Pradeep Manjrekar

From Banking Boardrooms to Dubai Real Estate: The Lesson of Self-Reliance When I transitioned from being a top banker in India to starting from scratch as a realtor in Dubai, I carried one belief with me: Relationships are everything. For years, I thought my biggest strength was the network of colleagues, peers, and friends I had built. I believed that with their support, I could achieve anything. My confidence in those bonds was so high that I saw them as an invisible safety net for my next chapter. But reality hit hard. Overnight, many of those “relationships” vanished. Some disappeared within weeks, others faded in a year. Only a handful stayed behind to offer moral support — and not one person came forward with the simple help I truly needed: a referral, an introduction, or even a word-of-mouth recommendation. It wasn’t financial help I was looking for. With two decades of banking experience, I was confident in my ability to guide anyone considering investments in Dubai. What I needed was trust and connection. Yet, I had to build my clientele all over again — brick by brick, client by client. That’s when the truth dawned: • Many colleagues only pretended to be friends. • Many “friends” were around only because of the position I once held. • Very few ever tried to understand the struggle, let alone extend a hand. And so, the biggest lesson emerged: 👉 Do not build your future on borrowed strength. Build it on your own skills. Colleagues change. Friends drift. Circumstances evolve. But the one thing that stays with you is your ability to create value — your expertise, your resilience, your persistence. Today, I look back at that transition not with regret but with gratitude. Because it forced me to become self-reliant. It reminded me that the strongest foundation is not relationships of convenience, but skills sharpened through experience and the ability to stand tall, even when the support system falls apart. To anyone going through a similar transition, my advice is simple: Focus on building yourself. Relationships are good to have — but skills and self-reliance are what carry you forward.

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With over 30,000 agents in Dubai, what separates the top earners from those just about covering rent?" The "Just About Covering Rent" Agents: 🕵️ Ghost clients: Disappear after the deal. 💬 Poor communication: Leave clients in the dark. 📉 Lack of follow-through: Don't see things through. 💸 Chasing commissions: Prioritise quick sales over relationships. 🧠 No market knowledge: Sell without understanding the market. The Top Earners: 🤝 Build relationships: Focus on long-term connections. 📞 Clear communication: Keep clients informed. 🧘 Stay calm under pressure: Handle challenges gracefully. 🎯 Client-focused approach: Prioritize clients' needs. 📚 Continuous learning: Stay updated with market trends. In Dubai's competitive real estate market, it's easy to get lost in the noise. But the agents who succeed are the ones who focus on what truly matters: people. So, if you're in the business, ask yourself: Are you selling properties, or are you building relationships? Because in the end, it's the relationships that turn into referrals, repeat business, and a reputation that speaks for itself.

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Dubai’s Top Selling Projects - FY 2025 Q1 As per the latest data from the Dubai Land Department and Square Yards Data Intelligence, MAG Keturah Reserve led the market with sales worth AED 1,322 million. It was followed by Nakheel Bay Grove Residences (AED 1,209M), Sobha Solis (AED 870M) and H And H Dubai Harbour Residences (AED 809M). In terms of transaction volume, Binghatti Elite topped the list with 714 sold units. It was followed by Sobha Solis (704 units), Azizi Venice (558 units) and Sobha Orbis (551 units). Meraas Bulgari Lighthouse emerged as the most expensive project at AED 12,750 per sq.ft. while Blue Haven Eome recorded the highest valued transaction at AED 300M. Dubai’s FY Q1 2025 showcased robust investor appetite. For exclusive market insights, visit our Data Intelligence platform today: http://bit.ly/4lX6kFC #SquareYards #SquareYardsUAE #DubaiRealEstate #UAEPropertyMarket #DubaiDevelopers #Dubai #UAE

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Countless founders ask the wrong first question when setting up in Dubai. “Which license is cheapest?” they usually inquire when they should be asking: “Which license will unlock my market, protect my ownership, and save me from a future restructure?” After all, it’s not just about the piece of paper; it’s about where and how you want to play the game. Here’s the distilled 4-step version I give my clients over coffee: Step 1: Understand what a license actually does Your license is more than just legal permission. It spells out your allowed activities and locks in your jurisdiction. That combination determines: - Where you can sell - Who you can sell to - How much of your business you actually own - Your tax exposure Step 2: Know the three playgrounds (and their pros and cons) a) Mainland Pros: Sell anywhere in the UAE & internationally Bid for lucrative government contracts 100% foreign ownership in most sectors (thanks to law reforms) Flexible office locations, no activity restrictions Cons: 9% corporate tax on profits above AED 375k Visa quota tied to your office size Some “strategic sectors” still require a local partner b) Free Zone Pros: 100% foreign ownership, no local sponsor Industry-focused hubs with networking and infrastructure Streamlined setup process & customs benefits 0% corporate tax (applicable on the condition that goods & services aren’t entering the UAE) Cons: Can’t trade directly with the mainland without a local distributor Expansion may require extra licenses if you add new activities Some free zones are geographically restrictive for visas & offices 3. Offshore Pros: 100% ownership + 0% corporate tax Asset protection & confidentiality Ideal for holding companies and global trade Cons: No UAE market access at all No physical office or visas Limited to very specific use cases (not operational businesses) Step 3: Think long-term, not just setup cost That cheap license? It might cap your visas, block you from markets, or force a costly restructure later. Your future plans should drive your decision, not today’s budget. Step 4: Avoid these three rookie mistakes - Picking based only on cost - Misclassifying your activity (big fines ahead) - Ignoring visa quotas until it’s too late Bottom line: In Dubai, your license and jurisdiction are the foundation of your market access, ownership, and scalability. Get them right, and everything else falls into place. Do you have any questions? Let me know! Banke International Properties BNI Energizers - Dubai, UAE BNI Global

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Record‐breaking figures in Dubai real estate — AED 17B in value, more than 5,000 sales in a single week. A clear signal of transformative growth and high demand. Full article on: https://lnkd.in/deSYSynE

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Securing a Golden Visa through property investment is a powerful way to build stability in the UAE’s dynamic market.   But it’s not just about meeting the investment threshold. Understanding the role of accurate property valuation and navigating mortgage rules can make all the difference.   As the UAE continues to attract global investors, having expert guidance ensures your application runs as smoothly as possible, and your investment works harder for you.   Discover the essential insights every homeowner should know in our latest blog.   Read the full blog here: http://bit.ly/4lXfTEm   #GoldenVisa #InvestorInsights #UAEProperty #CavendishMaxwell

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UAE Residential Property Price Report – July 2025 Dubai’s apartment sales prices rose by 0.54% month-over-month and 12.87% year-over-year, while villa prices increased by 1.33% MoM and 15.71% YoY. In Abu Dhabi, apartment prices climbed 4.11% MoM and 21.50% YoY, while villa prices rose 3.05% MoM and 15.34% YoY.   Among the northern emirates, Ras Al Khaimah recorded the highest monthly apartment price growth at 4.48%. Ajman posted a decline of 0.45%, while Sharjah saw a modest rise of 0.87% MoM.   On the rental front, Dubai apartment rents fell by 0.49% MoM, while villa rents edged down by 0.04% MoM. In Abu Dhabi, apartment rents rose by 0.68% and villa rents by 1.68% MoM. Ras Al Khaimah saw the sharpest apartment rent increase at 4.32% MoM, followed by Ajman at 1.92%, while Sharjah recorded a smaller 0.30% gain.   July’s data points to Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah as momentum markets, while Dubai remains steady in short-term price growth.   Access the full report: https://lnkd.in/dQtjSpxt

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Dubai Real Estate Market – Performance Overview (Jan–Jul 2025) According to the Dubai Land Department, 118,684 real estate sales transactions were recorded between January and July 2025, with a total value exceeding AED 390.57 billion. Sales breakdown: ▪️ 92,607 residential units ▪️ 8,079 buildings ▪️ 17,998 plots of land 🏦 Mortgage activity: ▪️ 24,400 mortgage transactions ▪️ Total value: AED 99 billion  – 19,745 units  – 3,309 buildings  – 6,407 plots Top 5 areas by transaction value: 1. Business Bay – AED 20.3B 2. Al Muteena 2 – AED 16.9B 3. Al Yalayis 1 – AED 15.3B 4. Palm Jebel Ali – AED 13.3B (2,432 transactions) 5. Jumeirah Village Circle – AED 13.1B Market Insight: These figures signal more than just volume… They reflect a shift in the quality of assets being acquired, and a growing investor confidence in Dubai as a long-term, structured, and maturing real estate environment. Dubai is not just witnessing growth — it’s entering a stage where capital behaves smarter… and the winners are those who know when to enter and what to hold. #DubaiRealEstate #MarketInsights #DLD #PropertyTransactions #SmartInvesting #RealEstateStrategy #IsmailAlHammadi

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