Latest news with #property investment
Khaleej Times
19 hours ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Dubai: Starting at Dh2,000, now everyone can be a landlord through tokenisation
In May 2025, the Dubai Land Department (DLD) launched the region's first tokenised real estate investment initiative through 'Prypco Mint'. The project is a collaboration between Prypco, the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (Vara), the Central Bank of the UAE, the Dubai Future Foundation, and Zand Digital Bank. With investment starting as low as Dh2,000 during the pilot phase, the platform has made property investment accessible to a wider audience. In the first month alone, more than Dh9 million worth of deals were transacted via Prypco Mint. 'Now everyone can be a landlord in Dubai,' says long-time UAE resident Ahmad Faisal Al-Jamal, one of the first to invest in tokenised properties in the city. 'The good idea about tokenisation is that we can start investing with just Dh2,000. This means Prypco is targeting everyone,' said Ahmad, who has invested Dh100,000 across various tokenised properties. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. 'This is the first time I have invested in real estate because the proposition by Prypco founder Amira Sajwani is really nice, targeting investors and residents with a limited income and those who have small savings,' the Palestinian national told Khaleej Times. 'My dream was to buy property in Dubai' Bruna Brazil, 29, who has lived in the UAE for three years, was also among the first to join the tokenisation wave, investing Dh6,000 in two properties — fulfilling a long-held aspiration. 'I always dreamed about buying a property here in Dubai. But it required a big down payment, a mortgage and a lot of paperwork. Unfortunately, I don't have that kind of money yet, and I'm not ready to commit to a mortgage right now. But when I found out about Prypco Mint, it seemed like exactly what I was looking for — a way to invest in real estate with the money that I have without dealing with all the paperwork in the mortgage process. It is the perfect path for me,' said the Brazilian national. Unable to afford a full unit, Bruna sees tokenisation as an ideal way to build a diversified real estate portfolio — especially in a booming market like Dubai. 'This is the best way to start, like you put a little money month by month in different properties, understand exactly the type of property that you are looking for, and the best neighbourhood. I think tokenisation is the future of the real estate market.' No mortgage, no paperwork hassles US national Tymour Fisher has also expanded his investment portfolio by putting Dh140,000 into two tokenised properties. 'I've invested in equities, crypto and stablecoins. Real estate is one that I wanted to invest in, and I found the tokenised properties of Prypco an amazing opportunity. It's quite simple, because essentially I didn't need to get financing to buy an apartment or a full home. Unless you're super wealthy, you go through a bank and have a liability that you need to cover for a number of years. That's why I invested and was an early adopter,' he said. Fisher appreciated Prypco's strong backing and regulatory alignment. 'Not just that it's tokenised, but also that it partnered with the DLD and we got the first tokenised title deeds, which I thought was incredible, and made the investment feel even more secure. That was one of the bigger factors for my decision to invest in tokenised property. Secondly, I wanted to diversify my portfolio and invest a certain percentage in real estate. And this was a very easy accessible way to do,' he said. Covering daily expenses through rental income Many UAE residents investing in tokenised real estate hope to use the rental income to offset day-to-day expenses such as credit card bills, rent, utilities, and transportation. Fisher, taking a long-term view, expects his rental income to help cover recurring costs including credit card payments and gym memberships. For Bruna, the returns will support transportation costs and grocery expenses. Ahmad Faisal, expecting a 10 per cent return, sees the rental yield as a passive income stream that will ease the burden of his rent payments. Let your money work for you Bruna is already planning to reinvest in upcoming tokenised property launches and encourages others to consider the same. Fisher, too, recommends tokenised real estate to friends and family. 'I got my brother, sister, brother-in-law and sister-in-law to invest in tokenised projects, and they all were super happy and excited. I would recommend it to friends and colleagues, because it's good investment. If you have some money lying around and not using it, you might as well put it to work and invest in real estate of a smaller amount,' he said. Ahmad Faisal believes Dubai's high occupancy rates make the market a secure option for property investors. 'Dubai market is a steady market and the prices of units by Prypco were really good in comparison to the market rate,' he said.
Daily Mail
01-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE From bleak… to chic: I spent £100K turning Britain's 'most disgusting home' into a coastal paradise
A pensioner poured £100,000 and three years of her life into turning Britain's 'most disgusting home' into a coastal paradise. Sara Haigh, 65, bought the garbage-filled hoarder's house in Plymouth on a whim after being given just 15 minutes to view it before it went to auction in 2021. A mishmash of overgrown ivy and weeds clung to the gruel-grey pebbledash walls of the three-bed semi on Camperdown Street when Sara first set her eyes on it. The ferocious foliage made the property stand out from the rows of neat, colourful homes in the trendy neighbourhood just a short walk from the city's historic harbour. But the home's unsightly exterior had nothing on the horror that was hidden on the inside. Sara, who lives with her partner Paul Brown, 70, in nearby Stonehouse, said: 'As we waded through the overgrown plant life, it was clear an enormous amount of work and investment was needed. 'But once we got inside, the scale of the work needed was truly shocking.' The kitchen counters were stacked with pizza boxes and food wrappers, while the floors were carpeted with hundreds of plastic milk bottles and tins. Grime caked the walls, mould had taken root, and a ceiling had collapsed – the squalid den was a haven for rodents that constantly hummed with flies. But that was not the worst of it. Sara added: 'Oh my God, there were thousands of bottles of cider filled with urine as well as syringes.' And yet, after renovating her own home for over two decades and itching for a new project, Sara's instinct was 'this could be the one'. The couple won the auction, stumping up £145,000 for the property and throwing their lives into turning it into a proper family home. Sara said: 'The first thing I needed to do was the roof, because there was ivy growing from the inside of it. So, that all had to be stripped off. 'The roof has left lots of debris, which includes the tiles and the felt, so it all had to come off again. 'The house was like a jungle because the garden was so overgrown, the weeds must have been probably 12 feet high in the back garden. 'While we tried to do as much as possible within our abilities, it was clear we needed help from tradesmen.' Finding the right people to 'proved difficult', Sara added, with some tradesmen still owing the couple money. 'We had problems that needed costly rectification work, which resulted in taking legal action to get some of our costs back. 'One tradesman still owes me several thousand pounds for work not completed by him. 'We have since learned that he owes money to many other people across the South West. 'At the time, I worked at the local hospital as a nurse, and there weren't many shifts available. And, not all of Sara's family were convinced about the project from the start. Sara added: 'My sisters were on a flight together, about to go on holiday, when they saw an article about the house being "Britain's most disgusting property". 'They were laughing about it and thought, who would buy something like this? 'They found out that person was their sister when they got home.' The property is now back on the market with Purplebricks for £300,000, which would see Sara and her partner make a £55,000 profit if the asking price is met. 'Now, after over three years, we have a unique house that would be ideal for a family.' Sara said. 'All the fundamental services have been completely replaced with new plumbing, electrics and gas central heating. 'The kitchen is complete. There is a family bathroom, an en-suite shower room in the master bedroom, as well as a downstairs toilet. 'The three bedrooms are of a good size, and the connected lounge and dining rooms are very spacious. 'What was once described by a neighbour as a jungle, the outside space includes a large grassed area as well as an equally large patio. 'I'm proud of all of it, to be honest, it does look amazing compared to what it was like, but in particular, the garden looks great, especially compared to how we found it.' Local Purplebricks property partner for Devon and Cornwall, Jordan Greenaway, said: 'Camperdown Street is a beautifully presented family home which has been renovated to a high standard throughout. 'My vendor has taken a lot of care and consideration into the refurbishment of the property.' She added: 'After seeing how the property was before my seller took ownership, it is a whole new property, and every detail has been thought out, ready for a new family. 'The size of the property internally and externally is a one-off for the location, and the finishing touch is a credit to my sellers - I am very excited to market the property on behalf of my customer.'
Khaleej Times
28-05-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
UAE residents spending more on refurbishing their existing properties
For years, the UAE was seen as a transitory hub, an economic destination for expatriates who came to work, build wealth, and eventually return to their home countries. Renting made more sense than buying, and income was routinely remitted to invest in real estate abroad, where retirement was envisioned. But the narrative has changed. Over the past decade, sweeping reforms, from long-term residency options to world-class education and healthcare, have redefined the way people think about life in the UAE. With freehold property available to expats and the quality of life continuing to climb, more residents are not only settling here but also retiring here. With long-term residence comes long-term responsibility, and for many homeowners, that means rethinking and upgrading properties purchased a decade or more ago. Developments like The Greens, Emirates Hills, Springs, and The Meadows were among the earliest freehold offerings. Today, many of those homes are dated in terms of both aesthetics and functionality. This has led to a marked rise in home renovation and refurbishment projects across the country. The UAE's construction renovation market is gaining momentum, with projections estimating it will reach $42.6 billion by 2030. 'We have seen a clear increase in enquiries from residents looking to renovate older homes,' says Mohamed Fiaz Khazi, Managing Director of Euro Systems. 'Clients are investing in high-spec solutions like acoustic ceilings and wall panels, motorised shading, and even water-resistant outdoor structures such as Pergolas. There's a desire to match the standard of newer properties without relocating, because for many, the emotional and financial investment in their existing home is significant.' The motivation isn't just about maintaining property value, it's about comfort and modernisation. Homeowners are updating layouts to accommodate open-plan living, adding smart automation, upgrading HVAC systems, and modernising kitchens and bathrooms to meet contemporary needs. Roshan Rohra, who owns a villa in the Meadows Community, recently undertook a full-scale refurbishment. 'The layout was fine, but everything felt a little outdated. I wanted to bring a sense of luxury living into my villa. We wanted our home to reflect how we live today, especially as we're planning to stay here for the long haul,' he explains. 'Plus, it's much more cost-effective than moving to a brand-new property.' It's not just long-time homeowners driving demand. New buyers, many of whom are purchasing their first property in the UAE, are also prioritising bespoke design and upgrades from the outset. These residents aren't simply moving in; they're planning ahead, ensuring their homes are 'smart accessible'. One of the most noticeable shifts in refurbishment trends is the rise of smart home automation. According to a recent study by Statista, the revenue in the UAE smart home market is expected to hit $82.9 million by the end of 2025, with an annual growth rate of 9.37%. 'The appetite for smart tech is huge, especially post-pandemic, when people began spending more time at home,' Khazi says. 'Smart Automation systems, smart thermostats, lighting control, and integrated security are the top priorities we're implementing today.' From smart storage, bespoke architectural motorized glazing systems to sustainable materials and integrated smart home systems, the expectations of today's homeowners are higher than ever. 'We're seeing a younger demographic of property buyers working with interior consultants right from handover,' adds Mr. Khazi. 'They want more than finishes; they want intelligent functionality. Smart climate control, automated blinds, voice-activated systems, these aren't luxury features anymore, they're becoming standard.' Weatherproofing on the rise One unexpected catalyst for refurbishment has been last year's heavy rainfall. The record downpours exposed weaknesses in drainage, sealing, and structural resistance in many villas and townhouses across Dubai and Sharjah. The resulting increase in home insurance premiums has also pushed property owners to take proactive steps. Since then, homeowners have increasingly been seeking waterproofing, drainage upgrades, and reinforced materials to weather-proof their properties. 'Waterproofing requests have doubled since the rains,' Khazi notes. 'Our glazing systems have been accredited by the British Standards European Authority (BS EN), which has tested up to 900Pa for sliding systems against water permeability, achieving the highest in the industry, ensuring no water leaks, as we have a concealed drainage built within the system. Clients are much more aware of the value of preventative solutions now, from façade treatments to leak-proof window fittings and waterproof roof guards."
