability, professionalism, and competition that the industry must be ready for.

What worked for real estate professionals five years ago - a combination of intuition, charm, hustle - is no longer enough. In the world’s most advanced real estate markets, agents don’t just close deals, they’re advisers, analysts, negotiators, and data strategists. 

In Dubai today, those who want to stay ahead, rather than be replaced by someone who is, must learn, practice, and live by five key lessons.

Data isn’t optional - it’s your new currency

In the US 100% of homebuyers use the internet in their property search, with 43% starting their search for a home before speaking to an agent.  Platforms like Zillow and Redfin dominate because they don’t just list homes, they give buyers price history, comps, and performance data.

A 2025 global study showed that 85% of home buyers start their search using the internet, and 63% find the home they purchase online. 

Dubai buyers are catching up fast. They want to know past sale prices, how many units sold in the building last quarter, and what the market’s moving average looks like today.

Any broker who can’t answer these questions with confidence, instead of being a trusted advisor, becomes a liability.

That’s why resources like DXBinteract are now essential. It gives real-time market data and trends, making it the go-to intelligence hub for anyone who values facts over guesswork.

For instance, in revealing Dubai’s top ten areas for Q3 2025, it offers a clear snapshot of where apartment and villa prices stand. This helps buyers better understand where their budget fits, and points investors towards high-demand areas and potential growth.

Client expectations have changed forever

In the US, buyers ask for agent commission breakdowns, demand virtual tours before booking a visit, and expect the process to be seamless, digital, and trackable. The U.K. has gone even further: regulations now require agents to disclose all critical property facts upfront, so no more last-minute surprises. 

Dubai is heading in the same direction. Investors expect transparency, credible market comparisons, and agents who come prepared. What they don’t want is vague advice or guesswork. A broker’s professionalism is now measured by the clarity and confidence of their information.

Firas Al Msaddi, CEO, fäm Properties

Sustainability & ESG are more than buzzwords

In London, New York, and Washington D.C., green buildings command 3-12% rent premiums and longer lease terms. In the U.K., it’s now illegal to lease commercial properties that don’t meet energy efficiency standards.

Multinational tenants in Dubai are already following suit. They’re asking if a building has green certification, what’s the energy cost per square foot, and how does the air quality rank.

Real estate agents need to have the answers. This is the new competitive edge. The price penalty for non-green buildings is real globally, and soon will be locally. Brokers who understand how to talk about ESG and green building features will win. Those who don’t will lose deals to those who do.

Tech-driven client service wins every time

In the US, platforms like Compass and Redfin integrate CRMs, client timelines, digital marketing, and AI pricing tools into a single client experience.

In the UK, agents are using PropTech to schedule virtual tours, track viewing activity, and auto-generate investment reports.

With PropTech on the rise in the Middle East and Dubai embracing it faster than anywhere else, investors and buyers here now expect the same, and agents must be ready. 

So, do they have a proper CRM or are they running their business off WhatsApp and sticky notes? Can they benchmark a property instantly? Do their tools give them an edge, or hold them back? In a market becoming data-literate by default, those without the right tech are working blind.

Being informed isn’t enough - lead with insight

Top brokers in global cities don’t just repeat stats, they translate them into strategic advice. In Dubai, most agents can tell you the sale price of a property. 

But how many can reveal whether a building is selling faster or slower than average for the area; if prices are moving up due to real demand, or short-term hype; and what the real ROI is, once service charges and mortgage rates are factored in.

The most reliable live property data sources help answer those questions. But it’s a broker’s job to turn that data into clear, actionable insight for investors and buyers. And it’s what the market will reward.

The writer is CEO, fäm Properties