One real estate deal can transform everything, and Tamara Cortan is a testament to this. Once a flight attendant who lost her job during the pandemic, Tamara switched to real estate—a sector that thrived even as much of the world paused. At a single off-plan launch event, she facilitated sales for three clients, each buying two units. By the end of the day, she earned what she previously made in two years.
“I brought three clients to a property launch, and each purchased two units,” she recounted. Now with Crompton Partners in Abu Dhabi, she added, “All the sales reps were busy with my clients. I was like a bee, moving from table to table. I made two years’ worth of my old salary in one day. But more than the money, my heart was full.”
Working on commission, Tamara quickly learned that relationship-building is key. “There’s no salary,” she stated. “You offer a lot of free advice, and sometimes clients choose another agent.”
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For her, the job revolves around trust and persistence. “When you chase, clients run. You need to truly understand what people need.”
Former flight attendant Tamara Cortan transitioned to real estate after losing her job during the pandemic.
The UAE’s real estate sector is one of the most lucrative in the region. Dubai and Abu Dhabi attract both local and international buyers, buoyed by off-plan launches, Golden Visa schemes, and government initiatives to position the country as an investment hub. For brokers, this means huge commission opportunities, but also income instability.
Keys to Success
For Tamara, her success is rooted in lessons from her aviation days. “As a flight attendant, I learned to communicate across cultures, stay calm under pressure, and maintain high service standards. All this prepared me for real estate,” she explained.
Her busiest times are evenings when clients are off work. “From 6pm to 10pm, my phone doesn’t stop,” she noted. The job’s unpredictability keeps her energized. “No two days are alike. You never know who you’ll meet.”
Tamara’s story is not unique. The earning potential in UAE real estate is well-known, but so are the risks.
High Rewards, High Risks
Aisha M, a 29-year-old broker in Dubai, shared that the profession is defined by highs and lows. “Sometimes, I close a deal that earns more than many make in half a year. Other months, I earn nothing,” she said. “That’s the reality—no guaranteed income, but the upside is enormous.”
The Millionaire Club
Brokerage firms highlight how many agents reach top earnings. The Metropolitan Group reports 177 agents have become dirham-millionaires, with four earning over Dh37 million and 40 exceeding Dh10 million in commissions. They attribute success to their training academy, marketing tools, and faster commission payments.
Abu Dhabi’s property market has shown strong demand, supported by government strategies to make the capital a global hub. Regular off-plan launches continue to attract local and international interest.
Metropolitan Group notes that top earners include diverse talent, featuring agents from Russia, Europe, Egypt, Syria, and more.
One remarkable example is an agent who, within two weeks of joining, achieved over Dh60 million in sales.
“We offer a structured and continuous learning environment, enhancing skills to meet the market’s evolving demands,” said Mike Fleet, Deputy CEO of Metropolitan Group.
