We just spent a solid 3 days looking at property, but both Rod and I found something we can enjoy for the next 3 yrs. I was focused on a 2 bedroom, so Ricky, another controller at ATL would be able to stay with me for about 6 months until we figured out what we wanted to do…also to have room if the kids or friends are visiting (you are going to visit, right?). Rod was looking for a 1 bedroom.
Real Estate works a bit different in the UAE than back home. Each realtor just concentrates on showing his own property listings. And an owner can list his property with as many realtors as they choose—not sure if there is a cost involved. What you wind up with is the possibility of several realtors showing you the same property…like apt 2003 at 8 Boulevard; we saw it once on Wed, twice on Thur, and then we requested to see 2003 again at night on Thursday…but that’s getting ahead of the story.
Rod got the name and # for a realtor from a lady he talked to at a bar on Halloween—my arrival night. She lived in the Downtown Burj Dubai area and that was one of the areas we were interested in seeing. He called the realtor, Marshall, and arranged a meet on Wed. With no appts Tues we just went driving around different areas of town to get a feel for what’s available and what the commute would be like. After looking around the Dubai Marina area (about 20 miles out) and getting caught in a couple traffic jams, I convinced Rod to my way of thinking and look for something closer to the airport. My goal was a 5 min commute, but there wasn’t a whole lot to choose from on the airport side of Dubai creek. Also, it was very difficult to reach realtors from ads on the internet—many went to fax #’s, others just didn’t answer--and, of course, there is no voicemail. We drove around the Burj Dubai area and liked what we saw—plus it looked like we would have 2 equally close ways to get to work...as in 2 different bridges we could use.
Anyway, we finally showed up for our meeting on Wed and were introduced to another idiosyncrasy of Dubai realty…we got a call from Marshall and he told us which units in the building to go look at (they were unlocked): 3005 and 3006, for starters. Then another call and another unit to look at, 2003; and then one more call to look at one more unit. Crazy, but we were at our leisure to check things out…we were at 8 Boulevard near the Burj Dubai, which was brand new—just weeks since it opened, and it had some very nice units with large balconeys and great views. Pool was nice too; gym and game room; bbq patio—only real drawback is that it’s a couple hundred yard walk through a construction area to reach civilization, aka, Old Town Dubai and the Dubai Mall…and it will probably be under construction the whole time we are here.
Next, Marshall told us to drive over to Old Town and find another apartment—it took a little searching and another phone call, but we managed to find it. It was more classic Arabic architecture (thus the name Old Town!). The units were smaller, darker, and just didn’t feel as nice as what we had just left. We were done looking for the day and headed home soon after.
Oh, you are probably wondering how much??? Well, the one bedrooms at 8 Boulevard were 140,000AED…about $40k per yr; 2 bedrooms were around 210k AED or $60k. The Old Town 2 brdm was also 210k…we ruled it out quickly. We stopped at Festival City Mall on the way home and ate dinner. While we were there we talked to a fella at real estate kiosk. He didn’t handle rentals, but he did give us a website to check out. That helped quite a bit, and the next day we had 4 appts.
First was back at 8 Boulevard with Craig. While waiting for our realtor—in person this time, we met another of our controllers and his wife coming out of 8 Boulevard with their Realtor. We talked to them for a few, then we looked at a 2 bdrm corner unit on the 28th floor (out of 35)…this was very nice with great views of the Burj Dubai and the Gulf Coast (photos don’t do it justice). It was also priced at 250k AED…yikes! Next he took us to one of the 1 bdrms we looked at Tues. and then to 2003 again…which is a very nice 2 bdrm with a straight on view of the Burj Dubai. About this time I had another appt in a complex called South Ridge to see a 2 bdrm. Rod stayed with the realtor to go see a couple 1 bdrm units. Before I could drive away, the realtor who was showing to our friend approached me about the properties he was showing and prices. One was 3202 (the corner unit) for 220k…hmmmm.
I showed up at the South Ridge 2 lobby and waited for the realtor. After about a 15 min wait I called him and he asked if I was in the lobby…I was…and he said go look at 2902, it’s open. So I did…by the way, all these places have a security desk where you have to sign in and surrender your driver’s license. I went up to 2902 and really liked what I saw…very roomy, except the 2nd bedroom was a little small, and only one balcony off the living room. Price was 210k. About that time, Rod’s agent was bringing him into South Ridge 6, so I joined them to look at another 2 bdrm. Rod liked it even though it was a lower floor (6) for 200k. I kept telling him that 2902 was much nicer.
After that, we went back to 8 Boulevard—we are learning our way around by now—to meet another realtor, Bibi. Bibi showed us 1802, (the corner unit) and the price was 210k. I asked her to try and get them to come down a little on the price and I would take it. I would take it even if they didn’t come down, but I didn’t tell her that. Maybe I should have. Bibi showed us a couple more properties at a place called The Residences and at South Ridge…nothing spectacular.
Last Appt was with Ziad and Christian…back at 8 Blvd. First we had the mandatory visit to 2003. Then we saw a couple 1 bdrms and finally another corner unit, 3002 for 220k. By now, Rod had pretty much decided to go with a roomier 2 bdrm, and he liked 3002. But he wanted to see it at night. So we arranged to see it again around 730p. That gave us a few hours to kill, so first i took Rod up to 2902 South Ridge, jsut so he would be even more confused with choices. Then we went to the new Dubai Mall to check out the aquarium, hockey rink, and grab a bite to eat. By the way, the Mall is the largest in the world and it ‘opened’ Wed. I say ‘opened’ because only about 30% of the stores were open and ready for business.
While we were eating, we got a text from Bibi…1802 was already gone at 210k. That put me in a hard spot because I knew Rod was very interested in 3002. I called our other co-worker Dave to see if he was going to be taking 3202. He said yes, but that they also looked at 2302 with another agent, Sharham, and it was 215k. I called Sharham and told him I would take the apt sight unseen. He sent me a text about 30 mins later saying the landlord agreed—so I was set. Now we would have 4 controllers all living in the same corner of the same building—I had received a 5 floor promotion, but was still low man.
We went back at 730 and we were told that 3002 was no longer available…oops. Anyway, Rod went and looked at 2003 again and decided it was pretty nice…so everything is all set, right?
Well, we have some paperwork to do and some very big checks to write. I think it was Craig who told us that this was the wild, wild west of real estate…and he was pretty dead on. Stay tuned, there is more to come.
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