New Law to purchase properties, can anyone confirm?

What I am getting the impression of is that the apartments are not being built to the top spec that they are supposed to be. From the shots I have seen of the kitchen they don't look as high specas you would expect in London for example.

There you would expect (for the price) granite worktops high spec smeg, style appliances and solid wood doors. In the Zig zag and the Pearl both come without any appliances. I am expecting to do a site visit soon, they have one flat almost finished after that I will see what the score is.

Personally I am getting the impression that in this part of the world, finishing and value for money are not things any one has any clue about.

I do know that as far as I have been told everyone gets what they are given with no choice. If its shite then what to do make the best of it and hope its still good enough to rent for a premium price.

Aviduser, about the kitchen in your new apartment, I don't know how it works in Qatar, but in the UK if you buy something off plan, you do get a bit of latitude when it comes to fixtures and fittings.

If you didn't like the look of the kitchen in a show apartment, or if you didn't like the look of the illustration, ask them about other options. Maybe their same supplier can provide a different style of kitchen for the same price, maybe you can choose what style you want? Or, alternatively, maybe you can ask if it's possible to pay a little bit extra to get a better quality kitchen installed?

Maybe if they provide a kitchen from the regular range, and you don't like it, maybe instead of buying a brand new kitchen from somewhere else, maybe you can come to a deal with the developer and the supplier so that you can pay the difference between the style and price range of kitchen that comes with the property as standard, and the higher price of a better kitchen.

If you can make a deal so you can just pay the difference, that might be more cost effective that in a couple of years time ripping out the kitchen and replacing it.

Is a 4 bed apartment even appropriate for a family?

If you have a few children, and if you're considerate, you're going to be spending most of your time telling them to play quietly and not be so noisy, or if you're inconsiderate you're going to be a nightmare neighbour.

Flats really aren't the best places for families, unless your children are quite grown up.

In April 2008 at the earliest. Not sure if they have 4 beds even if they do unless you are LOADED they are gonna be expensive

I see most of you are interested in investment...I'm more into getting 4-bedroom flat for my family to live. I heard you obtain a 99-years valid RP if you buy the houses, true?? Are any of the flats ready?

Thanks,

--I'm not crazy, I'm just a little impaired

I really did not know a headache could cost 1 million plus salary Transfer.

Traffic to & from the Corniche is going to be a nightmare when all the Skyscrappers comming up (not including the Pearl buildings) are finished & working, especially in the West Bay Area since the Roads there cannot be widened any more. Add to it the Pearl traffic and its going to be beyond-nightmare.

The Pearl will be open to all as it has a large entertainment complex and they are going to want as many people there as possible. Plus they have designed it so the parking for the public is inside the apartment towers themselves, the residents get their specified area to park in.

That is why I worry about traffic. Thursday and Friday evening are gonna be a nightmare with everyone going down the Pearl to browse the shops.

You cannot really compare The Pearl and Zig Zag. Those are two different projects. Zig Zag is cheaper, but they have less facilities. The Pearl is like buying a lifestyle, living in a 5* hotel where you have an ownership for your part.

The thing about The Pearl is the exclusivity-you cannot go in and out unless you live/work there or someone invited you. Only those who live in there can go to the schools in The Pearl, etc.

If you actually live outside Qatar and want to buy it only for vacation- why not? You can rent it out during the year and when you want to come for vacation, you still have you place and there is no need for you to wait for visa, since you get the RP once your property is ready.

For the actual rent prediction... in my opinion, you can only see it clearly when some people would actually live there and at least a part of the project would be completed.

If you're looking for a problem, you're probably gonna find one.

Apple, I have had such case where Xxpat wanted to buy a property in Doha in one Qatari guy's name and mortgage it under his own.

In this case, there is a tri-party contract between the bank, the borrower and the local man. The salary is assigned to the bank as a collateral and in addition, they sign an agreement that if the Expat won't pay the loan, the Qatari man agrees to give it away to the bank.

Just in this case, if you would like to sell the house or do anything with it, the Qatari has to agree-all in all, if you do it, it has to be done with someone you trust.

If you're looking for a problem, you're probably gonna find one.

What prices are the places in the Pearl and the Zig Zag? Would like to invest in a place out here but not going to throw stacks of cash or take out a massive mortgage to fund a holiday place.

If I can make 18,000 I will be happy as that will pay the mortgage. I will buy good furniture and make sure that it looks A1 for the rental market.

Lets hope its finished on time, I pay the mortgage from April next year. I really think as long as the interior is good the Lagoon Plaza will be a gem. Hopefully the building will look fantastic. I think it will be a real icon for Doha like the Iconic shape of the Burj Al Arab in Dubai, who knows they might even make models of it to sell in the gift shops.

I might even live there myself still really torn but if I could rent for 18,000 then renting it would make sense.

My flat is 165sq mtrs. For a two bed I thought it was better value than the Pearl. I also think that although the Pearl looks and will be fantastic, you will only be part of a massive development there is not much individuality there. Also I think 40,000 people on that small space of land is not a good idea.

So fingers crossed if it all turns out OK expect to see an advert on QL this time next year. I might even post some photos of the work in progress as I pushed the developers for a site visit at the end of the month.

I beliece Zig Zag tower is much better than the Pearl in terms of price and building design which could be the landmark in Doha in the near future.

Well, I suspect....probably, the rent would be around 18,000 for 2 bedrooms...but it's just my personal opinion.

I brought a two bed for the reason missjoo mentions. I think it will have wider rental potential. I also brought a slightly bigger flat with a better view to make sure it will rent quickly.

I am personally concerned with the finishing of the apartments, I have been shown a picture of the kitchen and it doesn't look that hot so I am gonna be very pissed off if the promised high class finish does not live up to its billing.

Anyway assuming it does look good when finished I hope to rent it out. Here is a question for the Board.

how much would you think is a fair rate for rent per month for a two bed in those towers, presuming all the amenities live up to billing.

I have heard that Beverly Hills towers are going for around 16-26K a month is that true.

Cheers

avid

I have been considering to buy property in Qatar since i arrived Doha. It's only half price compare to Korea's property market.

Even better, the environment here is really good, in particular, the pearl. So, it is very very attractive to me.

But, one thing is the design...I visited one developet and they showed me their design..it's quite spacious..but it contains only one bedroom (at that time, studio was almost sold out.)

I lived 2-bedroom flat in Musherib last year, compare to it, the flat in the Pearl is much spacious and bigger.. but it has only 1 bedroom.

That means only single man and woman or couple are suitable for the flats. If you have any children, it's no good, i guess.

So, i imagine that i'm a mother, than i will choose bigger villas or flats (more than 2 bedrooms) outside the pearl, if i have to pay the same rent.

The point is...I believe the Pearl design is too big for sigle (even it's 1 bedroom) and too small for family.

So, who's the target for the rent?

I mean, that design could cause difficulties for me to rent the flat..imagine..bought the flat..but you're having trouble to rent it..vacant for long time..oohh...it would be a nightmare.

For these reasons, i am still considering to invest into the Pearl.

So, anybody bought property in the Pearl..plz give me PM.

I need your help.

Thank you irrysa.

You mentioned about a way for an expats to buy and make it legal?

Would you mind to explain further please?

regards

Porche168, most of Expats buying in The Pearl do it for investment. They even take a mortgage, during the grace period they usually pay interest only and then they plan to cover the loan with renting the place out or just selling it.

Apartments in The Pearl are not big but it is all about the location in this case.

If you will call one of the developers for The Pearl they should be able to tell you what would be your investment return in case of selling/renting it.

But when you think of a villa in Doha-those are really crazy expensive now.

Still, RE is one of the safest investments you could make.

If you're looking for a problem, you're probably gonna find one.

No problem dear!

RE is part of my job, so I keep tracking these things ;)

If you're looking for a problem, you're probably gonna find one.

There you go, saved me a ton of searching.

Has anybody look into buying a property in Pearl? Other than the over QR 1 million price tag is there any down side in buying i.e. the investment return and ease of selling in later years?

Your comments will be greatly appreciated.

Apple, this law has been introduced over a year ago but there is only one thing.

I was told that the law is already there, but there is no office where you can actually go and make the formal registration and pay all the fees. Therefore, it is all blocked for that reason.

http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/Display_news.asp?section=local_news&month=february2006&file=local_news2006020971032.xml

Yes, it happens that people buy in locals name, and there is a way to make it legal, even while taking a mortgage.

However, for now, as an expat, you can buy in The Pearl, Lusail, Zig Zag, etc.

If you're looking for a problem, you're probably gonna find one.

Good night, Apple.

Yes, working and taking hourly temperature readings for the little one. Rough day thay spills into another day.

Catch you tomorrow, and many thanks for the infos.

Regards to headbanging mom!

Good night Qlers:)))

You mean you at work this time?

Well, at least you confirmed, and that i have some basis for that. Now lets wait after 3 mos. more and see how it goes?

It's somewhere in the mess I call my office at home so it will take some looking.

sorry to bother you:))

But if you busy, never mind.

Apple, I'll try to find it. Not tonight but I'll do my best to dig it up.

Do you mind to send the clipping into my email,Pls?

Yes, i remember its in 18 areas.

[email protected]

This was published in the press several months ago, 18 areas. I might have the clipping somewhere. It wasn't implemented so maybe as you say it's about to be.

I wouldn't purchase a property and register in someone else's name unless it was my wife's or childrens'.