Many observers predicted a slowdown in Dubai’s real estate market after recent Middle East tensions. Instead, one local advisory firm has seen the opposite: a clear increase in private sourcing activity and investor interest.
Agora Advisory founder Alex Gorasov said he braced for a quiet period. Buyers would hesitate, sellers would hold firm, and deals would dry up. What actually happened surprised him.
“To be completely honest, I expected silence,” Gorasov said. “I thought we would see investors pause, sellers become defensive and transaction activity slow considerably. Instead, what we observed was a growing number of sourcing opportunities and an increase in requests from sophisticated investors looking for market intelligence and distressed opportunities.”
The Dubai-based firm, which offers independent advisory, property sourcing and educational support for investors entering the UAE market, has noticed a sharp divide in behavior since the escalation. Smaller retail investors have largely stepped back, choosing to wait for more clarity on the regional situation before committing to purchases. Larger and more experienced players have taken a different path.
“We’ve seen many retail investors move to the sidelines,” Gorasov explained. “However, many high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth investors are doing the exact opposite. They are requesting private sourcing mandates, monitoring specific buildings and communities, and asking for detailed intelligence reports so they can be prepared to act when opportunities emerge.”
Recent mandates at Agora Advisory have leaned heavily toward ready, completed properties rather than off-plan projects. Gorasov believes this shift reflects a preference among seasoned investors for assets with real, verifiable performance data.
“Ready properties allow investors to analyze real rental performance, existing market conditions and immediate cash flow,” he said. “When uncertainty increases, many sophisticated investors prefer facts over projections.”
Discounts have also become more available in certain segments. The firm is currently sourcing opportunities roughly 7 to 10 percent below prevailing market prices on average. In stronger cases involving motivated sellers, the savings can be substantially larger. One transaction secured earlier this year closed at approximately 26 percent below the original listing price.
A notable aspect of Agora Advisory’s model is its fixed-fee structure for advisory and sourcing work. The firm does not earn commissions tied to specific properties or transactions.
“Our interests are aligned with the client,” Gorasov said. “We don’t benefit from selling a particular property. Our role is to help investors identify opportunities, negotiate effectively and make informed decisions based on data and long-term investment objectives.”
The firm recently launched a new website that brings its advisory services, learning programs, sourcing solutions and market resources together in one place. Gorasov described the launch as a natural step after years of direct client work and educational content.
As headlines continue to focus on regional developments, Gorasov sees the current moment as one where measured caution can open doors.
“The market is behaving very differently than many expected,” he said. “While some investors are waiting, others are actively preparing. Historically, some of the best opportunities appear when sentiment becomes cautious, and we’re seeing signs of that again today.”
For more details on Agora Advisory’s services, visit agoraadvisory.com.
