Million Dollar Listing UAE star Ben Bandari talks making it in Dubai, the cutthroat real estate industry, and navigating boom-and-bust through pure hustle.
In a city built on ambition and daring decisions, Ben Bandari deals only in certainties. When we sit down at Villa Flora—a lavish mansion showcasing Dubai’s signature luxury—Bandari’s composed charisma feels as much a part of the estate as its crystal chandeliers. Every movement he makes—the subtle fixing of a cuff, the smooth motion pointing out toward the golf course—speaks of a man who has translated Dubai’s unstoppable drive into a concrete figure: $5.99 billion in real estate deals over twenty years.
Golden afternoon sunlight spills over Villa Flora’s polished marble, creating sharp patterns through towering windows that reveal an immaculately maintained golf course. In DAMAC Hills, Bandari adjusts the sleeve of his expertly fitted blue suit, revealing a flash of his designer watch. His silk tie glows softly in the light as he gestures across the scene.
“Not bad, right?” he says, the casual tone lingering like a luxury fragrance.
How reality TV reshaped the game
To audiences in over 60 countries, Bandari is the breakout personality of Million Dollar Listing UAE, the hit reality series now filming its second season. Season one shattered STARZPLAY viewership records, topping the platform within a day of its release.
“It’s been incredible, honestly—the exposure has been unbelievable,” Bandari reflects. “Wherever I go, people recognize me. I get messages daily from industry professionals who congratulate me on the new season.”
To casual viewers, Bandari seems like the ultimate businessman—sharp, driven, and always closing deals. But off-camera, he’s the brains behind the show itself, having spent five years pitching it before securing partnerships with Image Nation Abu Dhabi and Aldar Properties. With DAMAC joining as a sponsor for Season 2, the show now has backing from three of the UAE’s top real estate forces.
“From a business perspective, it’s been phenomenal,” he explains. “Sellers offer me their listings directly. Buyers reach out because they trust what they’ve seen. Developers are literally sending gifts weekly asking for us to visit their offices.”
The show has even opened up a new talent pipeline. “Now a lot of agents want to work with me or join BenCo Real Estate,” he says, describing the rapid growth of his personal brand.
TV glam versus the daily grind
While his success has inspired a new generation to try their hand at real estate, Bandari warns that reality doesn’t always match the screen. “Most people see the show and think it’s just listing, showing, and closing deals.”
The truth, he shares, involves “a ton of hard work, constant rejection, and pressure. Nine out of ten deals fall apart. It’s a numbers game, and only those with discipline succeed.”
With Season 2 expanding to 12 episodes, Bandari returns alongside Riad Gohar and Rami Wahood, now joined by newcomers Sara Serhan and Mai Khaled. “From what we’ve shot already, I can say the drama is definitely higher than Season 1,” he admits. Still, he clarifies, “It’s not just drama for drama’s sake. It’s serious disputes—about listings and real estate.”
A broader vision
His growing media visibility is fueling momentum for his latest venture: DevCore Properties. “We’re a full-scale project sales and marketing agency, guiding developers from land acquisition all the way to construction.”
DevCore acts as both consultant and marketing team, steering developers through the intricate Dubai market. “We’ve got in-house architects and experts. We know the contractors, we advise on strategy.”
Already, DevCore has landed a significant client. “LEOS International, a UK-based developer active here for three years, is our first partner. We’re handling marketing and sales for Weybridge 5, a 190-unit building in Dubailand.”
He describes it as a “cutting-edge, visually stunning” project offering studio to three-bedroom units at around $1,300 per square foot. “The unique angle? It’s fully furnished at that rate. Buyers can hand it over, rent it immediately, and cover installments with the rental income.”
From dropout to real estate force
Few have witnessed Dubai’s transformation like Bandari. When he arrived in 2002 with CAD 700 (about $510) to his name, Dubai was just beginning to open its property market to foreigners. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s decree marked the start of a global real estate boom in the emirate.
“There was no Media City or Internet City,” he recalls. “Nights were pitch dark. Most of Sheikh Zayed Road didn’t exist.”
Raised in Vancouver to Iranian parents, Bandari didn’t start out smoothly. “I dropped out of university. My family expected me to become a doctor or engineer. I did retail, telemarketing—anything to make ends meet.”
Then came a chance opportunity in Dubai, offering just $436 monthly. “I was probably the lowest-paid Canadian alive,” he laughs. “Five of us shared a one-bedroom flat. It felt like boot camp—everyone queued for showers each morning.”
Turning point
The change came with his mother’s visit. Shocked by his living situation, “She basically pushed me to aim higher. She even called real estate agencies on my behalf.” This led to Better Homes, where he turned down a fixed $2,726 salary for a 50/50 commission model.
Ironically, his mother also joined the business. “She said it would be fun—and that she’d show me how it’s done.”
It worked. “In my first month, I closed a villa deal worth $545,190. I earned $5,451. The next month it doubled, then tripled. By 2004-2006, I was making over $54,519 per month.”
Weathering the financial storm
The 2008 financial crisis hit hard. “We had just sold a $190.8 million Waterfront project. The payment was due when the crash happened. The developer disappeared with the funds.”
He lost half of his wealth in an instant.
Instead of quitting, he recalibrated. That lesson became the foundation for BenCo Real Estate, which he launched during the pandemic. “I learned that crises create opportunities. Many of today’s major firms started in downturns.”
Leading with purpose
Today, Bandari oversees his brokerage, a production career, the Bandari Investment Group, and DevCore. His leadership style echoes his past.
“My approach is simple—look after your team, and they’ll look after the business. I don’t even have my own office. I sit with everyone.”
BenCo and DevCore run on a flat structure. “No hierarchies. Everyone’s on the same level, including me.”
With a team of 60–70 across both businesses, “I stay accessible. I respond to everyone. I meet clients. Balancing everything is hard—but I believe it’s what will make me truly successful.”
Crafting a legacy
Beyond profits and accolades, Bandari is focused on leaving an impact.
“Don’t try to do it alone,” he advises. “Find a mentor. Even if you work for free at first, sit beside them, observe their methods, listen to their negotiations.”
As we wrap up, his phone lights up with yet another deal in the pipeline. In a city where ambition is the currency, Ben Bandari—once a broke newcomer—is now a pillar of the high-end property scene.
“I’m no longer driven by saving money. That part is done,” he says.
“My aim now is legacy. I want BenCo to go global—20 offices across Dubai, London, China, the U.S. That’s what excites me.”
And in this fast-moving industry, he adds, “You’re only as memorable as your last deal—and as influential as the people you’ve helped grow along the way.”
