Mandana Dabbagh is an experienced leader in the real estate industry and the Founder & Managing Director of Audleys International. She is a tenacious entrepreneur who aims to help customers navigate and easily get solutions through our services.
Born in London, Mandana started her journey in the real estate industry 16 years ago and is still an unrivaled professional with a wealth of knowledge. Her company Audleys International is a leading real estate brokerage agency specializing in commercial and residential properties across the UK and Dubai. They also have social media presence on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram & Twitter.
Learn more about Mandana Dabbagh and Audleys International through our interview below.
Explain the background of you and the company in detail.
I was born and raised in London. However, I have been living in Dubai for the last 15 years. I have almost two decades of unrivalled real estate experience in both the Dubai and London property markets. My career began in Mayfair, London, at a young age, where I received training and experience from global industry leaders.
I started my company recently. Audley’s International are specialist in the London property market. We work very hard on behalf of our clients to secure the very best properties at the best prices in the most suitable locations in London. We propose property opportunities for our clients whether they are looking for end use, capital returns, or a steady rental return on investment. Furthermore, we ensure outcomes that will always maximize our client’s financial goals. We facilitate full tours of viewing arrangements for our clients when they are in London and arrange video and virtual tours for clients should they wish to purchase online or view online before going there physically.
At Audley’s International, we pride ourselves on continuously exploring all avenues in the market to provide our clients the best and most exclusive range of properties.
What are your goals?
Our goal for Audley’s International is to become a go-to brand name for International Real Estate, helping our clients navigate easily through different markets overseas.
We will kickstart our company with the London real estate market. This is our foundation, and it’s what we do best. We provide GCC investors with an end-to-end, streamlined experience of purchasing property in London. We assist in the entire process, from selecting and completing the transaction in a market that is otherwise less familiar to such investors.
Everything is expertly managed and executed by our team. We want to make the process of buying a property in the UK as enjoyable and rewarding for you as possible.
What do you feel is the biggest strength of your company right now?
We believe our experience isn’t only in the number of years we have worked but in our proven track record for helping buyers make educated decisions to swiftly execute short or long-term investments. We continuously assess the best strategy in various market dynamics tailored for each client, which means we are always ready to consult any type of buyer, from a first-time buyer to a seasoned investor. This market is very fast-changing, and our buyers and investors trust us to be agile and ensure we minimize their risks.
For our developers, we offer a service that goes far and beyond any of our competitors. We are currently building a marketing machine that will be unsurpassed within the industry.
What was the path you and your company took to get to where you are today?
I am very proud of the challenges my team has experienced and what they bring to the table today. Personally, I built my career as one of the most successful sales agents in Foxtons Mayfair just before the 2008 Financial crisis. I then decided to take my career and experience to a different level and came to Dubai. I began meeting a variety of investors, and each time I took away a piece of advice that allowed me to triangulate my understanding of the markets. However, if the last two decades have taught us anything, it’s that the unpredictability of the market means you must live and breathe real estate if you want to sail smoothly through its choppy waters.
After 15 years in Dubai, my network of trustworthy and innovative partners has allowed Audley’s International to embark on this journey. One thing I can tell you is that after witnessing the world tackle global financial turmoil, a pandemic, and other changes beyond our comprehension, it has only given me more confidence to continue to help my clients invest with ease.
Why did you start this company?
Properties don’t stay the same. They develop, they innovate, and they acquire new architectural designs. Having worked in the industry for over 16 years, I believe it’s time for the way property consultants conduct their business to become more innovative, creative, and adaptable. For these reasons, I decided to start my own company to take on this challenge to change the way the industry operates.
Tell us about a project that forced you to be innovative and creative.
In 2020, in my previous role, I was instructed to launch the luxury project One St John’s Wood as the joint exclusive sales agency in the region. However, what we had not anticipated and planned for was the pandemic which followed. I was put in a position where failure was not an option, and I had to think very smartly and innovatively to ensure the success of this project. This meant a new strategy on the marketing and communications side but also in the management of our team morale as well as our stakeholders. Fortunately, the pandemic was not able to dampen our success.
Give us one word that describes you the best.
Tenacious
What makes you excited about Mondays?
It’s a very satisfying feeling to know I have a whole week ahead of me to reach my goals! It’s a fresh start for reaching the stars, a chance to make this week better than the last! And when you love your work, your colleagues, and the environment, it’s a great feeling for the week to start.
What do you value most about your culture and vision?
At our company, we foster a culture of mutual growth. We want to focus on the professional growth of all our team members, an environment where each member is proud of their contribution to this organization and feels to be part of the team. I believe a happy and healthy work environment translates to better relationships with clients and to greater business success. We are in a competitive industry; therefore, all the team members work diligently for maximum results.
What are your company’s strategies, and how do they stand unique from your competitors?
Our strategy is to help clients purchase their primary residence, second homes, and holiday homes. We also specialize in the sale of real estate assets for investment portfolios. There is currently a great demand for UK property from the GCC fuelled by both the decline in the Pound against the Dollar and pent-up demand. The pent-up demand started throughout the Brexit referendum period as buyers put off decision-making to see the result of the negotiations. It then further increased throughout the pandemic. During the pandemic, buyers were ready to re-enter the London property market. However, a blanket travel ban to the UK had been introduced, further delaying things. Therefore, we find ourselves now in a situation with a very high demand for London properties from the GCC. USD Buyers with USD spending power are able to save up to 20-25% on property prices due to the exchange rate.
What are the services offered by your company? Tell us something about your upcoming products or services.
We have recently launched a property for sale in Prime Central London, The Lucan SW3. The Lucan is situated in Chelsea SW3, between Sloane Square, South Kensington, and Harrods in Knightsbridge. This project is super exciting as it is a boutique development of only 31 apartments and is managed by The Marriot Hotels Autograph Collection.
The Lucan is perfect for a second home or for families with children planning to study at a university in London. It offers many luxuries that GCC buyers are used to at home.
Investors from the GCC have always looked to purchase in the best locations, but now they want more and want properties that offer them the same luxuries they are used to, such as a 24-hour concierge service and a la carte services. At The Lucan, all of this is provided.
How do you see the company changing in two years, and how do you see yourself creating that change?
At present, we are a small team, and each of us has our own entrepreneurial spirit, which contributes to Audley’s International. Each member of this team has been very carefully selected for their attributes and what they bring to the working ecosystem. However, I see our team growing fast to keep up with the demands of work. Therefore, I know I must be very diligent with recruitment and not only hire the best in the market but also hire candidates who will contribute to and maintain this wonderful environment we have at our office.
To learn more about us, visit: https://www.audleysinternational.com
To Discover The Lucan, visit: https://audleysinternational.com/project/the-lucan-sw3-chelsea/
Contact Audley’s International at info@audleysinternational.com
Connect with Mandana Dabbagh on LinkedIn.