Lukas Kerrebijn: Building a Real Estate Empire from a Teenage Internship

This episode is hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. Sponsored by Upwork.

1. Publisher show notes

   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.

2. Publisher show notes

   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.

3. Publisher show notes

   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.

4. Publisher show notes

   Today's Sponsor:

5. Publisher show notes

   Start with Upwork, the one-stop platform to find, hire, and pay expert freelancers across marketing, editing, branding, development, operations, and more. Visit https://www.Upwork.com today to post your job for free and get matched with top talent ready to help your business grow.

6. Publisher show notes

   Key Discussion Points

7. Publisher show notes

   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.

8. Publisher show notes

   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.

9. Publisher show notes

   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.

10. Publisher show notes

    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.

11. Publisher show notes

    He says starting young was an advantage because he had less responsibility, more time, and fewer fears shaped by previous business trauma.

12. Publisher show notes

    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.

13. Publisher show notes

    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.

14. Publisher show notes

    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.

15. Publisher show notes

    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.

16. Publisher show notes

    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.

17. Publisher show notes

    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.

18. Publisher show notes

    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.

19. Publisher show notes

    Takeaways

20. Publisher show notes

    Starting young can be a massive advantage because boldness, energy, and fewer obligations can help a founder move before fear takes over.

21. Publisher show notes

    Regulation can completely reshape a market, and Lukas’s move from the Netherlands to Dubai shows how founders must adapt when the rules change.

22. Publisher show notes

    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.

23. Publisher show notes

    Real estate investing is not just about spreadsheets. Lukas argues that community, access, lifestyle, and long-term networks can create lifetime value for investors.

24. Publisher show notes

    Manifestation matters to Lukas because every major move starts with a vision, and he believes the mind shapes what someone is willing to pursue.

25. Publisher show notes

    Closing Thoughts

26. Publisher show notes

    Lukas Kerrebijn’s story is about youth, conviction, and seeing opportunity before the market catches up.

27. Publisher show notes

    At 19, he saw inefficiency in Dutch real estate.

28. Publisher show notes

    At 23, he saw Dubai as the next move.

29. Publisher show notes

    Now, before 30, he is thinking beyond transactions and toward community, sports, wellness, Africa, and legacy.

30. Publisher show notes

    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.

31. Publisher show notes

    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.