Michael's Success Story

The investment that almost went wrong, but turned out right

Michael had a clear goal in mind: to work less and live off income from real estate. For him, investing wasn’t a gamble or a get-rich-quick scheme, but a strategic step toward financial peace of mind. Still, he wanted to be absolutely certain that everything was properly arranged. That’s why he decided to consult GREM before making his purchase.

During a webinar hosted by a broker, he was presented with what seemed like a golden opportunity: a townhouse worth €750,000 in the community of Masaar 3. According to the broker, this was a chance he couldn’t afford to miss. The shortage of villas and townhouses in Dubai would automatically drive up prices, he was told. On top of that, the payment plan sounded appealing: 40% during construction and 60% upon completion. And that last part? He’d probably never have to pay it, because he could sell the property for a profit before handover. The broker even calculated an annual return of 19.8%.

To Michael, it sounded almost too good to be true. And that was exactly why he thought: “Let me double-check this first.”

The reality behind the promises

The Second Opinion revealed the facts. The first thing that became clear was that the property wasn’t in Dubai at all; it was in Sharjah. That’s an entirely different market, with different prices, different regulations, and a far weaker investment climate. The claim that Dubai’s scarcity would naturally lead to appreciation simply didn’t hold up here.

The promise of a quick resale also fell apart. In Masaar 1 alone, there were 4,863 villas and townhouses listed for sale on Bayut, many of which had been on the market for 7 to 9 months without a buyer. Masaar 2, still under construction, added more than a thousand listings on top of that. And what did the data show? These properties were being advertised below the average asking price. Against that backdrop, Masaar 3 was being launched. Even after accounting for duplicate listings, the conclusion was clear: the market was oversupplied, absorption was slow, and short-term profit was highly unlikely.

The spreadsheet showing an annual appreciation of 19.8% turned out to be nothing more than a sales gimmick.

What would have happened without the Second Opinion

Had Michael signed the deal, he would have found himself in a financial nightmare. The chance of selling the unit for a profit before completion was virtually zero. That would have left him responsible for financing the remaining 60% of the €750,000 while being stuck with a property in a market flooded with unsold homes.

His plan to work less and live off passive income would have collapsed like a house of cards.

How the situation was turned around

Because Michael had the facts checked in time, he was able to turn things around. The Second Opinion gave him clear, data-backed insights into the risks and showed that this was not the right investment for his goals.

Instead of being surprised by problems afterward, he could adjust his strategy before committing. That gave him the chance to move forward with confidence, building a plan that truly aligned with his long-term vision of stable income and financial peace.

The lesson for other investors

Michael’s experience shows how vast the gap can be between sales promises and market reality. A projected return on paper means nothing if thousands of properties remain unsold.

An independent check can make the difference between an investment that gives you freedom and one that locks you into years of loss and stress. At GREM, we see this every day. Our Second Opinion isn’t meant to scare investors; it’s meant to protect them.

Because what you don’t know can cost you money.