Bespoke proptech platform to launch in 2025. Housez that?
Focusing on UAE real estate sector
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) real estate market continues to grow at breakneck speed, fuelled by evolving customer preferences and favourable economic conditions. Offering a unique blend of luxury, innovation, and sustainability, the market has witnessed a notable shift towards high-end developments, driven by a robust economy and a growing population seeking upscale living options.
Middle-income expatriates and HNWIs from across the globe are increasingly drawn to the UAE’s opulent lifestyle, prompting a surge in the construction of high-rise residential towers, luxury villas, and exclusive gated communities.
Developers are responding to this demand by creating unique and extravagant projects that boast state-of-the-art amenities such as private beaches, golf courses, and marinas. These features are not just luxurious but also innovative, catering to the evolving needs and desires of the market. There is also a rising interest in sustainable and eco-friendly developments focused on energy efficiency and green spaces, adding a touch of modernity to these projects.
Strategic location
The UAE’s strategic location between Europe, Asia, and Africa is essential to its real estate market growth. This unique position enhances its appeal as a global hub for business and tourism. Government initiatives, including developer tax incentives and long-term investor visas, further stimulate the real estate sector.
Supported by a stable economy—underpinned by oil, gas, tourism, and finance—along with low interest rates and accessible financing, the UAE real estate market’s future looks promising, particularly that of Dubai emirate.
The UAE real estate market is projected to reach a staggering $0.68 trillion by the end of 2024, a testament to its immense potential and promise. In particular, the residential real estate segment is set to hold a market volume of $0.39 trillion in the same year, indicating a bright and promising future for the sector.
Against the backdrop of the vibrant real estate sector in the UAE, a Dubai-based proptech startup, Housez, is poised to launch its commercial operations in early January 2025, targeting the residential vertical across the UAE.
Addressing pain points
Founded in 2024, Housez aims to be a benchmark platform for renting and buying properties, catering to those searching for a rental home, dream house, or investment opportunity.
By simplifying the real estate journey and committing to transparency and exceptional service, the yet-to-launch online platform is set to offer comprehensive listings, expert guidance, and valuable insights. This will ensure that users who aim to rent their first apartment, purchase a forever home, or expand their investment portfolio can make informed decisions about residential real estate in the UAE.
Waseem Hassan, CEO and Founder, and Ahmad Turki, Co-Founder, jointly established Housez after seeing a void for their company’s services in the UAE market.
In an exclusive interview with Middle East News 247 on the sidelines of the REALTEK Summit 2024 Conference & Awards in Dubai, Ahmad Turki, Co-Founder of Housez, shared insights into the innovative proptech platform set to launch in a few months.
Turki explained that Housez aims to simplify the property search experience for users looking to buy, rent, or sell homes. The company is integrating advanced AI technology to enhance the search process, allowing users to navigate through listings easily. He highlighted the platform’s unique reward system, which will incentivise users to engage with the site by earning points for browsing and sharing listings.
What’s with the name?
When asked about the choice of name, Jones elaborated that ‘Housez’ was designed to be memorable, with the playful use of ‘Z’ instead of ‘S’ to differentiate the brand. He emphasised that the name is particularly relevant to the UAE market, where expatriates actively seek homes, making the concept of ‘houses’ a focal point of the company’s brand strategy.
Turki clarified that while Housez will focus primarily on residential properties like apartments and holiday homes in the UAE market, it will also feature commercial properties.
He stated: “Our priority remains with apartments and homes, as that is where we see the most demand.” He noted that the target audience includes end-users, real estate brokers, and developers within the UAE.
Addressing the current UAE real estate market dynamics, Turki provided insights into the robustness of the UAE economy. He mentioned that affluent individuals looking to invest in real estate increasingly favour cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
“The political stability and growth in the UAE market make it an attractive destination for property investment,” he remarked, asserting that the UAE offers a more affordable alternative than other global markets.
When differentiating Housez from existing competitors, Turki was clear about the company’s unique selling proposition. He stated that while numerous real estate websites are based in the UAE, many lack comprehensive features.
Housez USP
“About 79% of real estate websites offer only basic listings,” he noted, contrasting that with Housez’s approach to providing a full suite of services. He cited the company’s reward system and user-friendly design as standout features that will set Housez apart.
Regarding market entry strategies, Turki revealed plans to promote Housez through various channels.
“We are looking at social media marketing and Google Ads to reach our target audience effectively,” he said. Furthermore, the company plans to organise conferences to engage directly with potential clients, including developers and brokers, to showcase the platform’s offerings. Advertising through traditional media, such as newspapers and magazines, is also on the agenda.
Turki is confident about Housez’s trajectory in a highly competitive and constantly evolving real estate industry in the UAE, noting that Housez will offer businesses a one-year free subscription to foster initial engagement.
He explained that this would come with a flexible exit clause, allowing clients to cancel if unsatisfied with the services. “Our goal is to build trust and provide value from the start,” he concluded.
As the launch date approaches, Housez is positioning itself as a significant player in the UAE real estate market. With its innovative features and commitment to user satisfaction, Turki believes that Housez will meet the needs of current property seekers and redefine real estate transactions in the UAE.
Featured image: (L-R) Waseem Hassan, CEO and Founder, and Ahmad Turki, Co-Founder, set up Housez in 2024. Credit: Housez
Last Updated on 4 months by Arnold Pinto
