The smart way to go house hunting

Dubai's rent decline has everyone atwitter - and moving. From Karama to Ajman, word has it that people are moving to areas where rent is softening. Some of the hotspots mentioned are Jumeirah Lake Towers (JLT), Dubai Marina and Discovery Gardens, among others.

The changing market conditions in the real estate sector in the UAE have indeed made it easier for the tenant community to upgrade their homes or find better and larger accommodations, not only at competitive prices but on easier terms, too. I heard that some landlords are now willing to settle for 12 payments.

To get a first-hand look at the market, I tagged along with a house-hunting expatriate a week ago and explored a high-end residential community in Dubai, where one-bedroom apartments were going for Dh130,000 to Dh180,000 last year.

After scouring almost every empty flat, my friend found a one-bedroom unit with glass-panelled walls and a spacious balcony looking out onto a charming garden and a pool for Dh110,000. By JLT or Discovery Gardens standards, this is still expensive, but considering the location and amenities, I'd say it's a good deal.

The house search wasn't easy though.

Here's how this house-hunting friend snapped the deal:

1.) Know what you want and focus on it. Do you want a furnished or unfurnished flat in the Greens or on Shaikh Zayed Road? What's your budget? Can you afford two or four payments? Should there be a pool, gym or coffee shops nearby? Focus your search on these parameters. This will make hunting a lot easier. Check online ads, newspapers or ask around to get an idea of the prevailing market price.

2.) Get a notebook and write down the details of the flats you want to check. The shortlist should include the price, description of the property, name and phone number of the agent. Don't forget the agents' names. Some of them post the same ad many times, so you'd end up repeatedly calling them and asking the same questions.

2.) Ask a lot of questions before going ahead with the viewing, keeping in mind your list of 'must haves'. One of the things you should not forget to ask is how the apartment is placed. If it's facing a huge construction area, you know what you're getting into: a whole year of sleepless nights. I've seen many one-bedroom flats going for Dh95,000 to Dh100,000 and 99 per cent of them are right in front of a construction site. Trust me, those with a lake view or tucked away in a quiet spot are hard to find.

3.) Do the viewings during the day. Ninety-nine per cent of the apartments I checked don't have Dewa connections. Even if you have a really strong imagination, don't bother to go at night. Not even a flashlight or the agent's vivid description would help.

4.) Call the property agent the night before the viewing. Many of them don't have keys to the apartment and would need time to coordinate with the landlord.

5.) Be honest with your agent. Tell him or her your budget and requirements.

News Source: The Gulf News