We recently connected with Ali Valiahdi and have shared our conversation below.

Ali, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s start with what makes profitability in your industry a challenge – what would you say is the biggest challenge?

Noise is the biggest problem. Too many people spend their time listening to everything out there—going to every social gathering, attending countless conferences, and constantly chasing the next big trend. They get distracted instead of locking in, putting their heads down, and truly mastering their art, their market, or their product type.

To be profitable, you need to focus. It’s about understanding your market better than anyone else, sharpening your expertise, and executing relentlessly. All the noise out there can pull you off course and waste your most valuable resources—time and attention.

I’ve seen it firsthand: the agents or professionals who chase shiny objects rarely get ahead. But those who dedicate themselves to mastering their craft and staying disciplined are the ones who thrive in this business.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My story begins when my family and I came to America when I was 5 years old. My parents started a car dealership called Miramar Sport Cars in San Diego, and by the time I finished high school, I was already working there, learning firsthand the challenges of running a business. Those early experiences taught me the value of hard work, resilience, and discipline.

After college, I met Alvin Mansour, who introduced me to Ben Tashakorian—two of the top real estate professionals in the industry. Watching these industry leaders operate with relentless focus and mastery of their craft was a turning point for me. What stood out was their discipline: they weren’t distracted by conferences, social events, or noise. Instead, they were completely locked in on what they knew best—honing their expertise and executing at the highest level.

That’s when I committed to becoming the best at what I do, replicating that same discipline and focus. I built a successful career in commercial real estate, specializing in selling large commercial buildings nationwide. Along the way, I realized that the biggest challenge agents face isn’t finding opportunities—it’s managing their time, workflows, and tools effectively to get deals done.

This realization led me to start UnrealCRM, a real estate software company designed to help professionals streamline their business. UnrealCRM solves problems that I’ve experienced firsthand—eliminating manual tasks, speeding up property research, and helping agents focus on what really matters: building relationships, closing deals, and growing their business. Our platform leverages technology to save time, increase efficiency, and empower agents to perform at their peak.

What sets me apart is my experience working on both sides of the industry: I’ve been in the trenches, closing deals as an agent, and now I’m building tools that directly address the challenges I faced. I’m most proud of the opportunity to give back to the real estate community by creating something that helps others improve their business, stay focused, and achieve success faster.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Hard work and putting myself in the investor’s shoes have been the foundation of building my reputation in the market. I’ve always approached every deal as if I were the buyer or seller—understanding their goals, concerns, and what success looks like for them. That perspective has allowed me to provide real value and build trust with clients.

On top of that, I’ve never shied away from the grind. I put in the hours, learned the market inside and out, and made sure I could speak confidently and intelligently about every property, trend, or opportunity. When you combine hard work with a genuine understanding of your clients’ needs, your reputation builds itself.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

One resource that significantly impacted my entrepreneurial thinking is Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss. The book dives deep into negotiation strategies, and for me, it reinforced the importance of understanding people’s needs, listening actively, and finding creative solutions that create real value.

Chris Voss, as a former FBI hostage negotiator, shows how crucial it is to approach every conversation with empathy and tactical discipline—two qualities I’ve applied to both real estate and business. Whether you’re negotiating a deal, managing a team, or building a company, the principles in this book are a game-changer. It’s taught me that success isn’t about compromise but about understanding the ‘why’ behind the other side’s position and leading the conversation to an outcome that works for everyone.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://UnrealCRM.com
• Instagram: @ali_v100
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ali-valiahdi-209b19154/