Global real estate markets are under pressure.
But not every market is responding the same way.

In this episode of The Situation Zoom, Silvia Eldawi is joined by Andrew Cummings (Savills), Louis Harding (Betterhomes), and Dounia Fadi (eXp Realty) to compare how Dubai, the UAE, the UK, Europe, and the US are responding to uncertainty, shifting sentiment, changing buyer behaviour, and global market pressure.

From safety and investor confidence to pricing strategy, AI, agent upskilling, and market psychology, this conversation explores why Dubai may be behaving very differently to other global markets — and whether the UAE is entering a new phase of maturity and resilience.

This is not hindsight.
This is real-time.

🔍 What we cover:

• UAE vs UK, US, and European market behaviour
• why safety and stability became major market drivers
• investor confidence and global capital movement
• why Dubai may be behaving differently to other markets
• the changing role of agents in a buyer-led market
• honest pricing strategies and seller expectations
• why harder markets expose weaker operators fast
• the rise of premium advisory and relationship-led brokerage
• AI, technology, and the future of real estate operations
• what agents need to do to survive the next phase of the market

🧠 Core frameworks:

• Global Market Divergence
• Sentiment vs Fundamentals
• Safety Premium vs Risk Premium

🎯 Who this is for:
Agents. Investors. Operators. Developers. Founders.
Anyone trying to understand how global real estate markets behave under pressure — and why Dubai may be entering a very different chapter.

🎙️ Featuring:

• Silvia Eldawi
• Andrew Cummings — Head of Residential Agency Middle East, Savills
• Louis Harding — CEO, Betterhomes
• Dounia Fadi — eXp Realty

🔗 Resources:

• Savills
• Betterhomes
• eXp Realty

💬 Watch, then decide for yourself —
is Dubai following the world… or starting to diverge from it?

⏱️ Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to the Real Estate Landscape 🎙️
01:40 Comparative Analysis of Global Markets 🌍
05:49 Understanding the UAE's Resilience 🛡️
09:47 Safety and Perception in Dubai 🏙️
16:57 Market Stability and Investor Confidence 📈
20:22 Regulatory Changes and Market Adaptability ⚖️
24:25 Focusing on Sellers in a Buyer's Market 🏠
29:19 The Importance of Honest Communication 💬
33:56 Resilience and Adaptability in Real Estate 🔄
37:03 The Need for Upskilling in Real Estate 🎓
40:23 Opportunities for Premium Services in Real Estate 💼
44:53 Understanding Market Dynamics and Competition 📊
49:06 Negotiation Strategies for Agents 🤝
52:03 The Role of Specialization in Real Estate 🎯
56:58 Leveraging Technology in Real Estate 🤖
01:05:30 The Future of Real Estate in a Changing World 🔮

Welcome to Golden Nuggets — join real estate expert Silvia Eldawi as she dives into property market insights, leadership, operator strategy, and the future of real estate.

💛 Topics: Real estate, Dubai property, global markets, AI, PropTech, brokerage, investing, negotiation, leadership, real estate strategy.

Subscribe for weekly Golden Nuggets of real estate growth, leadership, and market mastery.

In this episode of The Situation Zoom, we find out what happens when market pressure meets innovation — how PropTech founders are responding to shifts in affordability, investor behaviour, ownership, and access across the UAE real estate ecosystem.

Silvia Eldawi is joined by Jad Antoun (Huspy), Walid Shihabi (Keyper), and Manar Mahmassani (Stake) to break down how Dubai’s homegrown PropTech startups are responding to shifting market conditions — and what the data is actually saying beneath the headlines.

From affordability and investor behaviour to AI, ownership models, and the future of access to real estate, this is a deep dive into the infrastructure powering the next phase of the UAE property market.

This is not theory.
This is real-time.

🔍 What we cover:

• what internal dashboards and investor behaviour are showing right now
• why Dubai’s market data is stronger than sentiment suggests
• affordability and the future of homeownership
• rental market pressure and flexible financing models
• why GCC investors kept deploying capital during uncertainty
• how PropTech founders think during volatile periods
• AI, automation, and the future role of agents
• the evolution of ownership and fractional investing
• UAE vs global PropTech ecosystems
• what startup founders need to understand about raising capital right now

🧠 Core frameworks:

• Market Behaviour vs Headline Narrative
• Access & Ownership Infrastructure
• Capital Conviction vs Sentiment

🎯 Who this is for:
Founders. Investors. Brokers. Operators. Developers.
Anyone interested in the future of real estate, PropTech, and how markets behave under pressure.

🎙️ Featuring:

• Silvia Eldawi
• Jad Antoun — CEO & Co-Founder, Huspy
• Walid Shihabi — Co-Founder, Keyper
• Manar Mahmassani — Co-CEO & Co-Founder, Stake

🔗 Resources:

• Huspy
• Stake
• Keyper
• Stake Investment Intelligence Report Q1 2026

💬 Watch, read and then decide for yourself —
is Dubai quietly building the next global PropTech ecosystem?

⏱️ Chapters:
00:00 Welcome to The Situation Zoom 🎙️
00:45 The PropTech Layer of the Ecosystem ⚙️
02:11 Internal Dashboards & Market Behaviour 📊
04:22 Correction vs Crash 📉
07:58 Investor Confidence During Uncertainty 🌍
11:20 Rental Pressure & Affordability 🏠
14:41 Movement, Behaviour & Market Slowdown 🔄
18:26 Rental Market Opportunities 💸
22:43 Building Through Volatility 🧠
26:00 Why Founders Are Doubling Down 🚀
29:41 Abu Dhabi Expansion & Regional Growth 🌐
33:12 Has Anything Actually Changed? 🔍
36:58 Dubai as a Global PropTech Hub 🏗️
41:01 Why Founders Are Staying Bullish 💪
43:53 Raising Capital in Tough Markets 💰
48:15 The Future Investor & Ownership Models 🏢
51:29 Big Problems Founders Are Solving ⚡
55:09 AI, Data & The Future of Agents 🤖
58:34 Dubai’s Long-Term Property Outlook 🔮
01:01:48 Final Thoughts on the Future of PropTech 🎯

The headlines say uncertainty.
But what are operators actually doing?

It’s been a defining few months for the UAE real estate market — and while sentiment has shifted, the real story lies in how leaders are responding in real time.

In this episode of The Situation Zoom, Silvia Eldawi is joined by Kika Pavese, Zeina Khoury, and Myles Bush to break down how Dubai and Abu Dhabi are navigating pressure — across leadership decisions, business strategy, and market positioning.

This is not theory.
This is real-time.

🔍 What we cover:

• how top operators are responding to market pressure
• business continuity strategies during uncertainty
• lessons from past crises — and what actually holds
• Dubai vs Abu Dhabi — where the differences are emerging
• brand vs performance in a shifting market
• how buyer and seller behaviour is changing
• mindset, discipline, and consistency under pressure
• how developers and brokerages are adapting
• what agents, landlords, and investors should be doing right now

💬 Watch, then decide —
is this market being tested… or strengthened?

It’s been a telling few months for the Dubai real estate market — but where pressure really shows up first isn’t in property pricing or headlines… it’s in cashflow.

In this episode, Silvia Eldawi is joined by Jake Fletcher, Nina Klishevic, and Simon Hands to break down what’s really happening across leasing, property management, and holiday home rentals — from occupancy and pricing shifts to tenant behaviour and landlord strategy.

This is not theory.
This is real-time.

🔍 What we cover:

• how the long and short-term rental market is responding to recent shocks
• the reality behind occupancy rates and falling nightly prices
• new strategies for today’s market
• the rise of flexible payments and tenant-first models
• how landlord expectations have shifted during the geopolitical conflict
• guest and tenant behaviour changes — negotiation, caution, and flexibility
• which Dubai areas are most and least impacted
• the operational pressure on holiday home and property managers
• why affordability is becoming a key driver of demand

🧠 Core frameworks:

• Market Shock Response Framework
• Pricing & Occupancy Optimization Model
• Flexible Rental Strategy

🎯 Who this is for:
Landlords. Investors. Operators. Property managers. Agents.
Anyone trying to understand how the real estate market behaves when cashflow is tested — not just talked about.

🎙️ Featuring:

• Silvia Eldawi
• Jake Fletcher — Head of Leasing, Engel & Völkers Dubai
• Nina Klishevic — Former GM, Blueground | Independent Advisor
• Simon Hands — CEO & Co-Founder, Smarthost Dubai

🔗 Resources:

• Blueground
• AirDNA

💬 Watch, then decide for yourself —
is the rental market stabilising… or quietly resetting?

⏱️ Chapters:
00:00 Initial Shock and Market Response 🎙️
05:48 Customer Profiles and Preferences 👥
09:49 Challenges in Tourist Areas 🌍
15:40 Price Adjustments and Market Credibility 📉
23:11 Flexibility in Rental Agreements 📄
29:31 Challenges in the Hospitality Industry 🏨
33:47 Market Predictions and Trends 🔍
38:58 Future Outlook for the Real Estate Market 🔮

Join real estate expert Silvia Eldawi as she dives into property market insights, agent success strategies, and industry storytelling.

Whether you're an agent, investor, or homeowner, discover actionable advice, interviews with top professionals, mindset shifts, and tips for building a thriving property career and client base.

💛 Topics: Real estate, property investment, leasing, PropTech, negotiation tactics, agent branding, real estate training.

Subscribe for weekly Golden Nuggets of real estate growth, leadership, and market mastery.

It’s been a telling few months for the Dubai real estate market - but where pressure really shows up first isn’t in pricing or data… it’s in people.

In this episode, Silvia Eldawi is joined by Jodi Thompson, Kameron Hutchinson, and Nathan Kearney to break down what’s really happening across the talent layer — hiring patterns, movement, expectations, and the shifting balance of power between candidates and brokerages.

This is not theory.
This is real-time.

🔍 What we cover:

• whether Dubai is still a candidate-led market
• the slowdown in agent movement vs perceived activity
• why top performers are still transacting — and staying loyal
• defensive vs aggressive hiring strategies
• the growing importance of experience over hype
• candidate expectations vs market reality
• salary pressure, commissions, and hiring appetite
• the quality problem in recruitment

🧠 Core frameworks:

• Talent Cycle vs Market Cycle
• Candidate Power vs Brokerage Control
• Behaviour vs Headline Narrative

🎯 Who this is for:
Agents. Founders. Recruiters. Operators.
Anyone trying to understand what’s actually happening beneath the surface of Dubai’s real estate market.

🎙️ Featuring:
Silvia Eldawi - https://www.linkedin.com/in/silviaeldawi/
Jodi Thompson (Recruitment Director, White & Co) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodi-thompson-dubai/
Kameron Hutchinson (Director of Strategic Talent Acquisition, Allsopp & Allsopp) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kameronwithak/
Nathan Kearney (Managing Director, Executive Search) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-kearney-580153bb/

🔗 Resources:
White & Co – https://whiteandco.com
Allsopp & Allsopp – https://allsoppandallsopp.com
Executive Search - https://executivesearch.ae/

💬 Watch, then decide for yourself —
is the market still being driven by candidates… or are brokerages taking back control?

It’s been a volatile few weeks for the Dubai real estate market — but what’s actually happening beneath the headlines?

In this episode, Silvia Eldawi is joined by Sam McCone, Aron Lomax, and Mark Richards to break down how the market is responding to geopolitical uncertainty — and what it means for agents, investors, and operators on the ground.

This is not hindsight.
This is real-time.

🔍 What we cover:

• the real impact of geopolitical events on Dubai real estate
• how businesses are navigating uncertainty and pressure
• buyer and seller behaviour shifts
• the role of social media in shaping sentiment
• cost control, training, and operational strategy
• lessons from past crises — and where this is different
• what comes next for the market

🧠 Core frameworks:

• Market Sentiment Analysis
• Crisis Response vs Market Reality
• Confidence vs Behaviour

🎯 Who this is for:
Agents. Investors. Developers. Operators.
Anyone trying to separate signal from noise in today’s market.

🎙️ Featuring:

• Silvia Eldawi
• Sam McCone
• Aron Lomax
• Mark Richards

🔗 Resources:

• McCone Properties
• TREO Homes
• The Network

💬 Watch, then decide for yourself —
is this a crisis, or a test of resilience?

⏱️ Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to the Current Situation 🎙️
01:00 The Human Impact of Conflict 🌍
02:17 Navigating Business Challenges 💼
04:43 Adapting to New Norms 🔄
07:00 Uncertainty and Economic Impact 📉
08:58 Historical Comparisons and Market Reactions 🔁
11:54 Training and Education in Real Estate 🎓
13:37 Global Events and Investor Sentiment 🌐
17:49 The Role of Social Media in Shaping Perceptions 📲
22:55 Community Resilience and Support 🤝
24:46 Navigating Financial Challenges 💰
25:28 Lessons from COVID-19 🧠
28:20 Cost Management Strategies ⚙️
33:52 The Importance of Financial Awareness 📊
36:27 Adapting to Market Changes 🔧
38:06 Building Relationships in Real Estate 🏠
41:01 The Role of Training and Development 📚
44:45 Quality Over Quantity in Real Estate Agents 🎯
47:21 Current Market Insights and Opportunities 📈
51:29 Market Trends and Shifts in Real Estate 🔍
56:53 Advice for Buyers and Sellers 💡
01:03:26 Future Predictions for the Real Estate Market 🔮

Welcome to Golden Nuggets — join real estate expert Silvia Eldawi as she dives into property market insights, agent success strategies, and industry storytelling. Whether you're an agent, investor, or homeowner, discover actionable advice, interviews with top professionals, mindset shifts, and tips for building a thriving property career and client base.

💛 Topics: Real estate, property investment, leasing, PropTech, negotiation tactics, agent branding, real estate training.

Subscribe for weekly Golden Nuggets of real estate growth, leadership, and market mastery.

Welcome to The Situation Zoom by Golden Nuggets - where we focus on signal over noise.

In this episode, Silvia Eldawi is joined by Rakesh Mavath, Lynnette Sacchetto, and Stewart Kirkham to break down what the data is really saying about the Dubai real estate market in 2026.

This is a data-led conversation exploring market indicators, geopolitical impact, trust infrastructure, and future opportunities.

In this episode, we discuss:

• key data indicators for market health
• impact of geopolitical events on Dubai real estate
• trust infrastructure and confidence in property investment
• market correction and recovery signals
• rental behaviour and affordability trends
• economic outlook and investment positioning

If you are an investor, broker, developer, or market analyst, this episode provides a clear, data-driven perspective on where the Dubai property market is heading next.

In this episode of The Situation Zoom, Silvia Eldawi is joined by Lewis Allsopp, Abdullah Alajaji, and Rick Waind to unpack what is actually happening in the Dubai real estate market nearly eight weeks into the regional conflict.

This is a real-time conversation with three of the market’s most established operators, discussing what they are seeing inside their businesses and across the wider industry.

In this episode, we discuss:

• what the data is really saying
• why transactions have slowed but not stopped
• where the real pressure is building across off-plan, secondary, and leasing
• what is happening behind the scenes in brokerages, from cost-cutting to consolidation
• how buyers are thinking right now
• where opportunities are emerging
• what some of the smartest players in the industry think comes next

The conversation also explores market resilience, regulatory response, real estate portals, banking activity, buyer behaviour, seller strategy, and the broader economic outlook for Dubai property.

If you are a broker, investor, developer, buyer, seller, landlord, or simply trying to understand the next phase of the market, this episode is for you.

Editor’s Note: This episode was recorded following recent geopolitical developments as a follow-up to Part 1. Together, both episodes provide a before-and-after perspective on building and operating a brokerage in Dubai.

What happens when market conditions shift overnight?

In Part 2 of this 2-part series, Silvia Eldawi reconnects with JP Mondalek, CEO of Liberate, to examine how Dubai’s real estate brokerage market is responding to sudden geopolitical disruption — and what this means for boutique brokerage founders.

From declining transaction volumes to increased pressure on revenue, this episode explores what’s holding up, what’s breaking, and how operators can adapt in real time.

The conversation also dives deeper into Brokerage-as-a-Service (BAAS) — and why infrastructure-led models may become more relevant in uncertain market conditions.

In this episode, we cover:

• The impact of regional conflict on Dubai’s real estate market
• Why transaction volumes can drop significantly during uncertainty
• Where boutique brokerages feel pressure first
• Why some brokerages exit while others adapt and survive
• How BAAS supports founders during volatile periods
• The importance of niche positioning and operational discipline
• What founders should be focusing on right now

About the guest:
JP Mondalek is the CEO of Liberate, a venture helping experienced brokers transition into agency ownership through a selective, infrastructure-led model designed to reduce risk and enable growth.

Resources:
Liberate Official Website: https://xliberate.com

Enquiry Form: https://1oymvbelhha.typeform.com/liberate

Guest Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jpmondalek

Next: Watch Part 1 for the blueprint — this episode is the reality check.

Editor’s Note: This episode was recorded two days before the recent conflict began. We debated whether to release it at all, but rewatching it now, the conversation feels even more relevant — particularly for brokers, top producers, and aspiring founders navigating Dubai’s next phase. We’ve also recorded a Part 2 follow-up, reflecting on what’s changed and what’s being tested in real time.

What does it really take to go from top-performing agent to successful agency owner in Dubai?

In Part 1 of this 2-part series, Silvia Eldawi sits down with JP Mondalek, CEO of Liberate, to unpack the realities of building a brokerage in one of the world’s most competitive real estate markets.

This episode explores the transition from agent to operator, including the hidden costs of launching a brokerage, the mindset required to lead, and why Dubai doesn’t need more brokerages — it needs better ones.

JP also shares how Liberate is creating a new category in the market through its incubator-style model, helping experienced brokers build scalable, sustainable businesses without getting lost in the operational chaos of starting alone.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why so many brokerages enter the market — and just as many quietly exit
• The biggest misconceptions agents have about starting their own brokerage
• Why being a top biller does not automatically make you a strong founder
• The real financial and operational cost of launching in Dubai
• How Liberate supports founders with infrastructure, systems, and growth
• What “Brokerage-as-a-Service” means and why it matters
• Why niche specialisation and founder mindset are everything in this next phase

About the guest:
JP Mondalek is the CEO of Liberate, a venture focused on helping high-performing brokers transition into agency ownership through a selective, infrastructure-led model designed to reduce risk and unlock growth.

Resources:
Liberate Website: https://xliberate.com
JP Email: [email protected]

Enquiry Form: https://1oymvbelhha.typeform.com/liberate

Guest Links:
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/jpmondalek

Next: Part 2 explores what has changed post-conflict, what boutique brokerage founders should be thinking about now, and which models are most likely to hold up under pressure.