DON’T’PANIC …!!Whilst the world has been held spell bound by the economic excitement in Dubai our boys took it easy and went on holiday! Suffice to say that in the developments we are currently snagging at Dubai Marina, Downtown Burji and out at Al Hamra and the Core Project it seems like a case of business as usual now that the religious holidays are over.Which was quite unlike the furor caused by Dubai World’s statement that they were “a little short “before closing shop for a few days – it makes it exciting to say the least when comparing the style in which different cultures structure their affairs! (Although they all seem to embrace the word “delay! “ )

Doooommmmm….!!!!!!!!!!!

Speculation is rife that the capital Abu Dabu would shore up the Dubai debt – although it looks likely that they will not inject as much of the readies as its dear neighbour, and cousin, requires. This poses an interesting questionas to what exactly will happen in the short to mid term. Pragmatic observers believe it is merely a downward blip on the Dubai Radar and have advised investors not to panic whilst others have gone Full Dads Army and proclaimed "We're all doomed!"

Our advice : Always check the situtaion with your legal representative and engage directly with the developer where possible - Watch this space for photos of the developments currently under the Snagging Overseas Magnifying Glass.
Labels: Al Hamra, Downtown Burj, Dubai Marina

Not a holiday, a glitch!

Well, it has been months since our last post here, but as our title suggested it wasn't a question of a holiday, but a glitch!

Sadly many posts have been written by the Dubai marketing lot but all of them were somehow lost and so we have had to start practically from scratch.

In the meantime, much has been said of the Dubai market, not a lot of it good. There has been spurious talk of Damac not owning their land, Emirates being sold off to the Abu Dhabi lot and no sales going on at all.

We certainly have no idea about the first claims, but property IS still moving in Dubai. How do we know? Because we generally get to snag it.

Next week we will write a brief brief on where we are currently snagging in Dubai.

However, if you have bought a property in Dubai, or you have a property in Dubai that is coming up for completion then please write to info@snaggingdubai.com for a quote to have it inspected by the best company in the business.

Staying in touch

While crossing Spain with no mobile phone (battery dead, forgot to charge it due to very late night) and then arriving back in The Algarve to no internet, it makes one reflect on how helpless we are in the modern world without our high tech devices. Communication is so easy nowadays that if we lose it, even for a day or so, we fret and worry and feel like something has been amputated. And really nothing is wrong at all, just a day or so of inability to say hello! Our new high tech methods would seriously surprise previous generations. People who travelled extensively just a few decades ago were totally out of the loop until they got back. Friends and family who were at home knew nothing either unless the very rare and even more expensive telegram came. Nowadays a phone call, although impossible for me yesterday, is something that we can usually make from any place in the world with the highest quality. This goes hand in hand with the expansion of the overseas property industry. The more we can keep contact with our homes the more at home we feel while away. As more of us find our new homes abroad, we feel more connected to home. Of course it's not just the internet and mobile phones. Travel has become easier and cheaper, bringing many points in the world closer. Although many say that the credit crunch has forced the low cost airlines to reduce their supply of flights, we still see Easy Jet with full flights and Ryan Air expanding into new destinations. However, do we get adicted to this constant contact? Are not there some people who feel relief on a plane when they are told to switch their phones off? I am sure. Snagging Overseas staff travel a lot and we certainly can not be reached while on a plane, and that is sometimes really great! And yet now, while on a TAP flight recently, we saw that the No Smoking sign and had been changed for a No Electronic Devices sign. After takeoff we were informed that the use of mobile phones WAS ALLOWED! Where will it end? It will end with people being in contact with each others ALWAYS. Is this good? We hope so.

Snagging Dubai Sports City

Dubai Sports City is the first of our developments in Dubai to receive the Snagging Overseas touch and especially the Snagging Dubai division.

For those of you that don't know what it's all about, Dubai Sports City is the creation of three visionary entrepreneurs, Abdulrahim Al Zarooni, Abdulrahman Bukhatir and Abdulrahman Falaknaz. Their idea was not only to create a world class sports destination and venue, but THE world's sporting destination. In the 50 million square feet there are four stadiums and an 18 hole championship golf course designed by Ernie Els.

There will also be major sports academies, the majority being "Firsts" of some kind: from the first purpose built Manchester United Soccer Schools facility to the first Butch Harmon School of Golf to be set outside the States, a unique kind of World Hockey Academy, and this is without forgetting favourites such as a David Lloyd Tennis Academy.

However, it is not all sports, there are also residential and commercial units available. There are also schools, hotels and medical facilities.

Clearly we would love to snag the stadiums however we will have to confine ourselves to snag the properties in the three main residential developments, Canal Residence, Victory Heights and Gallery Villas.

For owners of property in any of the Dubai Sports City residencial developments, we can offer a great value snag and cleaning combination for your new home. Always available on info@snaggingdubai.com we will be happy to explain what we can do for you.

Dubai beckons!

The story if Dubai is without doubt an interesting one.

Historically Dubai had based a thriving economy on trade, especially in pearls. It's location, close to India and well placed for the trade routes meant it was a frequent port of call for all kinds of traders, especially from India. Many Indian traders and their families settled in Dubai.

However the First World War dealt a terrible blow to Dubai's pearl industry, damage that became irrevocable during the Great Depression. The result of this was an exodus of people from Dubai as families sought income and stability in other points of the region.

Dubai also had very uneasy relations with Abu Dhabi, with hostilities ongoing until the signing of a formal agreement as late as 1979. However, this agreement did stick and the border disputes finally ended.

It was only in the 1950s that aspects of Dubai were modernised. Electricity, the airport and even telecommunications were put in during this decade with the movement of the British administrative offices and staff from Sharjah to Dubai.

The discovery of oil in 1966 propelled Dubai forwards and also marked the year that a new currency was established via an agreement with Qatar: The Qatar / Dubai Riyal was introduced to replace the Persian Gulf Rupee.

The discovery of oil secured the growth of Dubai. There was a huge influx of foreign labour to work the industry and the ruling family granted oil exploitation rights to foreign oil companies. This brought about a 300% increase in population from 1968 to 1975.

Then on December 2, 1971 The United Arab Emirates was formed after the United Kingdom formally left the Persian Gulf in that year. 1973 saw a new change in currency as The UAE adopted a common currency, the UAE Dirham.

The Jebel Ali port - said to be the world's largest man made port - was established as a Free Port in 1979, offering unrestricted access to foreign companies and workers.

The First Golf War of 1990 initially had a strong negative impact on Dubai, funds being withdrawn at an alarming rate from the banks as a result of the turmoil and uncertainty of the whole region.

However, this was soon overcome with the installation of many international trading companies, many from Kuwait during the war, and also from other regions rendered unstable during the war.

Dubai provided valuable support services to the Allied Forces via Jebel Ali and also benefitted again from Allied use of the port in the Second Gulf War.

It was the Jebel Ali's success that led the Dubai rulers to emulate the model again and again within the city. The creation of various "clusters" for free trade and business brought about the Dubai Media City, Dubai Internet City, Dubai Maritime City, Dubai Sport City and others.

It is no secret that Dubai has, since 2002, been pushing back the boundaries of real estate innovation and investment. The building of the truly impressive Palm Island using man made islands in the sea in the shape of a palm have captured the imagination of investors and tourists alike the world over.

The construction and inauguration of the worlds tallest free standing hotel, the Burj al Arab, and it's self proclaimed 7 Star category has brought in a new standard of service and changed luxury hotel service the world over.

The search for world records continues with the construction of the world's tallest building, the Burj Dubai and the move to create projects similar to The Palm such as The World Islands.

However, it is not all positive. This economic growth is sometimes said to be founded on a kind of slave culture whereby the imported labour is exploited in exchange for very little money and even less freedom. Inflation has been high (Recorded at 11.2% in 2007) and the current world economic crisis has brought overseas investment almost to a stop.

Many people feel that this shouldn't be a problem. "Dubai has oil" they say. Yet this magical city and it's amazing, some say crazy, projects have not been built wholly off the back of oil dollars. Indeed oil revenues accounted for only 6% of Dubai's income in 2006 with real estate and construction adding up to more than 22%.

However, investors in Dubai can feel reassured that the financial muscle of the country is such that there is an ability to back up the will to survive. The injections of capital into projects such as indoor ski slopes and yet more skyscrapers can only serve to enhance your investment. The growth of tourism goes hand in hand with the growth of commerce in this business friendly state. Clearly the lack of taxes helps, but there is a spirit of success breeding success that is contagious and leads us to believe that Dubai will prevail and continue to grow faster than any other city in the world.

So if you haven't already been, get on a plane, preferably Emirates so your Arabian adventure begins at your local airport, and experience it. You can even try a flight on one of the 58 A380 that Emirates have ordered. Some have already entered service!

If you're the owner of property there, then avail yourselves of our different services so that you can protect and maximise your investment. We not only snag and clean your property, but we can ensure that you get the best deals in furniture packages and rental management solutions. Vital now the possibility of making a quick sale has been postponed for the near future.

Snagging Dubai is a sub division of the very successful Snagging Overseas and draws upon more than 5 years of experience in the overseas property industry providing excellent levels of service to pre and post completion of property.

Operating in Dubai now for only 3 months we have already established a solid foothold in the Emirates and have been hired for snagging and relocation services in Qatar and Abu Dhabi as well.