Real Estate Insights

Renting Vs. Buying A Home: Which Is Right For You?

Buying an apartment is one of the major investment targets of majority of Lebanese families; but in the wake of no “housing loans”, this target is proving to be unreachable for many. The remaining option is mainly to rent an apartment. While this is a situation not favorable to many, one can reflect on the many positive advantages of “renting an apartment”: Rent is a more “flex...

01/04/2019
Did The Return Of Subsidized Housing Loans “Isken” Affect The Lebanese Real Estate Market?

Early 2018, a major change has impacted the real estate market in Lebanon: the stop of subsidized housing loans – otherwise known as “isken” loans. Lebanese First Home buyers specifically were dependent to a very large extent on a subsidized housing loan in Lebanese Pounds (LBP) whenever buying an apartment or home. New couples and younger generation with limited income in gene...

01/03/2019
What Are Buyer Vs. Seller Agent Roles & Responsibilities?

Are you familiar with the term “Buyer Agent”? What about “Seller Agent”? What do those 2 terms mean?A buyer agent is typically the agent that handles the buyer. The seller agent is the agent that handles the seller.You would like to buy an apartment? You contact a real estate agency and you are typically transferred to an agent. The buyer agent role can be summarized as follow:...

01/10/2018
Did Airbnb Affect The Rental Market In Beirut?

The rise of Airbnb listings in Beirut in the past few years is undeniable. But did this rise affect the real estate rental market? and did it impact the local real estate brokers?With a few button clicks on a smartphone or a laptop, you can book a reasonably priced, centrally located private apartment or a room within an apartment in Beirut. Airbnb is probably making travel eas...

01/09/2018
Are You Seeking A Pet-Friendly Apartment?

In the last decade, there has been a huge rise on the trend of owning pets in Lebanon and especially in Beirut. On top of the list of pets are dogs, followed by cats. How did that affect the real estate market?Talking to Zeina, JSK Real Estate agent in Achrafieh, she clarified that this is now of the questions that she regularly asks both renters and tenants as part of her day-...

01/08/2018
Should Real Estate Agents Install “For Sale” & “ For Rent” Signs?

If the 51% of Buyers are finding their properties online, should a real estate agent bother to install a “for Sale” or “for Rent” sign on a listing.Online search is becoming more and more popular in real estate search and buyers/tenants find it easier and less time consuming to begin their search online. Having said the above, “For Rent” and “For Sale” signs are still a must an...

01/07/2018
How To Prepare Your Home For Summer?

We enjoyed spring and now we are ready for summertime! We want to enjoy summer and not have any small problems. Here are some tips for preparing your home for the Hot days of summer:1- Give your air-conditioner a check-up: Now is the time to make sure your air conditioning is in perfect working order and functioning properly. You may need to replace your air filters, clean any...

01/06/2018
How To Buy A Home In Your Twenties?

We’ve got to give it to the millennial generation; they’re an educated, tech-savvy bunch that typically knows what they want. Lately, we’ve been finding that many twenty-somethings in this group have decided that what they want is to buy their first home.Now, there are apps galore on just about everything out there, but swiping right isn’t going to get you into your first home...

01/05/2018
It’s Spring! Tips For Planting Your Balconies & Rooftops

Outside areas whether balconies, gardens or rooftops are dear to Lebanese homeowners! With spring coming, it’s very refreshing to be welcomed by different colors from the different balconies across the buildings!There is nothing like adding some greenery to your balcony by planting herbs or vegetables. A great combination of useful and attractive! There are a thousand and one...

01/04/2018
Small Apartments Are The Trend Now!

The trend is now to buy a small apartment! 2-bedroom apartments rather than 3-bedroom apartments are in demand nowadays. One reception space is requested by buyers rather than “Family Room” and an additional “Official Reception”.With above being said, how can we give the illusion of a bigger space for our smaller apartments?1- Lighting: Choose small apartments with as much as p...

01/03/2018
Top Must-Have Amenities In Ski Chalets

Lebanon is well-known for being one of the rare middle-east countries with Ski slopes scattered from North till Metn such as Cedar ski slopes, Laklouk Ski slopes, Kfardebian Ski slopes, Zaarour ski slopes…Lebanese like the winter sport and many aim at owning a “Chalet” close to ski slopes. But what are the top must-have amenities in ski chalets?1. Underground parkingThis is a m...

01/02/2018
Why Real Estate Agents Are Needed?

Many people think it is easy to do a real estate agent job and to sell or buy their properties alone! Others believe it’s important to have the expertise of a professional and trained agent. If you are thinking of hiring an agent to help you buy or sell, below are 3 reasons why it’s essential to work with a real estate agent:1- Real Estate Agents are best informed about market...

01/01/2018