PropTech is a buzzword, currently disrupting the status quo of global real estate. It has garnered attention from some of the most vaunted venture capitalists around the world. Investment in Proptech was around $1.3 billion in 2012 and, at that time, was projected to escalate to $5.2 billion by 2018...

As innovations in the use of built spaces and infrastructure introduce entirely new models of their utilization, avenues are emerging that the real estate industry can employ to widen its activities. Until very recent times, the sector has largely been focused on residential and commercial propertie...

Theoretical physicist and futurist, Michio Kaku, once remarked that America’s greatest ‘secret weapon’ is that nation’s H-1B visa, which facilitates temporary residency for foreign employees, in specialized occupations. Of course, the US isn’t the only economy that has benefitted from the ...

Dubai is currently brimming with real estate inventory awaiting new ownership. At the same time, 70% of the expats in Dubai are living in rental properties – interested, but reluctant to own a property, due to hefty down-payments(1). Unable to reach a more organic market equilibrium, real estate s...

Warren Buffett, one of the world’s most successful investors, bought his first share at the tender age of 11. He has since amassed massive wealth and grown into a larger-than-life figure. His investment mantra (1) is to buy, hold and not watch the markets too closely. In all his years of being in ...

It’s not uncommon for entertainment to depict an emerging trend before it becomes mainstream in society. Philosophical musings aside, about whether art imitates life or vice versa, American television shows like ‘Seinfeld’ and ‘Friends’ seem to have anticipated a rise in singles associatin...

Kirsten Dirksen is a Youtuber specializing in simple, self-sufficient and small houses. Having garnered almost a million subscribers since 2006, Dirksen’s channel(1) often churns out videos on striking modern architecture keeping sustainability at the forefront. A recurring motif in her channe...

The UAE administration initiated some out of the box measures in 2018, which are expected to result in a significant stimulus of the Dubai and UAE real estate sector. A slew of legislative changes and new visa rules are being seen as likely to initiate entirely new asset and investor classes. In par...

2018 was a year of several significant initiatives designed to invigorate the Dubai and UAE real estate sector. Legislative changes, new visa rules, the launch of several new prestigious developments and the approaching Expo 2020 event, were all catalysing influences. The announcements of a ten-year...