In this episode of Sobha The Living Room, host Nimi Mehta sits down with Michael Hunter, Co-Founder & CEO of Holo, to break down the real truth about mortgages in the UAE and why “smarter borrowing” is often what helps people build wealth faster, not slower.

Michael shares what he’s learned from a decade in the UAE mortgage market, the biggest misconceptions first-time buyers still believe, and why many cash-rich buyers still choose mortgages when the numbers make sense. They also get into fixed vs variable rates, what banks actually look for, and how to think about affordability before you fall in love with a property.

The conversation also covers how investors can “make money on borrowed money” when rental returns outpace borrowing costs, how easy it is to switch lenders in the UAE compared to markets like the UK, and why the region remains attractive for long-term, tax-efficient property wealth building.

Highlights include

✔️ Why mortgages aren’t only for people who “can’t afford cash”
✔️ How leverage can help investors scale from 1 property to a portfolio
✔️ Fixed vs variable rates and how to choose based on your life plans
✔️ The UAE rule that makes switching lenders far more flexible than most markets
✔️ Why some cash buyers still take mortgages (and invest their cash elsewhere)
✔️ What’s changing in the region, including more access for non-residents
✔️ What tech and AI will realistically change in mortgage journeys (and what won’t)

Know more about us
Sobha Realty: https://sobharealty.com/

Follow Sobha Realty
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sobharealty/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sobharealty/

Follow the host & guest
Nimi Mehta: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nimimmehta/

Michael Hunter (Holo): https://ae.linkedin.com/in/michael-hunter-461666a5

Holo: https://www.useholo.com/

In this episode of Sobha The Living Room, host Nimi Mehta sits down with Nazish Khan, Chief Operating Officer at FIDU Properties and a real estate leader with over 21 years of experience in Dubai’s property market.

Born and raised in the city, Nazish has witnessed Dubai’s evolution from an emerging destination to a globally trusted investment hub. With experience across every layer of the industry, he shares a practical, performance driven view on why Dubai continues to attract global capital and long term investors.

Together, Nimi and Nazish explore how Dubai’s tax friendly structure, seamless ownership processes, and future focused governance have reshaped property investment. From zero capital gains tax and inheritance planning to high rental yields and simple entry and exit, the conversation highlights what sets the UAE apart from traditional global markets.

They also discuss investor behaviour across key regions, the growing importance of stability, and why post 2027 is expected to mark the next phase of performance driven growth.

The episode touches on lifestyle migration, legacy planning, Golden Visas, and why many investors are choosing not just to invest in Dubai, but to call it home.

Highlights Include

✔️ Why Dubai’s tax structure gives investors a long term edge
✔️ No capital gains, no annual property tax, and seamless inheritance
✔️ How Dubai compares to London, New York, and Singapore
✔️ Rental yields and ROI realities across old and new developments
✔️ Why global investors are shifting from watching to acting
✔️ Entry and exit simplicity for international buyers
✔️ Stability, safety, and trust as key investment drivers
✔️ Why Dubai is becoming a home, not just an investment destination

Know more about us

Sobha Realty: https://sobharealty.com/

Follow us on social media

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sobharealty/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sobharealty/

Follow the host and guest

Nimi Mehta: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nimimmehta/

Nazish Khan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nazish-khan-456b4535/

In this special recap episode of Sobha The Living Room, host Nimi Mehta brings together the strongest insights from Episodes 5 to 8. These conversations highlight how the UAE continues to evolve into one of the world’s most desired places to live, invest and build a life.

Across these four episodes, our guests unpacked how safety influences everyday living, how COVID reshaped the meaning of home, why families are choosing intentional communities, and how the idea of luxury has shifted from pure opulence to thoughtful daily comfort. We also explored the rise of hybrid homes, sustainable design, and how women are shaping the next chapter of real estate decision making.

This recap brings all of these ideas together in one episode that captures what modern living in the UAE truly looks like today.

Tune in to hear highlights from
✔️ Khaldoun Shindi, General Manager, Real Estate Masters
✔️ Kavita Srinivasan, former Editor-in-Chief, Cosmopolitan Middle East
✔️ Peggy Li, Founder, SPS Affinity
✔️ Qurat Ul Ain, Co-Founder & Chief Legal Officer, DRE Homes

Whether you’re an investor, a homeowner, or exploring life in the UAE, this episode is your quick guide to the mindset, movement, and momentum shaping the country’s future.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Sobha The Living Room
01:05 What UAE Living Really Represents
03:30 How COVID Shifted the Meaning of Home
07:53 The Rise of Daily Luxury and Conscious Design
10:16 Community, Connection and Family-First Living
14:50 Why Safety Is Dubai’s Biggest Luxury
17:30 The Hybrid Home: Work, Life, Wellness
20:00 Sustainability and Smart Living
22:53 How Design Reflects Culture and Values
25:10 The Rise of Women in Real Estate
27:00 What the Last Four Episodes Reveal About the UAE’s Future

Want to dive deeper into each topic? Watch or listen to the full episodes here:

Episode 5: Khaldoun Shindi - https://open.spotify.com/episode/49LLPuAl7ozm4eApbzVRKY?si=95UyjeY7QLuPNrNWp5qVqQ

Episode 6: Kavita Srinivasan - https://open.spotify.com/episode/5XtbZp9WFh90y2Vswm85Ul?si=ppJtbh6DThix3KenksCLHw

Episode 7: Peggy Li - https://open.spotify.com/episode/2VwSowB8ERAe51AG236MrW?si=ENLIeO8OSCqPOKY4-zISig

Episode 8: Qurat Ul Ain - https://open.spotify.com/episode/7i7P1BLoyQI6g1LbpYRNAn?si=MLketCQgRC6umPCVV1niLg

Follow us:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sobharealty/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sobharealty/
Sobha Realty: https://sobharealty.com/

Follow Nimi Mehta:
https://www.instagram.com/thenimimehta/

Follow our guests

✔️ Khaldoun Shindi
https://www.linkedin.com/in/khaldoun-abu-shindi-b7125213/

✔️ Kavita Srinivasan
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kavita-srinivasan-56095537/

✔️ Peggy Li
https://www.linkedin.com/in/peggy-li-pui-ki/

✔️ Qurat Ul Ain
https://www.linkedin.com/in/qurat-ul-ain-6528a467/

In this episode of Sobha The Living Room, host Nimi Mehta sits down with Qurat Ul Ain, Co-Founder and Chief Legal Officer of DRE Homes, and one of the most respected voices in Dubai’s property market.

From advising first-time buyers to guiding investors through the city’s ever-changing skyline, Qurat has witnessed Dubai’s transformation from a transient hub to a global home for innovation, culture, and community living.

Together, Nimi and Qurat explore how design, detail, and diversity have shaped the UAE’s architectural identity and why women today are playing a bigger role than ever before in how homes are built, bought, and lived in.

They talk about what makes UAE’s architecture stand out, how developers are adapting to the rise of female investors, and why wellness, sustainability, and smart design are defining the next chapter of luxury living.

Highlights Include

✔️ What makes UAE’s architecture unique and ahead of its time
✔️ The growing influence of women as buyers and decision-makers
✔️ How developers are tailoring spaces for female investors
✔️ The shift from cookie-cutter layouts to personalized living
✔️ Why wellness and community are key to modern design
✔️ How sustainability and smart tech are shaping the future of homes
✔️ Why Sobha’s focus on detail builds lasting trust and emotional value

Chapters

00:00 – Meet Qurat Ul Ain, Co-Founder and CLO of DRE Real Estate
01:00 – How UAE architecture sets itself apart globally
02:00 – Blending innovation with cultural roots and family values
03:00 – The growing role of women in property decisions
04:00 – 33% of property owners in the UAE are women
05:00 – Why female-to-female trust drives real estate relationships
06:00 – Developers adapting to female investors and agents
07:00 – Personalization and wellness as the new meaning of luxury
08:00 – Designing for inclusivity in a city of 200 nationalities
09:00 – Sobha’s approach to detail and why it resonates with women buyers
10:00 – Sustainability, technology, and the future of community living
11:00 – Qurat’s reflections on working with Sobha and building trust

Know more about us:
Sobha Realty: https://sobharealty.com/

Follow us
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sobharealty/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sobharealty/

Follow the host and guest
Nimi Mehta: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nimimmehta/
Qurat Ul Ain: https://www.linkedin.com/in/qurat-ul-ain-6528a467/

In this episode of Sobha The Living Room, host Nimi Mehta sits down with Peggy Li, Founder of SPS Affinity and one of the region’s most respected voices in hospitality and F&B strategy.

From Michelin-starred restaurants in London to curating dining concepts across Dubai, Peggy has seen the city evolve from a transient stopover to a thriving hub where people now build lives, families, and legacies.

Together, Nimi and Peggy explore what home really means in a city as global and fast-moving as Dubai, and how luxury, wellness, and belonging are being redefined for a new generation.

They talk about why Dubai’s greatest strength lies in its accessibility and ambition, how community design shapes our sense of safety and comfort, and why emotional investment is just as powerful as financial investment when it comes to choosing where to live.

Highlights include:

✔️ What defines home in a global, multicultural city like Dubai
✔️ How Dubai evolved from a transient city to a family-first community
✔️ The new meaning of luxury: from opulence to comfort and convenience
✔️ How wellness, sustainability and smart living are reshaping modern homes
✔️ Why accessibility and safety remain Dubai’s biggest advantages
✔️ The emotional magnetism that keeps residents choosing to stay
✔️ What the next chapter of luxury living could look like, from AI to water taxis

Show Notes

00:00 – Meet Peggy Li and her journey from London to Dubai.
03:30 – Defining what home means in a global, multicultural city.
07:00 – How design, schools, and accessibility shape community life.
09:00 – Dubai’s shift from a transient hub to a family-focused destination.
11:30 – The role of safety and convenience in everyday living.
16:00 – Redefining luxury through comfort, space, and accessibility.
20:00 – How wellness and hotel-style living influence modern homes.
25:00 – The rise of hybrid homes that blend work, family, and connection.
30:00 – Sustainability, technology, and Dubai’s evolving definition of luxury.
36:00 – Looking ahead to Dubai’s future: innovation, mobility, and stronger communities.

Know more about us:

Sobha Realty: https://sobharealty.com/

Follow us

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sobharealty/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sobharealty/

Follow Nimi Mehta: https://www.instagram.com/thenimimehta/

Follow Peggy Li: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peggy-li-pui-ki/

In this episode of Sobha The Living Room, host Nimi Mehta is joined by Kavita Srinivasan, former Editor-in-Chief of Cosmopolitan Middle East, now a trauma counselor, parenting coach and founder of Raising Hearts.

Kavita opens up about her personal journey of healing and why the true luxuries of life in the UAE extend far beyond architecture and amenities. Together they explore how safety shapes confidence, how intentional communities are redefining home, and why connection and belonging matter more than ever in a fast-changing world.

Highlights include:

✔️ Why community and connection are central to wellbeing and parenting

✔️ How Dubai evolved from a transient city to a place families call home

✔️ The role of safety and convenience in raising confident children

✔️ Intentional community design: nurseries, local clinics, grocery and green spaces

✔️ Conscious living, slow living and balancing tech with human-first practices

✔️ Practical ideas for building “connectors” in communities to reduce awkwardness and increase belonging

🔗 Follow us:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sobharealty/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sobharealty/
Sobha Realty: https://sobharealty.com/

Follow Nimi Mehta: https://www.instagram.com/thenimimehta/
Follow Kavita Srinivasan: https://www.instagram.com/kavitasrin/

Chapters
00:00 Intro
01:00 Meet Kavita Srinivasan, from publishing to trauma work
03:30 Kavita’s personal turning point and path into trauma therapy
07:00 Why community matters, the village principle
09:00 Dubai’s shift from a transient city to family-focused communities
11:30 The rise of self-sufficient communities: nurseries, clinics and local stores
14:00 COVID, the home as centre, and the mindset shift in choosing where to live
17:30 Safety as a core benefit for families in the UAE
20:30 Emotional development, independence and children’s baseline safety
24:00 The international mix and the power of finding like-minded subcommunities
27:30 Wellness, nature, green spaces and why they matter for families
31:00 Conscious, slow living in the middle of the hustle
33:30 Tech, AI and the need to protect what makes us human
36:30 The trend: developments with wellness and community zones in 2025
38:30 The missing “connector” role in communities and how to fix it
42:00 Future hopes: inclusivity and a place for every mindset
44:00 Closing thoughts and next episode tease

In this episode of Sobha The Living Room, host Nimi Mehta is joined by Khaldoun Shindi, General Manager of Real Estate Masters, for an inspiring conversation about UAE living, legacy, and the evolving meaning of luxury.

With 25 years of experience in the UAE, Khaldoun has witnessed Dubai’s transformation first-hand—from a city that ended at Jumeirah Beach Hotel to one of the most desirable destinations in the world. He shares how safety, opportunity, and design excellence define the UAE lifestyle, why trust is the ultimate currency in real estate, and what’s next for the country’s property market.

🎧 Tune in to hear:

- How the UAE became a benchmark for luxury living

- Why “home” has a new meaning post-COVID

- The role of trust between developers, brokers, and buyers

- The rise of “daily luxury” and personality-driven design

- Khaldoun’s take on Sobha Siniya Island and the next era of UAE real estate

- Myths about Dubai that need to be busted

Hit play to discover why Khaldoun calls the UAE “home” and why the next decade could be its most exciting yet.

🔗 Follow us:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sobharealty/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sobharealty/
Sobha Realty: https://sobharealty.com/

Follow Nimi Mehta: https://www.instagram.com/thenimimehta/
Follow Khaldoun Shindi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/khaldoun-abu-shindi-b7125213/

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:57 Meet Khaldoun Shindi: 25 Years in the UAE
03:15 Dubai’s Transformation – From Coastline to Global Hub
07:00 The Pillars of UAE Living
09:00 How the Meaning of “Home” Has Changed
11:00 Evolving Expectations & Daily Luxury
13:00 Listening to Residents & Innovating Design
15:00 Trust in Developers & the Sobha Standard
16:44 Spaces That Reflect Identity
19:00 Balancing Feedback with New Concepts
21:00 Building Long-Term Industry Relationships
23:00 Sobha Siniya Island: The Next Big Era
26:00 Busting Myths About Dubai & the UAE
28:00 Khaldoun’s Lifestyle Picks
31:00 Designing Homes with Personality
32:00 The Story a Home Should Tell
33:00 Hopes for the UAE’s Future

In this special recap episode of Sobha The Living Room, host Nimi Mehta takes you through the most compelling insights from the first four episodes of the series.
From the UAE’s evolution into a global investment magnet to the rise of branded residences, shifting buyer mindsets, and the expanding role of digital innovation, this episode captures the voices of industry leaders driving change in the UAE’s real estate market.
Tune in to hear highlights from:
- Loai Al Fakir, Founder & CEO of Provident Real Estate
- Michael Lahyani, Founder & CEO of Property Finder
- Lynnette Sacchetto, Founder of Real Trust
- Sanjay Gagarani, Partner at Premier Brains Global
- Ashish Parakh, Group Chief Sales & Marketing Officer at Sobha Realty

Whether you’re an investor, homeowner, or curious listener, this episode is your quick guide to why the world is buying in.

Follow us:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sobharealty/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sobharealty/
Sobha Realty: https://sobharealty.com/

Follow Nimi Mehta: https://www.instagram.com/thenimimehta/

Follow our guests 👇
Ashish Parakh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashish-parakh-a569a4103/?originalSubdomain=ae
Loai Al Fakir: https://www.linkedin.com/in/loaifakir/?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Egoogle%2Ecom%2F&originalSubdomain=ae
Michael Lahyani: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-lahyani-25827b4/

Lynnette Sacchetto: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynnettesacchetto/?originalSubdomain=ae

Sanjay Gagarani: https://www.linkedin.com/in/casanjaygagarani/?originalSubdomain=ae


Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Sobha the Living Room
01:05 Highlighting Dubai's Unique Real Estate Market
03:57 Post-COVID Investment Surge and Global Appeal
07:53 Branded Residences and Community Development
10:16 Dubai's Transformation
14:29 Dubai's Real Estate Market Dynamics
15:20 Visa Reforms and Changing Demographics
19:32 Demographic Shifts in Real Estate
20:13 Is There a Real Estate Bubble?
21:35 Population Growth and Market Dynamics
22:53 Impact of Global Factors on Dubai's Market
26:57 Crypto Transactions in Real Estate
30:09 Golden Visa and Investment Opportunities
32:55 Sobha Realty's Legacy and Expansion
38:50 Conclusion: The Future of Dubai's Property Market