Who do you look to when buying or selling a home? You should consider the country's top talent.

Last evening, Propertyfinder Group gathered 400 of the real estate industry's elite at the Armani Hotel at the Burj Khalifa to award the best in the industry of 2017. 

"Everyone at the UAE Real Estate Awards is part of a great story: the story of a growing industry in a growing country," says Michael Lahyani, CEO of Propertyfinder Group. "Propertyfinder is in a unique position to be able to award the best in real estate. We have the largest and most top-performing real estate agents and developers as our clients, and count 1.5 million UAE house seekers, starting their home search on our platform. This provides us with the data necessary to identify who is at the peak of the real estate game. By awarding the top performers, we push the industry forward in its pursuit of best practices and transparency." 

The winners, and runners-up, are:

UAE Best Brokerage
A top brokerage with an outstanding track record of deals closed, solid industry experience, and exceptional customer service.

3. Espace
2. Better Homes LLC
1. Driven Properties

Best Developer
The developer with a track record of local industry experience and the most exciting real estate projects.

1. Aldar Properties PJSC

Best New Project
The developer that broke ground and delivered on the most innovative project, with consideration given to consumers' preference based on a poll. 

1. Serenia Residences, The Palm by Palma Homes Real Estate Development

UAE Best Agent
This award goes to a top performing agent with the best customer service in the UAE, a proven track record, and high number of deals closed.

3. Noa Wardman - House Hunters Real Estate
2. Roberto Perez Lorenzo - Espace
1. Darren Murphy - Allsopp & Allsopp

Highest Performing Brokerage
Selected by the Awards Committee based on internal metrics gathered by Propertyfinder that emphasise a commitment to transparency, integrity, and customer service that support a track record of closed deals and industry experience.

3. Foot Print Real Estate
2. Allsopp & Allsopp
1. Better Homes LLC

Most Outstanding Northern Emirates Brokerage
A top brokerage operating in the Northern Emirates selected by the awards committee based on internal metrics that emphasise a commitment to transparency, integrity, and customer service, as well as a track record of closed deals and industry experience.

1. Hunt and Harris Real Estate Broker

Most Outstanding Abu Dhabi Brokerage
A top brokerage operating in Abu Dhabi selected by the awards committee based on internal metrics that emphasise a commitment to transparency, integrity, and customer service, as well as a track record of closed deals and industry experience.

1. United Gulf Properties

Best UAE Boutique Brokerage
A top performing brokerage that is accomplishing big things with fewer than 15 agents, and a track record of deals closed, solid industry experience, and exceptional customer service.

3. Saxon Stone Real Estate
2. Exclusive Links Real Estate Brokerage
1. House Hunters Real Estate