Landmark Properties Launch New Online Calculators To Assist Prospective Buyers

Responding to the changing needs of prospective home buyers and investors in the Middle East market, Landmark Properties today hosted a special panel discussion to announce a set of new online calculators designed to help create scenarios that answer many questions arising today regarding real estate needs.

Questions include the mortgages they can afford, whether to rent or buy a home, and potential returns on investment on properties available in the UAE.

Headed by Charles Neil, Chief Financial Officer, Landmark Properties, the panel demonstrated how the new suite of tools – including a ‘Rent vs. Buying Calculator’ and ‘Buy-to-Let’ Calculator – empower clients with the tools to gain a deeper understanding of the real estate market and feel comfortable with any property decision they may choose to make. By creating various buying scenarios, clients can see for themselves, which opportunity may suit their needs best.

“Potential home buyers and investors in the Middle East presently have access to property opportunities, but until now, there has not been enough information readily available for these buyers to make a more informed decision prior to purchasing,” explained Neil. “Landmark Properties’ new online calculators feature an easy-to-use system that give the tools directly to the buyers to work out what kind of home they can afford based on their monthly budget and create various scenarios to decide whether now is the right time to invest.“

Having developed the software for the new calculators in-house and trained the company’s team of consultants extensively on how to use them, Neil continued, “Landmark Properties is investing in both the market and also our staff at a time that the industry is undergoing a corrective change. We want our clients to feel 100% comfortable with any purchase they transact with us, and we felt that by offering them these new media tools, they are in a stronger position to decide if the opportunity is in their best interest. Traditional real estate practices are not enough in this market — clients need access to greater market intelligence and we have enabled our consultants to provide more informed and scientific insight to them.”

In addition to having a traditional mortgage calculator publicly available on its website, Landmark Properties has also created a reverse version which enables users to input their own monthly budget and calculate what price of home they can afford based on mortgage payments, terms and interest rates.

A second set of more complex online calculators are available through a meeting with any Property Consultant at Landmark Properties who underwent rigorous training on the use and outcomes of the calculators. Prospective buyers are guided through the different calculators to understand the analysis on whether to rent or buy a home, as well as a forecasted return on investment (ROI) for a ‘buy-to-let’ flat or villa. Designed for investors whose strategy is to generate revenue by renting their property, the ‘buy-to-let’ calculator will also show clients the effects on ROI by purchase price fluctuations over time.

DIP Announces Exclusive Boutique Offices At The Jumeirah Seafront

Dubai Investment Properties (DIP), one of the leading real estate developers in UAE, today announced the start of the leasing process for its boutique offices at the signature ‘Sunset’ mixed-use development located in the upmarket Jumeirah 3 area. The office complex, which consists of 49 exclusive offices – the only commercial space in the neighbourhood, will feature the latest technology and best-in-class facilities and amenities making it the ideal address for well-established businesses, professional entrepreneurs as well as companies looking to set-up a business or international representative office in Dubai.

“We are happy to be the first to offer commercial office space in the Jumeirah neighbourhood. Sunset’s boutique offices will feature the latest technology, cutting edge design and interiors, and attention to detail that is second to none. These factors, coupled with the outstanding location make Sunset an ideal location for companies, which are cautious as to where do they set up an office in Dubai. We are confident the offices will undoubtedly appeal to businesses that want accessibility, recognition and best in class amenities,” says Ani Vladi, Marketing and Operations Manager at DIP.

Sunset, which comprises of a luxury shopping mall, boutique offices and lavish residential apartments, is a unique development combining the best in architecture and the latest ‘green’ technology initiatives. It is built to be one of the most energy efficient buildings in the region with several measures being adopted by DIP to ensure energy conservation and minimising pollution and demands on infrastructure.

Sunset’s office complex comprises of office units ranging from 1200 to 1800 sq.ft. overlooking Jumeirah road / Dubai City or the Arabian Gulf, where customers can choose between cellular and open plan developments for larger office units. Companies have the option of working closely with Sunset’s architects to design the office that best fits their requirement. Sunset’s picturesque seafront location, distinctive architecture, efficient design, state-of-the-art facilities and amenities will appeal to a wide variety of tenants, from business entrepreneurs and professionals to well-established multinational corporations.

The Sunset office complex, which has direct access to the shopping mall and restaurants offering tenant’s convenience, will include 2 business lobbies, two meeting/conference rooms, prayer rooms, and pantry rooms. Two patios, arranged with sitting facilities and fountains compliment the office set up. Apart from offering an ideal work environment, Sunset will also provide parking spaces for tenants as well as visitors, business services and 24/7 security and cleaning services. Tenants can also avail of gymnasium facilities, aerobics, steam bath as well as two swimming pools, children pools (and of course) beach access. All these are featured to complete the perfect ‘work and play’ business environment.

“The work environment plays an important role in productivity since most employees spend more than 90 per cent of their working hours in office. At Sunset, we created a work environment that will inspire employees to perform better,” Ms. Ani Vladi concluded.

Dubai Investment Properties Deploys ’Green’ Technology For Sunset Mixed-Use Development

Dubai Investment Properties (DIP), one of the leading real estate developers in UAE, announced that it has invested in the latest state-of-the-art technologies in line with green building guidelines for its exclusive multi-million ‘Sunset’ mixed-use development project in Dubai. The company worked closely with Arkiteknik International, the architects for this signature development, in choosing the design, architecture, lighting and technology, all of which will help in energy efficiency and reduce the carbon footprint on the environment.Sunset, which comprises of a luxury shopping mall, boutique offices and lavish residential apartments, is a unique development combining the best in architecture and the latest ‘green’ technology initiatives. It is built to be one of the most energy efficient buildings in the region with several measures being adopted by DIP to ensure energy conservation and minimising pollution and demands on infrastructure.“Sunset was designed to blend in and to compliment the Jumeirah community neighbourhood. We did not want to disturb the serenity of the place and hence we took every measure to make sure we do not add to the traffic or the congestion of Jumeirah Beach Road,” says Mr. Francois Faure, Executive Director of DIP. “The architecture of Sunset is open to capitalise on natural light and the panoramic view of the Arabia Gulf. The mall is enclosed with glass, where the retail showrooms are visible from outside and shoppers inside the mall can see the street outside. We used transparent glass, specifically designed to divert heat, thus reducing the load on the air conditioners and help conserve energy; further more this development profits from natural sunlight till late hours of the day, keeping the apartments and retails showrooms bright without the use of artificial lighting.”Sunset features engaging architecture designed to showcase the best of international and local designers. Arkiteknik has combined water, glass and steel at the Sunset Mall to offer retailers and guests an experience like never before. The interior of the Mall will feature the latest innovations in LCD and LED technology, offering innovative visual effects. The residential complex, which reaches towards the beach, is designed to offer every home a sea view and to promote waterfront style living. The apartments feature a number of balconies for residents to enjoy the outdoors. From inside, the apartments open into an atrium, which features a lounge with coffee shops to foster a community style atmosphere.

“Sunset will be one of the green-conscious buildings in the region. We only used ecologically friendly materials and non-HCFC refrigerants to ensure that the building and the surrounding environment was healthier. We also used heat recovery wheels to recover energy from the general extract air from the building and minimize the electric power consumption,” says Abdallah Moneimneh, Technical Director at Arkiteknik International. “We installed efficient thermal insulation system and high performance low E- glass to envelope the building to minimize heat gains. The air conditioning system is designed to achieve precise control of temperature and humidity levels and the basement car park ventilation is monitored and controlled with CO sensors to ensure a smoke free environment.”The apartments, boutique offices and mall retail showrooms at Sunset are fitted with energy saving lamps, LEDs and T5 lamps with special electronics control gear that is widely used to reduce electricity consumption. The dimming and lighting controls are designed to offer greater flexibility for switching the light on only in occupied areas of all individual enclosed spaces. Using a lighting control system connected to the BMS to provide scheduled lighting control, shut down all lighting after hours and provide after hours manual control. The development features of a silent drainage system to ensure quiet indoor environments. Sunset also boasts advanced surveillance and fire protection systems in the building to ensure that residents are safe and secure at all times.