This International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating the incredible women in Dubai’s real estate market, those who have redefined real estate success and made their mark in an industry that has long been considered male-dominated.
Today we are going to share the story of Heather Trait, who’s a Conveyancing Manager at Espace Real Estate and her journey in Dubai’s real estate market is definitely worth the read!
From breaking barriers to building a legacy
Heather’s journey started in 2004 in Dubai, long before Dubai became the global hotspot it is today. What started as a spontaneous visit with a friend to see the city soon turned into moving to Dubai full-time. Heather found out about the growing potential of real estate in Dubai and decided to check it out, this led her to finding her footing in real estate.
With no prior experience in the field but a curiosity to explore her opportunities, she took a leap of faith, packed her bags, and made Dubai home.
“I arrived in late 2004 when Dubai was still an emerging market. The skyline was nowhere near what it is today, and places like JBR didn’t even exist. I was confident this was where I needed to be.”
In 2009, after working in real estate for a couple of years and understanding the market, Heather joined Espace Real Estate, where she initially worked in sales as an agent, selling multiple properties worth millions, before hanging up her broker’s license and becoming the Conveyancing Manager.
Mastering the art of conveyancing
While selling homes was definitely the spotlight of real estate, Heather believes that conveyancing is where the real magic happens. It’s the complex, behind-the-scenes process that ensures a smooth transfer of property ownership. And it’s not for the faint-hearted.
“People often tell me, ‘You have the hardest job in the company.’ I handle everything from contracts to settlements, bank approvals, and legal documentation. It’s a job that requires patience, problem-solving, and a thick skin. But it’s also incredibly rewarding.”
Her role means dealing with countless moving parts of real estate from the banks, developers, and government entities, where even the smallest delay can disrupt an entire transaction. Managing expectations, troubleshooting obstacles, and guiding clients through the often stressful process are all in a day’s work.
The reality of work-life balance
Working in an industry like real estate, which never sleeps, Heather finds ways to balance her time despite the heavy workload that comes with the job.
She makes disconnecting on weekends her priority by indulging in different hobbies, and outings to keep herself balanced while ensuring she’s travelling once every few months which helps her reset.
And her key to longevity in such a high-pressure field? Stress management.
“You have to know when to take a break. It’s not easy when you’re constantly dealing with deadlines, but sometimes you have to put yourself first.” She said.
Women in real estate: Then & now
Real estate has often been labelled a male-dominated industry, but is that reality or a myth?
“When I started, the industry was full of women, but the old-school mindset in the region made it challenging. I had clients refuse to work with me simply because of my gender. But instead of giving up, I took it as a challenge to change perceptions. Some of those same people are now close friends who respect me immensely.”
Today, the numbers tell a different story:
Women are not just participating in real estate, from agents to investors, CEOs to property developers, their influence is undeniable.
Heather was recently honoured at the She Pioneer Awards, a ceremony recognising women’s achievements in the UAE’s real estate sector.
Empowering Women in Leadership
How can the industry better support and uplift women?
“Of course, there’s the usual list, equal pay, work-life balance, leadership opportunities. But the biggest change needs to come from within. Women need to support other women. Too often, we pull each other down instead of lifting each other up. We should be sharing knowledge, experiences, and mentorship to help others succeed.”
Dubai’s real estate market has changed drastically over the years, and so have the opportunities for women. From industry leaders to first-time investors, women are making their mark like never before.
For those considering a career in real estate, her advice is clear: Be resilient, build relationships, and don’t be afraid to take up space.
As a truly customer-centric real estate agency, we offer a range of related services that are designed to make your property journey stress-free and successful from start to end.
