What To Expect From A Country's Growing Economy

Hamed Mokhtar, Managing Director of Fortress Financial Services Talks about Dubai's Economic Growth and Stability

While much of the Middle East has been embroiled in an Arab Spring which has toppled despotic governments, usurped traditional power structures, and caused economic uncertainty, Some country has emerged as a direct beneficiary of this revolution, given its security and role as a tourist and trade hub in the region. "Dubai is currently being fueled by a boom in tourism, as well as an influx of capital and investors from throughout the region that are eager to enjoy its excellent infrastructure, political stability, and excellent quality of life," says Hamed Mokhtar of Fortress Financial. "This boom will continue with the realization of several recently announced large-scale projects, such as the construction of Mohammed bin Rashid City, which will include up to 100 hotels, golf courses, a Universal Studios, and new largest mall in the world, as well as the 1.5 billion AED expansion of the Business Bay Canal to the Gulf," he adds.

Sami Al Qamzi, director general of the country'sDepartment of Economic Development, said that economic growth in the emirate could surpass 4% this year. Passenger traffic through the emirate's airport rose 13 percent in 2012 to 57.7 million, making it the world's third-busiest, according to Airports and Emirates Group, which operates Emirates Airlines, posted a 68 percent increase in first-half profits. A country in the middle east's airport passenger numbers were up 14.6 per cent year on year in January, and international passenger traffic overtook Hong Kong (56.5 million passengers) for the first time last year. Over 10 million tourists came to this country in 2012 - a record for the emirate - an increase of 9.3% over the previous year. Over the same period, hotel revenues increased 17.9% and the number of hotel guests increased by 9.5% in 2012. It currently has over 56,000 hotel rooms available and this number is expected to grow by an additional 7.1 percent over the next three years.

The has been active in driving the Meetings Incentives Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) business, as it is a major contributor to the tourism industry and it brings 20 to 30 percent of the tourists to the country. An Economic Impact Assessment report prepared by Oxford Economics recently revealed that revenues generated from events at the Emirate's World Trade Centre (DWTC) in 2011 contributed Dh6.5 billion towards the emirate's economy in 2011. In that year alone, not counting corporate meetings, incentives and exhibitions, they hosted 34 international events.

Recently, Real Estate prices have experienced a resurgence as well, following drop of up to 70% in value in 2008. Knight Frank, a global property company, reported that the prices of luxury villas increased an average of 20% in 2012. Citibank reported that the increase in prices "signaled a strengthening in cash flows to the sovereign and its government-related entities, most of which have a significant stake in the local economy and, specifically, the property sector." Some areas - such as the Palm, Marina, Downtown, and Jumeirah Park have already returned to pre-crisis prices and are continuing to experience robust growth. "All of this bodes well for this country's recovery," says Mokhtar, "and there doesn't seem to be any slowing down in sight."

3 Ways To Make Money From Singapore Properties

1st way - buy low, sell high
Very simple strategy. Timing is key to success for this strategy. Opportunity for buying low is during recession, when sentiments in job market and economy are low (the lower the better). This is a great time to enter the market 'coz prices will be depressed. Some investors like to buy when prices are "relatively attractive" or "affordable" according to their means. Some investors may choose to buy in only when there's signs of uptrend (so they are buying at the base of the upturn).

So how do we know whether it's the bottom? During the bad times, many will say "it's too risky, it will go lower, let's wait". Do understand that real estate is inherently an illiquid investment, as opposed to the equity market. The periodic charts / graphs / data presented (on a macro scale) will be good indicators of how the real estate market is moving. The stock market chart may show volatility (up 1 day, down the other, up 1 week, down the other) but real estate market data will trend for quite some time before peaking or bottoming (we also won't know exactly how long, that's a question which only the market has an answer to).

Many home buyers like to think that today's prices are "too expensive" relative to last month / last year's price. We will only support such thinking if the broad data shows "all-time highs", otherwise smart buyers should understand that its not only you who is buying at this "higher price". If others are buying around the same price, then it is only natural that the market forces will continue to push the prices even higher because each buyer-turned-seller will continue to ask for higher prices to gain profit, and that is how everyone plays the game (well, at least until the bubble bursts).

2nd way - buy at a discount
Simple strategy but often neglected. So, you may be curious as to where exactly can you find properties at a discount? Most real estate articles will teach you to look for foreclosures (auctions), urgent sales, etc. So, we won't say more about those.

There's another type of property which we believe can be considered as "discounted" - old apartments in worn-out condition. A word of caution - you should be somewhat interested in doing renovation works, talking to designers and contractors if you are interested in trying out this type of discounted properties. And always remember the 3 golden rules of real estate - location, location, location.

In fact, you can also find discounted properties in new condo projects as well. How so? ... stay tuned to our updates and we will tell you more =)

3rd way - buy to lease out
Rental yield (your rental returns on your property purchase) is a fundamental way many people make money from properties. If you are looking into this strategy, may we suggest purchasing 99 year leasehold properties (in a great location) instead of freehold (in the middle of nowhere)? Tenants are willing to fork out higher rental for (1) convenience, (2) comfort. Tenants will not pay you more because your property is a Freehold tenure (even if you had to pay the seller / developer more). Tenants will pay more if your property is near a subway (MRT), or has wonderful facilities, is nicely furnished and lets them hugely enjoy their limited period of stay in Singapore.

We have a list of properties near subway (MRT) which will be updated onto our blog soon. Your can stay updated on our blog via email or you can see the updates on our twitter page and facebook page as well.

Eliminate Debt From Last Year's Gift Giving Season

The slowing economy took a turn for the better this past shopping season, as retailers reported an increase in sales compared to the same time periods of the past few years. Considering that many stores depend on the holiday gift giving season for up to 40% - 50% of their annual sales, this was welcome news.

Sadly, a majority of people were still using credit cards for a majority of purchases, increasing account balances that were already too high. For the ever-increasing online purchases, paying with cash is never an option. Now, the time has come when the reality of those higher balances appear as the credit card monthly statements arrive.

The upswing in sales is a direct result of rising consumer confidence. People believe their personal economy is going to improve. When that improvement happens, the bills will get paid. However, when someone's personal economic condition does not improve, the cycle of debt begins.

Unless a person can payoff their card balances within a few months, then the amount of spent on those 2010 gifts will grow as interest on those purchases continues to accumulate. That 00 spent on holiday gifts could balloon from 00 to 00 once those purchases, plus interest, are paid for.

The unfortunate truth is that most people never know how much money they are actually spending. Current purchases are simply added to previous balances, interest, future purchases, and future interest. When a consumer does not know the actual cost of purchased items, it becomes nearly impossible to know how those purchases fit into the gift giving budget.

How do consumers survive in 2011 when the debt begins to grow out of control? First, put away the credit cards. Use cash or debit cards. This helps you spend less than your income. If a family's monthly income is not enough to cover the monthly expenses, then that family cannot survive. Period. Difficult choices must be made on which expenses must be cut out their lives.

Secondly, eliminate the debt burden left behind. Many people continue to discover that debt elimination programs are very real. These elimination programs take advantage of consumer protection laws which have existed for many years. To accomplish this, it is again imperative that the commitment is made to live without credit cards. Just stop to imagine the saving if you were not losing money on interest payments. That's greater spending power for you.

When using cash or debit cards for your purchases, you are less likely to make that un-needed purchase when you can actually see the money disappearing from their wallet, or when there is not enough money in the wallet to begin with.

Using cash for a majority of purchases makes it easier to eliminate foolish purchases, and save money. When using cash, your conscious is clear because the decision not to buy an item is made for them, so the guilt about buying, or not buying, an item is relieved. No money in the wallet? Oh well, no new pair of shoes for me today. Walk away without the guilt of a larger debt load.

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