The owners had come together in London to debate a number of important matters concerning how their development will be run, following the establishment of an owners’ committee and a management plan of the facilities and services contained within the resort.

This was a rare and thoroughly engaging opportunity for all those present to get to meet other people with similar vested interests and achieve that most challenging thing; consensus on doing the right thing and commitment to the cost to achieve it.

Prolonged periods of debate with owners contributing their own perspectives from the floor were punctuated by resounding endorsement of prevailing opinions which allowed the debate to move on and the meeting to gather momentum. Typically this was achieved when one of the more pragmatic owners seized an opportunity to cut through the minutiae of the debate and knock as many proverbial heads together as necessary to make the obvious decision that was being reflected in individual comments. It was fantastic to see it all coming together.

A number of things struck me during the course of the day which gave me great optimism about this particular development and the good sense of its proud owners, and there were also some strong hints towards what really matter to our buyers, the things that we should be anticipating when we are finding and honing new opportunities for them in future.

It’s been said before but when conflict rises to the surface it creates a great opportunity to prove your win trust and respect, a moment of truth. And your most outspoken customers are probably also your biggest supporters if you handle them well enough. After all, if they didn’t care they wouldn’t take time out of their own busy schedules to come and give you their opinions. As one of the owners pointed out on Saturday; “I know I’ve had a lot to say, but I’m just passionate about what I believe in and want to get my views across – and I hope others will do the same”.

It’s a great testimony to the quality of this development that more than 200 people from all over the country were prepared to give up their own time on a weekend to participate in some important decisions that will influence the potential of their investment as well as their own enjoyment of their properties in the medium-long term. I can tell you from my experience that very few developments of this size that have been sold to overseas buyers over would garner such strong support for an owners’ meeting.

The developer, Signature Resorts, has to take a lot of the credit. They had created the impetus for the meeting in the first place by taking the brave decision (for a developer) to foster a community of owners who speak to each other and take an active role in the promotion of the resort, including decisions about facilities and services they want to enjoy. They also helped arrange the event itself, recommended and procured a venue, organised the agenda and circulated copies of the relevant documents to help the owners fully consider the decisions that needed to be made.

This was not just another sales pitch in disguise though, this was a meeting for owners, chaired by owners’ representatives. But Signature have embraced the single greatest cause of resentment between buyers and developers – poor communication – with their heart on their sleeve and made a genuine effort to show qualities that separate them from the field.
As they were eager to point out to their assembled owners; “yes we’ve had delays, we’ve encountered problems, but the good developers will still deliver, and the really good ones will do so without compromising their original vision.”

There’s a strong general message in this account of how the wider community of property developers, marketers and owners should be working together more effectively for mutual benefit, but I’ll save it for another article.. watch this space!

Property Owners Vote For Better Collaboration Selectproperty.com Office 803 - Concord Tower, Tecom, Dubai Media City United Arab Emirates Dubai Office: +971 4 446 2756 UAE fax: 971 4 440 4849 UK Office: +44(0) 161 488 3555

Our Partners Selectproperty.com Office 803 - Concord Tower, Tecom, Dubai Media City United Arab Emirates Dubai Office: +971 4 446 2756 UAE fax: 971 4 440 4849 UK Office: +44(0) 161 488 3555

The proof of our success is real and tangible

Select Property’s success is driven by an innovative and unique approach to the overseas property market. The company’s development strategy is simple, land is only purchased and developments launched once key milestones are met in sales across other developments. This ensures we do not over commit or put our customers or ourselves at risk.

Selecting the right projects is fundamental to deliver the desired rewards to our customers and has been key to our success. This is centred on a set of 5 key principles. By securing developments based on these principles we are able to sustain the marketability and desirability of our purchaser’s properties.

Our unrivalled approach means the company is able to achieve a high percentage of its sales through repeat and referral business.

A Complete Service

From initial consultation, through to the sales, contractual and payment processes, and then onto handover, Select Property customers are supported throughout. Understanding the importance of peace of mind to its customers, Select Property was the first company to introduce escrow accounts for its award-winning Pacific project in Ras Al Khaimah. Protecting the purchaser’s funds throughout the construction phase, escrow offers added security and has been a huge success. More recently Select Property are operating as the exclusive sales agent for Bancaja Habitat, the real estate division of Bancaja, the largest financial group in Spain offering up to 80% mortgages with an immediate 3 year payment holiday on Terrazas de La Torre, making this new golf resort easily accessible to a wider market.

Product innovation

Select Property is an innovative leader in the overseas property sector, providing customers with unique products and services designed to meet its customer’s requirements.

Procuring a mortgage in the overseas property market, particularly emerging ones, can often be difficult. To provide greater flexibility to its customers, Select Property has worked with leading partners and developers to develop flexible payment plans, allowing for ease of purchase.

In 2008, Select Property launched its financial services arm, Select Money. Select Money provides financial products tailor made for the overseas property market. Its one stop financial solution offers a currency exchange service providing preferential rates over high street banks and the option to forward book currency for up to two years, fixing the exchange rate for property payments and helping protect from adverse currency movements.

The most recent addition is Select Furniture, helping customers to command higher rentals with a complete turn key furniture solution. Available exclusively to Select Property customers, Select Furniture presents a range of stylish furniture packs, with optional upgrades available, alleviating the hassle of managing deliveries and chasing available items. A choice of styles have been strictly selected to provide the highest quality, yet carefully priced to deliver value and comfort.

About us Selectproperty.com Office 803 - Concord Tower, Tecom, Dubai Media City United Arab Emirates Dubai Office: +971 4 446 2756 UAE fax: 971 4 440 4849 UK Office: +44(0) 161 488 3555

RAK Steel is the second largest producer of steel rebars in the UAE and already holds a certificate from Intertek Sweden for such a high standard of Quality Management Systems. They can now endorse their products with the CARES mark.

The successful Ras Al Khaimah company see this award as an important achievement and a great opportunity to expand their market, assuring future customers of a first class, high quality product and service.

Ras Al Khaimah Investment Property

Ras Al Khaimah Property News

RAK STEEL awarded CARES Certificate of Approval Selectproperty.com Office 803 - Concord Tower, Tecom, Dubai Media City United Arab Emirates Dubai Office: +971 4 446 2756 UAE fax: 971 4 440 4849 UK Office: +44(0) 161 488 3555

Launched under the directive of vice-president and prime minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai Shaikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the initiative falls in line with the UAE strategy that lists improvements in the government sector and enhanced customer service as its primary objective.

“It is so great to see the UAE government taking these sorts of initiatives to further develop and sustain this kind of improved customer service within all national sectors,” said Ethos Consultancy managing director Robert Keay.

Dubai Investment Property

Dubai government launch customer care initiative Selectproperty.com Office 803 - Concord Tower, Tecom, Dubai Media City United Arab Emirates Dubai Office: +971 4 446 2756 UAE fax: 971 4 440 4849 UK Office: +44(0) 161 488 3555

The appointment comes at a time when Select Property is driving forward plans for significant growth, with projects totalling £1.5 billion being launched by the end of 2008 and a new office in Mumbai scheduled to open in October this year.

Hutchins, who is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers in both England and Scotland, will strengthen the Select Property management team, working across all financial and strategic projects as the company looks to increase its turnover from £9.8 million in 2007 to more than £22 million this year.

Mark Stott, Managing Director at Select Property commented, “After working for more than 40 years at the highest level of a major corporation, Hutchins has gained a vast knowledge of strategy, budgeting and finance that a younger company simply hasn’t acquired yet. As Select Property looks towards a number of new opportunities I’m certain Mike’s background will ensure we achieve our ambitious business objectives.”

Since it came into operation in 2004, Select Property has become the UK’s leading specialist in off-plan overseas investment property, helping people maximise their investment in overseas property by carefully selecting each development on its potential to deliver the highest return to customers. Hutchins has provided consultancy services to Select Property from mid 2007, enabling him to secure a firm understanding of the organisation’s vision and values.

Hutchins explains, “While at RBS I focused on building a team rather than just managing employees, and it is clear that there is a similar culture at Select Property – one of a number of strengths the company possesses.

There is currently a massive growth market in Dubai, similar to that seen previously in Hong Kong and Singapore, and it is extremely exciting to be part of a company so closely connected to that growth”.

Before retiring from RBS in April 2004, Hutchins was responsible for all Royal Bank of Scotland and Natwest branches across the United Kingdom. Following his retirement, Hutchins has taken an interest in a number of companies, acting as a management consultant to both listed and private organisations including RBS, Abbey, Berg Legal, James Chapman and Co, and HL Interactive Ltd.

The energy and drive of Select Property’s new Non Executive Chairman spills over into his personal life with a keen active interest in golf, tennis and a passion for the theatre, demonstrated by his role as Director of the Royal Exchange Theatre. Hutchins and his wife Rosie have 3 children.

Select Property appoints former Managing Director of Retail Banking, RBS, as Non Executive Chairman Selectproperty.com Office 803 - Concord Tower, Tecom, Dubai Media City United Arab Emirates Dubai Office: +971 4 446 2756 UAE fax: 971 4 440 4849 UK Office: +44(0) 161 488 3555

RAK FTZ's Client Relations department is the contact point for the Zone's growing number of clients. Their goal is to provide total customer satisfaction by taking care of the clients' needs efficiently and professionally from first contact until they leave the free zone.

RAK Transport Authority is looking to incorporate reliable, efficient and high-standard service procedures like those of RAK FTZ's Client Relations Department into their customer service strategies.

Mr Oussama El Omari, CEO and Director General of RAK Free Trade Zone, said that the visit by RAK Transport Authority demonstrates that the free zone's world class customer service procedures have become a benchmark for excellence among organizations in the region.

Ras Al Khaimah Investment Property

Ras Al Khaimah Property News

Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority views RAK FTZ customer service Selectproperty.com Office 803 - Concord Tower, Tecom, Dubai Media City United Arab Emirates Dubai Office: +971 4 446 2756 UAE fax: 971 4 440 4849 UK Office: +44(0) 161 488 3555

The Jebel Ali Hospital, the first boutique hospital in Dubai, has taken customer care to another level. Opened in 2005, the 20 bed hospital already has plans to double its capacity.

More and more people are seeking health care abroad, often to beat waiting lists or access cheaper private care than they could in their own country, but also for treatments not available at home, such as plastic surgery. The Jebel Ali Hospital in Dubai offers corporate packages, promotions, beautiful suites and a chauffeur service, making the facility feel more like a five-star hotel than a traditional sterile hospital environment.

In November, Dubai’s first Healthcare Travel exhibition and congress, a two-day event that is expected to attract more than 500 travel agents, healthcare professionals and insurance companies will take place and put Dubai at the forefront of the medical tourism market.

Dubai Investment Property

Dubai boutique hospitals attract medical tourists Selectproperty.com Office 803 - Concord Tower, Tecom, Dubai Media City United Arab Emirates Dubai Office: +971 4 446 2756 UAE fax: 971 4 440 4849 UK Office: +44(0) 161 488 3555

The honorary membership was bestowed upon Sabre in recognition of outstanding service to the travel industry in Ras Al Khaimah .

The Group is an association of travel, tourism and cargo agents that was formed in Ras Al Khaimah in 2005 to promote and foster co-operation, understanding and good will for all members of the travel trade. All the emirates' agencies are required to become members as the association aims to equip them to offer world-class travel, tourism and cargo services and excellent customer care.

Ras Al Khaimah Investment Property

Ras Al Khaimah Property News

Sabre awarded for outstanding service to RAK travel industry Selectproperty.com Office 803 - Concord Tower, Tecom, Dubai Media City United Arab Emirates Dubai Office: +971 4 446 2756 UAE fax: 971 4 440 4849 UK Office: +44(0) 161 488 3555

The aim of The Vision Care Institute is to enhance patient satisfaction through innovative education and training programs. The first training program will focus on communication and contact lens fitting and management.

The Vision Care Institute is part of a global partnership with the profession and a concept based on a commitment to life-long learning for eye care professionals to ensure first class customer care.

Dubai Investment Property

The region's first Vision Care Institute at Dubai Healthcare City Selectproperty.com Office 803 - Concord Tower, Tecom, Dubai Media City United Arab Emirates Dubai Office: +971 4 446 2756 UAE fax: 971 4 440 4849 UK Office: +44(0) 161 488 3555

Retail service partners interested in leasing and rental of units for operating laundries, pharmacies, money exchanges, kids play areas, day care centers, walk-in clinics, gyms, banks, snacks, kiosks and a host of other retailers have expressed keen interest in the project.

The first SouqExtra outlet is due to open in October 2008, followed by three more in Al Barsha, Al Quoz and Al Muhaisnah in the first quarter of 2009. Subsequently, the Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah outlets will be opened in the second quarter of 2009.

SouqExtra is a community-focused destination where customers can meet their daily requirements as well as unwind through social interaction with members of the community. SouqExtra has positioned itself as a destination offering a host of services complemented by community activities and entertainment shows within the premises.

Ras Al Khaimah Investment Property

Ras Al Khaimah Property News

SouqExtra outlets to open across the UAE Selectproperty.com Office 803 - Concord Tower, Tecom, Dubai Media City United Arab Emirates Dubai Office: +971 4 446 2756 UAE fax: 971 4 440 4849 UK Office: +44(0) 161 488 3555

Pivotal to the company’s success is its commitment to customer care. In addition to a dedicated customer service team, innovative support services such as a secure customer portal which gives customers the ability to manage their property portfolio, has led to over 25% of customers buying 2 or more properties.

Mark Stott, Managing Director, Select Property: “We are continually striving to grow and develop the business, ensuring we remain at the forefront of the overseas property investment market. New territories, additional products and a range of value added services has generated a high growth in customers and resulted in a demand for more staff.”

“We always try and recruit local talent, with a large proportion of the team, myself included, from Manchester. We also have strong links to Manchester Business School.”,

Select Property is built on six core values; integrity, passion, pioneering, selective, simplicity and excellence. These provide the backbone to the business and maintain the high standards of ethical behaviour when dealing with customers, employees, suppliers, business partners, contractors and the wider community. These standards have ensured increased turnover year on year, booming sales figures and high customer and employee retention.

Select Property News

Rapid Growth and Expansion for Wilmslow based Property Company Selectproperty.com Office 803 - Concord Tower, Tecom, Dubai Media City United Arab Emirates Dubai Office: +971 4 446 2756 UAE fax: 971 4 440 4849 UK Office: +44(0) 161 488 3555