Dubai real estate hires rise but many brokers don't stay long - Assalamu Alaikum
Assalamu Alaikum - Despite a big increase in hiring for property agents in Dubai, recruiters say the market still struggles with short stays and high turnover.
On average about 37 new agents join the sector every day, pushing the total number of active brokers close to 40,000 - a record high, according to a report by an executive search firm.
Hiring is up about 70% year-on-year, driven by new brokerages opening and steady demand. That growth has made competition tougher, with firms fighting for clients and for the better agents.
But even with heavy recruitment, retention is the industry’s weak point. Average job tenure has dropped from roughly 12 months to six months or less. Brokers focusing on luxury and off-plan projects tend to stay longer - sometimes up to two years - because their deals are higher value. By contrast, rental agents and brand-new recruits often leave within three months.
Companies that commit to training and mentorship see much better retention - between about 80% and 90%.
“One sign of both opportunity and saturation is the sheer number of active brokers and brokerages,” the report noted. “Yet underneath that expansion is a persistent issue: short tenures and high churn. While overall commissions have risen significantly, income is unevenly distributed.”
Dubai’s property market has benefited from government measures such as residency options for retirees and remote workers, expansion of long-term visas and overall economic growth. An influx of wealthy buyers from abroad has also pushed demand for luxury homes.
Recruiters say the construction pipeline is large, with many apartments and villas under way, so developers are building teams across sales, finance, marketing, customer relations and project admin.
One recruiter pointed out real estate is lucrative for those who stick with it, but only a small share have the persistence, discipline and resilience needed. It’s not a standard 9-to-5 role, despite how some social posts make it look - the job can be really tough.
Agent earnings have climbed with record transaction volumes, widening the gap between top producers and the average broker. So far this year brokers have earned significantly more than last year, with average monthly commissions around Dh18,000. Top performers, especially in luxury and off-plan sectors, can earn well into seven figures annually.
However, the average number of deals per agent has fallen as the supply of agents has grown faster than deal volume. Top agents win a big share of transactions, leaving many newer or mid-level brokers with fewer closings.
Income for agents is typically commission-based and depends on deal size, deal count and commission split. Large firms often supply steady leads but offer lower splits (around 40–50%), giving moderate but consistent income. Smaller boutique agencies may offer higher splits (60–70%) but less deal flow. Off-plan specialists get higher developer commissions, while luxury brokers rely on fewer big-ticket sales. Leasing agents work on smaller margins but make up numbers through volume.
Some companies are trying new approaches to attract and keep staff: offering basic salaries to cover living costs, revising commission models or investing more in lead generation.
Developers often structure commissions differently from brokerages - usually lower steady percentages with basic salaries and measurable targets. Some large developers release commissions quarterly or defer payments on post-handover plans for 12–24 months, which affects short-term income but can provide longer-term cashflow stability.
Broader UAE visa and residency changes have also shaped the market. Long-term visas for investors, property owners and valued professionals have made the emirate more attractive to talent and buyers, which in turn affects the real estate sector.
In short: there are real opportunities in Dubai property, but many newcomers find it hard to last. Firms that invest in people with proper training and mentorship tend to keep talent longer - and that’s where livelihoods and business reputations improve, insha'Allah.
https://www.thenationalnews.co