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Dhruv Agarwala steps down as REA India CEO after 14-year realty ride
MUMBAI: Every real estate empire eventually needs a handover. After a 14-year rollercoaster ride that saw him go from startup founder to digital property mogul, Dhruv Agarwala is stepping down as CEO of REA India. But before you break out the farewell tissues, he isn’t ghosting the company just yet. Agarwala will stick around to smooth the leadership transition while REA Group hunts for a new captain.
The announcement came on 3 April 2025, marking the end of an era for REA India—the umbrella behind digital platforms Housing.com and PropTiger.com. Agarwala, who co-founded PropTiger back in 2011, led it through its acquisition by REA Group in 2020 after their initial investment in 2017. And then, like any good business thriller, came the merger with Housing.com, which he integrated and scaled into India’s top real estate app.
“It has been a privilege leading REA India and I’m incredibly proud of everything we have achieved together. From founding PropTiger in 2011 to growing Housing.com into India’s foremost digital real estate platform, it has been an amazing journey. Now feels like the right time for me to step away and create space for new leadership to take the company forward. REA India is in great shape – with a clear strategy, a strong team, and a powerful brand that’s changing the way people experience property in India. I look forward to watching the company continue to grow and thrive from the sidelines,” said Agarwala.
REA Group CEO Owen Wilson had only praise for the outgoing chief. “Dhruv is an exceptional entrepreneur and has harnessed the rapid expansion of digital real estate in India to build a high growth business. He has created a culture of innovation and developed a talented team who have delivered a market-leading audience and significant revenue growth in a highly competitive market. He leaves behind a considerable legacy that will have a lasting impact.”
Under Agarwala’s watch, Housing.com became the digital playground for millions of property seekers in India, with app-prime experiences that redefined how Indians click and pick their dream homes. His team pushed boundaries, attracted eyeballs, and racked up enviable growth metrics in a market cluttered with players and plagued by trust issues.
The CEO exit might be bittersweet, but REA India isn’t homeless. The group says a strong management team is already in place, and the succession plan is underway.
Agarwala, signing off with a nod to his team and mentors, added, “I want to thank the passionate and talented team at REA India for their passion and commitment and belief in the vision. We’ve accomplished great success together but there’s more to be done and I know they will continue to deliver on our exciting strategy. I also want to express my sincere gratitude to Owen Wilson, REA Group and News Corp for their support over the years and for sharing my vision and ambition for the real estate ecosystem in India.”
With this farewell, the curtain falls on one of India’s most impactful digital real estate stints—a legacy built on clicks, code, and the chaos of Indian property dreams.
MAM
PropertyPistol appoints Hemant Bajaj as chief marketing officer
Proptech firm taps global marketing leader to sharpen brand and growth strategy.
MUMBAI: In the fast moving world of proptech, building homes may be the business, but building the brand is just as crucial. Propertypistol, the proptech driven real estate advisory platform, has appointed Hemant Bajaj as its chief marketing officer (CMO) as the company looks to strengthen its brand narrative and accelerate growth across markets. Bajaj will lead the company’s marketing operations across multiple geographies, overseeing brand strategy, integrated marketing initiatives and revenue aligned growth programmes as Propertypistol prepares for its next phase of expansion.
The appointment comes at a time when the proptech sector is seeing rapid digital adoption, with companies increasingly focusing on leadership talent capable of combining technology, data driven marketing and customer experience.
Bajaj brings experience spanning India, South East Asia and the Middle East, where he has worked on scaling brands and leading digital transformation initiatives across multiple industries. His work in the marketing and media ecosystem recently earned him recognition as a ‘Powerhouse Leader’ at the Mastermind Awards in Dubai, highlighting his track record in managing high impact marketing mandates.
Propertypistol founder and managing director Ashish Narain Agarwal said the appointment comes at a pivotal stage in the company’s journey as it looks to strengthen its market presence.
“Hemant’s appointment comes at a defining moment for us. As we scale our market position, it is vital to have leadership that blends strategic vision with executional depth. Hemant’s deep understanding of brand and business alignment will be instrumental as we redefine the proptech landscape,” Agarwal said.
Bajaj said Propertypistol’s technology first approach to real estate advisory was one of the key reasons behind his decision to join the company.
“Propertypistol has established itself as a technology first platform that is redefining how investors navigate the property market. Having led marketing transformations across international borders and fast paced industries, I recognise the exceptional strength of the foundation built here,” he said.
He added that his focus would be on accelerating the company’s digital marketing capabilities while building strategies that deliver sustained value for customers and partners worldwide.
The leadership move reflects Propertypistol’s broader effort to strengthen its executive team as the proptech industry evolves rapidly. With property search, advisory and transactions increasingly shifting online, companies in the sector are investing heavily in marketing intelligence and digital platforms to stay competitive.
By bringing Bajaj on board, Propertypistol is betting that sharper brand positioning and technology led marketing will help it stand out in an increasingly crowded digital real estate marketplace.
