Most investors know that high oil prices mean increased building costs, but Ajman property prices still remain the lowest in the UAE.

The Emirates by night

The cost of raw materials such as steel and cement which are extremely energy intensive to produce, have push up building costs throughout the world. These costs are in turn passed on to property purchasers.

Despite the recent increases, Ajman real estate is still an attractive option, particularly when compared to property in the rest of the UAE. Last year the average price of property in Ajman stood at around 400 Dhs per sq ft, now the price is nearer 600 Dhs per sq ft. However, when you consider that the average cost per square foot in nearby Dubai is approaching 1600 Dhs, you can why Ajman continues to attract buyers.

As the price of Dubai property becomes increasingly expensive, many locals are purchasing in Ajman and commuting to work in Dubai. Those who prefer renting are eschewing the high rents of Dubai in favour of Ajman where monthly rental costs are more affordable.

As a result of this switch in buying/renting patterns, property close to the Emirates Road which links Ajman to Dubai is becoming particularly sought-after.

Apartments at the newest developments such as the Burj ul Ain and the Lake Signature Tower can be bought for a fraction of the cost of similar apartments in Dubai, and their proximity to the Emirates Road mean they are ideally placed to take advantage of this new trend.

Ajman Property Report - 18th September 2008

MENAFN Press reported that the Board of Directors for Ajman Marina the USD 3 billion waterfront development on the shores of the Emirate of Ajman have appointed the hugely experienced Mr Abdullah Saud Al Dehaim as Deputy CEO.

New Marina project will interest Ajman property investors

Commenting on the announcement, Mr Abdullah Al Majed Head of the Executive Committee of Ajman Marina’s Board of Directors said that “It is with great pleasure that we make this appointment. Mr Abdullah Saud Al Dehaim offers the company a wealth of experience in the fields of international project management and investor relations and he will be a valuable asset to Ajman Marina over the coming years, as we move forward with this landmark project.”

Mr Abdullah Saud Al Dehaim said that “It is both a privilege and a pleasure to be offered this post. Ajman Marina is an exciting project with international importance and I look forward to using my skills and experience to ensure the successful completion and running of the development. Ajman Marina will be the jewel in the shore of the Emirate of Ajman and I aim to ensure and consolidate its position as such.” He has a diploma in English Language and Business English plus experience in high-profile projects in Turkey and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Ajman Marina is a brand new development based on the coast of Ajman, the smallest of the seven Emirates. It encompasses a range of commercial and residential real estate developments, including 8000 freehold residential units, as well as all associated amenities and infrastructure covering a total of 17 million square feet.

Source: steelguru.com

Ajman Property Report - 9th September 2008

The recent announcement that the United Arab Emirates is expecting visitor numbers to rise to 11.2 million by 2010 has been welcomed by Ras Al Khaimah property buyers.

View of La Hoya Bay

In recent years the Government of Ras Al Khaimah has been successfully promoting this relatively unknown emirate as an ideal tourist destination. At the same time the government has spent millions of dollars upgrading tourist infrastructure and adding more hotel rooms to meet an ever-growing demand.

Between 2001 and 2006, there had been a 47 per cent growth in visitors to Ras Al Khaimah. However, in 2007 alone, the emirate recorded an incredible 40% rise in tourists. The UAE as a whole expects to attract over 15 million visitors by 2015.

One of the largest developments taking shape in Ras al Khaimah is Al Marjan Island which is actually a series of interlinked man-made islands spectacularly projecting outwards into the Arabian Gulf. When completed, Al Marjan will have several new hotels, thousands of new apartments and a high-tech business village. The island will also add several more kilometres of beaches and waterfront.

The first of the new developments on Al Marjan Island is the La Hoya Bay Residence. In terms of design appeal and on-site facilities, this superb waterside complex compares favourably to the new island developments in nearby Dubai, however, properties at La Hoya Bay are more than 30% cheaper. This notable price differential is leading many switched-on investors to purchase Ras Al Khaimah properties. The anticipation of healthy rental returns from both tourism and business lettings, is also attracting serious property investors.

When talk turns to property investment in the UAE, Dubai is usually the main topic of conversation. However, recently the tiny emirate of Ajman - which it would be fair to say that a few years ago, no one had even heard of - is starting to be mentioned as the next big thing.

A superb two bedroom villa property for only £149,794

With a land area of just 260km2 it’s hardly surprising that this compact emirate has been overlooked by many, but to avid investors in Ajman property, size matters not a jot.

Ajman’s low property prices which average around 650 (AED) per square foot, compared to Dubai where the average price is nearer 1600 (AED) per square foot, are attracting ever-increasing numbers of investors.

Ajman’s proximity to Dubai is also seen as a major plus point; many of the new wave of property developments are situated close to the Emirates Road which means that Dubai International Airport is reachable within 25 minutes, with Dubai’s headline-grabbing tourist draws only a short car journey away.

Add to this the prospect of the new Dubai Metro system being extended to link to Ajman, the massive port redevelopment and the millions of dollars of investment by the Government of Ajman into a raft of major infrastructure projects, and it’s easy to see why this dynamic emirate is finding favour with switched-on investors.

Arguably, two of the most appealing new property offerings are the Burj ul Ain Tower and the Chapal Flora Residences, both of which are located conveniently close to the Emirates Road.

Stylish, studios at the Burj ul Ain are available for just £41,321 (GBP). One bedroom apartments start at £61,589 and two bedroom units can be bought for only £90,859. Burj ul Ain properties also come with an unprecedented 9.69% rental guarantee, making them an ideal purchase for buy-to-let investors.

Although villa properties in Ajman are relatively rare and as such, much sought-after, it’s possible to pick up a two bedroom, two bathroom villa with private covered parking at the Chapal Flora Residences (pictured) for as little as £149,794.

Ajman may never rival Dubai in terms of fame and glamour, but with such advantageous property prices, convenient closeness to Dubai and a forward thinking government eager to attract inward investment, Ajman is beginning to make its mark on the world of international property investment.

For more information on the properties mentioned, call (00 34) 952 765 993

Egypt Property Report 27th August 2008 -

Overseas investors should look outside the eurozone for property bargains as the euro rises in value against the weakening pound.

Investors should broaden their horizons

Property within the Euro zone is becoming increasingly expensive for UK investors, as the pound continues to fall against the euro, currently sitting at euro 1.26 to £1.

If investors consider properties in countries which are outside the zone, they will get far better value for money.

Holidaymakers are also far less likely to travel to countries within the eurozone while the currency is so strong against the pound, thus reducing demand for rental properties and impacting rental yields.

Stephen Smith, Sales and Marketing Director of Egyptian property developer West Side Village, said, “Investors would be wise to seek destinations outside the zone, where they will be more likely to afford quality investment properties in good locations, maximising their rental opportunities.

“Destinations which are served by regular cheap flights, preferably within a five hour flying time of London, such as Egypt, Turkey, Morocco or Croatia are ideal.

“With property prices falling in the UK, now is a good time to diversify into an emerging market overseas, which can offer high capital growth and strong yields.

“Investors should carefully research the best destination for them, taking into account currency exchange rates, tax laws, tourist levels and the potential for growth,” Mr Smith added.

Source: themovechannel.com

Buyers of Ajman property are now virtually guaranteed a residency visa after the enactment of a recent government initiative aimed at clarifying and simplifying the whole process.

Reassuring News

Investors in Ajman properties will be given visas provided sub-developers give assurance to that effect to master developers.

The visa is issued once the buyer or investor gains procession of the property and the developer issues a no objection letter. It is believed that the issuing of the no objection letter will be a formality.

Several leading Ajman property developers have already announced that they will be signing pacts with master developers for the issuance of the residence visas. Visas are valid for one year and can be renewed on an annual basis. The cost of the visa is set at 1500 Dhs - £220 (GBP).

With properties in Ajman costing at least 35% less than those in nearby Dubai, the easing of visa restrictions looks set to further enhance the emirate in the eyes of switched-on international property investors.

New developments such as the keenly priced Lake Signature Tower which is part of a major real estate project just 25 minutes drive from Dubai are already attracting buyers seduced by an entry level price of just £36,100 (GBP) for high-spec studio apartments.

The assurance of a residency visa coupled with low prices is sure to make Ajman the place to invest for many years to come.

Ajman Property Report: 20th August 2008

Egyptian property Report 14th August 2008

Europes second biggest tour operator today announced that bookings for holidays in Egypt next winter and summer were up on this year’s numbers. Whilst the strong euro seems to be putting many people of European holidays the demand in Egypt continues to rise. This summer’s bookings to Egypt were up 15% from last year and bookings to Egypt this winter are up 25%.

Egypt: A Buoyant Market

The Egyptian Tourist Authority has spent heavily on marketing campaigns in Europe and the US to attract greater numbers of tourists and the campaign looks to have been largely successful. A parallel campaign run throughout the Middle East highlighted the attraction of Egypt to Middle Eastern visitors and resulted in an 89% increase in visitors from Qatar alone.

London based DDB International was awarded the contract to handle all of Egypt’s tourism marketing with a budget set at $40 million a year. The aim of the campaign is to achieve the government’s stated target of 16 million visitors per year, up from 8 million in 2004.

Almost two thirds of visitors were from Europe and many highlighted the great value of holidays in Egypt where many holiday items were less than half the price of established destinations such as Spain and France.

The Daily Telegraph recently highlighted the year round warm climate and the growing popularity of Egypt as a winter sun and beach destination and suggested that investors in property in Egypt could reap substantial returns as Egypt property is low priced yet offers extremely good rental yields.

Michael Kent, Managing Director of Egyptian property specialists Arabian Sands, commented, “Egypt is entering a new phase of economic development with fewer restrictions and concrete government plans to improve the ageing transport infrastructure. Combine this with the most spectacular historical sites and a year round warm climate and all the conditions for serious growth in tourism numbers are there.”

Investors wishing to take advantage of these conditions are urged to consider the Tranquilla Town Apartments in Hurghada currently being marketed by Arabian Sands. Comprising of one, two and three bedroom residential units, the apartments which were built in 1996, are currently undergoing major upgrading to the highest European standards. Once the sale of each apartment is agreed, the upgrading work will commence and the property will be ready to use in just six months.

“The beauty of this investment is that not only do you get a fantastic location but also you’ll be ahead of the game and earning rental income in six months” added Mr Kent.

Prices for an apartment start from only £24,600 – please contact info@arabiansands.com for more details or look here

The first phase of the new, $3.3 billion (USD) Ajman International Airport is scheduled for completion by 2011. The airport is to be built by a Spanish consortium, Groupo Inmobiliario Whitelake and when finished the huge, six million square metre site will include residential and business areas, a free zone and aircraft maintenance facilities.

Ajman property: The new destination of choice for UAE investors

The airport will be the UAE’s 4th major airport, and when fully operational, is expected to serve 1 million passengers a year, as well as handling over 400,000 tonnes of air cargo.

It is envisaged that the airport will target low-cost carriers which will be welcome news to investors in Ajman property - Real estate located within a 45 minute drive of an airport, typically receive a 20% price uplift whenever budget carriers announce new routes to the destination.

Construction is due to commence by the second half of 2008, and subject to approval from the Federal Aviation Authority. the project will be executed in two phases.

According to reports in the Middle East press, there has been a dramatic rise in the number of businesses setting up in the Ras Al Khaimah Free Zone.

Booming economy is good news for Ras Al Khaimah real estate investors

During the first half of 2008, 847 new companies registered in the Free Zone, the total number of firms operating from the zone now stands at 4,773 bringing a combined total investment of more than 10 billion (AED).

Chief Executive of the Ras Al Khaimah Free Zone Authority, Osama Al-Omari is quoted as saying: “The first half of the 2008 has witnessed the a record rise in the number of international companies which registered at the zone” He added firms are benefiting from the logistic services we provide for our clients and investors in the zone”.

Mr Al-Omari who is also the Secretary General of the World Economic Processing Zones Association continued: “The next three years are expected to witness an even bigger increase in the number of companies registering to operate from RAK”.

Arabian Sands Comment: This news comes as no surprise to those who have invested in Ras Al Khaimah real estate. The superbly positioned La Hoya Bay Residence is on Al Marjan Island and only a short drive from the RAK Free Zone; La Hoya Bay is seen by many as a prime buy-to-let investment opportunity due to its attractive waterfront location which has become a favourite residential area for business people working in the Free Zone.

Ras Al Khaimah Property Report 29th July 2008

Egypt’s real estate market activity is increasing at the rate of 40%, according to Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif, who expects more growth in the market in the coming months. Property is increasingly open to foreign investors and tourists.

Egypt property: A rip-roaring success

Speaking at the opening of the fifth Inter Build conference and exhibition in Cairo last week, Prime Minister Nazif said that also the building industry has seen a boom with year-on-year growth currently at 15%.

“Under a new building law, owners of apartment buildings will be forced to carry out maintenance works and consequently promote building maintenance services,” the Prime Minister announced.

The new law, meant to regulate construction, demolition and maintenance works of buildings in urban and rural areas, would certainly have positive effects on the building market, Nazif added.

Also for foreign investors, Egypt’s property market has been rapidly opening up. The introduction of mortgage facilities for foreigners is now imminent, and there are no domestic inheritance or capital gains taxes for foreigners engaged in Egyptian properties.

The boom in the Egypt property market follows a liberalisation in investment and property laws, but is also a major consequence of Egypt’s steady growth as a tourist destination.

Especially the country’s newly built Red Sea resorts, with relatively short flights from Europe and pleasant temperatures all year round, have attracted an ever-growing stream of tourist-related real estate and other construction projects.

As properties in classic holiday resorts such as Spain and France have turned expensive, the market has turned to new countries such as Turkey, which has been flooded by property buyers for years. But as also Turkey grows more expensive and the best properties are grabbed, European attention is now also directed towards Egypt, Morocco and Cape Verde.

However, the real estate markets in all these three countries still are in an emerging phase, representing some risks for buyers. Many serious property agents in Europe are now marketing Egyptian properties aggressively, often exaggerating the “certain boom to come” and the security of the investment.

Source: www.bi-me.com