Reegan Jayakumar / RJ

Known professionally as RJ, Reegan Jayakumar is a Dubai-based entrepreneur, property investor and RERA-licensed real estate advisor whose journey into the property industry began not with selling, but by investing his own money.

With 24 years of professional and entrepreneurial experience, including 14 years in Dubai, RJ has built his career across technology consulting, corporate training, professional certifications and business development.

He is the Founder and CEO of SMS Corporate Services, an IT consulting and business-solutions company, and currently serves as a Senior Property Advisor with NAHY Real Estate.

RJ holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, an MBA and an Executive Doctorate in Business Administration. He is also an SAP- and PMP-certified professional. His engineering background, business experience and analytical mindset continue to influence the way he evaluates property investment opportunities.

The investment that became a turning point

RJ began investing in Dubai property during the COVID period. His journey started with the purchase of one townhouse. After studying the location, market conditions and long-term potential of the community, he invested again in the same area, acquiring two additional villas.

Those investments became a turning point in his life.

What began as a personal investment decision gradually developed into a deeper understanding of Dubai’s property market. Over time, RJ continued building his portfolio and today owns multiple properties across Dubai.

More importantly, investing his own capital allowed him to understand the complete journey from the buyer’s side of the table. He experienced the decisions, financial commitments and practical responsibilities involved in selecting a property, monitoring its progress, preparing for completion, arranging snagging, completing the handover and managing the asset afterwards.

“Investing my own money taught me that buying a property and making the right investment are not necessarily the same thing. A presentation may look attractive, but the price, location, demand, construction quality and exit strategy must all support the decision.”

Recognising a gap in the market

By 2022, RJ had interacted with numerous real estate agents who approached him with different projects and investment opportunities.

These experiences helped him identify a gap in the industry.

Many conversations focused primarily on the project’s attractive features and completing the sale. However, as an investor, RJ wanted deeper answers.

Why was the project worth considering? Was its price aligned with the surrounding market? What would create future rental and resale demand? How would the development look upon completion? What were the potential risks? What would be the investor’s exit strategy? And who would continue supporting the buyer after the transaction?

That realisation led him to ask an important question:

“If I understand these concerns as an investor, why not enter the real estate business and guide other buyers through the same process?”

RJ subsequently became a RERA-licensed real estate professional. However, he made a conscious decision not to position himself simply as an agent. His objective was to become an investor-first property advisor—someone who evaluates every proposed property as though his own money were being invested.

Going beyond the brochure

Before recommending a project, RJ studies the opportunity in detail.

He visits the developer’s office to understand the project concept, available units, layouts, pricing, payment structure, construction plans, expected completion and the developer’s ability to deliver the proposed development.

He also studies the location at ground level rather than depending only on marketing material. This includes evaluating the surrounding communities, existing and upcoming infrastructure, accessibility, comparable market prices, rental demand, construction activity and the potential condition of the area when the project is completed.

Every opportunity must answer one fundamental question:

“Would I invest my own money in this project under the same conditions?”

If he cannot answer that question confidently, he does not believe the property should be recommended to another investor.

His evaluation process is structured around several important questions:

• Why should the investor buy?

• Where is the property located?

• Is the price justified?

• Who is developing the project?

• Where will future demand come from?

• What are the possible risks?

• What is the exit strategy?

• What happens after the purchase?

RJ believes these questions help separate an attractive property presentation from a genuinely suitable investment opportunity.

Understanding the investor before recommending a property

RJ does not begin a client conversation by immediately presenting projects.

He first seeks to understand the investor’s financial position, budget, objective, preferred holding period, risk tolerance and expectations. Some investors seek rental income, while others prioritise capital appreciation, payment flexibility, resale potential or long-term asset ownership.

Only after understanding these requirements does he begin identifying suitable opportunities.

His approach considers several factors, including price per square foot, comparable transactions, future infrastructure, rental demand, developer track record, payment-plan advantages, market liquidity and realistic exit possibilities.

“The same property cannot be the right investment for everyone. A recommendation must be based on the investor’s objective—not simply on the availability of a unit.”

Advisory that continues after the sale

RJ believes an advisor’s responsibility should not end when the booking form is signed or the transaction is completed.

After a client purchases a property, he continues monitoring the investment throughout the construction period. He keeps track of project progress, important payment milestones and relevant developments that could affect the client’s position.

As the property approaches completion, he assists the client with the handover process and coordinates the necessary snagging and inspection requirements. He remains involved until the investor understands the property’s condition, outstanding formalities and the practical steps required after receiving it.

Depending on the investor’s objective, the next stage may involve preparing the property for leasing, evaluating its resale value, studying current market conditions or developing a longer-term holding strategy.

“For me, the relationship does not end with the sale. I remain involved until the client receives the property and understands what to do next. That is when genuine trust is built.”

This end-to-end involvement - from initial project research to final handover - is central to RJ’s approach to property advisory.

Connecting technology, business and property

RJ’s 24-year professional journey continues to influence his work in real estate.

His experience in technology, business solutions and professional education has taught him to rely on systems, evidence and structured analysis rather than assumptions.

His broader entrepreneurial vision is being developed under Reesh Global, an upcoming umbrella brand created to connect technology consulting, professional training, property investment and business solutions.

Through his personal brand, RJ also aims to educate aspiring investors and make complex property decisions easier to understand.

His message is straightforward: investors should not select properties based only on impressive marketing, luxury amenities or projected returns. Every investment should be supported by realistic numbers, genuine demand, construction viability and a practical exit plan.

Building relationships beyond transactions

For RJ, real estate is not merely about selling property. It is about helping people convert their income into carefully selected assets that can support their future.

His philosophy can be summarised in one question:

“If you stopped working for six months, would your assets continue working for you?”

That belief guided his own journey from entrepreneur to investor and eventually to property advisor. Today, it shapes every project he studies, every recommendation he makes and every client relationship he builds.

As Dubai continues to attract investors, entrepreneurs and businesses from around the world, RJ’s ambition is to build a trusted investor-led advisory platform based on personal investment experience, ground-level research, transparent communication and long-term client support.

PROFILE AT A GLANCE

Full Name: Reegan Jayakumar

Professional Name: RJ

Position: Property Investor | RERA-Licensed Real Estate Advisor

Current Role: Senior Property Advisor, NAHY Real Estate

Business: Founder and CEO, SMS Corporate Services

Experience: 24 Years of Professional and Entrepreneurial Experience

Dubai Experience: 14 Years

Specialisation: Off-Plan Residential and Grade A Commercial Properties

Qualifications: B.E. Mechanical Engineering, MBA, EDBA, SAP and PMP Certified

Future Brand: Reesh Global

Instagram: @rj.dubairealestate

Website: www.reeshglobal.com

Email: rj@reeshglobal.com

Mobile: +971 56 976 1097

Featured quote:

“I became an investor before I became an advisor. Every property I recommend is evaluated as though my own money were being invested—and my responsibility continues until the client receives the property.”