Secret Agents

Fania Telyaeva Company: Asteco Property Management First job: An accountant at a contracting company Number of years in real estate: Three First sale: A two bedroom flat in the Ajman 1 project. Most difficult sale: During the crisis when everything was working against us. Hottest property in the UAE: Palm Jumeirah and Downtown Burj Dubai. Key to success: Positive attitude, persistence and learning from past mistakes.

Mohanad Alwadiya Company: Harbor Real Estate First job: Communications director at Leo Burnett Number of years in real estate: Five First sale: A two bedroom with study unit at The Greens in 2005. Most difficult sale: Selling 41 units to an institutional investor during August-September 2009, the peak of the global financial storm Hottest property in the UAE: The Address Hotel in Downtown Burj Dubai Key to your success: A passion for perfection.

Andrew Covill Company: LLJ Property First job: Doing sales and rentals at a UK real estate company Number of years in real estate: 20 First sale: A client in the UK turned up at the last minute and loved the property so much we agreed on a deal instantly. Most difficult sale: A substantial bulk development purchase in London which took me all across the country before finalising the deal with the client. Hottest property in the UAE: Marina Square, Sky Tower, Al Bandar, Al Muneera and Al Reef Villas, all in Abu Dhabi. Key to your success: An open approach, professionalism, a determination to see deals through and a desire to have satisfied clients

Livia Anzaldo Company: Fine & Country First job: Sales director Number of years in real estate: Almost three First sale: October 2008, Jumeirah Village South apartment during Cityscape. Although it was a very small sale, during the downturn and I had been in the city for only one month. Most difficult sale: A commercial unit in JLT. It was my first commercial sale and I was unaware of the rules attached to a sale of this kind. Hottest property in the UAE: Victory Heights Key to your success: A genuine passion for real estate, matching clients’ requirements, getting positive feedback from sellers and buyers, being able to listen to clients’ needs and creating trust.

Dawn Draper Company: The Oryx Corporation First job: With my father’s property development company Number of years in real estate: 30 First sale: An off-plan apartment near Canary Wharf. I’d gone to meet the client to talk about a new design of a staircase. But he liked the area so much he decided to buy. Most difficult sale: A property in the UK where the solicitor failed to spot a dispute between the developer and the council. It took over a year to get the sale through. Hottest property in the UAE: Victory Heights villas and Emirates Hills Key to your success: Build trust with your clients and never forget it’s their money you are spending.

Julie Morgan Company: Ocean View Real Estate First job: Leasing consultant for a UK-based company Number of years in real estate: Four First sale: A signature villa on Palm Jumeirah for Dh22 million in April 2008 Most difficult sale: I had a difficult time selling a Shoreline Apartment this year due to both the buyer and seller being in and out of Dubai on business. Hottest property in the UAE: Arabian Ranches, Victory Heights and Palm Jumeirah. Key to your success: Strong communication with my clients.

Sam Hussain Company: Sherwoods Independent Property Consultants First job: At Wind Property Developers Number of years in real estate: Three First sale: 38 units in the Mogul cluster in Discovery Gardens. Most difficult sale: Selling the 51st floor in Lilac Tower at Al Qudra. I eventually sold it for Dh26 million. Hottest property in the UAE: The one-bedroom units at Burj Views, and the apartments in Marina Quays. Key to your success: Hard work, determination and mentorship from my managing director Iseeb Rehman.

Susan Brand Company: Better Homes First job: Lecturer in physical education, University of Pretoria, South Africa Number of years in real estate: Four First sale: A studio in International City Most difficult sale: While standing in for another agent a deal on a Green Community villa was linked with a chain of three transactions. After much stress, we finally closed what had become the most stressful sale in the history of my career. Hottest property in the UAE: Palm Jumeirah. Key to your success: Work seven days a week, 24 hours a day. I want my clients to feel they have been given the best service and deal of their lives

Hesham El Far Company: Coldwell Banker UAE First job: At Nile Investments, now known as Naeem Holding Number of years in real estate: Eight First sale: A three bedroom apartment in Nasr City, Cairo. Most difficult sale: Selling the hotel in the Onyx development in Dubai. Hottest property in the UAE: Emaar towers in Dubai Marina. Key to your success: Willpower

Claire Collier Company: In Style Real Estate First job: Junior reporter for a UK newspaper Number of years in real estate:Ten First sale: A one bedroom apartment in Hampstead, London, for £350,000 (Dh2.1million). Most difficult sale: It once took me over a year to agree, exchange and complete on a repossessed studio apartment in Primrose Hill, North London. Hottest property in the UAE: Tiara Residence on Palm Jumeirah and the Burj Dubai. Key to success: Honesty, integrity, transparency, having a good network in the UAE and having experienced and seasoned directors as mentors are all invaluable

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Originally published at https://mohanadalwadiya.com/2009/12/15/secret-agents/.