Expanding your business is an exciting and rewarding experience. It has also become a vital step for many growing enterprises seeking to acquire new customers in unexplored markets. The current real estate investment landscape presents promising opportunities for entrepreneurs seeking office or retail spaces.
Of course, some markets are easier to enter than others based on the existing regulatory and legal barriers.
McKinsey’s 2025 report noted that foreign investment was a core driver of economic growth in Vietnam. It also highlighted the resilience of markets like Singapore. Another promising destination is the Middle East. Many import-export and healthcare businesses are embracing opportunities in Dubai.
That said, due diligence into the destination’s foreign investment landscape won’t suffice while finalizing your overseas office. As the business world grows more competitive, entrepreneurs will need to go the extra mile.
1. Competition May Not Always Get it Right
When taking your business to a new location, it is tempting to seek inspiration from competitors. After all, these are entities that have done it before you and achieved success. You may feel confident that your competitors have conducted elaborate research already and cut down on your own assessment.
This can be a mistake. Even in business, like in life, many events are merely flukes. If they worked once, it doesn’t guarantee they will work for you, too.
In fact, during a business expansion, it is strategically wise to refrain from copying a competitor and focus on tapping into your unique culture. A Forbes story puts it succinctly: culture is a competitive advantage that resists imitation.
Consider the love for coffee in Australia and its thriving cafes, which attract several loyal customers daily. Outlook Traveler observes that Melbourne’s love for coffee can be traced back to the eventful arrival of European immigrants from Italy and Greece.
Why, then, did Starbucks fail to leave a solid impression, closing numerous stores and attracting general disfavor? The lack of cultural research and excessive haste in picking cafe locations were largely to blame. No one wanted an ‘outsider’ selling something so inherently authentic to them.
In real estate, too, your location choice should be driven less by competition and more by:
- Your personal research
- Ground-level studies
- Community interactions
2. Local Expertise Comes From Local Partners
Selecting an overseas office is a multifaceted decision that involves consideration of location, staffing, and costs. Your team may scout for listed properties but not have an adequate understanding of local factors related to vendor availability or the general perception of a specific neighborhood.
For instance, many Dubai investment properties are off-plan, requiring you to invest before the construction is complete. One of these projects could be a better fit for your business than the ready-to-move-in ones. These office spaces could be aligned with renewable energy installations and prioritize sustainable growth.
However, exploring these options often requires having an in with local developers. According to RD Dubai, entrepreneurs planning to establish an international presence can benefit from local partners who support them throughout the construction, handover, and property management.
Businesses with local support may also be privy to exclusive deals due to well-established relationships with developers. This can provide attractive financial gains. Every little bit counts when you are running on a tight budget, as most firms do when implementing expansion plans.
3. Inspect the Property Through a Future Lens
Is the office space you are considering ready for a world so constantly
changing due to climate change? Is the building committed to protecting the interests of nearby communities? These are questions you must ask before signing on the dotted line.
Not all developers build with sustainability as a priority. Some may even adopt questionable practices to circumvent regulatory requirements. If you place your money and trust in them, your business will already be slowed down by an impediment.
In 2025, Deloitte noted that infrastructure now faces pronounced threats from inclement weather and man-made problems, such as cyber-attacks. Future-ready buildings can use AI and other emerging technologies to enhance their resilience to these challenges. For example, some property builders now employ digital twins to support development and microclimate modeling for better material choices.
It implies that a sustainability prerogative must inform your property selection.
- Does the space consider the health and resource availability needs of surrounding communities?
- Is the property aligned with renewable energy regulations and provisions, like solar panels and rainwater harvesting?
- Does the building utilize environmentally conscious materials that can endure the ill effects of climate change, such as flooding and wildfires?
The Bottomline
During a business expansion, finalizing the office space may seem secondary to other, more pressing imperatives. Making high-level appointments. Designing your corporate communications campaign. Building relationships with suppliers and vendors.
While these tasks are undoubtedly crucial, you don’t want your enterprise to be stuck in a space that squashes its promise.
It is a good idea to view this process as the significant financial investment it emphatically is. Your office will affect everything from daily business operations to local perceptions and employee motivation.
