Why We Turned Down a Beautiful Marina Property in Dubai

Many property management companies chase volume. Here’s why we walked away from a dream listing… and why that decision protects every owner in our portfolio.

Not every property makes it into the Homevy portfolio.

And this one … is probably the best example of why.

A few months ago, we were invited to assess a Marina apartment. If you know Dubai, you know the Marina is one of the most popular areas for short-term rentals. Guests actively search for it. It books well year-round. It’s the kind of location that most property managers would accept without thinking twice.

This particular unit had stunning views, and enough going for it that any other company would have signed the contract on the spot.

We didn’t.

The Problem Wasn’t the Location

The owner had already furnished the apartment before reaching out to us. And while the unit looked good at first glance, the furnishing wasn’t up to the standard we hold across our portfolio.

Here’s the thing most people don’t realize about short-term rentals: the difference between a property that consistently earns 4.9-star reviews and one that hovers around 4.0 to 4.2 isn’t always obvious. It’s not about having the most expensive furniture.

It’s about intentional choices that guests feel without being able to explain why.

Image by Homevy

At Homevy, we standardize things that might seem small – but there’s often a reason why.

• Every property has the same soap dispensers.
• Our pots and pans are dark-coloured instead of beige because scratches show less and they last longer.
• The coffee is Nespresso, not a generic capsule brand.
• The toilet paper is three-ply, not two.

These aren’t random preferences. They’re decisions we’ve tested, debated internally (yes, we had a real debate about toilet paper), and landed on because they consistently lead to better guest experiences and better reviews.

We walked the owner through what we’d need to change. The furniture upgrades, the layout adjustments, the small details that separate “nice apartment” from “I need to book this place again.”

They weren’t interested. They’d already spent money furnishing…and they didn’t see the value in changing things.

So we passed on the property.

Why Saying No Protects Our Existing Property Owners

This is the part that most people miss when they hear we turned down a listing.

Every property in our portfolio is connected.

Our Airbnb Superhost status, our average ratings, our search ranking… none of it exists in isolation. When one property underperforms, it doesn’t just affect that owner. It pulls down the portfolio average, which impacts how often all of our listings show up in search results. That affects booking rates. That affects revenue. For everyone.

A 4.0-star property sitting inside a 4.9-star portfolio isn’t neutral. It’s actively doing damage.

The owners who are already with us made real investments to meet our standards. They trusted us when we said “swap the beige pots for dark ones” or “upgrade the bedding.” They listened when we explained why every detail matters. If we started accepting units that didn’t meet the same bar, we’d be undermining everything those owners invested in.

That’s not a trade-off we’re willing to make – not for a Marina address or any management fee.

Quality Over Volume – Every Single Time.

There’s a common playbook in property management: take on as many units as possible, collect fees, and figure out the rest later. It’s how many companies grow. And it’s also why most companies end up with inconsistent reviews, frustrated owners, and a reputation that doesn’t mean much.

We’re building something different at Homevy.

Image by Homevy

One of our interior designers – Eliana, came from a company where the philosophy was volume – get it done, move to the next one. At Homevy, the first question she asks about any design choice isn’t “does this look good?” It’s; “does this feel right?”

That distinction is everything. A space can photograph beautifully and still feel cold when you walk in. Aesthetic is what you see in the listing photos. Feeling is what makes a guest want to come back.

We’d rather manage a few properties we’re genuinely proud of than hundreds where we’re constantly making excuses for inconsistency.

And no, that’s not a catchy line. 😉 It’s how we actually operate, and the Marina apartment we turned down – is proof of that statement.

What This Means if You’re a Property Owner

If your property is already in our portfolio, this story should give you confidence. Your unit earned its spot. It wasn’t accepted to fill a quota. It was accepted because we believed we could deliver exceptional results with it.

And every time we say no to a property that doesn’t meet the standard, we’re protecting your ratings, your search visibility, and your returns.

If you’re considering working with us and you’re wondering whether we’ll accept your property… we might not. And that’s a good thing. Because if we do take it on, it means we’re genuinely confident we can deliver something worth talking about.

We’ll always choose quality over quantity. And that, is never going to change.