Former OFW wants other Pinoys in Dubai to own homes, move on from paying rent

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – A former overseas Filipino worker (OFW), who experienced renting cramped bedspaces like many other kababayans here, has upgraded more than just her living space. She now owns an apartment in Dubai and, through a business partner, acquired nine units that they rent out through Airbnb.

"My focus now is to grow our holiday homes company even more, and to touch more Filipino lives, educate them that we can own properties here instead of renting forever," 36-years-old Giebeth Ellaine Laxamana, co-founder and operations manager of the business, told GMA News Online.

"We're planning to expand next year (2026). At least five more apartments to manage," she added.

Dubai's real estate market was booming in late 2025, according to reports, setting new records for transaction volumes, fueled by investor confidence, global talent migration, and lifestyle appeal. Key trends include surging off-plan sales and an increased demand for ready units. 

"Real estate market is good now," Laxamana said.

She added that many Filipinos are currently working as agents or administrative staff at real estate companies.

"Very few venture into having their own real estate or holiday homes company," she said.

Home ownership

Laxamana, who had lived in labor accommodations with 8 to 10 people away from the city proper, said Filipinos can buy their own place to stay through a mortgage plan, provided they are employed and earning AED 10,000 to AED 15,000 a month.

"They only need to prepare for the 20% down payment and other charges," said Laxamana, who this year bought herself a one-bedroom apartment where she lives with her mother and sister.

The 80% is shouldered by the bank, Laxamana said, which takes over the property should the owner fail to pay up. The repayment plan is for 25 years, she said, adding that 50% of the debtor's salary should cover other loans like car amortization. 

"It's like renting. Sometimes, the monthly payment is cheaper," said Laxamana.

Eighty percent of Laxamana's clients are people of other nationalities, she said.

Many people in Dubai pay rent to have a place to stay–AED750 for an upper bedspace in a room of up to six people, or AED1,500 for a partitioned room, which could be the size of a parking slot.

Path to success

Laxamana was making AED 2,500 a month following her arrival in Dubai in February 2013.

She has gone through three employments before she took the leap of faith in 2023 to be a real estate broker.

As a neophyte in the industry, Laxamana got started with a friend but eventually she kept going by herself and learned many things along the way.

"I visited known developers, built relationships with other real estate agents, became part of the Filipino business group or circle—it molded me to be the person I am now when it comes to business and as a real estate agent," Laxamana said.

While she is proud that she has been able to sell Dubai properties to Filipinos, Laxamana is holding on to bigger dreams not just to herself but to the local Filipino community as well.

"My vision that time was to be the first Filipino owned real estate agency na puro Filipino ang brokers and helped or educate Filipinos na mag-buy ng properties. Which is still my personal goal," she said.

Kapampangan roots

The eldest of four siblings, Laxamana graduated cum laude degree with a degree in business management and entrepreneurship from the Angeles University Foundation in Pampanga.

Her mother sold probiotic milk drinks, while her father was a tricycle driver.

"Lumaki ako sa buhay na sakto lang—minsan kulang—pero puno ng pangarap. Nakapagtapos ako ng pag-aaral dahil sa mga scholarships na ipinagka-loob sa'kin. I graduated valedictorian in high school, which opened the door for a full university scholarship. And by God's grace, I graduated cum laude," Laxamana said.

(I grew up in a life where everything was just enough–sometimes not enough–but full of dreams. I finished school through scholarships.)

At 21, she was finally able to buy his father his first motor bike and bought a small house for the family.

"Buong buhay ko, wala kaming sariling tirahan. Lagi lang kaming nakikitira sa kamag-anak," Laxamana said.

(All my life, we didn't have our own place. We would always live in some relative's house.) — VDV, GMA Integrated News