Author: Elle dela Cruz
Photo Courtesy of WeProperties
The path to property ownership has long been seen as a distant milestone: one reserved for those with significant savings, access to credit, or a head start in the market. Yet as cities rise and opportunities shift, a quiet revolution is reshaping what it means to invest in real estate. No longer confined to the wealthy few, property investment is entering a new era of accessibility, driven by technology, transparency, and a renewed sense of purpose.
At the heart of this change stands WeProperties, a company built on the belief that everyone, regardless of income or background, deserves a share in the world’s most enduring asset class. Founded by Ibrahim Alanqar, an engineer turned finance professional turned entrepreneur, WeProperties reimagines how people build wealth: offering a secure and regulated way for everyday investors to start their real estate journey.
In this interview, Alanqar reflects on the inspiration behind WeProperties, the leadership lessons he’s drawn from his diverse career, and how he sees the MENA region evolving into one of the world’s most dynamic investment landscapes.
What inspired you to establish WeProperties, and how did your prior professional experiences shape the company’s mission and business model?
What inspired me to start WeProperties was when my relatives were about to retire, and they looked at their retirement savings (end of service), only to find out that they were priced out of buying any property as an investment to generate an income for them. This triggered in my mind that there must be a solution that enables everyone at any stage of their life to start their real estate investment journey, regardless of how much they can afford. A way that is regulated, safe, and secure. This is how WeProperties came into existence.
You’ve held leadership roles across finance and investments before venturing into real estate. How has that diverse background influenced the way you lead teams and make strategic decisions at WeProperties?
Having worked in finance and investments, I’ve noticed a lot of people want to invest but aren’t really sure where to start or what their goals are. That’s something we think about a lot at WeProperties. That’s why we carefully select the properties we list, focusing on good returns and areas with growth potential. On top of that, we share educational content weekly on our website and social media to help our customers start building a clear framework for investing that fits their needs.
Real estate development and property management are complex, capital-intensive ventures. What specific expertise do you bring to the table that has been crucial in steering WeProperties toward growth and stability?
I have personally worked across all aspects of the real estate cycle. I originally trained as an engineer and worked in the U.S. in design, sustainability, and construction. This background allows me to assess the quality of a property’s construction and anticipate potential future maintenance issues the moment I walk in.
In addition, I gained property management experience by overseeing multiple properties on behalf of landlords. This has given me a comprehensive understanding of how to maximize rental income while maintaining both the property and a healthy landlord-tenant relationship.
These combined experiences directly inform how we source properties for our platform and how we structure lease agreements with our property management partners to ensure strong asset performance.
Given the volatility of global real estate markets and the increasing role of international investors, how do you see property investment evolving in the MENA region over the next five years?
While all investments carry some degree of volatility, real estate is generally considered less volatile than other asset classes, such as stocks. That’s why professional investors typically allocate a portion of their portfolios to real estate.
The MENA region—particularly the Gulf states—is experiencing an exciting period of growth and transformation. Strong economic performance, evolving regulations, and new infrastructure are helping these countries emerge as global hubs for finance, AI, tourism, and more, while also attracting people to live and work there.
This momentum provides a solid foundation for a real estate market with significant potential. Countries like the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar have the strategies, talent, and resources in place to execute their national economic visions—such as Saudi Vision 2030, Qatar National Vision 2030, and the UAE’s We the UAE 2031.
Trust is at the heart of every property transaction. How do you instill a culture of integrity and professionalism within your team, and how does that translate into client relationships?
For us at WeProperties, trust really comes from the way we do things every day. Whether it’s choosing the right properties or keeping investors informed, we make sure everything is done carefully and reliably. By sticking to high standards and delivering on our commitments, we ensure clients feel confident investing with us.
What has been the most significant leadership challenge you’ve faced in building WeProperties, and how did you address it in a way that strengthened both the company and your leadership skills?
One of the biggest challenges has been starting with limited resources while introducing a new way of investing in real estate. Building trust with investors in the early stages meant being very transparent, keeping things simple, and focusing only on what truly adds value. By doing this, we were able to overcome the early hurdles and lay a strong foundation for WeProperties to grow.
What key lessons have you learned as a founder about resilience, leadership, and adaptability that you believe are essential for success in today’s business climate?
Running a startup has been an incredibly rewarding experience. You learn to embrace challenges as opportunities and stay flexible while keeping your goals in sight. At the same time, fostering strong teamwork and open communication ensures that everyone moves forward together and contributes to the company’s growth.
Looking ahead, what’s your vision for WeProperties’ growth, and how do you see your leadership role evolving as the company matures and the real estate industry transforms globally?
As we grow, I see WeProperties globally helping more people start their journey in real estate investment, no matter their budget. My focus will be on guiding the company in the right direction while making sure we keep providing value to our investors. It’s about growing responsibly and continuing to make property investment accessible for everyone.
Alanqar’s words reflect more than a business plan — they reveal a philosophy rooted in empowerment, inclusion, and long-term vision. In a sector often dominated by exclusivity, he’s breaking barriers and proving that property investment can be both accessible and secure.
Through innovation and trust, Alanqar is not only reshaping how people invest but redefining who gets to build wealth. His mission goes beyond real estate and rewriting the rules of ownership, and creating a future where everyone has the power to invest in their own prosperity.
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This article is sponsored content. The views expressed are those of the author and sponsor and do not constitute financial or investment advice.
