Reality TV stars explain the reasons affluent buyers are increasingly choosing Dubai, revealing lifestyle perks, tax advantages, luxury properties, and appeal driving the city’s surge in high-end real estate demand.
Why Wealthy Buyers Are Flocking to Dubai, According to Reality TV Stars
Million Dollar Listing UAE made a high-profile comeback in December 2025 with its second season, turning up both the ambition and the price tags. Now ranked among STARZPLAY’s most successful series to date, the Dubai-based reality show moves past sweeping skyline shots and luxury car glamour to offer a closer look at how the emirate’s elite real estate market truly works behind the scenes.
Season 2 showcases some of the priciest properties ever captured on camera in the region, including a buzz-worthy Dh61.5 million transaction, underscoring Dubai’s status as a top destination for global wealth and high-net-worth investors.
Speaking to Insider18, breakout stars Ben Bandari and Rami Wahood explain why they see the new season as “real estate drama, not trash TV.” They open up about the intense pressure that comes with nine-figure deals, how international investors now perceive Dubai, and the ways the show has reshaped their professional journeys — from career growth to the soaring expectations of their clients.
Season 2 is being described as “real estate drama, not trash TV.” Where did you draw the line between authentic tension and manufactured reality for the cameras?
Ben Bandari: We were very firm about the boundaries. If something wouldn’t have unfolded naturally without cameras present, then it simply wasn’t included. High-end real estate is intense by nature — the money involved, tight timelines, strong personalities and reputations all create real pressure on a daily basis. Our job was to let that reality come through on screen without inflating it or turning it into spectacle, while still respecting client privacy and maintaining professional standards. Genuine pressure adds authenticity and trust; forced drama does the opposite.
Dubai recorded 435 homes sold above USD 10 million in 2024. From your vantage point, what’s fundamentally changed about the type of ultra-wealthy buyers entering the market today compared to even three-four years ago?
Ben Bandari: What we’re seeing now is a move toward purpose and long-term vision. A few years back, many investors were acting on impulse, reacting to global instability and short-term trends. Today, ultra-high-net-worth buyers are far more deliberate. They’re shifting their families, setting up businesses, and creating portfolios meant to last generations. Dubai is no longer viewed as a speculative play — it’s recognised as a mature, stable market, and people are investing with confidence, not just interest.
One of the standout moments this season is a Dh61.5 million sale. What doesn’t the camera capture about deals of that scale?
Ben Bandari: What people don’t always see is the level of responsibility involved. At that scale, it’s never just about finalising a deal — it’s about safeguarding trust, reputations and vast amounts of capital. Discussions usually unfold discreetly over long periods, sometimes stretching across months and multiple countries. The pressure is intense but measured. A single wrong call can lead to huge financial losses or strain relationships built over years, and that burden doesn’t disappear once the paperwork is signed.
What’s the most misunderstood aspect of being a luxury broker in Dubai that this season finally gets right?
Rami Wahood: Many assume it’s all about luxury cars, stunning views and impressive figures, but the reality is far more demanding. The pressure is constant, and every choice carries real consequences. A single mistake can mean major financial loss or a breakdown of trust. The show captures that reality for the first time — the stress, the accountability, and just how much is truly at stake with every transaction.
With the series branching out internationally through a London crossover, how does working with Dubai-based clients overseas compare to handling sales within the local market, and what does this reveal about Dubai’s expanding presence and influence on the global stage?
Rami Wahood: Clients from Dubai are decisive and action-oriented. They come in with clear objectives and expect momentum. Bringing that approach into a city like London highlights the contrast straight away. It reflects how much Dubai has evolved — it’s no longer simply a destination for property investment, but a place where global strategies and major decisions are now shaped.
With close to 9,800 millionaires said to have moved to Dubai in 2025, what are these investors truly buying into — just property size, financial advantages, quality of life, or a sense of long-term stability?
Ben Bandari: What these buyers are really after is both security and flexibility. While benefits like tax advantages and lifestyle appeal matter, the true value comes from stability. Dubai provides safety, robust infrastructure, strong governance, and unmatched global connectivity. For many, real estate serves as a concrete base for bigger life choices — whether it’s moving families, protecting wealth, or planning for the future.
In what ways has appearing on *Million Dollar Listing UAE* altered clients’ perception of you? Has the exposure created new opportunities, or has it also set a higher bar for what people expect from you?
Rami Wahood: It’s a bit of both. Opportunities come faster, but so do heightened expectations. From the very start, clients assume you’re highly knowledgeable and capable of acting quickly. There’s no hiding — you either perform or you don’t. Being among the most recognized brokers in Dubai and Abu Dhabi brings its own intense pressure.
Ben Bandari: The exposure has definitely unlocked new opportunities, but it has also raised the bar considerably. Clients now anticipate top-tier performance right away. While trust develops more quickly, so does accountability. There’s no leeway for falling short. The upside is that it attracts more serious, discerning clients who value strategic thinking, transparency, and flawless execution.
For audiences tuning in from abroad, what aspects of Dubai do you think *Million Dollar Listing UAE* shows that typical news stories and social media posts often miss?
Rami Wahood: Social media highlights the glitz, but the show gives a real look at how the city functions. It captures the pace, the organization, and the professionalism behind every deal. Dubai isn’t just flashy — it’s remarkably efficient, which is why it continues to attract global investment.
Ben Bandari: The series also demonstrates the market’s sophistication. Dubai isn’t only about eye-catching properties or record-breaking prices. It’s a highly regulated, mature market where educated buyers, intricate negotiations, and long-term planning are the norm. The show provides a window into how global wealth operates here, beyond what headlines or social media portray.
