Evgenia Vasilenko on cover FACES UAE #14-2026 by #BLOGGMAGAZINE

Strategic Advisor for Real Estate Investments and Land Assets in the UAE and KSA.

11+ years of experience in Asset Management - Evgenia Vasilenko @evgyes

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• "My name is Evgenia Vasilenko, and my Instagram is @evgyes. I am a licensed Dubai real estate broker and investment professional with more than 11 years of experience in real estate and asset management. My academic background includes mathematics, economics and law, with studies at Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, Moscow State University, the University of Strasbourg and Queen Mary University of London. Before focusing on real estate, I gained experience with JP Morgan, Ernst & Young, the European Court of Human Rights and the United Nations.

Over the past five years, I have been involved in more than 280 real estate transactions and investments, including major portfolio acquisitions with leading Dubai developers. Today, I specialize in investment real estate, particularly commercial assets, portfolio acquisitions and private capital. I look at every property as an asset: entry price, cash flow, liquidity, risk, exit strategy and return on capital."

FACES UAE: What key trends and shifts in investor behavior are you seeing in Dubai’s real estate market today?

EVGENIA VASILENKO: Dubai investors have become much more sophisticated. Previously, many buyers focused mainly on capital appreciation and off-plan launches. Today they ask about net yield, operating expenses, supply, rental demand and exit strategy.

This is driving stronger interest in commercial real estate. Residential property remains important for liquidity and capital growth, while commercial assets can provide stronger cash flow. Investors increasingly want balanced portfolios rather than simply several apartments.

FACES UAE: Why should investors consider commercial properties alongside residential ones?

EVGENIA VASILENKO: Commercial and residential real estate should complement each other.

Residential property is generally more liquid and can offer strong capital appreciation. Commercial real estate is primarily about cash flow. In selected commercial transactions, we target approximately 10 to 15% net annual returns, depending on the asset, tenant, entry price and expenses.

My strategy is simple: residential real estate for liquidity and capital growth, commercial real estate as the cash-flow engine of the portfolio.

FACES UAE: What was the most impressive or complex transaction you’ve closed?

EVGENIA VASILENKO: I have handled a number of portfolio transactions involving multiple units and floors with major Dubai developers, including Meraas, Select Group and Object One.

The key is not simply negotiating a discount. Maximum value comes from the combination of entry price, unit selection, payment plan, rental potential and exit liquidity. When millions of dollars are invested, even a small improvement in purchase conditions can save or generate substantial capital for the client.

FACES UAE: Could you share a case where your expertise helped a client avoid a critical mistake?

EVGENIA VASILENKO: This happens regularly in commercial real estate because an attractive advertised ROI can hide very different economics.

I independently calculate the price per square foot, realistic rent, service charges, operating expenses, vacancy, payment structure and net income. I have seen properties that looked excellent in presentations but became unattractive after proper financial analysis.

Sometimes the best transaction I can make for a client is the transaction I advise them not to make. Protecting capital is more important than earning a commission.

FACES UAE: What are the primary risks facing investors in Dubai today?

EVGENIA VASILENKO: The biggest risk is buying the wrong asset at the wrong price.

Investors must consider oversupply, developer quality, future construction, service charges, rental demand, payment obligations and resale liquidity.

No professional can completely eliminate market risk. An experienced adviser identifies, quantifies and substantially reduces it. Before buying, I always want to know why we are buying, who will rent or eventually purchase the asset from us, and how we will exit.

FACES UAE: What red flags should buyers look out for?

EVGENIA VASILENKO: The first red flag is a broker selling property without understanding the client’s investment objective. Another is unrealistic promises of guaranteed appreciation, resale or returns.

On the primary market, buyers should analyze the developer, price, payment plan and future supply. On the secondary market, ownership, outstanding payments, tenancy, property condition and real market value are critical.

A good broker must be able to say, “Do not buy this property.” If every property is presented as an amazing opportunity, you are probably dealing with a salesperson, not an investment adviser.

FACES UAE: What does your full end-to-end client management process look like?

EVGENIA VASILENKO: I start by understanding the client’s capital, investment horizon, required cash flow, acceptable risk and exit strategy. Then we determine the appropriate asset class and acquisition strategy.

My team and I handle property selection, negotiations, financial analysis, documentation and transaction coordination. For some clients, I continue with asset management, monitoring rental performance, resale opportunities and portfolio allocation.

For me, the transaction is not the end of the relationship. It is one stage in managing the client’s capital.

FACES UAE: Why do wealthy investors and corporate clients trust you with multi-million dollar budgets?

EVGENIA VASILENKO: Because I think like an asset manager before I think like a broker.

My background in mathematics, economics, finance and asset management influences every transaction. My principles are simple: protect the client’s capital, calculate independently, negotiate professionally, understand the downside and always have an exit strategy.

Wealthy investors do not need somebody to show them beautiful apartments. They need somebody who understands what happens to their capital after the purchase.

FACES UAE: Which locations and asset types do you consider most attractive for the next 3 to 5 years?

EVGENIA VASILENKO: I am particularly interested in selected commercial assets in growing residential communities where population growth is faster than the development of quality retail infrastructure.

I currently look closely at selected retail opportunities in JVC and Arjan, as well as certain commercial assets in Business Bay and other developing districts.

However, I never invest based solely on the name of an area. I look for three things: attractive entry price, growing population or business activity, and limited competing supply. This combination can create both rental income and capital appreciation.

FACES UAE: What would you like to wish to #BLOGGMAGAZINE readers?

EVGENIA VASILENKO: I wish #BLOGGMAGAZINE readers financial independence and the confidence to make decisions based on knowledge rather than emotion.

Dubai offers extraordinary opportunities, but capital should work intelligently. Understand the numbers, understand the risks, choose the right advisers and always know your exit strategy before you enter.

Wealth is not simply about how much you earn. It is about how intelligently you preserve, manage and grow what you already have.