The biggest challenge? “Picking through the mountains of information,” says Chahine Lobiyed. “Many developers promise the moon, but without proper market research and data analysis, you can easily make the wrong decision.” And that is exactly what he and Tony Warmerdam are responding to with CTX Capital. When the Dutch real estate market became too limited, the two founders shifted their focus to Dubai. With their subsidiary WoningInDubai, they give investors the opportunity to enter sun-drenched Dubai – with a healthy dose of realism.
What initially attracted you to the Dubai real estate market?
tones: ''Our first introduction to the Dubai real estate market was in 2021. We had been interested in investment opportunities abroad for a while, and after a few personal investments we quickly discovered that Dubai had a lot of potential - especially since it was becoming increasingly difficult in the Netherlands. Those first steps gave us a deep insight into the market, both in terms of opportunities and risks.''
Chahine: ''Dubai is attractive to investors because of its strong economic growth, tax-free system and high demand for rental properties. However, we soon noticed that not everything was as rosy as it seemed. Developers and brokers often make nice promises, but in practice the returns are sometimes disappointing. We wanted to avoid getting stuck in an investment that turns out to be difficult to rent out.''
With all these challenges in mind, how do you ensure that you stand out from other agents in the Dubai real estate market?
Chahine: “What really sets us apart is that we are not traditional brokers. We are investors with a financial background. This means that we are not swayed by fancy brochures or sales pitches, but do thorough market research and make decisions based on data and hard figures. We analyse potential returns carefully – something we also do for our clients.''
tones: ''Many brokers simply sell projects without really looking into the rentability or long-term potential. Our approach is very different. We look critically at factors such as location, rental possibilities and the price-quality ratio. In this, we always side with the investor. If a project is not rentable, we simply do not recommend it.”
How does this approach translate into your mission?
tones: “Our mission is simple: to introduce Dutch investors to the Dubai real estate market in an honest and transparent way. We want investors to know exactly what they are getting into. A brochure can look great, but the promised returns must also be true – and that requires careful analysis.”
Chahine: “We believe in data and figures. If we wouldn’t invest in a project ourselves, we wouldn’t recommend it to our clients. We want people to invest with confidence, knowing that we’ve done our homework and that they can make the right choices based on facts.”
"A brochure can look great, but the promised returns must also be true"
How do you help investors to make informed choices in this complex market?
Chahine: “The biggest challenge is to see through the abundance of information. Many developers promise the moon, but without in-depth market knowledge and data analysis, you can easily make the wrong decision. That is why it is essential to not only look at the picture, but also at the facts and figures.''
tones: ''The real estate market in Dubai offers enormous opportunities, but you have to know what you are doing. Our financial background helps us to properly assess risks and optimize returns. That is what we focus on with WoningInDubai: giving investors the certainty that their investment is future-proof.”
Where do you hope to be in a few years?
tones: “We want to continue to grow, but with a constant focus on quality. Our ambition is to become the platform for Dutch investors who want to invest in Dubai. We are constantly delving into the market and are constantly refining our methods to deliver even better results.”
Chahine: “Our strength lies in our ability to combine thorough market research with data-driven decisions, and we want to continue to improve that. In addition, we want to further expand our network of developers, managers and partners, so that we can offer our clients an even broader service. Our ultimate goal is to fully unburden everyone who invests in Dubai.”
MASTERS EXPO – LA BELLE ÉPOQUE
Want to talk to the two founders or want to know more? WoningInDubai will be present at MASTERS EXPO.
MASTERS EXPO – Europe’s premium business fair – will present some 12 national and international parties from 16 to 350 December, merging into a vibrant symphony of entrepreneurship, where greatness is central. At this unique fair, you will be introduced to the latest innovations of special (family) businesses from more than 20 different sectors, spread over an impressive surface area of 40.000 m². From mobility to design, from real estate to art, and from watchmaking to business services. RAI Amsterdam is the arena where the CAPITAL OF GREAT BUSINESS takes place. This year’s La Belle Epoque edition represents the desire for greatness and the beauties of times gone by. It offers a rich symbolism that fits seamlessly with MASTERS EXPO: determination, elegance, refinement, creativity and originality, and with an irresistible charm. Want to be there? Order your tickets here.