Better Homes Witnesses A Positive Market Reaction

Better Homes, the region’s largest real estate agency, has witnessed some positive results over the past two weeks, where both general enquiries and transactions are on the rise, after a dip in recent months in light of the affect the global financial crisis has had on the UAE.

Better Homes has engaged in a number of promotions and campaigns throughout the first half of 2009, where it has focused on offering carefully selected units to its clients, through various marketing methods and channels, within both the sales and leasing segments of its business.

Following a summer promotional ‘Open Day’ event last weekend at its Jumeriah Beach Residence branch in line with the start of Dubai Summer Surprises, Better Homes recorded an overwhelming response to its summer offers of inventory for sale and for rent. “There were no signs of repressed customers during our Open Day weekend” said Jannie Biddulph, Sales Manager, Better Homes. “Our Open Day promotion received over 350 walk-in customers, seeking both properties for sale and for rent”.

During the past two weekends, Better Homes has focused on promoting competitively-priced units in areas of demand through its Open Day initiative and received over 1,400 calls in just two days during the selected promotions. “The positive result indicates that despite the recent market downturn, if the right product is offered to the client at the right price, at the right time, there is a good opportunity to transact units within both sales and leasing” said Ms Billy Rautenbach, Director of Operations, Better Homes.

With a specific customer and the right product in mind, Better Homes has been able to successfully match buyers and tenants with units, at a price which aims to satisfy its clients, creating positive results. “For example, our number of leasing transactions is looking very positive”, added Ms Rautenbach. “In May this year, we executed 24% more leasing transactions than in May 2008”.

With general enquiries on the increase and talk in the market of mortgages becoming available soon, Better Homes expects to see continued success in leasing and see an increase in property purchases sooner than expected. “As soon as lending becomes available at a wider scale, we expect to see a rise in sales transactions”, added Ms Rautenbach. “It is difficult to forecast an exact trend, but if the UAE real estate market, specifically in Dubai, is bottoming out as many have suggested [and Better Homes has noticed an increase in prices in select areas], then now would be the definitive time to invest in property”.

Dubai Courts introduces special manual to ensure better understanding of various court procedures

Dubai Courts has revealed that it is planning to distribute this week its updated manual of applications and services related to the courts, among all government and semi-government departments in Dubai, in addition to universities, law schools, concerned legal authorities and partners of Dubai Courts. The move is aimed at promoting knowledge about various legal aspects among citizens and residents of Dubai, and more specifically to inform them about the different services provided by Dubai Courts and the procedures of the first instance, appeal and cassation courts; and also procedures related to the notary public, personal status department and registration of cases.   The launch of the manual of judicial applications and services is one of the initiatives of Dubai Courts aimed at supporting Dubai’s vision of providing justice, security and stability to the various segments of society. It also aims to promote the efforts of the Courts to achieve the strategic goals and to enhance the level of service, streamline procedures, and ensure accuracy and speed in judgments and enforcement of sentences. For the preparation of this manual, a team comprising leading judges, consultants and personnel who have extensive legal and administrative experience and knowledge were formed. The team collated all the documents related to judicial applications and services, reviewed and updated the information and then brought out this bulletin in Arabic and English to cater to the largest possible segment of society. Before the final version of the manual was released, it was reviewed by legal specialists and various lawyers’ offices as per the procedures of Dubai Courts, and accordingly the manual was updated and modified to ensure accuracy of information and quality.Commenting on the move, Marwan Abdool, Head of Public Relations and Customer Service at Dubai Courts, said, "This initiative reflects our vision to be a pioneer in courts work, while being in line with our Strategic Plan 2009 – 2011, which focuses on achieving accuracy, speed and transparency in judicial work in the emirate. Furthermore, the manual also provides an opportunity for the different government departments in Dubai to acquaint themselves with all the services provided by Dubai Courts, which will ultimately contribute to further improving the judicial system of the emirate.""The launch of this manual not only complements our efforts to promote knowledge of the judicial system among citizens and residents, but also our Strategic Plan 2009 – 2011 and the third annual report, which addresses the general administrative practices, systems and applications, activities, and projects and initiatives that aim to achieve the goals of judicial independence, service quality and automation of judicial procedures. In this regard, we reiterate our commitment to ensure transparency while providing all information related to judicial services," he added.The manual – which contains accurate and brief information – consists of 27 indexed bulletins to allow easy browsing between titles. Dedicated stands for these manuals have been placed at the Dubai Courts main building, while the manuals have also been distributed to the notary public branches in Al Twar, Al Barsha and the Dubai Economic Department.

More Than AED23m Fetched From 62nd Number Plates Auction

Vehicle number plate (G 60) topped the sales and fetched 1,390,000 dirham in the 62nd Distinguished Number Plates Auction recently held by Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) at Jumeirah Beach Hotel; which raised total proceeds of 23,775,000 dirham.

“The aggregate amount raised in the 62nd Auction is testament to the success of Distinguished Number Plates Auction in Dubai” said the CEO of RTA Licensing Agency Ahmed Hashim Bahrozyan. “The Auction made a good progress towards meeting the demand of a wide segment of the public wishing to own distinguished numbers. This is reflected in the attendance of about 300 bidders who participated effectively in the bidding process and hailed the improved procedure of organizing & displaying distinguished numbers. During the Auction 105 numbers were offered comprising 2, 3, 4, and 5-digit numbers of categories F, G, H & I” he added.

“Out of the total 105 numbers offered, 4 were 2-digit plates, 43 were 3-digit plates, 32 were 4-digit plates, and 26 were 5-digit plates. In the sales ring, 2-digit number plates topped the list of proceeds with the number (G 60) clocking the highest sales price of 1.39 million dirham, next came (G 27) which fetched 1.3 million dirham, followed by (H 90) selling for 1.25 million dirham, and (G 45) which was sold for 1.18 million dirham.

“3-digit numbers, which included 43 numbers, was topped by (H 100) which was sold for one million dirham, and the 4-digit numbers, which included 32 numbers, was topped by (G 4444) selling for 610,000 dirham, whereas 5-digit numbers, which included 26 numbers, was topped by (G 88888) selling for 670,000 dirham.

“The Distinguished Number Plate Auctions, which are held almost on monthly basis, are making continued successes in attracting a wide spectrum of community segments hailing from various emirates who are making serious bids to own distinguished numbers in offer. RTA is therefore seeking to continue with upgrading the Auction in terms of procedures and diversity of issuing new numbers to meet aspirations of these individuals to own distinguished licensing numbers” added Bahrozyan.

The CEO of Licensing Agency elaborated on the factors underlying the success of the 62nd Auction and said: “We can single out two-fold success factors; operational and logistical. These include mobilizing all resources to promote the Auction and licensing numbers, systematic marketing planning adopting various tools to reach the targeted audience, official media support, and forming a work team to oversee the Auction program & requirements. Other factors include the official announcement of the Auction 15 days in advance, and prior arrangements made for the venue and the Auction company, culminating in a smooth flow of associated operations.

Emirates NBD Sponsors Dubai Police Tournament

Emirates NBD, the largest banking group in the region in terms of assets, has renewed its dedication to the Dubai Police by sponsoring their sports tournaments for starting from 23rd April 2009.Saif Al Mansoori, Head of Marketing Consumer Banking and Wealth Management at Emirates NBD said, "We, at Emirates NBD are proud to be invited once again by Dubai Police to sponsor their sports tournaments. We both share the same belief of being partners in our duty to contribute to the development and progress of our society. Through this year’s partnership, we express our gratitude to the Dubai Police for their immense contribution for a safe and secure community".The Dubai Police Tournament includes various sports and activities such as snooker, and tennis, and is set to attract competing officers from across the city.
 
Al Mansoori added, "Emirates NBD cherishes its partnership with the Dubai Police, we have seen our relationship grow from strength to strength over the years through our continuous support, and especially with the introduction of dedicated banking schemes for the police force.  At Emirates NBD, we are continuously seeking ideal ways of meeting the needs of all segments of our society."