Darscover set to bridge tradition and technology in Malta’s real estate market

When Joe Ellul-Turner talks about Malta’s property market, there’s both a sense of urgency and optimism in his voice. As the Founder and CEO of Darscover, he is on a mission to bring a fresh, technology-driven approach to how people buy, sell, and rent homes on the islands.

“Malta’s real estate sector is one of the pillars of the economy, but the tools we’re using are outdated,” Mr Ellul-Turner says. “With Darscover, we’re not just building another property website. We’re building a hub – a place where agencies, private sellers, and buyers can all connect seamlessly.”

The Maltese property sector is crowded, but Darscover is carving out a distinct position. At its core, the business has two sides: a property portal for the public and a set of digital tools for agencies.

“The goal is for Darscover to become the main toolkit for agencies while also being the primary destination for anyone looking to buy or rent,” Mr Ellul-Turner explains. “We saw a big gap in the market. Right now, if you’re a private seller, your listing often doesn’t get the same visibility as one from an agency. With Darscover, private listings sit side by side with agency listings, giving users a clearer picture of the market.”

This dual approach opens up significant opportunities. For property hunters, it means more choice and transparency. For real estate agencies in Malta, it offers higher-quality leads and better exposure for their listings.

Real estate in Malta is a fast-moving industry that attracts both local and international buyers. Darscover is designed to serve both.

“When it comes to sales, the international audience is huge,” Mr Ellul-Turner says. “We’re making sure that our platform supports multiple languages so that buyers from different countries can easily search. And on the rental side, Malta has a growing student and expat population, especially university students looking for rooms. Darscover will cater to them as well.”

This inclusive model means the platform isn’t just for large villa sales or high-end properties. It also caters to the day-to-day housing needs of people moving to Malta for work or study.

For now, Mr Ellul-Turner’s growth strategy is rooted in collaboration. “We’re starting with partnerships with agencies. The more agencies we onboard, the more properties users can browse, and the more value everyone gets out of the platform,” he explains.

He also highlights the importance of government support: “We’re exploring government grants to boost our marketing. That will help us get Darscover in front of a much wider audience, which is key for both agencies and private sellers.”

Expansion beyond Malta is on the horizon, but the immediate priority is to cement Darscover’s presence locally. “Once we’ve perfected the model here, there’s no reason it can’t be replicated in similar markets,” Mr Ellul-Turner says.

What truly differentiates Darscover from existing players is its technology-first approach. “If you look at other platforms, the UX and UI feel outdated,” Mr Ellul-Turner points out. “We wanted to create something modern, intuitive, and enjoyable to use.”

Some of the standout features include AI-powered search to make property discovery more accurate, interactive maps that allow users to explore homes based on location, and advanced filters that go beyond price and size. All this allowed buyers and renters pinpoint exactly what they want and make informed decisions, supported by market insights and price analysis.

“These are the tools people expect today, but they’re simply missing from Malta’s market,” Mr Ellul-Turner says. “Our aim is to change that.”

Interestingly, the name ‘Darscover’ itself reflects this blend of innovation and tradition. ‘‘The term ‘dar’ means home in Maltese, and when you combine it with ‘discover,’ it perfectly captures what we’re about; helping people discover their ideal home in Malta and Gozo,” Mr Ellul-Turner shares.

While the platform is firmly rooted in advanced technology, it also reflects a deep understanding of the local property landscape. “We’re not outsiders coming in with a generic solution. We live and breathe the Maltese market, and that’s why our platform is designed to address its specific challenges,” he adds.

For Mr Ellul-Turner, Darscover is about reshaping an entire industry. “Real estate is such a big part of Malta’s economy, but it shouldn’t feel stuck in the past,” he says. “We want to make property search efficient, transparent, and enjoyable.”

As the platform continues to grow, Mr Ellul-Turner envisions Darscover becoming synonymous with property in Malta. “When people think about buying or renting, I want them to think about Darscover first because they know it’s the one place where they’ll find everything they need.”

Darscover is still young, but it has all the ingredients of a transformative business: a clear vision, innovative technology, and a strategy grounded in both partnerships and user needs. As Malta’s real estate market evolves, Ellul-Turner and his team are positioning Darscover not just as a property portal, but as the digital backbone of the sector.

“Ultimately,” Ellul-Turner says with a smile, “we’re here to make finding a home in Malta simple, smart, and stress-free. That’s what Darscover is all about.”