Meet Mario Volpi.
I’ve been writing about real estate for the last 15 years in the Emirates, mainly discussing stories from Dubai where I give my take on any breaking story or a real estate trend. My experience helps me to give my opinion, which often helps the reader make up their mind, especially if the story is about a specific project.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Southwest London, UK arriving from Italy after my father got a job in the aviation sector.
How did you get your start in the media?
In 2013, I was approached by The National newspaper to write a property column called Homefront where I would answer real estate related questions, especially about renting in Dubai. This I thought was a gig that would last 3 to 6 months at best, in fact 10 years later, the column is still going strong and I’m still busy informing residents of their rental rights both for tenants and landlords, in fact any real estate scenarios including sales information on future projects or technical questions regarding the sales process too. In addition to my column and other articles written over the years, you will find my dulcet tones on the Dubai property podcast which I appear in six times a month. This is an informative podcast that I have been contributing to since January 2023. I also regularly contribute to radio shows such as the Business Breakfast, Afternoons with Helen Farmer and The Agenda all on Dubai Eye 103.8 FM.
What do you do when you are not reporting?
If I’m not reporting, I’m advising on REAL ESTATE to my 100 strong team.
Favorite local restaurants or other places to hang out?
My favourite place to hang out is JBR. I call it the centre of the universe. Real Estate is all I know, I’m currently the Senior Director at AX Capital and work out of the Media city office in Concord Tower.
2024 will be a special year for me as this will be the 40th anniversary of me being in Real Estate!
Connect with Mario at https://www.linkedin.com/in/mario-volpi/.