Dubai Stars - Rise To The Top

Dubai’s property market is growing at an extraordinary speed—but what happens after the handover, when something breaks inside the property? 🏠🔧

In this episode of Dubai Stars Podcast, Martin, Founder and CEO of Maintained, shares how he is building a community-based property maintenance business designed to solve some of Dubai’s most common maintenance problems: delayed technicians, poor communication, unfinished repairs, inconsistent service and unsafe working practices.

Martin’s journey started in a small village in Romania. In 2014, he travelled to the United Kingdom with his brother, limited English and no clear plan. After arriving at Luton Airport with only a suitcase, he worked his way up from being a lollipop man and traffic marshal to becoming a senior site manager in London’s construction industry.

He later took the risk of leaving a secure career to launch his own business. His first company grew rapidly to approximately 160 employees, but after its biggest client collapsed, the business was pulled down with it. Instead of giving up, Martin used the experience to enter the property maintenance sector and build a new company around the gaps he saw in the market.

After discovering Dubai, he immediately recognised the scale of the opportunity. Today, Maintained operates with a community-focused model, placing offices and technicians close to the residents they serve. The goal is simple: faster response times, familiar technicians, stronger accountability and a better experience for homeowners, tenants, landlords and property managers.

In this episode, Martin explains:

🔧 Why Dubai’s property maintenance sector needs to change
🏠 The most common maintenance problems residents experience
⏱️ How a community-based model can achieve faster response times
👷 Why technical ability alone is not enough
🤝 The importance of technician etiquette inside a customer’s home
🎓 How regular training can improve service quality and safety
🛡️ Why health and safety must never be sacrificed to reduce costs
📋 How property health reports can help prevent expensive future problems
🏗️ Why maintenance should begin during property development—not after handover
📈 How Maintained expanded to more than 50 team members and multiple offices
🌍 Why Dubai allows entrepreneurs to build businesses for generations
🚀 Martin’s plans to expand across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and other communities

The conversation also explores the mistakes landlords can make when choosing the cheapest maintenance option. A lower initial price can lead to repeated repairs, poor workmanship, unsafe procedures and significantly higher costs over time.

Martin also explains why property maintenance should not be treated only as a reactive service. By inspecting a property properly, identifying risks early and working with developers from the beginning, maintenance companies can help protect the property’s condition, value and long-term performance.

This episode is essential for:

🏡 Property owners and landlords
🏢 Real estate professionals and property managers
🔧 Maintenance and facilities-management professionals
🏗️ Developers and construction companies
🚀 Entrepreneurs building businesses in Dubai
🌍 Anyone interested in Martin’s journey from Romania to London and Dubai

Martin’s story is a reminder that failure can become the beginning of a stronger business. From arriving in London without connections to building and losing his first company—and then launching a rapidly expanding operation in Dubai—his journey is built on resilience, calculated risk and the determination to improve an entire industry.

Follow me on social media for more insights and daily updates:

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/thegodfatherofdubairealestate
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anthony.a.jaoude.9/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-josephaj/
Tik-Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@take_charge_aj

📧 Contact us: Have questions or topics you'd like us to cover? Email us  A DM
anthony@disruptiveestate.com

#DubaiStarsPodcast #DubaiMaintenance #PropertyMaintenance #Maintained #DubaiProperty #DubaiRealEstate #FacilityManagement #PropertyManagement #HomeMaintenance #DubaiBusiness #DubaiEntrepreneur #Entrepreneurship #BusinessPodcast #FounderStory #StartupJourney #RealEstatePodcast #DubaiLandlords #PropertyOwners #PreventiveMaintenance #HomeServices #ConstructionIndustry #CustomerService #HealthAndSafety #FacilitiesManagement #DubaiCommunity #BusinessGrowth #DubaiStartup #UAEbusiness #MartinMaintained #MaintenanceCompany

If you had AED 5 million to invest in the UAE today… where would you put it?

Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Ras Al Khaimah?

In this episode of Dubai Stars Podcast, real estate veteran Omar Bin Faruk, with over 25 years of experience in the UAE property market, shares his insights on today's market, investment strategies and where he believes the biggest opportunities lie over the coming years.

From navigating every major real estate cycle to advising investors through market uncertainty, Omar explains why education, patience and long-term thinking consistently outperform speculation. He also discusses why many investors lose money by following hype instead of fundamentals, and why courage without preparation can become an expensive mistake.

In this episode, you'll learn:

🏙️ Where to invest AED 5 million in today's UAE market
📈 Dubai vs Abu Dhabi vs Ras Al Khaimah: which market suits your investment goals?
💰 Why today's off-plan market presents strong negotiating opportunities
⚠️ The biggest mistake off-plan investors continue to make
🏦 What increasing mortgage approvals reveal about market confidence
🏡 Why villas and townhouses continue to outperform many apartment segments
📊 Whether Dubai property is underpriced, overpriced or simply misunderstood
🌍 Why international investors continue choosing the UAE despite global uncertainty
🏝️ Why Ras Al Khaimah could become one of the UAE's biggest long-term opportunities
👨‍💼 How experienced investors evaluate opportunities during market corrections
🧠 Why following market fundamentals matters more than following social media trends

Throughout the conversation, Omar explains why different Emirates serve different investment objectives. Dubai may suit investors seeking earlier capital growth, Abu Dhabi offers compelling long-term opportunities in locations such as Reem Island, Saadiyat Island and Yas Island, while Ras Al Khaimah is developing its own tourism and entertainment identity beyond a single headline project.

The discussion also explores:

✔️ How banks analyse today's property market before approving mortgages
✔️ Why developers who adapt to market conditions continue outperforming others
✔️ Why investors should avoid buying property without having the financial capacity to complete the purchase
✔️ Why patience often creates better returns than attempting quick flips
✔️ How experienced investors think during uncertain market conditions

Whether you're purchasing your first property, expanding your portfolio or simply trying to understand where the UAE real estate market is heading, this episode delivers practical insights from someone who has witnessed every major property cycle over the past two decades.

If you enjoy conversations about Dubai real estate, investing, entrepreneurship and wealth creation, don't forget to subscribe and turn on notifications for future episodes.

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/thegodfatherofdubairealestate
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anthony.a.jaoude.9/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-josephaj/
Tik-Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@take_charge_aj

📧 Contact us: Have questions or topics you'd like us to cover? Email us  A DM
anthony@disruptiveestate.com

#DubaiStarsPodcast #DubaiRealEstate #UAEProperty #RealEstateInvesting #DubaiInvestment #AbuDhabi #RasAlKhaimah #PropertyInvestment #OffPlan #RealEstateMarket #DubaiBusiness #Entrepreneur #BusinessPodcast #InvestmentStrategy #WealthBuilding #DubaiInvestors #PropertyMarket #RealEstateTips #CapitalGrowth #LuxuryRealEstate #InvestInDubai #InvestInUAE #OmarBinFaruk #DubaiProperty #UAEInvesting

Is Dubai property flipping coming to an end, or is the market simply entering a new phase?

In this episode of **Dubai Stars Podcast**, founder of Costa Global is here for an honest conversation about the future of the Dubai real estate market, off-plan property investment, market corrections and global opportunities beyond the UAE.

Mario shares his journey from becoming a real estate broker in Dubai to building his own agency and expanding internationally into **Thailand, Phuket, Bali and Vietnam**. He also explains the mistakes he made while scaling, why quality matters more than the number of agents and what he looks for when building a successful real estate team. 

The conversation explores:

🏙️ The current state of the Dubai real estate market
📉 Whether Dubai property prices need a correction
🏗️ Why some off-plan properties cost more than secondary-market units
🔄 Whether property flipping could become harder over the next 24 months
🏦 The growing role of mortgages and developer financing
👥 Why first-time buyers are becoming more cautious
🌍 How Mario expanded Costa Global beyond Dubai
🇹🇭 Why Phuket could offer opportunities similar to Dubai ten years ago
💰 Thailand property investment starting from approximately $80,000
📊 Flexible payment plans and potential rental returns discussed in the episode
🏢 How to build and scale a successful real estate agency
🤝 Referral opportunities for brokers interested in the Thailand market

Mario also discusses why he believes investors should avoid placing everything in one market and how Costa Global is building an international real estate operation connecting Dubai with emerging Asian property destinations. The episode covers freehold property ownership in Thailand, developer-operated rental management and Mario’s plans to expand into Bali and Vietnam. 

Watch the full episode for a direct discussion about Dubai real estate investment, off-plan properties, secondary-market opportunities, property flipping, Thailand real estate and international agency growth.

Subscribe for more conversations about Dubai real estate, global property investment, entrepreneurship, finance and business.

The opinions, projections, prices and potential returns discussed in this episode are personal views shared during the conversation and are not guaranteed. Always conduct independent legal and financial due diligence before investing.

Follow me on social media for more insights and daily updates:

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/thegodfatherofdubairealestate
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anthony.a.jaoude.9/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-josephaj/
Tik-Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@take_charge_aj

📧 Contact us: Have questions or topics you'd like us to cover? Email us  A DM
anthony@disruptiveestate.com

Can a salary of AED 10,000 really qualify you for a mortgage of up to AED 750,000 in Dubai?

In this episode of Dubai Stars Podcast, host Anthony Joseph AJ sits down with mortgage expert Fahd, who has over 15 years of experience in the financial industry, to explain how Dubai mortgages actually work.

They discuss mortgage eligibility, bank pre-approval, required documents, financing for salaried employees and business owners, off-plan mortgages, equity release, refinancing, interest rates and the additional costs buyers need to prepare for.

You’ll also learn why getting pre-approved before searching for a property can save time and help you understand your real buying budget. Depending on the bank and applicant profile, the pre-approval process may take between one day and one week.

The episode also explains processing fees, life insurance, property insurance, valuation charges and mortgage registration fees that buyers may face during the process.

Watch the full episode before buying or financing a property in Dubai.

Follow me on social media for more insights and daily updates:

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/thegodfatherofdubairealestate
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anthony.a.jaoude.9/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-josephaj/
Tik-Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@take_charge_aj

📧 Contact us: Have questions or topics you'd like us to cover? Email us  A DM

🔥👇 Blow Up Your Real Estate Sales Up To 4x In The Next Month With Our Advanced Live TrainingWhat to take a look at it? Check it out below👇

https://www.takechargedubai.com/live-training--b67c3 - New Take Charge Academy

The Youngest F3 Mindset | George Zaraski on Racing, Risk & Relentless Drive
What does it take to chase Formula racing at a young age… and still think like an entrepreneur?
In this episode, we sit down with George Zaraski, one of the youngest Formula 3 drivers, to break down his journey from childhood obsession to competing at a high level in motorsport — while building a business at the same time.
This isn’t just about racing.
 It’s about mindset, risk, discipline, and the reality behind high-performance careers.
What we covered:
• How George got obsessed with motorsport at a young age
 • The influence of legends like Sebastian Vettel, Michael Schumacher, and Max Verstappen
 • Why modern F1 feels different today
 • The reality of crashes, pressure, and competition
 • Sim racing vs real racing — and the future of motorsport
 • Why the UAE became a key part of his journey
 • The business side of racing and building something bigger
 • Advice for the next generation chasing speed and purpose
Key takeaway:
Most people think talent is the entry point.
 But what actually matters is obsession, calculated risk, and staying consistent when things don’t go your way.
For aspiring drivers:
George is actively working on making motorsport more accessible through his academy and tech-driven projects.
📩 Contact: George@racecraft.ae

 📍 Based in Abu Dhabi (soon expanding to Dubai)
Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction
 01:10 – Early obsession with racing
 04:30 – Inspiration from F1 legends
 09:20 – Verstappen & modern racing
 15:40 – Risk, crashes, and reality of motorsport
 23:10 – Sim racing vs real racing
 31:00 – Moving to the UAE
 38:20 – Europe vs UAE racing experience
 45:10 – Mentorship & career path
 52:30 – Racing vs entrepreneurship
 59:00 – Legacy & long-term vision
 01:05:00 – Advice to young drivers
If you enjoyed this episode:
Like 👍
 Subscribe 🔔
 Share it with someone chasing something bigger
Follow for more conversations on:
Motorsport, business, mindset, and high-performance living.