Joanna, your career spans law, investment, and entrepreneurship. Can you tell us about your personal journey – from building a successful legal career to becoming a trailblazer in global real estate?
I am a lawyer qualified to practice in both the UK and the US, specialising in corporate, commercial, contractual, data privacy, technology and AI law, as advising on regulatory functions. Together with my business partner Ravinder Singh Johal, who specialises in property, regeneration, and real estate development, we co-founded Ballantines LLP, a UK-based regulated law firm.
Our combined expertise – law and business on my side, property and regeneration on Ravinder’s – gave us the perfect foundation for our ventures, both Ballantines LLP and Dream Homes Investment.
Dream Homes Investment has quickly positioned itself as a global real estate consultancy with a unique edge. How did the idea for the company come about, and what inspired you to take the leap into entrepreneurship?
The inspiration came directly from our own experience as buyers in Dubai. We realised that while opportunities were abundant, investors were being left to navigate without adequate due diligence, legal insight, or proper risk assessment.
We built Dream Homes Investment to solve that problem. From day one, our focus has been on providing a holistic consultancy service: we carry out our own due diligence on projects, developers, and areas; we advise clients on hidden risks; and we support them with legal and tax advice where required.
What sets us apart is that Dream Homes Investment was founded by lawyers, is backed by Ballantines LLP, and is supported by a global panel of experts. This ensures that our clients benefit from legal rigour, investment strategy, and global professional advice all under one roof.
Every great company is driven by a powerful mission. What is the mission behind Dream Homes Investment, and how does it shape the way you and your team operate?
Our mission is to make global property investment transparent, safe, and rewarding. We believe investors should not just buy properties; they should make informed decisions that align with their long-term financial and lifestyle goals.
That’s why our team works differently from a typical brokerage. We don’t just show properties; we do the due diligence on the developers, the projects, and the surrounding areas. We flag hidden risks that others may ignore, and we make sure our clients are fully protected with legal, tax, and structuring advice.
This holistic approach – underpinned by our legal background and global expert network -ensures that every deal is robust, transparent, and designed for long-term success.
Tell us about the services Dream Homes Investment provides. How do you support international investors looking to navigate complex markets like the UAE?
At Dream Homes Investment, we provide a holistic consultancy service tailored to international investors’ individual needs. Our work goes beyond just real estate sales and includes:
- Independent due diligence on projects, developers, and areas.
- Risk analysis, highlighting hidden risks that could impact long-term value.
- Legal and tax advisory, backed by Ballantines LLP.
- Strategic investment advice aligned with each client’s goals.
- Access to our global panel of professionals, including experts in tax, wealth management, business set-up, and relocation.
Our difference is that we approach investment from both a legal and commercial perspective. We ensure that every decision is backed by facts, strategy, and protection to give the most sound investment advice possible.
We also work with some of the largest developers around the globe, giving our clients access to world-class opportunities in locations including the UAE, Cyprus, Europe, the UK, Bali, and Thailand. These are not just leading names in real estate, but forward-thinking partners who fully embrace and endorse our innovative and creative approach to business – making every collaboration both exciting and future-focused.
The UAE remains our hub, but our reach is truly international – allowing investors to diversify and secure opportunities across multiple markets with confidence.
What would you say has been your biggest achievement since launching Dream Homes Investment? Is there a success story or client case study that perfectly illustrates the value you bring?
One of our proudest achievements was working with a European investor who was hesitant about Dubai. They were worried about transparency, legal safeguards, and long-term risks.
We carried out due diligence, negotiated their purchase, and connected them with tax and relocation advisors. Today, they own a property that has significantly appreciated in value and enjoy a lifestyle split between Europe and Dubai.
The best part? They’ve referred several colleagues to us – proof that our holistic, lawyer-led approach inspires trust and delivers results.
The UAE continues to capture the attention of global investors. In your view, what are the most exciting opportunities in the real estate market right now? And why is now the right time to invest?
Dubai is currently going through one of its most successful and prolific periods for investment in its real estate market. Current opportunities include:
- Luxury branded residences tied to global hospitality names.
- Smart, sustainable communities, aligned with Dubai’s 2040 vision.
- Short-term rental properties, which remain highly profitable.
Why now? Because Dubai offers what few places can: political stability, safe enviromnetn for families to live in, zero income tax, global connectivity, and a lifestyle that appeals to investors worldwide. Compared to London or New York, Dubai still offers strong value — but with rapid appreciation potential.
You’re also launching an exciting new platform — dreamsabc. Can you share the vision behind it? What will make it a game-changer for global real estate investors and developers?
dreamsabc is our boldest venture yet. It is a global property platform powered by Dream Homes Investment, backed by Ballantines LLP, and delivered in association with Ztudium — a world-leading tech and AI company.
The vision is to create a comprehensive digital ecosystem for property investment. Developers will be able to subscribe to showcase their projects, while investors will benefit from:
- AI-powered concierge agents to guide them through opportunities.
- Bespoke investment packages that go beyond property — including tax, legal structuring, citizenship and residency, and wealth management, depending on their personal goals.
- An exclusive members’ club, providing access to off-market properties, cross-sector investment opportunities, and lifestyle privileges.
dreamsabc builds on the foundation of Dream Homes Investment but takes it global, scalable, and tech-enabled. By blending property, law, and AI, it is set to redefine how investors engage with real estate worldwide.
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