The Lakes Dubai advice.
Nov 22nd 2010, 7:36 am
#31
Concierge
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 29,625
Re: The Lakes Dubai advice.
What's wrong with Satwa, darling?
I'd be tempted to go for a fancy 3-bedroom apartment for 140K rather than a smaller villa. I've warmed up considerably to apartment living after several years in a villa. 140K should get you a 3-bedroom flat on a high floor with stunning sunset views in the Fairways/Links/Golf Towers in the Greens, or sea vew in the Marina.
I'd be tempted to go for a fancy 3-bedroom apartment for 140K rather than a smaller villa. I've warmed up considerably to apartment living after several years in a villa. 140K should get you a 3-bedroom flat on a high floor with stunning sunset views in the Fairways/Links/Golf Towers in the Greens, or sea vew in the Marina.
Nov 22nd 2010, 7:39 am
#32
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Aug 2009
Location: Disneyland, Dubai
Posts: 15,887
Nov 22nd 2010, 4:26 pm
#34
ex-expat
Joined: Nov 2008
Location: in front of my computer - in sunny Sussex!
Posts: 2,162
Re: The Lakes Dubai advice.
I don't see how agents are leeches - it's in their best interest to persuade the landlord to lower his price, so that they get paid faster -think about it:
Say the real market price is 100,000 AED. If the property is listed from the agent at 110,000, it will take longer for the property to go. A deal of 110,000 AED would only make the agent around 2750 AED, whereas a deal of say, 95,000 AED would make the agent 2375.
Now, if I were given the choice to get 2750 AED in 1 month's time or 2375 AED today, what would I choose? Dubai is an expensive place, and as an agent, to cover costs you want to have as much cashflow as possible.
Add to that as well advertising property is very expensive business - like all services, you have to pay a premium, but it's not totally unreasonable.
Say the real market price is 100,000 AED. If the property is listed from the agent at 110,000, it will take longer for the property to go. A deal of 110,000 AED would only make the agent around 2750 AED, whereas a deal of say, 95,000 AED would make the agent 2375.
Now, if I were given the choice to get 2750 AED in 1 month's time or 2375 AED today, what would I choose? Dubai is an expensive place, and as an agent, to cover costs you want to have as much cashflow as possible.
Add to that as well advertising property is very expensive business - like all services, you have to pay a premium, but it's not totally unreasonable.
Anyhow, we're in an apartment and really enjoy it - even with 2 toddlers. The trick is to look at the facilities, accessibility and area too, rather than get wowed by the actual flat and how snazzy the lift lobby might be. I'm constantly astounded by how cheap the bills are for it too, compared to a villa. You might find some lovely spacious places in Business Bay, for example, but if the pavements haven't yet been finished outside, then your wife won't be a happy bunny upon your return. We're in the Marina and it's really come along in the last 2 years... it's really, really nice.
Don't get me wrong, sometimes I'd love a villa with a garden, but it'd set off a chain of other costs/ events - car for me (not currently needed), bills, potential isolation, extra travel time to friends/ schools/ activities, etc.
Nov 22nd 2010, 4:37 pm
#35
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 18
Re: The Lakes Dubai advice.
Apartments are great for toddler age children but one you have young teenagers then you need the space and areas to cycle &c (IMO)
Nov 22nd 2010, 4:50 pm
#36
ex-expat
Joined: Nov 2008
Location: in front of my computer - in sunny Sussex!
Posts: 2,162
Re: The Lakes Dubai advice.
I'd still suggest keeping an open mind (I came out adamant that it was villa or nothing and ended up living on the 35th floor!) and explore areas - not just by car, but by whatever means you'd use the space.
Nov 22nd 2010, 5:52 pm
#37
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 18
Re: The Lakes Dubai advice.
Ok good point. I'll have a proper look around in Jan.
Thanks for the advice.
Thanks for the advice.
Sep 13th 2011, 9:45 am
#38
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 18
Re: The Lakes Dubai advice.
Just for the record and for anyone else looking , I did find a nice end villa in Zulal in The Lakes with 3 beds for 140k and without using an agent so these prices are possible. Now the family is here (and with the kids able to walk to DIA in the morning) I can see that it was the right call for us.
Did you move in the end Bluecat?
Did you move in the end Bluecat?
Sep 13th 2011, 11:06 am
#39
Account Closed
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,502
Re: The Lakes Dubai advice.
She dumped her family into the middle of the desert out by Al Barsha.
Last I heard she was seen selling homemade pork terrines on the streets of...er...Times Square Centre.
Last I heard she was seen selling homemade pork terrines on the streets of...er...Times Square Centre.
Just for the record and for anyone else looking , I did find a nice end villa in Zulal in The Lakes with 3 beds for 140k and without using an agent so these prices are possible. Now the family is here (and with the kids able to walk to DIA in the morning) I can see that it was the right call for us.
Did you move in the end Bluecat?
Did you move in the end Bluecat?
Sep 14th 2011, 5:58 am
#41
When in doubt, mumble.
Joined: May 2011
Location: Dubai
Posts: 268
Re: The Lakes Dubai advice.
Just for the record and for anyone else looking , I did find a nice end villa in Zulal in The Lakes with 3 beds for 140k and without using an agent so these prices are possible. Now the family is here (and with the kids able to walk to DIA in the morning) I can see that it was the right call for us.
Did you move in the end Bluecat?
Did you move in the end Bluecat?
Blue Cat is living in my Utility room on The Springs, the most rubbish maid I have ever had !
((( Loving The Springs )))
Sep 14th 2011, 6:10 am
#42
banned
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 7,611
Re: The Lakes Dubai advice.
there is nothing wrong with the Springs, especially comparing it to the lakes..to be honest they are both shit, as is the meadows..The standard of the villa's are shocking.
Sep 14th 2011, 6:18 am
#43
Just Joined
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 18
Re: The Lakes Dubai advice.
Well IMO in all cases you get what you pay for. Build quality is not good in Lakes or Meadows but from what I saw in the Springs it's even worse. But living in these areas is not about the villas, it's about the lifestyle, the community, the kids playing together safely &c &c.
Sep 14th 2011, 6:18 am
#44
Token Scandinavian Bloke
Joined: Jun 2009
Location: Dubai
Posts: 2,820
Re: The Lakes Dubai advice.
i viewed a 3 bedroom (2E) in the springs the other day. it looks okay from the outside (once you get over the american suburb feeling), but inside it is just shit. small living room, tiny kitchen with rubbish cabinets, tiny bedrooms, awful bathrooms...and to top it all off it wasn't cheap! it was the first (and last) villa i will ever look at in the springs!
Sep 14th 2011, 6:21 am
#45
When in doubt, mumble.
Joined: May 2011
Location: Dubai
Posts: 268
Re: The Lakes Dubai advice.
I like The Springs, it's alright but then we are new here and don't have much to compare it to yet within our Rent Allowance, near The School, Villa is big but a bit tired after being a rental for 7 Years, it's an end one, nice big garden, it's okay...
Hate the white tiled floors though
We have this Villa until April, don't know if we will stay another year or look for something new.