High Commissions, Big Risks, and Stories of Brokers Who Made It Big
One deal can change everything in real estate, and Tamara Cortan is proof of that. A former flight attendant who lost her job during the pandemic, Tamara turned to real estate — a sector that kept moving even when most industries came to a standstill. At one off-plan property launch, she managed sales for three clients, each of whom bought two units. By the end of the day, she had earned the equivalent of two years of her old salary.
“I brought three buyers with me to a property launch; each of them bought two units,” she recalled. “All the sales reps were busy with my clients, so I was running from one table to another like a bee. I earned two years’ worth of my previous salary in a single day. But more than the money, my heart was full.”
Now working with Crompton Partners in Abu Dhabi, Tamara says the secret lies in trust and persistence. “There’s no salary — you work only on commission. You give out free advice, and sometimes clients walk away and close with another agent. But when you chase too hard, they run. You need to really listen to what people want.”
Lessons From the Skies to Real Estate
Tamara believes her time in aviation prepared her well for this career. “As a flight attendant, I learned to communicate with people from every culture, stay calm under pressure, and deliver excellent service. Those skills are exactly what I use in real estate.”
Her busiest hours are in the evenings, when clients are free. “From 6pm to 10pm, my phone doesn’t stop ringing,” she said. “No two days are the same — and that unpredictability keeps me going.”
The UAE’s property market is one of the most lucrative in the region, fueled by off-plan launches, Golden Visa programs, and the government’s efforts to position the country as a global investment hub. This means brokers can earn huge commissions, though income is never steady.
The Highs and Lows of the Job
For many agents, the profession is a rollercoaster. Aisha M, a 29-year-old broker in Dubai, explained: “Some months I close a deal that pays more than what most people earn in six months. Other months, I make nothing. That’s the reality — there’s no guaranteed income, but the upside is massive.”
Brokerage firms say that many agents have joined the “millionaire club.” The Metropolitan Group revealed that 177 of its agents have earned over a million dirhams in commissions since joining. Four agents have made more than Dh37 million, while 40 have crossed Dh10 million. The company credits its training programs, marketing tools, and faster commission cycles for helping agents succeed.
One standout case was a new agent who managed to sell more than Dh60 million worth of property in just two weeks after joining.
A Growing and Diverse Market
Abu Dhabi’s property market has been thriving, with strong demand from both local and international buyers. Off-plan projects are common, and interest remains high as the city strengthens its role as a global hub.
Metropolitan Group pointed out that its top-earning agents come from many backgrounds — including Russian speakers, Europeans, Egyptians, Syrians, and more. “We provide our agents with structured and ongoing learning to help them grow with the market,” said Mike Fleet, Deputy CEO of Metropolitan Group.
For Tamara and many others, real estate in the UAE offers life-changing opportunities. But it is also a career that demands resilience, patience, and the ability to keep going even when deals don’t close. As she says, “More than the money, it’s about the relationships and the joy of helping people find their home.”
Source: khaleejtimes.com
