From Holiday Rep to Associate Director in Dubai Real Estate

How Do You Start a Career in Dubai Real Estate With No Experience?

In the latest episode of Allsopp On Air, Managing Director Marc Walters sits down with newly promoted Associate Director Matthew Kaye to discuss what it really takes to build a successful career in Dubai real estate.

From working as a holiday rep across Europe to closing multi-million-dirham property deals in Dubai, Matty’s journey is built on resilience, consistency, and hard work.

The conversation gives a real behind-the-scenes look at the industry - from surviving the difficult first year in Dubai real estate to building a personal brand through social media and progressing to Associate Director at Allsopp & Allsopp.

What Was Matthew Kaye Doing Before Dubai Real Estate?

Before entering the property industry, Matty grew up in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, before later moving to North Lincolnshire during his school years.

From a young age, he was always focused on earning money and developing a strong work ethic. During the podcast, he speaks about selling sweets in school and washing cars on weekends before eventually paying younger kids on the estate to help him manage more jobs.

Before moving to Dubai, Matty spent years working abroad as a holiday rep in destinations across Europe.

That experience would later prove hugely valuable in real estate.

Working in customer-facing sales environments, dealing with rejection daily, and communicating with people from different backgrounds helped prepare him for life in Dubai real estate - a market built around international buyers and sellers.

Is Dubai Real Estate Hard When You First Start?

One of the biggest topics discussed in the episode is the reality of starting real estate in Dubai.

Matty arrived in Dubai in October 2020 during the uncertainty of COVID after being made redundant from his previous role in the travel industry. Like many brokers starting in Dubai, the early months were difficult, he openly explains how he was the last person in his starter group to close a deal and how challenging it can be watching your savings slowly disappear while trying to establish yourself in a commission-only environment.

The episode gives a very honest insight into the pressure new brokers face when starting in Dubai real estate, particularly during uncertain market conditions.

Marc also discusses how the brokers who succeed long-term are often the ones willing to remain disciplined, stay later than everyone else, and continue working even when results are not immediate.

How Important Is Handling Rejection in Sales?

Throughout the conversation, both Marc and Matty discuss how learning to deal with rejection is one of the most important skills in real estate sales. Before Dubai, Matty worked face-to-face sales roles promoting events and experiences while working abroad. Speaking to people on the streets every day gave him thick skin and taught him how to stay motivated despite constant rejection.

That mindset became critical once he entered Dubai real estate, where persistence and consistency often separate successful brokers from everyone else.

How Do Successful Dubai Real Estate Brokers Build Their Network?

Another major topic covered in the podcast is the importance of surrounding yourself with experienced people.

Matty credits several people within Allsopp & Allsopp for helping shape his career, particularly Dan Moloney and his colleague Sheree, who he describes as a huge influence throughout his journey.

The discussion highlights how important mentorship, learning from experienced agents, and being around high-performing brokers can be when building a long-term career in Dubai real estate.

Can Social Media Generate Real Estate Leads in Dubai?

One of the standout parts of the episode focuses on social media and personal branding within Dubai real estate.

Over the last year, Matty has built a strong online presence by creating informative videos about the Dubai property market, JBR, Dubai Marina, restaurants, lifestyle, and buyer insights.

Rather than focusing purely on luxury property tours, his content strategy has been built around providing useful information people genuinely search for.

That approach directly led to his biggest deal to date. During the podcast, Matty explains how a Facebook lead generated through his social media content eventually resulted in a major property transaction.

The conversation highlights how social media is rapidly becoming one of the most powerful tools for brokers in Dubai real estate looking to build trust, visibility, and long-term opportunities.

What Does Associate Director Mean in Dubai Real Estate?

Recently promoted to Associate Director at Allsopp & Allsopp, Matty explains why the achievement represents far more than simply a title change. For him, it reflects years of consistency, pressure, setbacks, and progression inside the business.

The promotion also opens the door to working across wider areas of Dubai real estate, including off-plan property and larger-scale opportunities throughout the market.

Marc describes the promotion as fully earned, recognising both Matty’s work ethic and the growth he has shown over the last five years.

What Is Happening in the Dubai Property Market Right Now?

The episode also explores the current state of the Dubai real estate market and how brokers are adapting to changing conditions.

Matty explains how agents are currently having to work harder, communicate more closely with sellers, and focus on identifying genuinely motivated clients.

Despite uncertainty in the market, activity levels remain strong across Dubai, with buyers still actively viewing and purchasing property when pricing is positioned correctly.

The discussion gives a realistic front-line view of how experienced brokers are navigating today’s market conditions.

What Advice Would Successful Dubai Brokers Give New Agents?

Towards the end of the episode, Matty shares advice for anyone considering a move into Dubai real estate.

His message is simple:

Be the hardest worker in the room.

Stay consistent, learn from experienced people, remain patient during difficult periods, and focus on improving year after year. The episode is a strong reminder that success in Dubai real estate rarely happens overnight - but with resilience, adaptability, and the right mindset, long-term growth is possible.

Watch the full episode here.