In an exclusive interview with one of Dubai’s most seasoned real estate professionals, Imran Agha delves into his personal journey of how he climbed the ladder of success, navigating the fluidity of the market economy in South Asia and the Middle East. His gallery of achievements and the way he confronts the hardships in this trade serve as a guiding path for the youth of today. Through these curated one-on-one questions, we examined how he mastered the art of the real estate market.
Imran Agha is recognised as one of the most experienced and trusted names in real estate. He is a strategic advisor and visionary partner to leading developers and investors across the UAE and beyond. With nearly two decades of hands-on experience, he has played a key role in pioneering landmark developments in the UAE and leading the creation of one of Pakistan’s largest mountain communities. His journey reflects a rare combination of vision, innovation, and consistent execution.
Driven by a deep understanding of market dynamics and a passion for building lasting value, Imran continues to shape projects that define communities, inspire growth, and set new standards for excellence in real estate.
You are a leading expert in several real estate areas and have created an empire. What inspired you to pursue this career? Was this your passion since your childhood?
Since my childhood, I have always been a people person; I was never the one to shy away from any sort of social gathering. It then made sense that a focal point in my passion is also how to deal with people. My career used to be all about advertising and business development.
After moving to Dubai, I joined an international real estate company, and that opportunity opened countless avenues for growth. Real estate quickly became more than just a career; it evolved into a passion I’ve carried for as long as I can remember. With the Dubai market thriving, everything aligned seamlessly and felt like the natural path forward.
From your very first business success to where you stand now, how has your vision for real estate evolved?
Every new project begins with a newfound passion for yourself. But I think, as I have grown with this market, it is also important to realise what a real estate project actually means. You create property for people, and in the end, it is important to work on those assignments that ultimately add more value and benefits to end-users.
What were some of the challenges that you faced, especially in the early moments of your career?
Initially, I felt a lack of structure and system. It was a very untainted and new market; many of the rules weren’t properly established. However, Dubai adapted and created numerous trust-building laws, including investor protection; only reputable and sound developers could enter this market.
These regulations and compliance make this trade robust and very hard to fail; it is now much more structured and foolproof. The incentives that they give to blue-collar workers, such as banking systems, payment plans, and loans, have now opened this region to around 194 nationalities.
Are there any core tenets that you have kept in mind throughout your journey to building a national corporation?
That’s a great question. Yes, as a pioneer or even as an expert, I have kept some beliefs which form the cornerstone of my business, especially when building a national-scale real estate operation in a very dynamic market like Dubai.
There are three very central values: trust, integrity, and long-term partnership. You need to build confidence in every dealing to have a good client relationship. It is important to remember: we don’t just sell property – we do it for the people. It is a social responsibility.
How would you define the real estate market? Do the changing trends in geography and products, such as Dubai’s rapid growth, mould your approach and strategies? How do you cope with the fluctuation?
Dubai has, no doubt, shifted along with the market and the flux of income that came here. It is dynamic and provides you with the opportunity for innovation and success. It has matured from what it was, perhaps, a decade ago. We see surging transactions and product diversity; there is a client for every market.
However, yes, the changing trends definitely affect this economy. One has to be prepared for any obstacle to come; your priority should be your business relationships and how much data-driven research has been committed before investing in a new project. Because the pipeline is large, I tailor advice depending on where we think the market may correct. I lean into opportunities with strong fundamentals, not just speculative plays. This means targeting areas and projects with real demand, not just speculators.
What does success in the real estate market look like to you? How has its definition changed since you began?
That’s a really thoughtful question. When I started, success looked more transactional. It was about how much commission we could generate. Now, it isn’t just about closing a big deal; it’s about creating a brand, a lasting value for clients, to be remembered by. I measure success by whether the assets we handle deliver long-term returns, stability, and growth.
It is about building a legacy that can afford hurdles, that does not crumble after just one obstacle, and has space for corrections. For any success to come, failure is a vital part. For me, returning clients, long-term partnerships, and referrals are a stronger signal of success than just top-line revenue.
What keeps you motivated after 20 years in such a competitive field?
After 20 years in this industry, what truly drives me is the influence I can have with my team, the impact we leave on our clients, and the significance we bring to the Dubai market.
Even after all these years, I’m energised by mentoring the next generation of real estate talent. The Dubai market doesn’t stand still. New areas, new product types, and new technology, basically, every cycle brings fresh challenges. I love that constant reinvention.
Ultimately, success for me isn’t just financial; it’s about leaving something meaningful behind: a company culture built on integrity, a team that’s empowered, and a reputation that withstands time.
