Daniel and Lukas Kerrebijn, co-founder of RD Dubai, RD Vastgoed, and RD Advisory, trace the journey from a teenage intern questioning what real estate agents actually did, to building a platform connecting property sellers with investors, to expanding into Dubai when Dutch regulations made the local market harder for investors. Lukas explains how his first deal in the Netherlands revealed demand from investors, why Dubai became the next major opportunity, and how the RD Dubai brand evolved beyond transactions into...
Daniel and Lukas Kerrebijn, co-founder of RD Dubai, RD Vastgoed, and RD Advisory, trace the journey from a teenage intern questioning what real estate agents actually did, to building a platform connecting property sellers with investors, to expanding into Dubai when Dutch regulations made the local market harder for investors. Lukas explains how his first deal in the Netherlands revealed demand from investors, why Dubai became the next major opportunity, and how the RD Dubai brand evolved beyond transactions into community, events, sports sponsorships, and investor networks. The conversation also explores youth, boldness, talent, manifestation, Morocco, Abu Dhabi, and Lukas’s dream of using real estate and sports to create long-term impact.
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Key Discussion Points
Lukas shares the story of his first real estate deal at 19 in Vlaardingen, where he found a seller through social media campaigns and brought seven investors to view the property.
He admits he told the seller he was 25 because he was nervous about being taken seriously at 19, and the seller replied that he looked very young for his age.
That first deal opened his eyes to the possibility of building a real estate platform that connected sellers directly with investors and created faster transaction timelines.
Lukas explains that his early frustration came from seeing agents collect commissions in a hot Amsterdam market where properties were selling easily, leading him to question the traditional model.
He says starting young was an advantage because he had less responsibility, more time, and fewer fears shaped by previous business trauma.
Lukas describes how Dutch government rule changes made buy-to-let investing less attractive, reduced investor confidence, and pushed him to look for new markets.
He moved to Dubai initially to look for investment properties for himself and his business partner, but quickly discovered major demand from Dutch investors who also wanted access to the UAE market.
RD Dubai’s early advantage came from already having a trusted Dutch investor base, making it easier to guide those clients into Dubai real estate opportunities.
Lukas explains that sponsorships with Glory Kickboxing, Dutch football, and Formula One-related activities helped build brand awareness, attract talent, and align the company with ambition and sports culture.
He says the sponsorship strategy was not only about sales; it helped attract job applicants who matched the company’s brand DNA and contributed to a strong retention culture.
Lukas shares his long-term dream of building sports complexes for underprivileged children in Africa, starting with a project in Marrakech that combines real estate, wellness, sport, and social impact.
He believes Abu Dhabi may be one of the biggest real estate opportunities investors are missing right now because of major projects, coastal locations, and more attractive price-to-quality dynamics compared with Dubai.
Takeaways
Starting young can be a massive advantage because boldness, energy, and fewer obligations can help a founder move before fear takes over.
Regulation can completely reshape a market, and Lukas’s move from the Netherlands to Dubai shows how founders must adapt when the rules change.
Brand is not only for customers. RD Dubai’s sports sponsorships helped attract talent, build community, and create a company identity people wanted to be part of.
Real estate investing is not just about spreadsheets. Lukas argues that community, access, lifestyle, and long-term networks can create lifetime value for investors.
Manifestation matters to Lukas because every major move starts with a vision, and he believes the mind shapes what someone is willing to pursue.
Closing Thoughts
Lukas Kerrebijn’s story is about youth, conviction, and seeing opportunity before the market catches up. At 19, he saw inefficiency in Dutch real estate. At 23, he saw Dubai as the next move. Now, before 30, he is thinking beyond transactions and toward community, sports, wellness, Africa, and legacy. This episode captures a founder who is still early in his journey, but already building with the kind of ambition, boldness, and long-term vision that can turn one deal into an entire ecosystem.
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