“Hinashizaka Slope on the left, and Fujimizaka Slope on the right. Apparently you could see Mt Fuji from here on the early 1900s. Likely blocked nowadays.”
Real Estate Web Design Companies in Dubai 2024
When looking for a good web design company, focus on its structure, style, and content management system. Also, make sure they use internet marketing strategies, like search engine optimization. Each company might claim to have a solution for everything, but you should prioritize based on data. Take your time and consider these factors before choosing a web design firm. In the competitive market, there are many Real Estate Web Design Companies in Dubai. You can choose one that can cater to your needs.
Top 10 Real Estate Web Design Companies in Dubai 2024
If you’re a part of the real estate industry in Dubai and need a trustworthy web design company to either create a new website or update your current one, you’re in luck! Below is a list of the top real estate web design companies in Dubai.
1.RedSpider
Red Spider is a company based in Dubai that specializes in designing websites, particularly for the real estate industry. They have earned a reputation for their high-quality work. Their websites are designed to be easy to use on smartphones and tablets, making them accessible to potential buyers on the go. They pay attention to details like having simple menus that are easy to navigate. One of their strengths is creating interactive galleries where potential buyers can view properties in a visually appealing way. This helps to capture the interest of individuals who are searching for a new home.
2.Dubai Web design
Dubai Web design is a well-known web design company that focuses on making websites for real estate. They have a team of skilled people who work closely with clients to make websites that look good and are easy to use. It is one of the best Dubai Web design company that can create the best real estate website to display your properties efficiently.
3. Branex
Branex is a famous digital company that makes great websites for real estate companies in Dubai. Their creative team makes modern and easy-to-use websites that show property listings and catch the attention of people who might want to buy.
4. RBBi
RBBi is a top digital marketing company in Dubai. They’re really good at making websites for real estate too. They focus on making websites that look amazing and also show up well in search engines, so more people can see their clients’ properties. Their proficiency extends to optimizing these websites for search engines, ensuring that their clients’ properties receive maximum visibility and reach online. This web designing company Dubai will cater to your needs right away.
5.Techxonic
Techxonic is a web design company known for making cool and easy-to-use websites for real estate. They use the newest design styles and technologies to make websites that look great and are easy to use. By staying updated with the newest developments in web design, Techxonic ensures that their clients’ real estate websites stand out from the competition and effectively attract potential buyers.
6.Cactimedia
Cactimedia is a company that does everything related to making websites. They’re especially good at helping real estate businesses. They focus on creating websites that work well on any device and have advanced features for searching properties. This makes it easy for people to find what they’re looking for when they visit the website.
7.Gulf Web Studio
Gulf Web Studio is a well-known company in Dubai that makes websites, especially for real estate companies. They have a team of talented people who create custom websites tailored to match the brand and goals of their clients’ businesses. Their goal is to help real estate companies grow and succeed by providing them with top-notch websites.
8. Coding Pixel UAE
Coding Pixel UAE is a top web design company famous for making amazing websites designed specifically for real estate businesses in Dubai. They have a team of talented designers and developers who work closely with clients to learn about their brand and goals. This collaboration helps them create websites that not only look great but also work really well.
Their process involves understanding what the client wants to achieve with their website. They pay close attention to the details of the brand and the objectives of the business. Then, they use their skills to make websites that are not only visually appealing but also highly functional. This means that the websites they create are easy to use and navigate, making it convenient for potential customers to find what they need.
9. Blue Beetle
Blue Beetle is a popular web design company in Dubai, focusing on making websites for real estate. They’re known for their experience and success in creating websites that are both innovative and easy for people to use. These websites are great at showing off properties and keeping visitors interested.
What makes Blue Beetle special is how they pay close attention to the little things and make sure their websites are easy and enjoyable for visitors to use. They’re really good at making sure people who visit the websites have a great experience, which makes them stand out from other web design companies.
10. eTek Studio:
eTek Studio is a digital agency that helps businesses with everything online, including making websites for real estate. They’re really good at it because they have a lot of experience. What sets them apart is that they don’t just make one-size-fits-all websites. Instead, they make websites that are specifically tailored to what each client needs.
The team at eTek Studio is a mix of creative people, tech experts, and folks who know a lot about the real estate industry. Together, they make websites that not only look good but also help their clients get more leads and turn visitors into customers. So, they’re not just making websites; they’re helping businesses grow online.
Top web design trends 2024
Here are some trends to follow:
Explanatory Videos:
Videos that explain things are really popular in real estate right now. When realtors have a lot of important information to share with buyers, they often use these videos instead of just writing lots of boring text. People like watching these videos because they find them more interesting and helpful than reading long paragraphs.
Full-Screen Video Background:
No matter how much information or pictures you put up, nothing grabs a buyer’s attention like a big video that fills the whole screen. Showing off your property with a full-screen video can make potential buyers really interested. It can also make them more likely to invest in it because it gives them a good feeling. You can even put clear writing on top of the video to explain what’s happening.
Easy-to-Read Writing:
The way words look on a page is really important when you’re trying to make people feel good about buying something. On a real estate website, the words should be easy to read and understand. Using big, clear writing also makes your business look more professional. It’s best to keep the writing simple and easy to see so that people can find out all the important details about the property.
Conclusion
We have discussed about the top real estate web design companies in Dubai. One of the main goals of a real estate website is to build trust with potential buyers. Buying a property is a big decision, so it’s important to make buyers feel confident in their choice. Whether you want a simple design or something bold and eye-catching, these trends can help you achieve your goals. The above mentioned companies have helped businesses across Dubai reach more people online using strategies backed by data.
Real Estate Web Design Companies in Dubai 2024
- Published in News, News & Updates, News and Update
17 Benefits Of Investing In Student Housing
Taking a leap to decide to invest in real estate is something to pat yourself on the back—good job for bringing the risk to gain high returns. Student housing investment is an excellent asset class that has proven to be resilient to economic fluctuations. It has been known as one of the stable investment opportunities. The current coronavirus pandemic and the most recent economic recession have proven this point of merit.
Some investors note that investing in student housing could be pretty risky and scary. With possibility of students thrashing the place, it’s no wonder why some people feel this way. However, the reality is that student housing is an authentic component of real estate.
Nowadays, many companies are building their business models around student housing because of its growing business potential and high returns. Putting money for building and maintaining college apartments, like sunrisevillageapts.com, is a great investment move to take advantage of today.
If you are having doubts until now, read more of the benefits of investing in student housing:
- High Enrollment
Despite the raging tuition fees among many countries worldwide, the demand for undergraduate and graduate degrees is increasing. Student enrollment is rising continuously, and parents continue to send their children to college. The need for education is still huge.
When it comes to real estate, the typical factors in perceiving and considering are job growth and demographics. But, in this case, high enrollment is the primary indicator for student housing. Applications and their continuing processes indicate that a specific area, especially if it’s near a university, will be populated with students.
- High Demand
If you have tried being an in-house university student, you’ll agree that most schools promote or offer housing on campus only to first-year students. This is because they can’t keep up with the high demand.
Starting when universities stopped sustaining these increasing demands among students, third-party real estate investors and developers have started coming in to take advantage of this business opportunity. Purpose-built establishments and apartments are now constructed just outside of campuses. This real estate trend is witnessed all across the country and even overseas too.
The number of students pursuing further education has reached 2.28 million in the school year 2015-2016. This data alone proves why there is a vast pool of demand for student accommodations.
- Turnkey
Many student housing investments are turnkey, so all you need to do is find student tenants. You don’t need to shell out money for remodeling or home improvements for your property investment. Many developers nowadays buy out large apartment complexes or condominiums and have each unit rented out. Sometimes, they sell these units too.
When such opportunities arise, you can purchase a smaller unit from that large complex and have a turnkey investment where they will be the ones to manage it. This is a convenient way for you to make money, as you don’t need to do anything.
- Recession-Proof
It’s natural to hear the term ‘recession-proof,’ which is often claimed by many business analysts. Although they may be valid, sometimes they’re not. Nonetheless, student housing is an investment that is genuinely resilient to the economic downturn.
In reality, when a local crisis happens, the opposite effect on student housing happens. In contrast to what other real estate properties experience, more students or an increasing number of people apply for student housing. The reason is that they believe that an undergraduate degree will give them more possibilities to land a job when the labor market has collapsed or is impossibly competitive. People do their best to afford college, and those who finished a bachelor’s degree would think that a master’s degree is an even better solution.
Hence, the demand does not change, even during a recession. People never stop going to school, even when the economy is suffering.
Another critical phenomenon is the online learning alternative due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although it has affected many student housing properties, they managed to reopen since many universities announced their intention to go back to on-campus learning. This scenario serves as an example of how resilient a student housing investment can be.
- Marketability
When your student housing property is located in one of the vibrant places in your city or town, you won’t need to market it to increase occupancy manually. These locations usually already have nearby restaurants, art galleries, malls, and nightlife, so these establishments become magnets for students to rent your housing unit.
Say goodbye to posting advertisements everywhere to seek out tenants. Let the tenants reach out to you. These college town properties usually sell themselves, so you have very minimal effort for promoting them.
- Guaranteed Rent
Although some real estate owners have a negative judgment regarding students not paying on time or difficult tenants, students are actually responsible payers most of the time. The best thing about student housing is that they are usually good tenants or have a parental guarantor, which ensures no problem with rental collections.
- Students Could Be Long-Term Tenants
Many students either study for associate degrees that last for two years or an undergraduate degree that lasts up to five years. They may even extend their housing terms if they plan to proceed to higher education, like master’s or doctor’s degrees. Due to the duration requirements for college, this would mean that students are long-term tenants.
Most landlords that aren’t in the student housing industry may have a hard time listing their rental properties, but not with student apartments because they usually stay until they graduate from college.
- No Need for Car Space
Since most of your tenants are living close to the university, they won’t need to drive a car. Some may not afford a car, either. This will be an advantage on your end because you won’t have to provide car space.
- No Chance for Losing All Income
Investing in student housing has a 100 percent chance of not losing your entire income. Unlike other rental business models, you get to retain some income source because there will always be enough students occupying your property.
It’s a big swing for some private property owners who rent the entire home to a family. When the whole family leaves, there will be zero income for you.
The good thing about a student apartment is that even if some students leave and stop renting, there will still be some income left due to the other students renting continuously. It may not be ideal to have some vacancy, but it sure is better than losing your total income.
- Less Delinquency
Although there is nothing like a guaranteed investment, student rentals can be one of the closest things. Even when you encounter irresponsible students and run from their financial obligations, you will always have guaranteed income through your parents. It’s not uncommon to have the parents sign guarantees, so your payment will be protected.
Also, a large majority of students are responsible for their finances. This means some hand out their rent fees on the first of the month to ensure that they have secured their housing expenses already paid. This makes the student rentals have lesser delinquencies than other areas in real estate.
- International Student Tenants
Since your student housing property is located in a college town, you can expect many international students seeking out to rent. Universities in America are very active in attracting students from other countries. There will be a high demand for your property, and in turn, you will be left with no risk of having zero income.
- Concrete Structures
Most student rentals are built for comfort, so they usually come in concrete and high-quality construction materials. Students could not create considerable damage, unlike with other properties that may have used light materials.
The concrete structures also become more attractive for students to live in. This becomes a selling point for you to market. Young people always prefer to stay in a living space made of concrete because it gives them an impression of safety and security.
- Price Appreciation
Student housing properties usually have a good prospect for price appreciation in the future. Since many other investors will be interested in buying a property around this high-traffic area, the properties will increase in value almost every year. If you plan to sell and make more money through asset sales and profits, you can do so by buying now when it’s still affordable.
You may buy a purpose-built property now and have it rented out for some years. When the time is right, and the real estate has boomed enough, then you can sell your assets and make big profits.
- Maintain Market Rents
Some states in the country implemented rent control prohibiting property owners from raising rents until they get a new tenant. Unfortunately, this could be a real pain for them, especially if the existing tenants have no plans of moving out. Because of this policy, you are not entitled to ‘mark to market.’
However, when it comes to student rentals, you have the chance to do this simply because you will have an opportunity to attract a new crop of students every two years or so. This will not be a downside for you even when your property falls under a state that implements rent control.
You will always have new students come into your property because they will soon move out after finishing their undergraduate studies. Most of them often transfer and find a different place to live, which might be closer to where they’re going to work soon.
- Managed Property Investment
If you invest in custom-built student accommodation, it usually already includes property management. This allows you to entrust the administration to experts like the university itself or building administrators. This is intelligent investment management that is active and proactive.
On another note, you may also reach out to third-party real estate property managers who can do all the tasks that involve your property.
- More Significant Returns
The best advice to take when investing in student housing is to spread out your investments into a few stable properties with credible operators and, at the same time, take a risk to invest in new properties around some areas that have the potential for growing demand. Doing so will create a more balanced portfolio, so even if one property suffers from unpredictable circumstances, your overall investment will still balance out.
If you invest in a diversified and concentrated single asset, your returns are secure and sure. On the contrary, if you invest in several acquisitions, there are also opportunities for good returns with minimal risk.
Hence, the key is to spread out your student housing investment as much as possible because this will be a surer way to generate your desired returns.
- Student Accommodation Is Attractive
The amenities and facilities present in purpose-built student accommodation are already secured. These benefits are imperative for the daily lives of students and occupants in the building premises. For example, they can enjoy communal areas, high-speed Wi-Fi, and study areas. All these amenities become available and attract many student tenants.
One of the best features that your student housing can have is when the location is near to their university or close to shops, cafes, local nightclubs, and workplaces. When you choose to invest in student housing, you will benefit from higher yields and shorter void periods. This entails the certainty and security that many investors are looking for.
Conclusion
Student rentals, in summary, are a significant investment. Depending on the area you choose, you will indeed have the best returns, especially when it’s near a university, coffee shops, restaurants, and workplaces. Like any investment, though, there are always risks involved. What you need to do is to lessen the risk and contain it.
When you think about the trouble of managing a student housing unit or apartment, feel free to ignore this because you can always find a third-party real estate management company that can take over all the operations for your property.
Take advantage of investing in student rental properties if you are familiar with an area where it’s booming with students and lots of traffic. Invest now and wait for your returns to generate.
Meanwhile, if you want to read more such exciting lifestyle guides and informative property updates, stay tuned to Feeta Blog — Pakistan’s best real estate blog.
17 Benefits Of Investing In Student Housing
- Published in International, Real Estate, Real Estate Investments, Student housing
The great Pakistani real estate racket
We begin this story with two requests of our readers – the first is that they remember, as they read through this description of dicey events and questionable business practices, all of the relatives and friends they undoubtedly have that have been scammed by property dealers, housing projects, and real estate developers. Because this much we can safely assume: that the average reader of Profit at the very least knows someone that has their money stuck in some unsellable plot, or has bought a ‘file’ or a registration certificate for a plot in some shiny new housing scheme that they have yet to receive and are likely not to.
Our second request is to applaud and marvel at the twin genius of the internet and citizen journalism. Because the idea for this story comes from a tweet, or more precisely, one twitter handle @2paisay, that has been relentlessly waging a battle against the Master Tiles Group and their latest project, La Ville De Paris, and has written a brilliant blog compiling all of the red flags from the project through meticulous research and analysis of the project’s marketing campaign.
Yes, this is the same Master Tiles that recently hosted the much talked about wedding in which their daughter married the scion of the family that owns Jalal Sons. The project is nearly as gaudy as the wedding and plans to build a replica of Paris over 4800 acres full with a 200 meter tall Eiffel Tower, a replica of the Arc de Triomphe, and a Champs-Elysees-style road. It is also the same Master group, that only a few years ago in 2015, was involved in Master City, in which the buying and selling of plots was halted after the courts got involved, and when the housing scheme did not comply, contempt notices were issued against its owners.
Since the publishing of the blog by Twitter user @2paisay, Profit has been digging into the regulatory and legal realities of Le Ville De Paris. On Friday, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) warned the general public about the La Ville De Paris scheme, declaring it unlawful for investment. Before this, the Chairman of the Gujranwala Development Authority (GDA) confirmed to Profit that not only had the Le Ville De Paris not gotten the necessary approval from the GDA, but that the GDA had not even received a request from them, yet they have been collecting money from people in lieu of ‘certificates.’
All of this is illegal. All of this is a scam. Hook, line, and sinker. All of this is infuriatingly typical of what goes on in the murky world of Pakistani real estate. The story of what led to the SECP recognising and declaring what seemed to be a massive undertaking a scam tells the larger story of the real estate scam in Pakistan that so many regularly fall prey to. Profit investigates.
The bait – Paris
There is one and only one real cultural estimation of whether you have ‘made it’ in Pakistan – and that measure is whether veteran journalist Sohail Warraich has ever called you up and asked to film an ‘Aik Din Geo Kai Saath’ episode with you. A seemingly unassuming, gentlemanly, even oafish presence, Warraich is beneath the surface a master interviewer that can shrewdly get powerful men and women to spill their secrets, and bring out the private personalities of those that otherwise maintain very stoic media profiles out of necessity.
In an episode of the show that he filmed with Malik Riaz, the founder of the Bahria Town group, one moment of Warraich’s journalistic mastery was on display when he asked Malik Riaz a number of lighthearted questions to soften him up, before throwing a pointed question about the European inspiration behind his housing projects. “We go to foreign countries, we see what they have done, we steal the idea and we bring it here,” Riaz responds with shocking candour. “That is all there is. Like I just saw the Eiffel Tower recently, so we imported a replica from China and everyone loves it and comes to Bahria Town from far away to see it.”
This little tidbit reveals a much darker side of how real estate developers hook in people for their housing schemes. A ‘plot’ (pee-lat) in Pakistan is sacred. The desire to live in a clean, gated, ‘posh’ area is the upper-middle class dream for most Pakistanis, one that they spend their entire lives at times, trying to achieve.
Every year, the urban housing demand in Pakistan is 350,000 homes. Of this, 62 per cent is for lower-income groups, 25 per cent for lower middle- income groups, and 10 per cent for higher and upper middle-income groups. The formal supply per year is 150,000 units, a vast majority of which caters to the higher and middle-income groups. So when a swanky businessman like Malik Riaz or Sheikh Mehmood Iqbal of the Master Group says they are going to build a European city in Pakistan, and you can buy a file or a certificate to be a part of it when it is fully developed in a very short amount of time, you don’t think, you run and find the nearest property dealer.
That is exactly how La Ville De Paris began as well. With huge billboards, full page newspaper advertisements, and property dealers on commission. The marketing campaign for this project was massive, and along with a promise to build Paris in Gujranwala, there was the added bonus of a French team working on the project, led by Chairman, Jean Louis Raja Martinez, a supposedly famous French management guru that was to have control of everything from investors to the technical aspects of the project. While Martinez was unavailable for comment, the project’s marketing manager, Bilal Sandhu said that Martinez had come to Pakistan only out of love for the project and that now Pakistanis “will have a place like Paris where houses will be offered for sale at a reasonable price, with the kind of facilities that they would expect to find in Paris.”
That is a pretty little mission statement. The problem is, for all their pomp and show, La Villa De Paris is operating the same way you would expect any housing society in Pakistan to operate. The general perception is that since there is a large group like Master Tiles behind the project, it will be legitimate and free from fraud. The truth is a little different. You see, buying a residential plot in a new society is like building a house on sand.
The real estate developer, even before acquiring any land or deciding where the project will exactly be located, begins a marketing campaign with big promises of a Paris-esque housing society. It is usually named something like ‘Dream Gardens,’ ‘Paradise Villas,’ or some other Utopian sounding name. Along with the marketing campaign is an offer to buy ‘files’ or ‘certificates’ to pre-register for the opportunity to buy plots in these societies. All of this is done without any approval from district administration, housing authorities, and any sorts of checks from regulatory agencies like the SECP. Then, once they have collected enough capital from selling these certificates, they then buy the land and begin development. If this does not work out, the money often sinks and people are left stranded.
These tactics are common, however. They are the same ones that Bahria Town uses, and which are being used in ARY Lagoona. Even in societies like DHA, the infamous ‘file system’ is operational which has been explained in more detail in the in-set that accompanies this story. But what got the SECP to notice the La Ville De Paris project and advise the general public “to refrain from investing their hard-earned money in any unauthorized scheme,” was the lottery that they recently tried to hold.
The hook – Le Paris’ method
La Ville De Paris is offering certificates. Essentially, you buy a certificate for Rs 115,000 and then you have the right to conduct business and buy and purchase plots in the housing scheme. Without a certificate, you cannot do any of this. The problem is how mysterious everything surrounding these certificates has been. For starters, by their own admission, as revealed to Profit, Le Ville De Paris has only purchased 3000 acres out of the 4800 acres the society is to be built on.
This means that while the company may claim this is just a business tactic, the money from the certificates will be used to purchase the rest of the land. More importantly than this, they have gotten no approval from any government agency or the Gujranwala Development Authority (GDA), before launching this project since they will not get it before purchasing all of the land.
And if any issue crops up or the project cannot go ahead or fail, the certificates become useless and the money people have put into them is lost. The problem is made worse considering that the details surrounding the certificates are few and inconsistent. Speaking to Profit, the project’s marketing manager initially said that anyone can buy more than 100 certificates if they want.
According to Sandhu, the project’s marketing manager, these certificates are required for investing in La Ville De Paris or for any type of plot, whether commercial or residential. “These certificates must be in the possession of the customer making any purchase in the La Ville De Paris project. A customer who does not have a company certificate will not be able to make any purchases in this project in the future. Our main purpose in announcing the value of the certificate was to reach the original buyer. If we gave these certificates for free, we would probably be able to reach only ten or twenty percent of the original buyers and the rest would get our free certificates without having to make any investment later,” he claims.
But the SECP, in its warning to the general public, said that “any investment opportunity, whereby any future return/benefit, determined by chance or lottery or like manner, is assured or promised in return for a deposit or contribution is an unlawful activity and is a ground for winding up of such a company in terms of section 301 of the Companies Act, 2017.”
In addition to this, while the Master group promises that the project will be completed in 12 to 18 months and guarantees money back if it is not done in that time, the encouragement to sell the certificates ahead and the guarantee of profit make it questionable. With Pakistan’s land registry the way that it is, and the certificates in no way being a promise of land, it is entirely possible that the money is not returned.
The problem with this is that La Ville De Paris claims that they are not selling the certificates to gather capital to buy land and begin the project’s development. They say the only purpose the certificates serve is to attract serious customers that will buy the plots in the project. However, only one certificate is required to make purchases, so why would anyone want to buy hundreds unless they plan on selling them ahead. And why would La Ville De Paris agree to doing this unless they were trying to gather capital quickly so they could acquire the land.
By their own admission, they have not bought all of the projected land yet. Of the 4800 acres, only 3000 acres have been purchased and of these 800 acres have been earmarked for the Prime Minister’s Naya Pakistan Housing Scheme. With thousands of certificates being sold, it seems that this is a drive to raise investment.
When confronted with this, Sandhu changed his tone later on and said that only limited certificates are being sold, which can be up to 2 percent of the quantum of the whole project. Despite being asked a number of times, Sandhu and officials of the project refused to reveal how many certificates have been sold so far, how many the company aims to sell, and how many of the certificates have been sold to the same person.
The lottery
This goes pretty much how you would expect it. If you have been driving around Lahore or Gujranwala in recent days, you might even have noticed huge billboards announcing a lottery on the 31st of March this year for people that are in possession of certificates for the La Ville De Paris Project. The lottery has some big prizes, with the total lot of 105 prizes amounting to Rs 143.5 million, and the prizes are all cash. The first prize will be Rs 50 million, which will go to one lucky winner, while the second prize of Rs 10 million will be won by two lucky winners. Similarly, the third prize will be Rs 5 million which will be given to five lucky winners, and the fourth prize will be Rs 0.5 million will be won by 97 people.
Now, keep in mind that this Rs 143.5 million is of course only a fraction of the money that the developers have gathered. They have sourced this amount by selling certificates. Essentially, what La Ville De Paris did is offer certificates for sale to people that you need to acquire if you want to buy any commercial or residential plot in Le Paris.The confusion is that the certificate that is being sold and it is guaranteeing a profit.
The lottery just makes the deal more attractive. Why not put in Rs 115,000 for the chance to walk away with Rs 50 million? And if you don’t end up winning anything at all, you can then always either use the certificate to buy a plot in the project or sell the certificate to someone that does want to do this.
A history of deceit
This is perhaps the biggest red flag of them all, both about the La Ville De Paris Project and about real estate developers in Pakistan in general. This is not the first time that the Master Group has ventured into this business, and when that happened, it did not go very well. Despite the proven fraud of that episode, the group has very easily been able to come back into the industry, with the past having been forgotten, and with their promises and armies of property dealers been able to wrangle significant investment from people unaware of what exactly they are signing up for.
Back in 2015, the group had developed a housing scheme called Master City. According to one official of the Board of Revenue, the management of Master City had tried to commit fraud with overseas Pakistanis through the same old technique of selling files and then not handing over any plots to the buyers despite the time in which development was to have finished ending. The episode was quite the spectacle, with the victims of Master City protesting for several days. “The victims claimed that billions of rupees have been defrauded from the people by the owners of Master City. Meanwhile, a person named Javed had also obtained a stay order from the court on the sale and purchase of plots in Master City,” revealed the official on condition of anonymity.
“The court ordered the owners not to buy or sell until further court orders, and at that time, the managing director of Master City, Sheikh Ahmed bin Maqsood, had also admitted that buying and selling was not being done in compliance with the court orders. Despite this, Master City continued both the buying and selling of plots after which the court took notice again and this time not only issued a notice against them, but also charged them with contempt of court.”
Despite all of this, the Master Group were able to continue the buying and selling of plots in Master City with impunity, and have now been able to launch a new project while many unsuspecting investors in the Mater City project, who were also made the same promise of quick returns and development in 12 to 18 months, continue to not receive any dividend or any plot allotment from the project. You see, when the court issued the stay order, Master City could no longer accept money in lieu of files, and since they had not actually acquired all the land for the project beforehand but had sold more files than were plots, they cannot assign plots to people that bought those files under the promise of getting a plot within a couple of years. Now, as long as the project remains tied up in court (which could be decades), these investors cannot touch their money.
The association with Master City is something that the group has actively tried to avoid, of course, something that is evident in the project not containing the word ‘Master’ when even the wedding of the group’s owner’s son had ‘Master’ plastered everywhere. One official of the Gujranwala Development Authority (GDA) also confirmed to Profit that La Ville De Paris was being run under a different entity, and an advertisement was also issued recently in which the project denied any connection with Master City. However, despite the entity being different, the owners of the project remain the same people behind the Master Group and Master City.
“This is a technical difference only. Back in 2015, Sheikh Mahmood Iqbal had taken a lot of pride in it and had presented it as a result of the group’s hard work over years.Now that people have been defrauded in Master City, they do not want the baggage from that to affect their new scheme,” says the GDA official on condition of anonymity. “The only difference is that Sheikh Mahmood Iqbal is looking after the affairs of Le Paris, while his brother Sheikh Maqsood Iqbal was looking after the affairs of Master City.”
“The GDA has already started preparing for legal action, and we would encourage people to be wary of such fraudulent schemes. The government needs to take action to make sure that unless a scheme completes its area, its design and its infrastructure, it will not be approved – otherwise, innocents will continue to be fooled into investing with these crooks.”
This seems to be a solid idea, particularly because if a group can actually produce the amount of money that is needed to procure and begin development on 4800 acres of residential, urban land, then it can be expected that they are not in it to make a quick buck but are invested in making sure that the housing scheme is up to the mark and that genuine investors and buyers come to them, and get what they came there for instead of being enticed in with the offer for cheap plots only to lose all of their money.
The GDA’s Town Planning Director has also issued a public notice stating that the owners of Master Tiles had advertised the plots and files of La Ville De Paris City, which was totally illegal. The notice also states that La Ville De Paris is a completely fake and illegal housing scheme, which the GDA has no record of yet. In addition, the distribution of certificates and lucky draws by the scheme owners is completely illegal. The notice also warned investors not to invest in any illegal scheme and seek GDA details about its legal status before investing in any scheme,” he said.
“There was a definite problem of over-selling in Master City,” admits Sandhu. “But that project was completely under Sheikh Mahmood Iqbal, La Ville De Paris is the vision of Sheikh Maqbool Iqbal. People are just getting worried because of similar names. “Our project is very transparent and we want to keep it neat and clean.”
“Some people in the ceramics industry that are our rivals have also tried to say that we have a cash flow problem and are not to be trusted. However, we are only selling a few thousand certificates. Master Tiles has a net worth of $4 billion. Do you really think the group would want to risk its business and its reputation for a single project? Senior property dealers are overseeing this project even the president of Property Dealers Association DHA Lahore, Abubakar Bhatti is personally overseeing this project in Lahore. After all, this is the credibility of the project, that’s when so many senior dealers are marketing it.”
Despite these clarifications, officials of both the Board of Revenue and the GDA continue to slam the La Ville De Paris project, saying another fraud was going to happen, and that the clock was ticking to possibly contain some of the damage. “The biggest red flag is that the purchase of land for this project has not been completed yet and the project has been announced. Secondly, the purchase of land and its transfer is not an easy task, and there is not a single 4,800 acre area in Gujranwala where there are no court cases. When a housing society is announced, it must first be approved. For example, any Housing Society in Gujranwala has to get approval from the Gujranwala Development Authority (GDA) and La Ville De Paris does not have any approval,” says a revenue board official.
To these accusations, La Ville De Paris have claimed that they are in the process of approval, and are waiting to acquire all the land before applying for final approval. This still does not explain how they have launched without the approval, or are accepting money for the certificates. The chairman of the GDA, Ali Ashraf Mughal, responded to these claims by vehemently denying any approval being “in the process” and said that they had not even been approached by La Ville De Paris yet. “We have not received any documents from La Ville De Paris and we have removed all their advertisements from Gujranwala city. We have also written letters to the concerned authorities to remove their advertisements from Lahore as well.”
The great Pakistani real estate racket
Chakri’s real estate gang wars
Less than 60 kilometers away from the federal capital, a gang war between two rival real estate companies has left the once small area of Chakri devastated. For a long time now, Chakri has been considered a prime location for new housing societies to sink their teeth into. Currently, according to details available with Profit, there are at least 50 housing societies vying for space in the area around Chakri interchange, where they believe a new city extending out of Islamabad and Rawalpindi will attract investors.
The only problem is that the land in Chakri is a quagmire of legal cases, feuds, and disputed ownership that now has multiple parties involved. In Pakistan, real estate development is a game of gambling. No single investor or group has enough money to buy thousands of kanals of land, develop it, and then start to sell the plots to people. So instead of doing all this hard work, they focus on marketing heavily, selling pre-registration certificates, files for plots to be allotted in the future, and by getting property dealers to hype up their upcoming housing societies.
It is only after they have made enough money by selling files, certificates, and all kinds of marketing tools to gather the capital they need for these projects, that they actually start buying the land that they have promised a number of people in the form of files. The problem is, since the land has not been acquired completely as of yet, it either gets sold to someone else in the meantime or some legal issue arises over it, which means people that buy files in these societies end up having their money tied up for years on end. All of this they do without getting any prior permission from local authorities, so even if the land is successfully acquired, it may be a long time before they are given permission to build their society on it.
On our radar this week is Blue World City, a supposedly mammoth undertaking in Chakri’s real estate development game which is currently feuding with Abdullah City, another large real estate project in the area.
Most of these societies in Chakri have no standing with the Rawalpindi Development Authority, which is the governing body on such issues. Despite this, they continue to inflict violence on each other and fight over disputed land, all the while fooling unwitting investors into giving them their money. Initially, when it was launched in 2017, Blue World City was only one of these small fish in a big pond. By 2018, however, they started appearing as a big name. Having presumably collected a decent amount from initial sales of files, they went on a massive marketing campaign that used all of the tactics mentioned above and then some. They even roped in Engin Altan, the Turkish actor that plays the lead role in the Ertugrul Resurrection drama series that has become a phenomenon in Pakistan, to be their brand ambassador.
Since those early high flying days when Blue City became one of the hottest names in the Chakri real estate market, things have gone south. The society still does not have approval from the RDA and the land authority says it is not planning to give its approval any time soon. In fact, on recommendation of the RDA, Blue City is being investigated by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), and has not bought a fraction of the land they claim to already be in possession of. This is how it all happened.
Blue World’s actions
In March 2021, Tahir Aziz called the Chauntra police station and complained that five armed guards had barged into the housing society of his brother on Chakri road named Abdullah City. The five guards overlooked the destruction of residential houses in the society. Who were these culprits? Tahir Aziz claimed that the guards said they had been sent by Nadeem Ijaz, Naeem Ijaz and Saad Nazir – the owners of Blue World City to demolish residential houses of Abdullah City. The intruders said they would kill anyone who tries to stop them.
Shortly after this, the Chauntra police station received another complaint from Sawab Gul, an employee of the Blue World City, in which he stated that he and two other security guards of the housing society, Ahmad Shah and Mohammad Naseer Abbasi, were sitting in their camp when unidentified armed men attacked them. Gul alleged that armed men from Dera Mushtaq Anwar which is under the control of Abdullah City owners Asim Aziz and Tahir Aziz stormed in and opened fire.
“ In the Chakri area, the armed guards of both societies have started a series of gang wars, which the police are also afraid of. Abdullah City, Blue World and Mavida City are located side by side on Chakri Road. The same claims made by Blue World regarding the land area are also made by the management of Abdullah City,” explains a police official on condition of anonymity.
This sort of attack and counterattack had become the norm in Chakri back in March. Here is what happened in a nutshell. Blue World City bought 1534 kanals of land near Chakri, and went to the Rawalpindi District Council (local government) for verification of their land in 2018. They are then supposed to take the verification to the RDA, after which they are supposed to get their planning permission, and then finally an NOC from the RDA, after which they can begin selling plots.
The only problem is that Blue World City did not really buy all this land outright. With the help of Nadeem Ijaz, a domineering figure in Chakri, they had made deals for a lot of this land with land owners in Chakri for ‘token money’ and then treated it as if the deal was done, and started collecting money from investors. However, when they finally went to finalise the deals, they found out that a lot of the land they had taken token money for was disputed or that other societies had also taken token money for it. This is where the dispute between Blue World and Abdullah City originated. “Since both the parties keep claiming that they have thousands of kanals of land but in reality it is the opposite. Lands in this area were not very expensive. Nadeem Ijaz, the owner of Blue World, is an influential figure in his area and even lower class people are afraid of him. So instead of buying plots from the people, Ijaz pays them a token and agrees that the people give him possession of their land,” explains the police official.
“The same is true of the people of Abdullah City. Of course, when developers buy people’s land, where do they pay the full amount? Now most of the people in the area have taken token money from Blue World and Abdullah City in exchange for their plots.”
One example was the ancestral land of PML-N MNA Rana Tanveer, who was going to sell to Blue World City. However, it was only later that Blue World found out there were FBR cases on the land that made it impossible to sell. The second reason is that Rana Tanveer, an MNA of PML-N in the area, also has thousands of kanals of ancestral land. On the one hand, Blue World intends to buy this land and on the other hand, Abdullah City is also trying to either buy a part of this land or this deal cannot be done between the two parties. However, due to some FBR cases on this land, it cannot be sold yet.
It is a classic case of having the cart before the horse. Any real estate developed should first acquire the land, get permission from the authorities, and then start marketing and selling the project. Instead Blue World, and indeed other societies like Abdullah City, began by marketing it first, then trying to (unsuccessfully) get permissions, and then trying to (unsuccessfully) acquire the land. In the process, gun battles have left one dead, Blue World City staged a protest on the motorway by blocking it, and had one of their directors, Chaudhry Naheem Ijaz, arrested in the process back in March. All of this, and they still neither have any land that they own there despite having sold thousands of files, and they also continue to get denied permission from the Rawalpindi Development Authority.
In the process, they have turned Chakri into gangland. Getting young boys in at salaries of Rs 25000 to Rs 30000, as told to Profit by the police, to move around with guns and strike terror into the hearts of their opponents. Gun ranges have been established, and even the police are afraid of the consequences of what has become a quickly escalating and heavily armed situation.
Two months ago, the police sent the owners of the both illegal housing societies to Adiala Jail on a court order. Chaudhry Naeem of Blue World City and Tahir Aziz of Abdullah City were summoned by the police for inquiry into the land dispute. During the inquiry, both parties started threatening each other with dire consequences in the presence of Rawalpindi police officers and district administration officers and there were quarrels between them. The situation has since been eerily calm, but with the RDA continuing to not give Blue World City the green light and Blue World City continuing to sell files despite this in clear violation of the law, it may only be a matter of time before things take a turn for the worse.
The RDA’s role
Normally, the bigger housing societies do go through all of these hoops and then start selling more plots than they own. For example, if a developer has 500 plots, he may book 5,000 plots and then dodge the people. While this is illegal, the entire premise of the project is not illegal. In Blue World’s case, they seem to have taken it to another level. On August 8th 2018, they got verification from the district council, which was only the first step. They sent this verification to the RDA and began selling plots and marketing their society as “approved”, before it had actually been. But then four days later, on August 12th 2018, the RDA declared Blue World City an illegal housing society. Blue World has since gotten planning permission twice, but has still not received an NOC and is categorised as illegal. Despite this, they are continuing to sell plots. “Who cares about that. It will become legal soon enough,” said one agent for Blue World when Profit called them pretending to be a customer.
The transparency of any housing society is measured by how much land it has. That is, how much land the developer has bought and no disputes or lawsuits over the land. (Editor’s note: This by the way is one of the main reasons for the success of DHAs. They, for some reason, are amongst the best at convincing people to sell their lands). The next important thing to look at is whether the society that is buying and selling the plots is approved by the relevant development authority in its area. If approved, it means there is less chance of fraud. Then there is the reputation of the housing society and the developer in the market. In the case of Blue World, none of these things are encouraging signs.
Now, the management of Blue World claims that this is an effort by their competitors to try and conspire against them.They also claimed that they are not being issued an NOC on purpose, because the RDA is out to get them for some reason. This would be a reasonable explanation perhaps, and crazier things have happened. But the facts of this case are sensational.
RDA takes a stand
The RDA took a big stand against Blue World. Jamshed Aftab, then RDA’s director of metropolitan planning and traffic engineer (MP&TE), also informed the press that Blue World City has been declared an illegal scheme and legal notices have been issued to its sponsors because the said housing society was not approved by RDA. Meanwhile, the RDA had warned the public in their own interest not to invest in the said housing scheme. However, an RDA official informed that despite being declared an illegal scheme, Blue World City continued its advertising campaign and sale of plots.
However, the RDA official believes that in fact, not only the housing society but also government agencies are to blame for such incidents. “If someone is doing something illegal, they should be caught immediately, instead of being cautious when they succeed in committing fraud. The problem with us is that the prices of clear lands are very high. If the housing society approves at all and if it starts selling after taking NOCs, then the price of the plots they are selling for Rs1.5 million go up to Rs5 million and it should be out of reach of the common man.”
“Deception is always beautiful, that is why the people also want to be deceived. Why do people go to these societies when the law says that no housing society can sell plots without NOC? We also object to the media people publishing advertisements of such societies and doing them on air.”
The RDA official believed that since Prime Minister Imran Khan announced the Naya Pakistan Housing Project, many illegal housing societies have been trying to give the impression under the guise of this vision that they too are associated with government projects. “The reality is quite the opposite. How can any society which has no legal status do a government project. Blue World City is booking residential and commercial plots of five marla to four kanal areas in its various blocks without NOC for Rs500,000 to Rs 2 million. In the meantime, they also take money from people in the form of plot installments and I don’t understand why they call this project a Pak-China friendly project. What does this project have to do with China or CPEC? Adding the name of an illegal housing society to such a big project like CPEC is tantamount to deceiving the entire public,” he said.
“According to our estimates, they have also sold thousands of such files against which they have no land area and if the inquiries against them are conducted in a transparent manner, it is a scandal worth more than Rs 2 billion. We were informed that the owners of Blue World City are going to buy the ancestral land of Rana Tanveer, a PML-N MNA in the same area which covers thousands of kanals but some FBR cases are going on on this land and these cases don’t seem to be resolved,” he added.
The RDA official further complained that many real estate based web portals also market such projects as our cyber laws are not fully functional. “Why do these property portals market such housing societies or register their properties which have no legal status? People are trusting these web portals and these portals also play the same role in deceiving the public as real estate developers,” he said.
Even in the case it was found out that the said society is neither registered with the concerned development authority nor does it have as much area as is being claimed. The second is that Blue World City is not selling plots but files.
Blue World tries to mount a defence
Blue World City Chairman, Chaudhry Saad Nazir. tried to dispel the impression through a TV channel that he had an area of 30 to 35 thousand kanals in the process of mutation while an area of 25,000 to 27,000 kanals has been transferred to his name. Nazir said he had documents for all the items that could be shown to any institution. Apart from this, they have sale deeds of many other land areas with a volume of 60,000 to 70,000 kanals.
“Chaudhry Nadeem Ijaz, the partner and owner of Blue World City, has a good reputation in the area and is well versed in land acquisition. Due to the good reputation of Ijaz, people hand over the possession of their land to him for token money,” he explained. This in itself is a huge problem, since he is admitting here that they do not own the land yet, a prerequisite to get the permissions they need for a project like this.
He also claimed that when the Blue World City project was launched, planning permission for the project was obtained by the RDA in 2017. Later, another planning permission for an area of 1543 kanals was obtained in 2019 and earlier an NOC was also issued to Blue World City by the District Council. As mentioned earlier, the two planning permissions did happen. The problem is that no NOC was ever given by the RDA, and it was only a recommendation given by the district council to give them the NOC, which the RDA did not comply with.
Nazir later held a press conference at the Lahore Press Club here in November last year and accused the RDA chairman and government figures of taking illegal action against the society. Nazir had alleged that RDA chairman Tariq Murtaza, who had a political post, was demanding large sums of money from him through his frontman and started harassing him through false cases and various means.
According to an official of RDA, Nazir held the press conference because the RDA had sought registration of an FIR against Blue World City at the Chontra police station, alleging that the society was involved in illegal marketing, advertising and sale of plots.
“Initially, the Chontra police station stayed the application and when the RDA approached the Additional Sessions Judge Rawalpindi under Rule 22-A, the Blue World City officials obtained a stay order from the High Court,” the official said. They also said that without an NOC, Blue World City continued all kinds of advertising campaigns and also used social media for the campaign.
NAB gets involved
Stung by the accusations of the owners of Blue World, the RDA and its chairman Tariq Murtaza decided to clap back. During this time, Blue World managed to bag Turkish actor Engin Altan as their brand ambassador. However, the RDA very quickly moved to declare Blue World illegal again, and the actor ended up cancelling on the deal because of the bad press that Blue World was getting. After this, the RDA Chairman also wrote a letter to the Chairman NAB, and an inquiry was initiated against Blue World.
A press release was also issued by the NAB to inform the public through the media according to which, the Chairman of the National Accountability Bureau, Justice Javed Iqbal, had taken notice of the complaints of the Blue World Private Housing Scheme for allegedly extorting billions of rupees from the public through massive fraud and DG NAB Rawalpindi had ordered to conduct an inquiry. The Chairman NAB had directed the DG NAB to take all legal steps for the timely return of the money looted from the public apart from investigating the illegal activities of the Blue World Private Housing Scheme.
At this point, the explanations of Chaudhry Nazir began to sound a little hysterical. He said that Ertugral star Engin Altan did not end up coming to Pakistan because India did not want it to happen. He also cried foul on different platforms, claiming that the RDA Chairman was out to get him and his family and project because of personal grievances. He has also repeatedly claimed that the NOC was only a matter of time and that his society would get it, the same answer that all dealers for the society have been told to give as well.
RDA spokesman Hafiz Irfan, while giving a clear answer to Profit about the legal status of Blue World City, said that this society is illegal. “For the last few years, we have been informing the people about their illegal status and have taken several actions against them. No matter what Blue World City says, they sold plot files to people without getting NOC which was an illegal act. Sometimes they say that the area of Blue World City does not fall within the limits of RDA, sometimes they ask us for NOC.”
“The reason for not getting NOC is non-implementation of layout plan, and there is nothing personal about it,” he adds. “Let us say if this area does not come under the jurisdiction of RDA, then whatever development authority comes under its jurisdiction, do they have their NOC? They are working totally illegally and the NAB is also investigating them.”
On the other hand Assistant Director (Monitoring) at the Anti-Corruption Establishment Rawalpindi, Zahid Zahoor, believes that the society’s management is befooling the people. The method of fraud is the same in almost all fake and illegal societies. “The first thing is that this housing society is not approved by the RDA and yet they are selling plot files to the people. The second thing is that only the files are sold to the people and then a long series of starvation begins. We had a lot of complaints against them and then we registered an FIR against the management as well,” he said.
According to the FIR which was registered against Nazir, Ijaz and different government officials, the management of BWC encroached state land measuring 1250 kanals. “Reliable sources have confirmed that a housing society namely Blue World City has encroached state land measuring 1250 kanals land in Mauza Sangral in Tehsil and District Rawalpindi. Sources also informed that the encroached state land has been made a part of society and the developer is selling this encroached state land along with the actual land he owns in the shape of plots. It is also important to mention that the housing society is not approved, and all marketing and sale of plots is illegal. District administration is protecting the encroachers rather than reclaiming it from the illegal possession of Blue World City,” the FIR states.
Now here is where it gets interesting. While the RDA is not giving Blue World an NOC, the district council did recommend that it be given. In the FIR, the very same officials of the district administration that played a role in that recommendation have been named. One of them is Patwari Halq Anjum Rabbani, who has been working in league with said housing society, facilitating the said society in fulfilling their nefarious plans of encroaching state land worth millions of rupees.
“The district administration supported the Blue World Housing Society by inaction despite public voices against this criminal act and senior level of administration supported the Patwari Anjum Rabbani, by assigning him the additional charge of adjoining Patwar circles which were lucrative in terms of potential areas for a housing sector. This land was free from all encroachments till July, 2018, after which Patwari Halqa entered fake and bogus mutations enabling the society to encroach state land in excess of its shares. No efforts were made by district administration to stop these encroachments which shows involvement of officials as well,” the FIR reveals.
Director MP&TE, Tahir Mayo, Deputy Director MP&TE, Samiullah Niazi, Assistant Director Planning RDA, Shehzad Mehmood Scheme Inspector, Patwari Anjum Rabbani, Saad Nazir and Chaudhry Nadeem Ijaz have been nominated in the FIR. Representatives of a firm named Sky Marketing, which also markets Blue World City and booked plots there, are unconcerned that the society is illegal.
Omar, a Sky Marketing representative, claimed that Blue World City had a land area of about 100,000 kanals. While this claim is completely bogus, coming from the marketing agency, it gives us an idea of how many bookings have been made so far. This would indicate that nearly a hundred times more than the amount of land they claim to have (1534 kanals), and even that is under dispute. “If it is illegal then what happened? The process of getting NOC from RDA is in process and NOC will be available soon. A large number of people are booking here and with the speed at which development work is going on there, construction of houses will start in the next few months,” he claimed.
When Omar was asked if anyone wanted to get possession of the plot by paying the full amount directly instead of buying the plot file, he replied that society has some plots available which are also numbered and can be taken directly.“The price of posessionable plots is a bit higher. There is going to be a draw soon for those who are booking, in which they will also know the number of their plots,” Omer added.
When Chaudhry Nadeem Ijaz, who is a self professed expert in land acquisition and owner of Blue World City, was contacted by Profit about whether Blue World City was really cheating people and whether there was as much land as was being claimed, Ijaz flatly refused to answer these questions.
Why do people keep falling for the same thing?
We have been through this before. In fact, very recently we went over the case of La Ville De Paris, a housing society in Gujranwala aggressively marketing themselves as the next big thing in Pakistan’s real estate market. They too used pictures of the Prime Minister and the tag of the Nayya Pakistan Housing Scheme. They too have yet to get the go ahead from the GDA and have still not bought as much land as they have already sold off. They too have tied up the money of a lot of hardworking people for who knows how long.
Somehow, real estate is the most dangerous investment opportunity in Pakistan tantamount to walking through a field of landmines. Yet people keep coming back for more. There are many explanations for this. One is that there either are no other opportunities for investment in Pakistan (blatantly false) or that there is very little awareness about them. The other is that there is something about the concept of owning land that speaks to the Pakistani middle and upper class. Something deeply ingrained from a culture that reveres land ownership.
Whatever the case, we are unfortunately stuck with it, and real estate developers exploit this to no end. In their marketing campaigns they always appeal to this most basic instinct – that one can have a peaceful life in a home that one owns. That is how Blue World played it in 2017. As one consultant for a real estate marketing firm in Islamabad, who did not want to be named, informed Profit the project was introduced in 2017 with a very small area. The management then generated a huge fund by selling its files and later they started spending that fund on land purchase, but mostly on more marketing.
“As real estate is considered a lucrative business around the world, including in Pakistan, there are also frequent complaints in it that many people complain about losing their capital. Pakistan has the highest investment in real estate compared to other sectors. This is the sector that is of the greatest interest to the public. Ask any poor, rich, or middle class person in Pakistan where to invest, then everyone from all walks of life will immediately answer that they should invest in real estate. A common observation is that no matter what the circumstances, no matter how dissatisfied the people are with the system, the buying and selling of property has been on the rise in every era and land prices have risen in every era,” explain this consultant.
Chakri’s real estate gang wars
- Published in Featured, Real Estate, Top Non Business
Why Software Engineers Should Invest in Real Estate?
You cut your teeth as an engineer, developing everything from simple applications to complex distributed systems used by millions of users. Maybe you work for one of the FANG companies (Facebook, Amazon, Netflix, Google), and make six figures. You’ve been thinking about investing in real estate for some time, but you’ve held off because you believe there’s a high barrier to entry. Software is your world. You don’t have extensive knowledge of real estate.
What’s more, you work 60+ hours a week, and because of the amount of work, you don’t have time to study all the various ways of achieving financial freedom. So, you end up investing in stocks or crypto – and here lies a waste of capital allocation for software engineers.
Let’s face it: You didn’t land where you are today because you’re incapable of learning something new and complex. In fact, your expertise, attention to detail, and higher-than-average income make you the perfect candidate for real estate investing.
I decided to write this article to help techies like myself achieve financial freedom through real estate investing. And not only techies. This article is definitely one to read if you’re an engineer, product manager, designer, investment banker, sales manager, or another high-income earner.
Are you playing baseball in golden handcuffs?
What do baseball and golden handcuffs have to do with software engineers getting into real estate? You may not realize it, but most high-income earners like you are in a very sticky situation.
Employees stay with the same company for a variety of reasons. Exciting work. Thrilling challenges. Industry prestige. But of course, the main reasons they stay are the benefits: excellent base salary, stock, health insurance, and matching retirement plans.
All these exceptional benefits are “golden handcuffs.” They’re the juicy perks that encourage high-income employees to stay right where they are instead of seeking new opportunities.
Here’s where software engineers, golden handcuffs, and baseball players collide…
In large tech companies, software engineers can count on multiplying their total compensation by 1.3 every time they’re promoted to the next level. Let’s say you work for one of the FANG companies where compensation is pretty high:
- A junior engineer (SDE 1, E3, fresh grad) makes a $125K base salary + $100K in stock for total compensation of $225K per year.
- A mid-level engineer with 3-4 years experience (SDE II, E4), makes about $165K+ base salary + 130K or more in stock.
- A senior-level engineer (SDE, E5, 5+ years of experience) can easily reach $420K, $200K from base salary.
- Then there are E6s, who constitute approximately 10% of the engineers at FANG companies. E6s earn up to $550K in total compensation. About 5% of E6 Facebook engineers make $700K-$1MM+.
Their salary increases sublinearly by about 10% from one level to the next. Stocks rise superlinearly about 50% from level to level. Now, the stocks that these engineers hold have also increased in value by about 8-10% annually over the last few years. As a result, they contribute to the $700K-$1MM high earners for folks in their late 20s and early 30s.
Don’t get me wrong, being an E6 at Facebook or Amazon is tough. It takes a lot of skill to reach this level. Most E6s have natural technical talent and graduated at the top of their class. These are true “high performers.”
But if you’re an E6 who’s coding, mentoring, providing technical vision and strategy, and leading your entire team’s technical charter – you end up working 60+ hours per week. Can you continue to meet such high demands for the next 5, 10, 15 years?
The younger techs can.
Paul Peebles from Old Capital calls this phenomenon the “baseball player effect.” Fresh tech grads earn almost the same amount of money as lower league baseball players. Plus, their careers peak in the mid-30s. After that, they compete with the “fresh blood” who eagerly churn out 60+ hour weeks without issue.
It’s the same for software engineers. Once you’re in the mid-30s, you hit the peak in your career. Then, your career and compensation stop growing at the same rate as before, eventually coming to a standstill.
You have an exact window of time to distribute your resources wisely so you can afford early retirement and comfortable life without depending on an employer.
When it comes to investing, time is of the essence.
If you work and live in California, like most techies, you pay the government up to 50% of your income. As a result, even if you make $800K a year, you’re left with only $400K.
Most California-based techies live in shiny houses, costing $2MM on average. With a 20% down payment, you then pay $10K for the monthly mortgage. You’re now left with $23K per month for all other expenses.
Now add the family, kids, expensive cars, and vacation to the equation. All of this can cost up to $10K per month, leaving you with only about $150K per year to invest. Talk about lackluster!
And what if you only earn $500K annually? If your career and income peak in your mid-30s, you’ll need to allocate your funds wisely (while you still can) in the growth stage.
But here we are again: Working 60+ hours per week with no time to explore investment options. Let’s talk about how to change that.
Real Estate vs. Stocks
We can’t go into a head-to-head comparison of real estate vs. stocks because it’s like comparing apples to oranges. The factors that affect stocks or real estate values and returns are very distinct.
But, here are some thoughts I’d like to share with you on this topic:
It’s safe to say that most techies invest in the stock market because they think it doesn’t require that much research or money. When you buy stocks, you own a piece of that company. Consequently, you make money with value appreciation and dividends.
Then there’s real estate investing…
There’s a massive misconception that real estate investing requires a substantial initial investment and tons of time researching the market.
However, the ways you make ROI on stocks vs. real estate are entirely different. That’s why portfolio diversification is paramount.
With real estate, you acquire physical property. One of the most popular and sustainable ways to make money from real estate is by collecting rent. Another way is through appreciation – capitalizing on increased property value. Lastly, you can pay down your loan principal.
The advantage of real estate is that it is a tangible, diversifiable asset that you can control. In addition, real estate investing offers you some substantial tax benefits. Despite not having similar liquidity as the stock market, it provides long-term cash flow and passive income to help you retire early.
Real estate returns vs. stocks
Most syndications offer 6-8% cash on cash return and 10-12% total annualized return. It’s certainly better than the stock market, period. Yes, you could argue that real estate can take a hit during economic recessions. But this applies to the stock market too.
Here is a comparison of the total returns of the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) and the Vanguard Real Estate ETF Total Return (VNQ) for the last 17 years:
Image by Sabrina Jiang © Investopedia 2020
Should you syndicate your own deal?
Real estate syndication consists of two parties. One group is the syndicators, who do all the work for you, such as finding and evaluating deals, getting the property under contract, hiring and overseeing the property management company, executing the business plan, and finally disposing of the property. The other group is the passive investors – they don’t do any work but invest $50K, $100K, or $150K. They do this so they can buy a large piece of real estate that they cannot buy otherwise individually. Syndicators make extra due to their sweat equity.
There are 2 types of people out there. Knowing which one you are will help you decide if being a real estate syndicator is right for you:
- First, there are high-income earners who believe they don’t have the time or interest to invest in real estate syndication. While that may be true, it’s problematic because not investing in real estate is a waste of capital allocation.
- Second, there are low-income earners who believe syndication is the way out of their situation. This is problematic because the quality of syndication is not that high.
I am a real estate syndicator myself and have invested in more than 1,500 units. I’m also a lead syndicator on two deals totaling 580 units. Let’s explore the pros and cons of becoming a real estate syndicator.
Pros and cons of being a real estate syndicator
Have you been visualizing yourself traveling the world while the income keeps rolling in from your investments? That might be your goal, but here are other benefits of real estate syndication:
Pros
- Steady wealth building. Although it often starts at a slow pace ($50K per year), once you buy your 400 and 500-unit properties, you may be able to replace your current income in as little as 3-4 years. However, these initial years do require a fair amount of work.
- Invaluable skills. The experience and skills gained by syndicating your deals are hard to acquire elsewhere. You learn asset management, how to stay in the game, and how to build a strong network of multifamily vendors, such as brokers and lenders. Even if you decide to buy multifamily independently without doing syndication, these skills are invaluable. However, make sure you enjoy the day-to-day of being a real estate syndicator.
- Great retirement is more than possible. When you commit to syndication and managing your assets, early retirement for your high-income lifestyle is within reach and sustainable.
Before you make a decision, here is a list of reasons why syndicating while having a high-income job is not necessarily worth it:
Cons
- Initial ROI vs. time spent. A sponsorship team makes around $1K per unit a year. The cash on cash ratio vs. property appreciation ratio is approximately 2:1. For example, if you purchase a 150-unit multifamily property, the sponsorship team earns around $150K per year. So, if you have 3 people on the team, you each end up with $50K per year, including appreciation. Without appreciation (only cash flow and asset management fees), it’s $33K per person annually. Those looking to replace their after-tax income from a W2 job will need 1,000 units to make $1M/3 = $333K a year in a 3-person sponsorship team.
- Risk and responsibility. Imagine being responsible for that much equity under management while only making $333K per year. Is it truly worth it? Take a moment to consider this before making a decision!
The bottom line: Real estate syndication is not rocket science. It’s mostly hard work, a little bit of research, and 5th-grade spreadsheet skills.
How to passively invest in real estate
If you’re a high-income earner and don’t have enough time to do research, passively investing with real estate syndication is your way to go.
It surprises me that while syndication provides an excellent resource for passive income, I’ve hardly met any FANG engineers in real estate syndication mentoring groups. It’s unfortunate because real estate syndication offers high-income techies an opportunity to diversify their portfolios and enjoy early retirement.
You don’t have to “work your way up” or spend a lot of time becoming a syndicator or general partner yourself. Passively invest in syndications!
Here’s an example of what that looks like:
I work in the tech world (engineering manager at Lyft). A few of my friends invest in my real estate deals. I take care of their tax filings, so I may have to call them from time to time.
While I’m doing all the paperwork, they’re out in Hawaii just surfing and enjoying life. Sometimes I get jealous. Why am I doing all this for them while they’re not working for any of the money that’s coming in?
That’s the power of passive investment in real estate. The return on your time equals infinity – especially if you have someone like myself doing the work for you.
A roadmap for software engineers looking to diversify into real estate
Diversifying your portfolio into real estate doesn’t have to be complicated. Here’s what to do:
- Dive to blogs and podcasts to learn about real estate syndication. I’ve put together a list of real estate investing podcasts and a list of real estate syndication blogs.
- Buy your first rental property. Use it as a learning curve before investing in syndication. Once you experience being a landlord you’ll value all the effort that goes into keeping a rental property operating smoothly.
- Buy a house-hacking home. It will help you save a lot of money on mortgage payments and invest it into real estate. If your spouse doesn’t want to share the house, go for something that doesn’t cost $2MM.
- Passively invest in syndication, but check the syndicator’s background and track record. With Cash Flow Portal, we take care of this for you. On our platform, you can easily talk to them, check their references – even connect to meet for coffee! Make sure they are responsive, confident, and experienced. Check online reviews of the syndicator.
- Network with syndicators. Cash Flow Portal offers a simple way to connect with syndicators, vet them, and passively invest in their deals.
Author Bio
Perry Zheng is the founder and CEO of Cash Flow Portal, a real estate syndication software. He lives in Seattle, where he owns six single-family properties. Perry started real estate syndication three years ago. Today, he has more than 1500 units, raised over $16M, and is a lead syndicator on two deals totaling 580 units.
His goal is to help other syndicators succeed and overcome common challenges like raising capital and finding deals even while having full-time jobs. Perry is also a full-time engineering manager at Lyft. He worked at Twitter and Amazon before that.
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Why Software Engineers Should Invest in Real Estate?
9 Things To Check Before Buying Investment Property
The real estate industry has seen impressive development over the past few years, thanks to the growing number of prospective homeowners. Today, you can find all sorts of investment properties to purchase, whether it’s vacant land, a commercial structure, or a residential building.
One thing about many of these for-sale properties, however, is that they may seem impressive from the outside, but the interior is wanting. For instance, there are those that might require repairs or termite treatment before you can move in, which could easily hurt your budget.
That’s not to say every stunning building has a set of hidden issues, but it’s better to be sure before investing your hard-earned money. So, what are some of the things to check keenly in an investment property before accepting your next deal? Read on to learn more.
- Pest inspection
Pests can be quite destructive to structures, especially those with several wooden designs. Unfortunately, not every homeowner takes the idea of pest control seriously, which is why you should prioritize it in your home inspection process.
Of course, it’s almost impossible to determine such issues with your naked eye. As such, it’d be prudent to hire a professional expert to carry out the inspection in all the rooms. After the process, they’ll give you a full report and whether there are any signs of a future pest infestation.
You might be wondering how such an inspection will be beneficial to you. Well, for one, it’ll save you any future regrets. It can be quite frustrating to move into a house only to realize later that it’s infested with termites and other creepy crawlies.
Another advantage is the fact that it helps in uncovering any other hidden issues. For instance, pests might have messed up with the building’s structural design, which can easily go unnoticed.
With all these in mind, you’ll have the upper hand during negotiations. Of course, the help of a real estate agent might come in handy, especially when trying to estimate the final value of the property.
- Well water
Most residential properties have a private well which is the main source of water within the home. If your target property has this, it’d be wise to have it inspected thoroughly before going ahead with the purchase.
It’s a no-brainer that contaminated water can pose a risk to the health of its users. Well, water can be easily polluted depending on its location and the design of its seal. In fact, the latter should be your first warning sign as you commence the inspection process.
Again, it’s important that you hire an expert to test the well water and ascertain the condition of the well itself. Oh, and don’t forget to check the flow rate and pressure.
Drilling a new well can be very expensive. Therefore, you need to be sure that the available one is still useable; otherwise, it could come back to haunt you.
- Plumbing
Is the plumbing system still in good shape? This is another critical question that will need answers before you can invest your money in any given property. It doesn’t matter if it’s a commercial or residential property; poor plumbing can always lead to a lot of frustrations.
So, where should you start with the plumbing inspection? The aesthetics can be very appealing to the eye, but that doesn’t guarantee a fully functional plumbing system. Therefore, most of your checks here should focus on the operation rather than the appearance—although that’s another aspect.
One way of inspecting this section of the building is by checking the pressure of the water. Hook up a pressure gauge to the hose faucet in one of the rooms and turn it on when the rest of the sections aren’t in use. The recommended pressure is always anywhere between 30 and 80psi. If yours doesn’t meet this threshold, then there must be an issue with the plumbing system.
You can also get a miniature camera and drop it into the sewer line. Inspect for blockages and any noticeable damages along these sections. Remember, failure to carry out such inspections could leave you with repairs amounting to more than USD$5000, depending on the size of the building.
- Beware of any room fresheners
The easiest way to know whether there are some issues within the property is when there is an unpleasant smell. Of course, the sellers already know this and might decide to mask the smell with a room freshener rather than dealing with its root cause. As a buyer, if you’re not careful, the beautiful smell from these fresheners could fool you.
Take, for example, a house that was previously owned by a smoker. Of course, the tobacco odor rarely goes away immediately. If fresheners are used, it might be difficult for you to realize, but once you’ve moved in, it won’t take you long to notice the smell of tobacco. Apart from creating an uncomfortable environment, it could also lead to some health complications.
- Floor condition
Uneven floors may not seem much of an issue at first, but they can be quite frustrating for you as a new homeowner. For instance, if the living room has an uneven floor, it’ll be quite difficult to organize your furniture. For one, you might need to use some supporters to stabilize your tables, seats, TV stand, and other furniture.
So, how can you avoid such an experience? Well, it’s all about how you inspect the house. It’s always recommended that you bring a marble during the inspection and place it around various areas of the floor in every room you visit. This will show you any defects in the floor design.
Keep in mind that this isn’t proof of poor construction, especially if the house is quite old. Some houses can settle aggressively, and this will create a hump in the middle. Without inspection, some owners may not be aware, while others might want to play it down.
However, the fact of the matter is that this could be quite costly. The solution to deflections in floors may demand that you rip out the entire existing floor. In other words, you’ll need to reconstruct the floor from scratch; otherwise, you might have some unpleasant patches all over. Therefore, realizing this before taking the deal can save you a lot of money in the long run.
- Condition of the walls
Another very important factor you should open your eyes to is the condition of the walls. This is something that you can’t run away from because it determines the aesthetics of your home. For instance, no matter how organized your living room is, poorly designed walls will always drag your efforts back.
Some defects like worn-out paints and other naked damages are quite easy to trace. Remember, there is no ‘negligible’ damage when it comes to home inspection. For instance, there could be some stains left behind due to the tobacco residue in case you’re buying from a smoker. The yellowish-brown stains can be quite costly to get rid of as they’ll require a lot of scrubbing and two or more coats of paint. Therefore, be sure to record everything that you think requires attention before you can commence the negotiations.
There are, however, some issues that aren’t easy to notice. For instance, some people conceal water damage by painting over them. In the process, moisture is trapped beneath these paints, which can easily lead to the growth of mold. Black molds, generally, pose a threat to your health when you breathe in that odor.
So, how will you determine such issues? The biggest culprits when it comes to water damage are areas under the drawers, sinks, or beneath the tubs and toilets. In fact, if you come across warped sheetrock, that’s an indication that there might be some leaks, which could also mean that there is some water damage around the area.
Of course, the sellers are always required to disclose this information to their prospective buyers. If you happen to realize these issues during your inspection but aren’t mentioned in the package, then that could say a lot about the seller. In such a scenario, you have all the reasons to back out because you don’t know what else they’re hiding from you. In fact, depending on your state laws, the sellers might be forced to reimburse you for any costs incurred during the inspection.
- Are the walls soundproof?
Now that you’re impressed with the condition of the walls, it’s time to find out if they’re soundproof. This is quite important because of many things. For one, you will definitely need your privacy at some point, and when you have friends over or children around, it can be difficult if the walls aren’t soundproof.
Also, if you’re working from home, then we can’t stress how much this aspect is important. You wouldn’t want to be distracted by the noise from the living room while you’re busy with work in your home office. Of course, it can be difficult to tell with empty rooms, but you can still test it by playing music in other rooms while the door to your office is shut.
- Roofing
This is the first thing that you see the moment you enter that gate. This is a vital part of any home, and its condition should be confirmed before you can sign the deal. There are several things that you’ll need to check.
Here is part of the checklist;
- Broken or missing shingles
- Worn-out rubber boots supporting the vent pipes
- Damaged or missing chimney cap
- Cracked caulk
These are some of the factors to consider during the inspection. In addition to these, you might also want to check the design and see if it resonates with your needs. Some might be too old for a modern house, which means you’ll be forced to make a few changes—and that’ll be costly. It goes without saying that you’ll need to hire a professional roofing inspector for you to get the best results.
If there are some repairable defects, you can give the current homeowner some time to do the necessary. However, if it needs a lot of redesigning, then be sure to communicate the same and see if you can come to an agreement. Of course, if you don’t find common ground, then it’d be wise to move on to the next candidate.
- Ownership history
Knowing the condition of the house is one thing, but understanding its ownership history is another. So, why is this aspect vital? Inasmuch as it might not necessarily mean something, a house with high turnover should signal a red flag. Of course, people move out for various reasons, but when you have three people moving out within a space of 10 years, then that says a lot about the home itself and the neighborhood.
It’s worth noting that even in areas with the lowest average homeownership length, it’s estimated that most people hold on to their homes for at least eight years. Therefore, if several people are moving out within that period, then that means the house could have some hidden issues.
Unless you can find out these issues from a trustworthy source, it’d be wise to reconsider your options. There are high chance that you might be frustrated and end up listing the house within the first few years. The disadvantage, however, is that this will worsen the ownership history, and you might struggle to find the next buyer.
Conclusion
Many people end up regretting their purchase simply because they didn’t pay enough attention during the property inspection process. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a commercial property or your home. Inspecting it before finalizing the transaction is quite important. Checking the roofing, floors, walls, and plumbing system can save you a lot of money in the long run.
It’s worth noting that some repairs like uneven floors might require a total redesigning, which could be very expensive. Therefore, be sure to consult an expert before moving to the next step to avoid any unnecessary frustrations.
Also, if you want to read more informative content about construction and real estate, keep following Feeta Blog, the best property blog in Pakistan.
9 Things To Check Before Buying Investment Property
- Published in International, Real Estate, real estate investment, Real Estate Investments
51 Large Area Rugs to Underscore Your Decor with a Designer Touch
An area rug is the perfect piece to tie a room together – it can underscore a solidified decor theme or bring together eclectic elements in a way that feels cohesive. But they also serve important functional roles as well, from protecting your floors from regular foot traffic to providing warmth and comfort for cozy days indoors. In this post, we’ve collected 51 large area rugs from around the internet that measure up at 8′ x 10′ or above. These large area rugs are ideal for accent placement in larger rooms and for central placement in smaller areas. This compilation includes design-forward selections for every style and every budget. And best of all, each one is available for sale online right now.
Modern Moroccan Large Area Rug: Moroccan rugs have quickly become a staple across multiple decor styles from mid-century modern to Scandinavian and more. This piece is woven from 100% wool, a soft yet durable material that offers inherent resistance against many types of stains. Because of its shaggy accents, this piece is ideal for a statement placement within a seating arrangement.
Large Heathered Grey Area Rug: Minimalistic area rugs like this one offer endless decor possibilities throughout the home. This piece is made with performance-driven durability in mind, woven from strong synthetics derived from recycled plastic bottles for eco-friendly appeal. Use this piece in higher traffic placements like living rooms and entryway foyers.
Marbled Grey Large Modern Area Rug: Marbled patterns present a truly luxurious first impression well-suited to glam interior themes. This piece is woven from polypropylene for durability and resistance against staining. It’s perfect for demanding placements like living rooms and dining rooms.
Large Wool and Viscose Area Rug: An oversized trellis and smaller diamond motifs bring a geometric edge to this casual striped area rug. This piece is made from a combination of wool and viscose for a captivating textural experience. Rugs with large scale patterns like this one are ideal for large open spaces but the decorative possibilities are nearly endless.
Tonal Grey Large Area Rug: Designed by Urd Moll Gundermann for Danish rug company Linie Design, this large area rug boasts carved geometric patterns and subtle tonality for bold artful appeal. This piece is handcrafted from premium quality wool, with every section rendered in a different texture for added dimensionality.
Leather Large Round Area Rug: Large round area rugs fill a specific niche in the world of home decor. They’re ideal for use beneath round dining tables and for adding definition to open spaces like reading nooks – among so many other possibilities. This unique round area rug is made from strips of natural hair on hide leather, stitched together in a striking starburst design.
Dark Abstract Large Wool Area Rug: Neutral area rugs are a fantastic investment because they can adapt to a variety of decor themes even as your interior may change over time. This piece is handcrafted from 100% New Zealand wool for lasting longevity and comfort, durable enough for higher traffic areas like dining rooms.
Contemporary Large Neutral Area Rug: Diagonal strokes help this rug break away from the strong right angles that often dominate modern interiors, offering a useful source of implied contrast. This design is made from 100% polypropylene for inherent resistance against staining and wear.
Large White Bamboo Silk Area Rug: Brighten your favorite space with this off-white area rug, made from renewable 100% bamboo silk for a super-soft hand feel. This piece is ideal for lower traffic areas like home offices and formal living rooms.
Ombre Grey Large Square Area Rug: Striated ombre coloration brings contemporary sensibility to this versatile area rug design. Grey offers endless decor possibilities – but for a bolder look, this piece is available in a wide variety of brighter hues as well. This smart synthetic design features a shaggy pile for comfort yet proves durable enough for demanding placements.
Bordered Grey Large Oval Area Rug: Braided rugs are a classic favorite. This design offers a modernized look, rendered in shades of grey and ivory for easy coordination. This piece would make a nice complement to interior themes like contemporary rustic, farmhouse chic, French country, and more.
Flatwoven Wool Large Area Rug 8 x 10: Flatwoven kilim-style rugs are especially trendy, likely in part to their true versatility. These pieces feature a tightly woven surface rather than shaggy pile, allowing for easier cleaning and easier movement when the time comes to rearrange. This piece keeps things simple with an ivory base and attractive grey stripes.
Moroccan Large Shag Area Rug: Shaggy area rugs are a favorite for spaces where comfort takes top priority. This design features an on-trend Moroccan pattern and boho-chic braided fringes, the pile cut curly and long for incomparable coziness underfoot. Consider this model for use in interior themes like mid-century modern or Scandinavian hygge.
Large Black and White Wool Area Rug: Abstract area rugs like this one can double as a piece of modern artwork that you can display right on your floor. This piece is hand-tufted from sumptuously soft New Zealand wool, the decorative elements woven in a lower pile for dimensional appeal.
Dalmatian Large Wool Area Rug: Dalmatian-like spots lend tremendous character to this versatile beige-colored area rug. This piece is hand-tufted from 100% wool in a low and practical pile that will prove simple to maintain for longer-lasting appeal. Choose from a wide variety of large rug sizes.
Large Wool and Cotton Tassel Area Rug: Textural area rugs like this one can add tremendous decorative impact to space without complicating your color palette. This piece is crafted from wool and cotton, the base flatwoven with a handsome trellis pattern cut into a playful shag.
Large Fluffy Wool Area Rug: Flokati-style wool rugs can transform any space into a luxuriously cozy retreat. Use to complement quiet reading nooks, comfortable bedrooms, home offices, nurseries, and other quiet low-traffic areas.
Large Thick Wool Area Rug: The handsome Wellbeing Chobi area rug by Nanimarquina is expertly handcrafted from 100% Afghan wool for an incomparable underfoot experience. This piece boasts authentic hand-knotted construction, one of the most durable and highest quality production methods in use today.
Handmade Contrast Large Wool Area Rug: Created by Christina Tullock and Sam Moradzadeh, the Esker rug boasts an expressive decorative look through the use of texture and tone. This piece is hand-knotted in rows that alternate between flatwoven and tufted to create a dramatic ridged effect.
Large Modern Rustic Area Rug: Jute rugs are a favorite option for those who want to emphasize natural elements within the home. This beautiful piece is handwoven from jute in alternating stripes of natural and ivory, each end finished with a lengthy fringe. Use to complement rustic and minimalist themes alike.
Patchwork Large Neutral Area Rug: The handsome Tres Vegetal area rug by Nanimarquina is so named for its unique material composition – it is flatwoven from a combination of New Zealand wool, felt, and natural hemp. These materials each lend their own distinct texture and natural tonality, joined together in a patchwork pattern for a casual yet sophisticated look.
Large New Zealand Wool Moroccan Rug: Natural tones ensure this Moroccan area rug remains easy to coordinate, especially within interiors that tend to fall more on the natural side such as Scandinavian or rustic lodge. This piece is handwoven from New Zealand wool in stripes that alternate between flatwoven and shaggy. The trellis pattern is lightly raised for added definition.
Large Brown Shag Area Rug: This natural showstopper features a low flatwoven section that runs like a river through extra long shaggy pile. This piece is handmade from pure wool for comfort and longevity. Use this large brown area rug to complement interior themes like mid-century or rustic chic.
Braided Large Jute Area Rug: When searching for a braided area rug, you may notice that the most abundant offerings tend to be round or oval. This piece features a rectangular shape for more versatile placement possibilities. Natural jute provides a distinctive texture underfoot while complementing interior themes like rustic, bohemian, and coastal.
Handwoven Jute Large Red Area Rug: Do you love the texture of jute but prefer something with a more contemporary color palette? This large jute rug is available in a range of bright hues in addition to a variety of versatile natural tones.
Large Black and Red Area Rug: This large rug is flatwoven in black with offset white stripes, with one pair of stripes in vibrant red to serve as a bold focal point. Use this kilim as a source of contrast within a lighter interior or to make a wide open space feel more intimate.
Wool Tasseled Large Area Rug: Traditional motifs are given a striking modern update with this energetic geometric rug. This large flatwoven design is decorated with colorful dashes of pompom pile around the edges for a playful twist.
Wavy Rainbow Large Colorful Area Rug: This abstract rainbow area rug is sure to become a favorite statement piece even within the most eclectic interior decor themes. This unique design by An Aesthetic Pursuit is hand-tufted from plush wool for endless comfort and charisma. Use to unify a kaleidoscopic color palette.
Multicolor Large Plush Area Rug: Geometric color blocking makes this area rug a natural fit for contemporary decor themes. Hanne Kortegaard designed this piece for Linie Design – it is hand-tufted from 100% wool, available in two bold color palettes.
Retro Large Wool Area Rug: A bold graphical quality ensures this large area rug stands out with tremendous charisma. This hand-tufted area rug features capsule shaped ovals outlined in dramatic black, some decorated with circular motifs that guide the eye to dance across the surface. Use this piece to coordinate flawlessly with mid-century and retro interior themes.
Yellow Large Braided Area Rug: This playful jute and cotton design showcases the beauty of natural fiber while delighting with sunny yellow hues. The retro geometric pattern makes this piece perfect for mid-century and bohemian interior decor themes.
Yellow and Blue Large Area Rug: The charming Palani kilim rug features a bold geometric pattern in playful shades of blue and yellow against a versatile ivory base. This piece was handcrafted using traditional looms and boasts a lightly ridged texture that beckons tactile exploration.
Mustard Yellow Large Wool Area Rug: Contemporary pebble-like patterns trace across the surface of this large area rug, leaving intriguing negative space between each stripe. This piece boasts a modern pattern in trendy mustard yellow, hand-tufted from 100% New Zealand wool for satisfying comfort in high-traffic placements and cozy retreats alike.
Asymmetrical Large Modern Area Rug: Sandra Figuerola’s inventive Rustic Chic Geo collection features a striking asymmetric profile that looks like multiple different rugs laid side by side. This design is made from jute and wool, each section woven using different techniques and different textures.
Handmade Wool Large Floral Area Rug: The delightful Flora Promenade Rug showcases the artwork of painter and sculptor Santi Moix, with large scale floral motifs rendered in sumptuous wool rather than paint on canvas. This large area rug offers both subdued and vibrant hues to admire, providing endless possibilities for creative coordination within your decor.
Green Striped Large Area Rug: For a bold pop of color that offers flexible coordination options, the Gradient Rug by Gus lets you keep your options open. This striped rug is available in a green or orange colorway, both featuring a bold gradient that goes from dark to light. This is a mid-pile rug made from New Zealand wool for a fabulous combination of softness and strength.
Abstract Large Contemporary Area Rug: Painterly coloration and bold abstract shapes ensure this large wool rug will enhance the atmosphere of any room with its strong artistic charms. This piece is tufted from New Zealand wool and fine banana silk for exceptional comfort.
Justina Blakeney Large Colorful Area Rug: Prolific designer Justina Blakeney created the Cielo collection to provide a contemporary take on traditional motifs. This large blue area rug features intricate patterns inspired by classic heirloom rugs, enlivened with a striated effect to lend a vintage look. This polyester rug is perfect for high-traffic places like living rooms and beneath dining tables.
Abstract Large Colorful Area Rug: These vibrant colors are made for ultra-contemporary interior themes that go big on playful character. This large area rug is ultra-plush, tufted from pure wool for excellent underfoot comfort. Take advantage of the fun abstract shapes to give your decor a break from straight lines and right angles.
Handwoven Large Navy Area Rug: This dark navy area rug is flatwoven for chic uncomplicated style, a traditional pattern woven in thick textural yarns that pop from the surface. This design is made with durable synthetic fibers derived from recycled plastic bottles for eco-friendly appeal you can feel good about.
Large Area Rug 12 x 15 Industrial Blue: High-low pile gives this area rug a distinct textural look that suits its industrial aesthetic well. Use this durable synthetic design to complement a contemporary or minimalist interior decor theme.
Textural Large Blue Area Rug: Exquisite texture makes this area rug a delightfully intricate piece that will captivate the attention of guests. This sophisticated design is handwoven from natural wool in stripes of alternating trellis patterns, each one elegant like lacework. Select from a wide range of light and uplifting color options.
Solid Large Teal Area Rug: Whether you’re decorating a minimalistic space or need a dependable grounding element to balance out a complex decor theme, it’s hard to go wrong with a simple solid. This large teal area rug offers a splash of refreshing color while remaining easy on the eyes. This piece is also available in a range of other bright hues and versatile neutrals.
Striped Wool Large Plush Area Rug: Wavering stripes give this large area rug a painterly look. This piece is the Lepark wool rug by GAN Rugs, an ultra-plush and practical hand-tufted wool rug that combines warm earth tones, versatile neutrals, and a few choice stripes of vibrant color.
Large Textural Handwoven Area Rug: Stripes of welcoming earth tones decorate this charming Bohemian area rug, interspersed with deep neutrals and blush pink throughout. A closer look reveals wide textural variation between bubble-like yarns, flatwoven planes, and rich bands of tufting.
Pink Kilim Large Area Rug: This large area rug features geometric patterns inspired by traditional kilims, reinvented in a fresh contemporary palette to suit the modern home. This gorgeous handwoven design is made from New Zealand wool and natural cotton.
Kilim-Style Large Red Area Rug: The Ndebele rug by Sandra Figuerola draws its inspiration from the colorfully hand-painted home facades of the Ndebele people of Africa. This piece is flatwoven in traditional kilim style bringing exceptional clarity to its geometric motifs.
Large Washable Area Rug: For some, the prospect of maintaining an area rug can seem daunting – especially in a home with pets or active children. Washable area rugs might present an attractive alternative. This design by Ruggable features the timeless aesthetic of a traditional Persian rug, but the top layer easily disconnects from the rug pad and can be washed right in a standard home washing machine.
Large Indoor Outdoor Traditional Area Rug: Rugs that are designated as indoor/outdoor are the perfect option for your most demanding placements. They typically resist water damage, staining, and fading from the sun – all features that this attractive traditional design proudly boasts.
Moroccan Large Indoor Outdoor Area Rug: This large Moroccan-inspired area rug is made from durable polypropylene – comfortable enough to use indoors but strong enough to use outdoors. Use in hardwearing placements like entryways, dining rooms, playrooms, or outside on the patio.
Blue Striped Large Outdoor Area Rug: This large outdoor area rug is stain-resistant, weather-resistant, and fade-resistant. It’s an exceptionally durable piece with smart nautical styling. Looking for something to match a different type of decor? This piece is available in a spectrum of colors to suit any theme.
For the latest updates, please stay connected to Feeta Blog – the top property blog in Pakistan.
51 Large Area Rugs to Underscore Your Decor with a Designer Touch
- Published in Accessories, decor, floors, rugs
Abdullah City Islamabad: Details, Location, Features
Overview
Abdullah City is a modern housing society by Aziz builders. This project intends to provide quality build standards and ultimate lifestyle at the best prices. Abdullah City resides on Chakri Road Islamabad, near the Chakri Interchange.
Introduction
Abdullah city offers affordable residential and commercial property as well as premier farmhouses featuring the latest facilities. The efficient development plan, high-end amenities, and reasonable prices are attracting more and more attention from investors.
Abdullah City features state-of-the-art modern development. Undoubtedly, a well-maintained lifestyle is equally beneficial for families and investors alike. Society fulfills the demands of high standard residence in the twin cities. The dependable town planning and development skills of Aziz Builders will make it a desirable housing project.
Abdullah City Location
The locality is a vital aspect of any housing project; Abdullah City offers the best location in Rawalpindi. It resides on the famous Ghous-e-Azam road with easy access from multiple places like:
- Ring Road
- Thalian Interchange
- Chakri
- CPEC route
Abdullah city possesses an ideal location with plenty of landscape and surrounding nature. It holds many prime spots of the twin cities in proximity. However, Chakri Interchange is the most convenient route to reach Abdullah City.
Following is the location map of Abdullah City for better understanding:
Total Land Area
Abdullah City is a vast housing project that spans over 35,000 Kanal. Society has already acquired the majority of the land and development continues. The swift development pace indicates that society will get NOC from RDA soon.
Landmarks Surrounding Abdullah City
Abdullah City Islamabad is located near many essential landmarks, and you can reach them in minutes.
- Islamabad International Airport is present in its vicinity.
- Furthermore, you will find the NDU campus of Fatima Jinnah University close to society.
- More landmarks include Motorway, Kalma Chowk, and Thalian Interchange.
Ideal proximity makes this project a perfect place to live and an excellent choice for future investments.
Abdullah City Islamabad Accessibility
Abdullah City provides easy accessibility from and to multiple famous sites of Rawalpindi/Islamabad:
- Lahore-Islamabad M-2 Motorway is just 15-20 minutes away from Abdullah City.
- Kalma Chowk is 25 minutes drive from society.
- It hardly takes 5 minutes to reach Chakri Interchange from Motorway.
- Islamabad International Airport is reachable in35-40 minutes.
- Bahria Town is located 1 hr away from Abdullah City.
- Main Islamabad and Rawalpindi City are approximately 40 minutes’ drive from the location.
Developers
Aziz builders are developing this incredible real estate project. They have extensive past projects and positive feedback. Generally, Aziz builders provide land development services, town planning, and colony organization services for the past decade. They believe in commitment, on-time project delivery, and quality development.
Aziz Builders and Abdullah Marketing have joined hands in developing this iconic project named Abdullah City. The values of Aziz Builders depict the bright future of Abdullah City Islamabad.
Abdullah City Development Status
Abdullah City Islamabad is currently under development, but construction continues at a swift pace throughout society. The infrastructure development has entered the final stage. Moreover, the main gas pipeline installation is underway.
Have a look at the following pictures to get an idea about the development status of Abdullah City Islamabad:
Legal Status
Abdullah City is a well-planned and organized housing society. However, its NOC is still under processing by the Rawalpindi Development Authority. According to RDA, the society faces some allegations from Tehsil Municipal Authority (TMA).
Customers should confirm the legal status of this society before investing anything. Management of Abdullah City is making efforts to get the NOC and it will be granted soon.
Amenities
Abdullah City is an all-inclusive project with upscale amenities and features offered to the residents. This society aims to raise the standards of living by providing futuristic features and modern infrastructure.
To put it simply, customers will have all the desired facilities that make it ideal for living and investing. The planning, designing, and developments are according to international standards. Moreover, high-end facilitation and dependable security make it an excellent choice for families!
Here are the amenities of Abdullah City:
Educational Institutes
Society plans to set up primary and secondary education institutes with highly skilled educationalists for quality education. Libraries, playgrounds, computer labs, and laboratories are a part of all Schools and colleges. Many leading universities are located within the vicinity of Abdullah City. High-quality education and extracurricular activities will ensure the bright future of children, and ultimately, Pakistan.
Healthcare
Proper healthcare services are necessary for a peaceful life. Abdullah City provides healthcare centers with up-to-date medical equipment and highly trained doctors. Residents will feel well cared for and find hospitals within the society. Abdullah City will host a premium healthcare facility.
Commercial Areas
Commercial areas developed at different spots in Abdullah City will fulfill the everyday necessities of residents. Shopping centers, malls, food markets, and more facilities will be available in all commercial zones. In short, residents will find everything from designers clothes to grocery and home décor within the society.
Mosques
Residents can improve their relations with the Almighty at mosques and across society. Moreover, religious centers ensure easy religious practice, spirituality, and closure to God.
Garbage Management
Modern civil infrastructure and services ensure proper collection and disposal of garbage to maintain beauty. Furthermore, trained maintenance staff and the latest equipment ensure clean roads, streets, and boulevards. Placement of Garbage bins outside streets, and garbage disposal before piling up or becoming visible.
Dependable Security
A comprehensive security system will guarantee the safety of the residents and an overall peaceful atmosphere. Society provides security through 24/7 CCTV surveillance and highly trained security personnel on patrolling within society premises. In addition to this, Abdullah City features well-invigilated entry and exit gates.
Maintenance Services
Abdullah City Islamabad features an individual maintenance facility available 24/7 to resolve petty matters for the residents. Maintenance teams always show up on time and know solutions to the problems. Abdullah City Maintenance Service Wing is dependable and charges only for material replacements.
Leisure
Abdullah City management understands the value of leisure in life and offers plenty of facilities to fulfill it.
Following leisure facilities are available at Abdullah City:
Parks and Zoo
Multiple parks and a zoo is an entertainment and picnic point for residents. Animal exhibits at different spots featuring different animals like dogs to reindeers and cougars to lions.
Restaurants
Dining is an essential part of the Pakistani lifestyle. Restaurants featuring different cuisines will be available for dining out, be it a family meal, buddies hang out, or solo food love. These food spots will cater to all needs.
The Spa
An exclusive day resort; specifically built to relieve the stress and anxiety of everyday life. Residents can get a day off, relax and get premium spa services from professional staff. Everything needed for stress relief is a part of this day spa.
State-of-the-Art Infrastructure
Dedicated Grid Station
Power outage is a big issue in Pakistan and causes nuisance for people. To ensure an undisrupted power supply, a dedicated grid station will be part of Abdullah City. Society aims to become a load-shedding free zone in the twin cities.
Carpeted Road Network
Road networks are the backbone of a residential project. Even the smallest of problems with roads can cause inconvenience for hundreds of people. Abdullah City Islamabad ensures smooth traffic flow through a sought out road structure. Modern road infrastructure provides easy accessibility to all parts of society.
Footpaths are an integral part of road networks in an area. Abdullah city features footpaths along all the roads in the society to make the strolls easier and much more enjoyable. Residents can conveniently walk for pleasure or getting necessities from the vicinity markets.
Environment Sustainability at Abdullah City Islamabad
The environment is an essential factor for a healthy life. Abdullah City commits to providing a better environment for residents. Plentiful open areas, parks, and tree lines on the roads will ensure a green surrounding.
Abdullah City Islamabad Master Plan
Abdullah City is a well-planned society getting famous with time. It is likely to become a desirable housing scheme for Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The marvelous design interests the top-notch investors and buyers who want to live here. Abdullah city offers a variety of plots in different sectors like residential, commercial, and Farmhouses.
Abdullah City Islamabad Residential Plots
Residential sectors of the society guarantee a high-class residential experience. It follows a similar approach to other leading projects. Commercial centers and other facilities are available in each residential sector for a worry-free life.
The Residential Plots are as follows:
- 5 Marla Plots
- 5 Marla Plots
- 10 Marla Plots
- 20 Marla Plots
Abdullah City Islamabad Residential Homes
This great initiative by Aziz Builders provides pre-constructed homes to the owners. The homes feature quality build and the latest designs, saving you from the hassle of laying the foundation and self-construction. Residents enjoy modern facilities living in these homes.
following are the variations of residential homes:
- 5 Marla Homes
- 10 Marla Homes
- 20 Marla Homes
Commercial Plots at Abdullah City Islamabad
Various commercial plots are also available to meet the needs of businesses and potential investors. Commercial plots are located at different locations within Abdullah City.
Brands and renowned businesses will show keen interest due to the demand of residents. The development of a central commercial hub to cope with all the necessities of life.
Commercial Plots are available in the following categories:
- 3 Marla Commercial
- 8 Marla Commercial
- 20 Marla Commercial
Farmhouses
Abdullah city also offers Farm Houses for residents who want to experience an extraordinary life. Farmhouses occupy the lush green beautiful area of the society with the natural landscape. Customers can enjoy premium amenities and a world-class living environment residing at these farmhouses.
The society offers the following categories in the farmhouse:
- 3 Kanal Farmhouses
- 5 Kanal Farmhouses
- 8 Kanal Farmhouses
- 16 Kanal Farmhouses
You can download the detailed master plan below:
Abdullah City Islamabad Prices
The prices of Abdullah City are affordable to other housing societies, but they will increase in the future. Eventually, Prices will skyrocket as more and more people buy plots here. Abdullah city introduced easy installment plans to facilitate customers. Book the plots by paying booking fees and confirmation Charges.
Here is the payment plan for you to have a look at:
Abdullah City Islamabad Brochure
Down below is the official brochure of Abdullah City, download it to view the detail:
Booking Details
Pay the down payment allocated by the management and book your plots in Abdullah City Islamabad. Moreover, customers need to pay membership charges and confirmation fees to confirm their ownership of the plots.
Looking for a plot in Abdullah City? Contact us today to get your favorite spot effortlessly. Reach out to us via phone and email, submit an inquiry through our website or visit our office! Our agents are ready to assist you!
Discount Offer: Abdullah City offers a flat 10% discount on lump-sum payment for plots.
Conditions
- 10% extra charges apply to Corner and Park Facing plots or homes.
- 15% more charges in case of a Road Facing plot or house.
- For Farmhouses, 10% more amount, on Corner, Park Face, and 15% on Main Boulevard.
Conclusion
As many societies emerge on the map every day, they charge high prices for luxury and modern amenities. However, Abdullah City is an emerging society providing all benefits like other famous societies at affordable rates. Abdullah City offers plots with all the amenities required for a luxurious life at affordable prices. As Abdullah City gets famous, more people will show interest, making it an ideal option for future investments.
Manahil Estate is a real estate agency dealing with the sale and purchase of the property. We can help you get a great deal at Abdullah City. Contact us now to get more information and helpful advice!
Abdullah City Islamabad: Details, Location, Features
- Published in Abdullah City Islamabad Legal Status, Abdullah City Islamabad Location, Abdullah City Islamabad Map, Abdullah City Plot Prices, Facilities of Abdullah City, Housing Schemes, Rawalpindi Housing Schemes, Real Estate, real estate business, real estate investing, real estate marketing, Real Estate News
5 Tips To Wholesaling Real Estate With Technology
If you’ve been around the real estate industry long enough, you might be familiar with the phrase ‘real estate wholesaling.’ It’s one of the best investment options for someone who’s low in cash but still wants to try their luck in this field. However, just like any other business, beginners tend to struggle due to competition and lack of a reliable buyer network.
However, that doesn’t mean you should give up on your dream. There is, of course, a wide range of solutions you could try, and you can always find one that works best in your situation. One of those options is virtual wholesaling.
Technology has become the magic bullet for just about any business-related problem. It most certainly has played a significant role in the growth of the virtual real estate wholesaling market. As a virtual wholesaler, you can do your advertisements on social media and various real estate websites.
So, how can you leverage the benefits of technology and improve your real estate wholesaling project? This article compiles a list of must-read tips for anyone looking to venture into this business.
What is real estate wholesaling?
Before going any further, it’s important that you understand the meaning of real estate wholesaling. Inasmuch as it’s a common phrase, many beginners still don’t get what it really means. It’s simply a short-term strategy employed by investors to generate significant profits within a short period.
You might confuse it with retail wholesaling, but the two aren’t related in any way. When dealing with ordinary goods, a retailer purchases items from a wholesaler in large quantities and then sells them to consumers at a higher price. That’s basically how retailers make profits from their businesses.
However, real estate wholesaling is totally different because, for one, it doesn’t involve bulk goods. Instead, the wholesaler, in this case, signs an agreement with a homeowner looking to sell their home. The wholesaler then looks for potential buyers and assigns the contract to the best candidate available.
It’s worth noting that the goal in real estate wholesaling is to find the right buyer before the contract signed with the original owner expires. In other words, money is only exchanged between the parties involved once a suitable prospective homeowner is found. (1)
In the past, it was necessary for the relevant parties to meet face-to-face before any deal could be made. However, with the advent of technology, most of the tasks can be done using phone call applications. Call Cowboy, for instance, is a modern dialing platform that’ll allow you, the wholesaler, to interact effectively and even hold remote voice meetings with potential buyers.
Tips for virtual real estate wholesaling
Now that you understand what it all means to virtually wholesale houses, how can you use technology to meet your needs? Well, for one, the process isn’t as complicated as you might believe. As mentioned earlier, though, wholesaling real estate is a short-term investment that requires you to find a buyer within the shortest time possible. Therefore, you need to have a working strategy prior to stepping into the market.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
Do your research
The first step towards a successful real estate wholesaling project is conducting rigorous research. With the modern real estate market and any business for that matter, the more effort you put into your preparation, the higher your chances of success. Knowing the basics of real estate is one thing, but familiarizing yourself with the whole process of wholesaling is another. (2) So, as a prospective wholesaler, you need to understand how things work.
You can search through the internet for resources that’ll give you vital information necessary for any beginner in the industry. Google and YouTube, for one, are ideal technological platforms that’ll come in handy in this process. Also, in your research, make sure you look into all the legal requirements to avoid unnecessary frustrations in the future.
Of course, reading materials online will be of great help, but it would be wise to consult someone who has seen it all in the market. Remember, real-life experiences give you the exact feel of what to expect.
Find the right marketing techniques
Every business needs proper marketing strategies for it to rise above the competition and generate the desired profits. Real estate wholesaling is no exception in that regard. It’s worth noting that your primary goal in this business is to make profits, and that can only happen when the home is sold. So, the more people you advertise to, the higher your chances of finding a buyer who meets your needs and those of the original homeowner. (3)
So, which are the most effective marketing techniques in today’s environment? The main marketing approach in the modern world of business is social media networking. This is because almost everyone today has access to the internet and is registered to at least one social media platform.
Based on this, it’s safe to say that there’s a huge consumer base for any business on these social sites. You can, therefore, leverage this statistic to grow your outreach and build a network of potential buyers. Facebook, for instance, has an open marketplace where you can post your advertisement and wait for interested parties to contact you. Real estate and auction websites are another set of options that you might want to consider.
It’s worth noting, though, that even with the growth of internet marketing, phone calls and text messaging are still quite effective. Drop Cowboy ringless voicemail and other similar applications, for instance, can boost your outbound marketing by allowing you to deliver pre-recorded messages to the voicemail boxes of your potential buyers. The advantage here is the fact that you can send these marketing messages at any time of the day without being a nuisance to the other party.
Find motivated sellers
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned investor, the next step is to find motivated sellers. After all, you’ll need someone who’s willing to sell their house for you to get into business. But how do you go about this phase? Well, unfortunately, this is where many beginners start going wrong and end up being frustrated during their first sale.
Fortunately, nowadays, one can easily access a wide range of information in the real estate industry on their mobile device with a click of a button. You can use such features to your advantage when looking for motivated sellers. Rather than going around looking for listed properties, you can just use online tools to find houses on sale and check important seller data.
Some of the information you’ll be able to access are pre-foreclosure data, any important details about the property, and the seller’s contact information. As such, you can contact the original homeowner if you’re interested in whatever you’ve seen and start making offers.
Do your due diligence
But before you make an offer to the seller, you must make sure that whatever you’ve seen on the pictures meets your needs. As a beginner, it can be quite challenging to evaluate the market value of a given property while keeping in mind the cost of repairs and other expenses since you don’t have enough experience in the field. Therefore, once you’ve determined the location of the property, you can start by researching the average value of similar houses within the area.
Again, you can easily access these important pieces of information online. Just visit a reputable real estate website and make the comparison. There are also many repair estimate tools that you can use to do your calculations, allowing you to come up with a competitive offer to your seller.
If this seems like a difficult task, then your alternative option would be to network with other investors and agents, especially those working within your selected location. Find someone you trust in your network and consult them about the deal and you should go about it. Any professional will advise you according to the current market climate, which should give you an idea of where to start with your offers.
Once you’ve crunched the numbers up, it’s time to present your bid to the seller. Again, make sure whatever you’re offering will cater to all the repairs and still leave enough room for you to make a profit. It’s always recommended that you find a sweet spot somewhere between the highest and lowest possible valuation of the house. Remember, if you go too low, you might scare away the seller, and if you go too high with your bid, you’ll struggle to find a buyer.
Consider building a website
Finding motivated sellers and advertising their houses on social media platforms is a great way to start your real estate wholesaling business. However, once you’ve started gaining popularity, this method may no longer be sustainable. So, what’s your next step once you get to this stage? The best step you can take here is to build a business website where every operation related to your wholesaling venture will take place.
As mentioned, social media platforms are the most visited sites. However, having an engaging website can attract a portion of these online visitors. Adding videos on the website to bring properties to life can go a long way in attracting more users and potential buyers. Apart from pages where you’ll be posting new deals, you can add sections to your website for testimonials, blogs, and user engagement.
Advantages of real estate wholesaling
As mentioned earlier in the article, the real estate wholesaling business is constantly growing in popularity. But why are many people opting for this form of investment? What benefits does it bring to the investor? Here are a few insights:
Easy to learn
One advantage is that real estate wholesaling is friendly to beginners, hence anyone looking to have a taste of the real estate industry can start here. For one, it doesn’t require any license, and you don’t need a college degree to join the market. Is your account running low? Fortunately, the investment needed in wholesaling is negligible as compared to other real estate strategies. As such, you’ll be able to hit the ground running without too much hassle.
If you’re still learning the ropes in the industry, then this strategy is for you. It’s very simple to understand, even for someone who has never closed a deal before. All you need to know is how to find motivated sellers, advertise the property to potential buyers, and reassign the contract to the most suitable candidate. With proper guidance, you can end up closing multiple deals every month.
Quick returns
If you compare the amount of time it takes you to gain returns from new construction and a wholesale deal, the latter emerges as the clear winner. Depending on your level of expertise, you can close wholesale deals within a few days. In fact, those people who already know their way around the market can do so within hours.
Independent of your location
Another amazing fact about real estate wholesaling is that you can do this business from anywhere. With the growth of virtual wholesaling, you can literally sell a house based in a different country and time zone without physically visiting the place. In most cases, you only need a phone and a laptop to finalize a deal.
Conclusion
Real estate wholesaling is one of the most popular strategies in the industry. It involves a wholesaler whose responsibility is to find motivated sellers and buyers, quote two different prices for a given property to both and make profits from the difference. If you’re looking to join the rest of the industry, the best way to start is by doing enough research.
Once you’ve understood everything, you can start looking for sellers, assess the properties on offer, and make a bid. After agreeing with the seller, you can now start marketing the property using various technological platforms, like social media and real estate websites. Building your own website will also accelerate your growth in the market since people will know where to find you.
References
- “Five Things To Know About Real Estate Wholesaling”, Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesrealestatecouncil/2020/03/17/five-things-to-know-about-real-estate-wholesaling/?sh=373c9edf70a3
- “Eight Steps To Start Virtual Wholesaling Successfully”, Source: https://www.forcom/sites/forbesrealestatecouncil/2019/11/21/eight-steps-to-start-virtual-wholesaling-successfully/?sh=1fec9edf7d58
- “What is the Goal of Real Estate Wholesaling?”, Source: https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/100214/what-goal-real-estate-wholesaling.asp
5 Tips To Wholesaling Real Estate With Technology
- Published in International, Real Estate, real estate investing, Real Estate Investments, wholesaling
Modern Home Trends Find Annoying
If you’re decorating a new house and don’t know where to start, you might spend hours browsing Pinterest mood boards. Looking for new ideas and trying to figure out your style and what’s considered in this year can be exhausting. But remember one thing—home design trends come and go. While some of them turn out quite nice, others might be expensive and inefficient.
Reddit user u/wazzel2u raised this question in r/AskReddit: “What is a terrible trend found in new home design?”, and more than 5K people replied. Whether it’s lack of storage space, hollow interior doors or open concept bathrooms, the comment section under their post is full of some of the worst design solutions that you should leave behind.
Bored Panda collected some of the most messed-up decor tendencies shared in this Reddit thread. If you have some insights on the topic, don’t be shy and share them below!
The lack of secret bookshelf doors. I mean, who designs their custom home and does not include a bookshelf secret door? People design houses for a reason, and that reason should be secret doors
According to design guru Nate Berkus, following the trends too closely is actually one of the biggest mistakes homeowners can make. “I think that people are very easily taken with the latest look, the latest feeling,” he said.
The interior designer explained that we get easily tired by these types of trends: “It’s kind of like that black-and-white concrete tile that everybody had. Three, four years ago, it was the thing to use in your powder room floor and on your kitchen backsplash, but do you really want it anymore now that you’ve seen it over and over and over?” he asked. Berkus would rather choose really classic, beautiful materials that stand the test of time.
So instead of copying the latest decor tendencies, Berkus suggests choosing materials that have been around since the 1920s because they are always a safe choice: “Stone or stone-solid surfacing, concrete, stone, or wood floors, classic ceramic tiles, terra-cotta, butcher block—all of that stuff has been around forever, and there’s new innovation within those looks.“
Open concept bathrooms.
I don’t need to see you taking a dump from my bed.
Apartment Therapy says that a good rule of thumb would be to go a little more traditional with major furnishings and to add new trends with textiles and other small items. This way, you can modernize your home without changing the expensive cornerstone pieces and easily swap out the little details in the future.
They advise on a few timeless trends that could save you some money if you’re planning to redecorate at some point. One of them would be choosing white subway tiles in the kitchen: “White is always a bright, clean backdrop for styling objects and art against.” As people say, white never goes out of style, so it is a safe bet since you don’t have to limit yourself when looking for other details.
Removing stair banisters for a crisp look. Like your drunk friend Brooks is going to fall of the side and die one day. There are building codes for reasons
In their opinion, neutral tones are always a better option than going with the color of the year (unless, of course, it’s neutral). “Neutral tones are timeless and work in any context,” explains designer Becky Shea. “When you go too bold and loud, in the long term, it’s not sustainable.” The same could be applied to furniture and textiles. Choosing natural materials is stylistically versatile, full of texture and warmth, not to mention that it’s sustainable and practical.
Might be an unpopular opinion but i don’t need my home to be smart…I just need things to happen when they are supposed to happen and not completely shut off when some douche thought it was a good idea to play who can touch the powerline
Then there are the small details. “Live laugh love“ type of decorations or ordering everything in marble might seem great at the time but after some time it can become tasteless. And what about removing stair banisters? Well, it definitely achieves the minimalistic look that’s been trendy for the past few decades but in real life, it’s not only useless but also dangerous.
Total lack of solar panels/windmills. I think its criminal that new builds don’t have any form of energy generator built in.
I really don’t like the fireplace design where you are intended to put your TV over it. A TV is way too high when over the fireplace.
Hollow interior doors that don’t keep sound out from within the house and hallways – especially hollow bedroom doors when you’re trying to sleep.
Lastly, the most important thing to remember is that you are creating a home for yourself. Your place should reflect you as a person, it does not have to be perfect or insta-worthy. It’s all about coziness and familiarity, not aesthetics.
The cold and sterile look. White, black (high polish please so you see every single fingerprint)… why?
No broom closets. Where the hell do people put their mops and vacuum cleaners? Or do the people who buy those McMansions just not do any of their own cleaning?
I don’t know if it’s new new, but it drives me crazy when people replace cabinetry with open shelves.
Don’t people understand dust? Bugs ring a bell? Pet hair? Speaking of pets, how do you keep your cats from messing around with that setup?
I may die on this hill alone, but I HATE open concept kitchens. Not the ones with a nice bar separating the space, not the ones with a window. I’m talking wide open, no barrier to determine where the kitchen ends. It’s hideous.
Open concept everything. There is value in being able to separate some rooms of the house. I very much prefer to have a kitchen that is not completely exposed to the area where I am going to be entertaining company.
That way, I can cook dinner and not worry about having to clean up everything in the kitchen so its spotless because the kitchen is basically in the main living room of the house.
This and also the trend of having big a** f**king windows in the front so everyone in the street can see your whole ground floor. Makes your first floor into a f**king fishbowl that I would never be comfortable in. I like to be able to walk around my house without worrying the people across the street can track my every move.
The grotesque housing developments of the same like 4 models and 3 colors with no trees. Not to mention the houses are built like s**t. The terribly inefficient road layout with a million cul de sacs.
Small laundry rooms, small pantries, no linen closets, but here’s a 20×20 media room to watch TV. My next house will either be laid out by me or made in the 70s/80s when they designed homes to be lived in.
Lack of storage space. Just bought a new home and didn’t realize how little space there was. We have one storage closet upstairs. That’s it.
No door between the master bedroom and master bathroom. It’s so annoying.
The last 3 houses I’ve lived in have had this issue. I like to be able to close the door when I take a bath or shower.
Homes built on the cheap with so many corners cut in their construction that they end up being horrible places to live in, plagued by mold, damp, noise and plumbing issues and more.
Floor-to-ceiling, clear glass showers. They look great when they are spotlessly clean, which means it looks terrible most of the time in most homes.
Why is everything so damn bland? Why is white and grey the popular colors? Whatever happened to color? Why can’t we have living rooms wallpapered with big bright flowers, long suede couches in deep fuchsia? And, mile-high blue carpets that you sink into when you walk? Whatever happened to walnut paneling and colored subway tile in the bathroom? Whatever happened to delicate stenciled flowers on the inside of the bowl of the bathroom sink?
When did we lose our personalities? I just want a house that looks like a manic-depressive toddler version of myself was set lose in a JoAnn’s with a limitless credit card.
There’s a builder in our area who tears down perfectly good, full-of-character pre-WWII homes and then packs in these grotesque Craftsman-style-hulk-mode houses that take up every available square foot of the lot. They look absolutely ridiculous. The proportions are wrong, they blight the neighborhood. Bleh.
Wasted space. This includes enormous bedrooms with sitting areas, homes with equal number of bed and bathrooms, extravagant foyers that eat half the front of a house, formal living and/dining rooms that never get used. Etc
No attention to lighting temperature (kelvins) or even worse, mismatched light temperatures.
Most cheap LED bulbs are way too “cold” looking and lack the natural warmth of old incandescent lighting.
Aim for 2700kelvin or lower for that warm cozy atmosphere.
S**tty bathtubs. I grew up in a 100 year old house. It had a nice bathtub with a sloping back so you could comfortably lounge in the bath. Modern tubs are pretty nearly straight up on the back so there’s no comfortable way to soak, smoke a joint, and read a book.
Every inch of acreage is used. Houses are really close together, streets are narrow. It’s crowded
Go to a high end gated community development ($800k – 2M price points in my area) front of the homes is beautiful stone, brick, etc but on the back every house has cheap ugly vinyl siding all the same color as far as the eye can see. I never understood this since you actually spend time in the back yard not the front.
Kitchens that they cram into a narrow rectangle. A lot of apartments and town houses come with these. They are so narrow that if you open the fridge door, nobody can walk past you.
A kitchen should be open, not walled in all sides and shaped like a narrow rectangle. It drives me crazy when I see these.
The cookie cutter houses with no personality and no room, where the windows look directly into your neighbor’s bedroom. Ugh!
I’ve seen several homes with appliances integrated into the construction of the kitchen itself. Not just in an alcove but actually built into the wall. Sure, it’s convenient that there’s a f**king cappuccino machine built into the wall next to the cabinet over the center island countertop. But what happens when (not if, when) it needs maintenance? Do I have to call a goddamn carpenter as well as a cappuccino machine repairman? Do I have to consider if this is a f**king load bearing wall that contains my broken appliance? And something that’s just a convenience like that is one thing, but they do it with stuff like fridges too.
The obsession with space. So many people won’t even consider anything under 2,000sqft. People don’t even think about what it would cost to heat and cool. They just gotta have a McMansion.
As an electrician; putting 600 potlights in every room of the house. Sure it makes me money but it looks ridiculous having so many lights every 4 feet of every room.
Fake shutters. They dont even look like they would cover the windows on most houses and they just look like garbage. If you love shutters so much, install real ones.
Note: this post originally had 76 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.
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101 Gifts For Architects And Designers
Christmas is just around the corner and the last-minute shopping season is officially in full swing. You’re checking names on the gift list, happy with your thoughtful choice of presents – that is until you get to the architect. Nobody ever knows what to get the architect! They have impeccable taste, revel in the obscure while eschewing the ordinary, and they generally know exactly what they want in a product or design. Choosing something that fits just right is a problem every architect’s friends and family know all too well. This year, skip the anxious bookstore visits and gift-card guilt with this handy guide.
LEGO Architecture Studio: LEGO! This one little word will put a smile on any architect’s face. The LEGO Architecture Studio contains an amazing 1210 monochromatic bricks, a pair of convenient sorting trays, and a “create your own architecture” book with 271 pages of architectural history and concepts. This set was designed by architectural modeler Adam Reed Tucker, and is endorsed by REX Architecture, Sou Fujimoto Architects, MAD Architects, and more.
Farnsworth House LEGO Architecture Set: LEGO sets make cool gifts for an architect of any age. Anyone with an interest in modern architecture will recognize this set, modeled after the iconic and influential Farnsworth House by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Not only do these sets add a physical element to architectural study for the young student, but they serve as fantastic display pieces and conversation points for the seasoned professional as well.
LEGO Architecture Idea Book: For the architecture enthusiast who already has a lot of LEGO sets, it’s hard to go wrong with an instructional book like this one. This 232-page book is filled with ideas for transforming common LEGO bricks into architectural elements, even including useful product numbers to help the reader complete the builds of their dreams.
Architectural Model Building Kit: The Arckit A10048 Masterplan Model City Building Kit features 400+ components and 8 printed adhesive sheets so that you can make your own streets and neighbourhoods with realistic building finishes and road layouts. The printed graphics can be used to create football parks, tennis courts, town squares, high-rise buildings, a university campus, coastal marina. Plus, you can push urban planning even further with free access to Arckit’s online texture library for sprucing up exterior walls.
Guggenheim Museum Scale Replica Kit: Fans of Frank Lloyd Wright will love to own this wooden model of a midcentury modern masterpiece. The model is a relaxing four-hour build with the help of detailed, step-by-step instructions. When finished, the accurate wooden reproduction measures 6″ x 4.5″ x 3.5″, making it a great addition to a bookshelf or desk. Licensed and approved by the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, this is a great gift for the architecture enthusiast.
Mini Bricks On A Pallet: This fun set includes 90 super-accurate miniature bricks, made from real concrete and presented at a 1/12 scale. This playful present would make a great desk toy for a professional architect – something to fidget with throughout the day – but the bricks themselves can also be used for physical architectural modeling and creative dioramas.
Cinderblock Magnets: These cute little cinderblock magnets are another way to stay organized in style – and they’re made of real concrete, a detail sure to delight any architect. In the rare instance when there isn’t anything to hang or display, multiple packs would allow for the creation of fun 2D structures on the desk or whiteboard.
Nordic Wooden House Table Decor: Whether used as an intriguing desktop decoration or a whimsical table centrepiece, this little wooden house set is sure to bring a taste of nordic design to your favourite architect’s workspace or living area. Made from black walnut and cherry wood, this is a timeless design that will keep on bringing joy for years to come.
Magnetic Sculpture Blocks Cubes: Fidget toys are a fabulous desk accessory for anyone with a career that involves a lot of problem solving, phone calls, and brainstorming sessions. The architect in your life can use this magnetic sculpture set for casual relaxation or to create small impromptu models for concept demonstrations. Young aspiring architects can use the 216 included pieces to build small high rises, arches, and other fun architectural elements.
Servingware Christmas Gifts for a Landscape Architect: Designed by Patrick Martinez and featured in the Museum of Modern Art catalog, the Inondée ceramic serving bowl is a functional piece of ceramic art that can be used every single day. This piece is available in three sizes. Architects and landscape designers can use this gift to hold office supplies at work or to serve friends and family with fresh snacks at home.
Vienna Pillar Shaped Candle: Inspired by classical architecture, these Vienna pillar shaped candles are handmade in unscented biodegradable soy wax. Produced in small batches, each of these elegant pastel coloured candles are totally unique, with subtle variations in shape, shade and size.
Niche Centerpiece by Zaha Hadid: Renowned modern architect Zaha Hadid designed the Niche table centerpiece for luxury Italian homewares company Alessi. Architecture enthusiasts will immediately recognize the play on curves, angles, and space that defined so many of Hadid’s works. Like her architecture, this centerpiece smoothly blends adventurous art with everyday functionality.
Metal London Skyline Chess Set: This stainless steel London skyline chess set is the perfect gift for architects with an interest in iconic city skylines. The stylish chess set features many of the most recognizable silhouettes across London, such as the London Eye, Big Ben, The Shard, and The Gherkin. Each set is sure to delight as a holiday or birthday gift.
Bauhaus Chess Set: Is your gift recipient an admirer of architects like Walter Gropius, Marcel Breuer, or Ludwig Mies van der Rohe? This beautiful Bauhaus Chess Set is sure to inspire. The pieces look simple at first glance but hide an internal meaning and extremely functional form, their shapes demonstrating the moves that each piece can make: the knight has the shape of an L, the bishop an X, the king is a singular sphere on a cubic pedestal, etc.
Nordic Mini Chair Phone Stand and iPad Holders: It’s safe to say that architects’ desktops get pretty busy when using all of the tools of the trade, so why not help them to keep their tech tidy at least with these wooden chair shaped holders for phones and iPads. Measuring just 15cm x 7.3cm for the phone holder, and 16cm x 15.3cm for the iPad holder, these mini marvels are as much a desktop talking piece as they are a desk organiser.
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Concrete Desktop Organiser: In an architect’s studio, staying organized is serious business. This linear concrete multifunctional desktop organiser keeps important equipment visible and close to hand. The classic, minimal design provides practical storage a smart phone, business cards, note pad, pens and pencils. A stylish upgrade over ordinary office supplies, the durable, smooth concrete finish ensures there is so no scratching to the desk surface.
Rodrigo Torres Magnetic Paper Clip Holder: Industrial designer Rodrigo Torres created the Chip paper clip holder with playful functionality in mind – as paperclips are added, the smooth minimalist bird form appears fluffy and well-plumed. This design is weighty enough to double as a paperweight and stylish enough to display as a standalone piece. This accessory can help the architect in your life keep papers and files neat with a delightfully charismatic twist.
Normann Copenhagen Modular Wall Organizer: Drawing inspiration from the humble shirt pocket, Simon Legald created a modular organizer series that creates a seamless solution for vertical storage. This listing includes one organizer, the wide number 4 option – mix and match to create a set that best suits the space and needs of your gift architect recipient. Perfect for cubicles, home offices, and more.
Ferm Living Solid Brass Pencil Holder: Help your favorite architect stay organized in luxurious style with this unique desk organizer. The body is made from solid brass with a silky matte polish, a weighty and substantial design sure to last a lifetime. Different container heights accommodate a variety of everyday architectural supplies from engineer’s scales and liner pens to erasers and paperclips.
Hexagonal Bulletin Boards for Architectural Inspiration: These hexagonal bulletin panels are a versatile way to display notes, pictures, magazine articles, and more – great for the architect that prefers physical inspiration over online bookmarks. Each panel attaches with sticky foam adhesives, great for the dorm wall of an architectural student or the workspace wall of a professional.
Umbra Jewelry Box by Sung Wook Park: With the attractive and intelligent Stowit organizer, Industrial designer Sung Wook Park created a jewelry box fit for an architect. This design features a unique slide-out work top that reveals a hidden drawer beneath, each component fitting together like a sleek little puzzle. When closed, the minimalist design feels fresh and uncluttered.
The Hand of the Architect Sketch Collection: Created as a tribute to Italian architect Piero Portaluppi, this hardcover Moleskine includes autographed drawings by 110 acclaimed architects from all over the world. Books like these can provide motivation and inspiration for students of architecture – including those lifelong learners who are already in the industry.
Multi-tool Pen: This little multitool is a useful utility for architects on the go. Components include a ballpoint pen, a reversible flathead/Philips screwdriver, a touch screen stylus, a scale ruler, a built-in level, and ink refills. The compact size makes it perfect for throwing into a bag, always within reach when other tools are unavailable.
Le Corbusier Modulor Rule: Designed by legendary architect Le Corbusier himself, the Modulor Rule was an attempt to inject humanity into the effective yet soulless metric system – a way to add human context to the numbers that define the engineering all around us. He used his own Modulor rule to evaluate the proportions of historical architecture he encountered on his travels, and now these modern recreations can serve contemporary architects the same way. This fascinating design is a useful tool and an even more effective conversation starter.
Skyline Whiskey Glass Set of Two: When it comes to casual gifts, it’s hard to go wrong with a decorative whiskey glass. This series is etched with recognizable skylines across the United States – choose from Chicago, New York, or Philadelphia.
Areaware Architectural Drink Rocks: Material plays such an important role in every part of the architectural process. Architects must consider materials from structural, functional, aesthetic, and tactile standpoints, among so many others. These drink rocks are made from beautiful soapstone and marble, transforming common architectural mainstays into sources of enjoyment and relaxation.
Gothic Cathedral Mug: A versatile staple when it comes to gifting, unique coffee mugs are appreciated by almost anyone. This style features bas-relief decoration based on Gothic cathedral architecture, a great gift for students and professional architects alike. Those who do not drink coffee might find this to be a beautiful way to store pens or display flowers.
Alvar Aalto Glass Vase: Finnish architect Alvar Aalto left an incomparable legacy across a range of architectural styles, from Nordic classicism to International Style modernism. But also influential were his furniture designs and accessories, including his 1936 glass vase collection. This mouth-blown glass vase from Iittala is based on the award-winning originals, finished with Aalto’s name inscribed across the bottom.
Architect’s Drafting Desk: Know an architect who is always bringing their work home with them? Yeh, that’s pretty much all of them. Set them up for success and comfort with this adjustable desk that offers a choice of 6 heights, and tilts from 0 – 45 degrees. Comes complete with a premium stool and two spacious storage drawers for all their tools.
Arckit Kids Mini Modern Architectural Building Kit: Arckit makes fantastic architectural modeling sets for adults and professionals, but also has a few options for young children as well. This kit is rated for children eight years old and up, and it includes over 105 components for building modern homes and structures.
James Paulius Parkland Blockitecture: Perfect for children and adults alike, this wooden tile set makes it possible to design inventive landscapes complete with rivers and ponds and lush greenery in between. Landscape architects may appreciate the simplicity and quality of this piece – certainly fit for display. Young children may enjoy combining these tiles with wood block sets to create whimsical miniature cities and parks.
Future Architect’s Handbook: Despite its playful cover, this book is filled with seriously useful information for the young aspiring architect. The pages guide readers through the home design process from creating a site plan, laying out a floor plan, choosing an architectural style, and beyond. This book is appropriate for children ages 8-12.
Frank Lloyd Wright Educational Baby Book: It is never too early to start seeking architect gifts for kids. This book begins with the most basic element of architecture – shape. Parents will love the interior artwork based on the architectural works of Frank Lloyd Wright, while children will love the vibrant colors and interactive activities within.
Frank Lloyd Wright Coonley Playhouse Doormat: Sometimes the best gifts for an architect are the ones they can use and enjoy every day. This doormat is based on the stained-glass windows of the Coonley Playhouse by Frank Lloyd Wright, an iconic Chicago structure completed in 1912. This door mat is constructed from natural coir fiber over a non-slip rubber base, a wonderful gift for occasions ranging from housewarming to holidays.
Frank Lloyd Wright Water Lilies Table Runner: The whimsical print on this table runner is based on an 1895 stained glass design by Frank Lloyd Wright. This simple accent is sure to please the architecture enthusiast in your life, made from soft 100% cotton for lasting appeal. The gentle colors are easy to coordinate with a wide variety of interior styles.
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Frank Gehry Architecture Master Class: Open a window into the never-before-seen model archive and creative process of visionary Frank Gehry, with an all access pass to his master class. Even better, buy one for your architect buddy, and get a 1 year free pass for yourself!
Zaha Hadid Designed Vase: Add some Christmas flowers to this elegant vase, by Zaha Hadid, to add festive cheer to your favourite architects office space. In mirror polished stainless steel, not only is this vase a shining piece of design, but it’s dishwasher safe too!
Customized Architectural Name Print: Millions of small architectural details are overlooked every day – but to the architect, those very same details might lay bare the very soul of a structure. This customized name print pays full appreciation to those ornamental volutes and lintels and arches, using their unique shapes to spell out any chosen word or name.
Handmade Chinese Yixing Tea Pot: Made from Yixing Clay, which has been used in Chinese pottery since the Song dynasty of 960–1279, this 10oz Teapot is expertly crafted by hand. This beautiful Chinese teapot will serve elegance to any table, or can be used as a chic and characterful storage vessel for tea utensils upon a display shelf.
Walter Gropius Wine Glass: Another design by the inimitable Walter Gropius, the TAC series of wineglasses present a striking profile sure to capture the attention of guests. Each one is elegant, appealing to the oenophile as well as the Bauhaus aficionado. Consider investing in a set to clink glasses in celebration of a hard-earned architect license, graduation, or other significant event. A set of such unique wine glasses always makes a lovely housewarming or holiday gift as well.
Riedel Twenty Twelve Decanter: This sculptural hand-made dragon inspired crystal decanter with a red and black stripe is a treat for the architecturally-minded wine lover. Give young wines a chance to bloom by decanting several hours before they are served, or decant old wines just moments before needed to ensure that clarity and brilliance are not obscured by any deposit. A unique Christmas gift for an architect that has everything.
Designer Tumblers: Extreme attention to construction, purpose, and proportion makes these tumblers a work of art any architect can appreciate. It naturally swirls the drink when set down and fits the hand like a carefully tailored glove. Designed by Daniele Semeraro, the Cupa-Rocks ICE set contains a pair of hand-blown frosted glass tumblers set in a well-constructed gift box for a perfect presentation.
Fia Carafe: This sculptural carafe offers a simplistic form that stands on its own as a work of art, or as a functional object to bring art to everyday life. Mouth-blown from crystal glass, this piece includes a small ball that fits neatly within the bottom niche and doubles as a lid for the top. This beautiful carafe is suitable for water, wine, or fresh-picked flowers.
Minimalist Grinder Set: Designed by architects, the Bottle Grinder doesn’t look like any other spice containers out there. The smooth shell contains a ceramic mechanism that produces a beautifully consistent and even grind with adjustable coarseness. Because the spices come out of the wooden top, no remnants can fall out to dirty the table.
Designer Citrus Juicer: Designed by Philippe Starck, this just might be one of the most recognizable citrus juicers in the world. It’s a piece of artwork for the kitchen.
Precise Cutting Boards: The Obsessive Chef Cutting Board allows architects to translate their love of precision into delicious homemade meals. The burnished grid lines mark the appropriate cuts for slicing, dicing, brunoise, julienne, and more.
Timo Sarpaneva Iconic Cast Iron Casserole: Legendary glassworker Timo Sarpaneva created a casserole design so iconic, it ended up on a Finnish postage stamp. This award-winning design is not only exceptionally functional, it serves as a timeless work of art for the kitchen. Architects who value enduring construction may enjoy of the decades of enjoyment provided by this collection-worthy piece.
MoMA Perpetual Calendar: A favorite presented by the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) store, the Cubes Perpetual Calendar puts a stylish twist on date presentation. This handsome piece is perfect for the desk or shelf, and would make a lovely gift for a professor, professional, or student with an interest in modern design.
Bubble Wrap Calendar: This huge poster-sized bubble wrap calendar provides a fun and satisfying way to mark the days going by with a daily “pop!”. Measuring 48.5″x15.5″ (122cm x 39cm) this novelty gift features all of the days of the year stacked in one easy to view sheet. A smart monochrome colourway makes it easy to read and is sure to complement any professional office or home workspace decor.
Project Watch Terra: An aesthetic timepiece that reflects the layered look of topographical maps, the Terra watch would make a neat gift for landscape architects and structural architects alike. The minimalist design offers fashionable appeal, while the clear time markers will help your favorite architect stay stylishly punctual for meetings with clients.
Apple Watch Series 7: With a massive list of useful features, the Apple Watch 7 can streamline the life of students and professional architects alike. The always-on Retina display features almost 20% more screen area than Series 6, making the watch face easier to see and use.
Architectural Glass Terrarium: H Potter is known for making some of the most alluring glass terrariums on the market – each one designed to reflect the look and design of real greenhouses from the Victorian era to modern designs. This piece features stained glass accents, elaborate architectural cresting, ball feet, and an interior liner. Terrariums make great gifts for the landscape architect, and they can help bring an uplifting green element to the desk of a structural architect as well.
Crystal Glass Prism Magnifier: This attractive sculptural magnifier was designed by Daniel Martinez, crafted from K5 crystal glass for exceptional clarity. The concept was developed for a class called Small Things Matter at Parsons the New School for Design. This class challenges students to develop items that appeal to impulse buyers while creating some type of positive change elsewhere. This gift may help an architect in your life read blueprints or journal pages, while also serving as a reminder about the social responsibility built into every part of the profession. A portion of every purchase is donated to the Wikimedia Foundation.
Handmade Mobile: For the office, the home, or for the baby architect, this piece of kinetic sculpture features perfectly balanced steel wires and natural wood spheres in dynamic tension. A potent conversation piece for design aficionados, this mobile is handmade in Denmark by the famous Flensted Mobiles company.
MoMA Material Cube Gifts for an Architect: Architects John Bennett and Gustavo Bonevardi designed the Architect’s Cubes set to encourage the in-depth exploration of material. This set encompasses materials that hold extraordinary importance in the world of contemporary architecture and industrial design – granite, silicone, acrylic, aluminum, EVA, cork, Bakelite, and humble maple wood. Architects can use this set as a tactile and visual source of inspiration or as a meaningful desk decoration.
Set of Four Small Succulent Planters: This set of four small contemporary indoor succulent planters come in a mixed line up of “Polka”, “Turbine”, “Revolve”, and “Maze” designs, which are created on a 3D printer. The composite material consists of 30% recycled wood and 70% bioplastic, and the finish has a subtle grain texture which makes it look and feel just like real wood. A neat addition for a work-from-home desk.
Eames Bird: In the world of design, few items are more recognizable than the iconic Eames House Bird. This unassuming accessory has graced the pages of more design magazines than perhaps any other object. The story begins with an American folk art bird figurine purchased by Charles and Ray Eames on their travels, a piece that stood in their living room for half a century whenever it wasn’t posed with some of the pair’s most iconic furniture designs in photoshoots. Reproductions continued this legacy on the pages of shelter magazines and photography books, now available widely as distributed by Vitra.
Danish Designer Figurines: Made by architects, for architects – these iconic wooden toys are from Denmark’s ArchitectMade, whose design philosophy revolves around creating products that will inspire and last for generations. Designers include Kristian Vedel, Paul Anker Hansen, Hans Bølling, and other names your recipient will surely recognize.
Bronze Bird Paper Weight by Tapio Wirkkala: Originally designed by Tapio Wirkkala in the 1970s, this handsome paperweight offers timeless appeal through its minimalistic form and elegant material composition. This sculptural piece is made from radiant polished bronze – weighty enough to serve its original function as a paperweight, and beautiful enough to display as a standalone decoration on the shelf of any architect.
Architecture Magazine Subscriptions: Professional and aspiring architects thrive when connected with recent developments in the community and across the world, and few resources provide a more focused high-quality resource than architectural magazines. Subscriptions are costly – especially for students and recent graduates – but the inspiration and information that can be gleaned from them is invaluable. A subscription is a gift that keeps on giving. Consider mainstays like Architectural Digest, Architectural Record, or the ever-palatable Dwell.
Faux Leather File Holder for Architectural Magazines: Because architects tend to keep up with a variety of magazines and digests, it makes sense to invest in stylish place to store recent editions for easy access. A stylish magazine rack can make a wonderful gift. It is difficult to have too many magazine racks – the gift recipient may like to keep magazines in multiple places around the home and workplace. This one features a nice classic style.
Concrete File Folder Magazine Rack: For something with a more playful look, consider this stylish concrete magazine holder. This piece is from Lyon Beton, a design firm that specializes in the creation of modern concrete furniture.
Atlas Marble Bookends by Elisa Ossino: Designed by architect and interior designer Elisa Ossino, the Atlas marble bookend displays the beauty of Carrara marble finely honed into light and theatrical geometric forms. These weighty bookends would serve as a fantastic gift for the architect who looks like to keep reference materials organized neatly within reach. With care, these bookends are sure to last a lifetime.
Resin Migrant Bird Clock – V Form: A sculptural take on the classic wall clock, these resin migrant birds in flight form a graceful V-formation across the wall. Set the solid white pieces against a
modern white minimalist background and let the shape and the shadows do all of the talking. A great gift for those with a particular penchant for 1950’s inspired design.
Alexa Echo Wall Clock: “Alexa, set up my Echo Wall Clock”, is all that’s needed to activate the gift of time management and punctuality. The clock’s digital 60-LED display shows one timer or multiple timers set through a paired Echo device. Just say, “Alexa, set a 10-minute timer” to see a big and bright countdown to the deadline.
Artemide TOLOMEO Table Lamp Mini: Tolomeo is an iconic table lamp designed by Giancarlo Fassina and Michele de Lucchi in 1989, beloved for its artful approach to thoughtful functionality. This design is sure to delight the engineer and architect alike – especially in a working environment. Constructed with careful attention to balance, this lamp can be adjusted with just one hand.
Modern Folding LED Table Lamp: For something a little more accessible, this folding LED table lamp provides a world of flexibility and functionality to illuminate the everyday tasks of an architecture student or professional. This design includes four lighting modes, seven brightness levels, and convenient USB charging for wireless freedom.
EVO Architect Intelligent Productivity Agenda: EVO is a personalized planning system based around the concept of “flow” – maximizing productivity and effectiveness, with a significant emphasis on personal wellness. Each agenda series caters to a different productivity style. The architect model focuses on those who prefer a methodical step-by-step approach to projects. Scanning the pages to the companion app yields helpful visualizations and statistics to keep architects on track. This gift is great for students and professionals who desire productivity with a healthy mix of self-discovery.
Wood and Aluminum Headphone Stand: Many students and architects focus better with a little bit of music to drown out ambient noise. Those who never like to start an involved project without headphones handy might enjoy a stylish place to put them between tasks. This cool headphone stand is a pleasure to look at, finished in a warm walnut veneer over a graceful curvaceous form.
The Oculus Quest 2 Virtual Reality Headset: Does the architect in your life like to stay on the cutting edge of technology? The Oculus Quest 2 Virtual Reality Headset is popular for its next-level hardware, which delivers a blazing-fast processor and cutting-edge high-resolution display. All-in-one gaming offers backward compatibility so that you can play some old favorites or explore brand new titles in the expansive Quest content library. You don’t even need a games console or PC, simply set up with the free Oculus smartphone app and dive into VR through your wireless internet connection.
HD Smart Display With Alexa: Keep in touch face to face, no matter what the world throws at you both, via the 10.1″ HD smart display with Alexa. Aside from video calling and messaging, the display puts recipes and shows in close view, whilst the speakers produce premium, directional sound. A 13MP camera keeps you in the spotlight with auto-framing, and you can even use the camera remotely to securely monitor your home when you’re away. Architects with smart home functionality will also love the control Alexa provides over lights and thermostats.
Leather Blueprint Carrying Tube: When architects need to transport blueprints and architectural drawings to worksites, meetings, and between offices, document tubes are often the vehicle of choice. This design offers a unique upgrade from the throwaway plastic options – this one is constructed with a strong leather exterior and a protective suede lining. The adjustable shoulder strap ensures a comfortable carrying experience even with full hands.
Michael Graves Architect Color Pencil Set: Often a vocal supporter of drawing as part of the architectural process rather than just a means to an end, it seems especially fitting for a series of color pencils to carry the Michael Graves name. This beautiful collection encompasses a palette made famous through the legendary architect’s postmodern structures, decorated with neat white squares to reflect his characteristic approach to windows. Even the box is truly presentation-worthy, sure to delight the architect who receives this meaningful gift.
Handheld 3D Printing Pen: For architects who dream of doodling in 3D, handheld 3D filament pens can provide a creative and functional method of expression. This model is intended for use by teens and adults alike – a fantastic way to breathe life into architectural concepts with the touch of a button.
Architect Wild Bird Feeder: Architects often enjoy seeing quality composition in unexpected places. This modern birdhouse stands apart from the standard fare, created with attention to detail that birds may overlook but humans will certainly notice. Sturdy wood-and-metal construction provides dependable durability, sure to provide the architect in your life with many seasons of relaxing birdwatching.
Luxury Birdhouse With Solar Powered Water Fountain: Architects will admire how this unique California Redwood birdhouse sums up the mid century residential landscape of the 1950s Hollywood Hills. Inspired by the Stahl House, the enchanting piece features a 12% pitch roof with support beams, and mini swimming pool with a solar powered water fountain.
Microsoft Surface Studio: The Microsoft Studio 2 is a creator’s dream. Desktop mode provides the functionality needed for architects to type up proposals and communications – the tablet mode allows for an intuitive approach to drawing, modeling, and other hands-on activities. This big-budget gift could transform the life of a recent architecture graduate or young professional.
Ultimaker 3D Printer: An industrial-grade 3D printer can transform the career of an independent architect or a small firm. 3D printers can produce quick and inexpensive physical models that help with the concept development process by giving a clearer view of scale and context. These models can help grow a business too, impressing potential clients with detailed models that would be too slow or expensive to produce by hand. The Ultimaker S5 is ideal for these purposes, capable of producing multi-material prints with high uptime and smooth operation.
iPad Pro: For those that prefer the Apple ecosystem, it’s hard to go wrong with the iPad Pro. This powerful tool boasts dependable battery life, rich sound, a 12.9-inch Liquid Retina display with ProMotion, and the TrueDepth camera system. But perhaps most importantly, it offers smooth capability across other Apple products like the watch and the MacBook Pro – essential for architects who require a seamless experience across devices.
Leica Laser Distance Measure for Architects: Laser distance measures are a useful tool that drastically simplifies the process of measuring interior spaces. This highly recommended model can slash the amount of time your architect student or professional spends traversing a space with a tape measure, instead producing accurate results with just a few operations. This device is Bluetooth compatible, making it possible to easily share measurements to a phone or tablet.
Meural Canvas Digital Art Frame: Digital art frames give architects a fun way to display ever-changing sources of inspiration anywhere in the home or office. This model can be controlled by gestures or with the Meural app – change the displayed art, choose specific display times, modify settings, and more. A sold-separately Meural membership provides access to over 30,000 works of art from galleries and museums across the world.
The Creation of Adam Plaster Relief Wall Sculpture: This exquisite piece of plaster wall art reproduces the classic Creation of Adam fresco painting by Michelangelo, which forms part of the Sistine Chapel’s ceiling. The texture relief wall art retains a pure, colourless finish, which calls attention to the 3D nature of the piece.
DJI Mini 2 : Drones are utilized in the architectural field for so many purposes – site analysis, rough topography mapping, finished project photography, and more. Even for architects who don’t use a drone in their day to day workflow, these futuristic devices can still provide an enriching method of exploration and inspiration by revealing a whole new way to view the world that surrounds. Since this one weighs under 249g it also escapes the hassle of licensing, which makes it a perfect gift drone.
Moleskine Pen+ Smart Writing Set: Moleskine notebooks are a favorite of students and architectural professionals everywhere – especially for those who still prefer the satisfying convenience of pen and paper to digital tablets. For those who require the benefits of both, the Moleskine Pen+ can be a serious time-saver. This pen automatically transfers each stroke to the Moleskine companion app, easily exportable to formats like PDF and Evernote for later use and analysis.
Electric Pencil Sharpener for Architectural Drawing: Even with the proliferation of technology in the lives of students and professionals, architecture is still a pencil-heavy field. An electric pencil sharpener is a simple yet thoughtful gift any architect enthusiast would be happy to receive – making it easy to keep those soft graphite pencils going during long sketch sessions, or keeping color pencils sharp for detailed work.
Electric Eraser for Architectural Drawing: Architects who still prefer to sketch with a graphite pencil will also find themselves frequently in need of an eraser. An electric eraser is a relatively niche device – many people would never think to invest in one. But an architect who has ever needed to make sweeping corrections to a layout or sketch would find enthusiastic relief in the cleverness of the SumoGrip electric eraser. This device erases cleanly, precisely, and with impressively little effort.
Skyline Coat Hook by Helen T. Miller and Tracy Wong: A playful design that any architecture enthusiast can enjoy, this decorative wall hook provides space to hold five coats or accessories. Each hook can individually flip back up between uses, transforming the unit into a piece of fun wall art between uses.
Eames Hang-It-All Coatrack: The delightful Hang-It-All coatrack by Charles and Ray Eames is an iconic piece instantly recognizable to design and architecture enthusiasts. This coatrack is made using the same wire welding method as the famous Eames low tables and wire chairs, while the solid wood balls are representative of the Eames expansion into toys and furniture for children. Treat a colorful personality with the multi-hued option pictured here, or opt for a rich wood treatment for architects with a serious touch.
Building Shaped Lanterns: Add a little light and old world charm to an architects life, with an antique style lantern that’s shaped like traditional European masterpieces. There’s a choice of three different glowing beauties to set their hearts ablaze.
Brutalist Kinetic Sculpture: All work and no play gets pretty dull, so gift the architect in your life a little break time fun. Inspired by Brutalist architecture from the Industrial era, “The Factory” demonstrates exquisite detail in intricate concrete glory. Steel balls roll through a path set within the miniature architectural elements, cascading, disappearing and re-emerging on their journey.
Herman Miller Organizer Kit: Created by Providence-based design firm Observatory for Herman Miller, this adjustable organizer adapts to the needs of the person using it. This design includes a sliding bookend to hold architectural notebooks and journals, a Formwork box for small items like paperclips or erasers, and two shelves for storage.
Miniature Chairs: Who doesn’t love miniatures? These small-scale chairs represent the most iconic mid-century designs – few can afford the full-size originals but these gorgeous miniatures allow anyone to own a piece of history. They’d make for a fantastic display on a desk, shelf, or might even make an incredible addition to a dollhouse if your favorite architect has children.
Landmark Model Kits: Model kits are so much fun, and the structural process strikes many of the chords that lead architects to love their art from the outset. Fascinations Metal Earth laser cut architectural models are easy to assemble with a snap-in-place design. These polished objects look classy when arranged in combination, and are perfect to order as a set.
Miniature Concrete Home Blocks: Spark the imagination of the architect in your life with the miniature SPACES collection from Material Immaterial studio. These modular forms are made of concrete, and look beautiful freestanding or grouped together.
Karl Johan Table Lamp: Have you ever been searching for wild mushrooms in an autumn forest and thought of a great idea for a lamp? No? Well, the designer of this one did. The soft curves of its smoked glass dome and a Marquina marble base make this one magic mushroom for creative brains.
Fire Escape Wall Shelves: Hand-welded epoxy-coated steel makes this unique fire escape shelf as sturdy as it is inspiring. It’s even stackable to create a unique and customizable landscape to suit the storage needs of its owner. The photo shows this neat design holding photos and plants, but it would work just as well to hold jewelry or small books too.
Herman Miller Chairs: As one of the best ergonomic work chairs out there, the famous Aeron Chair is an iconic design that feels right at home in the office of a creative. Architects spend hours sitting in front of a computer each day – so while the price may not be something everybody is comfortable with, a good chair pays for itself by reducing the risk of harm to the back and joints. Of course, don’t forget to move around frequently no matter how luxurious the chair may be!
Eames Lounge Chair: After a grueling day hunched over the draft table or computer, what could be better than… that’s right, THE Eames Lounge Chair, perhaps the most iconic chair in the world. Okay, so this one is a replica, but the price of the true licensed original is not for the faint-hearted – you can find it available here. Getting a lookalike for $740 is quite a steal, especially with this attention to detail. Materials match the original and include top grain Italian leather, rosewood plywood, and a sturdy aluminum base. Any architect would be giddy to receive this.
From $25BUY IT
Art Prints: Classy posters a great design gift for the architect who has everything. Not sure which one to get? Architects typically love anything black, white, or charcoal – but if you know the rare architect who boasts a colorful wardrobe, you’ll probably be fine picking something with a nice color theme.
Frank Lloyd Wright Paper Models Book: Architecture enthusiasts have long idolised the iconic landmarks of Frank Lloyd Wright in pictures and from afar. GIve a Wright fan the gift of building 14 of his most treasured buildings for themselves using the cutting and folding art of kirigami.
Cabin Architecture Book: For an architect who longs for a vacation away from it all, this book might be just the ticket. This substantial hardcover book explores the modern architecture of cabins of every shape and style, complete with delightful illustrations by Marie-Laure Cruschi and gorgeous full-color photographs of interiors and exteriors alike. The included briefs, clients, and situations are sure to make for some inspiring and useful reading.
Architecture Themed Moleskine Notebooks: Architects love Moleskine – but these books put a new twist on the old favorite. As part of the Process in Architecture series, each volume reveals previously unseen work and preliminary processes from famous architects around the world.
101 Gifts For Architects And Designers
- Published in Accessories, Architecture, gifts
50 Times Architects Outdid Themselves (New Pics)
Many things can shape a city—its culture, history, social life, or food scene. But perhaps the most distinctive feature would be architecture. Some buildings can completely fascinate you with their astonishing design and pure aesthetics. Through careful urban planning and understanding of the cultural background, the structure of a city can carry you through time while still leaving you in a very particular place.
Need convincing? Let me introduce you to this subreddit page, an online community with more than 923K members. It is dedicated to sharing interesting architecture and some of the most eye-pleasing images of buildings you could find. If you wish to immerse yourself in other customs, traditions and the everyday life of the locals, this is the place to be.
Continue scrolling and upvote your favorite pictures! And if you’re still in the mood for some more, make sure to check out Part 1 of this post.
#1 Sun And Moon Pagodas In Guilin, China
Image credits: oddprophet63
Even if people say that architecture is not about words, sometimes it may seem like buildings can speak to you. One reason for this could be that construction specifics, curves and the whole style of a building tells you its history. What were the prevailing ideas or opinions at the time, the traditions, celebrations—everything’s in the details.
Since its creation in 2011, this Reddit community continues to share pictures of “the beautiful impossibilities that we want to live in”. According to the moderators, “Individual images of buildings are the focus of this subreddit,” and it’s true. The page is full of high-quality pics of architecture that will interest and inspire you.
#2 The Shambles In York, England
Image credits: Fuckoff555
It’s no secret that beauty is relative. If the structure looks weird to you, it does not actually mean that the creator has poor taste. According to architect, designer and artist Ron Arad, what we consider beautiful architecture is actually all about the “culture, context, personal history, acquired taste and, most importantly, ideas. When an architectural problem is solved by an idea, that idea is always there to be seen in the building – the idea has a visual manifestation that is beautiful.”
Another architect, Sam Jacob, said that aesthetics is actually not an essential consideration in architecture: “Beauty, if it’s anything, is a psycho-cultural phenomenon. After all, it’s an idea (or a sensation) that is not inherent to a thing but a qualitative value thrust upon the object of our gaze.”
The cycle of beauty goes like this: shock, then acceptance, then mainstream before it becomes the one thing to rebel against. “When people use the word beauty in design, they are seeking refuge from all of the difficulties of modern life – all of its doubts, fears and challenges,” he explained.
#3 Mont Saint-Michel, France
Image credits: j3ffr33d0m
#4 Osaka Castle, Osaka, Japan
Image credits: Sunkisty
However, being pleasing to the eye is not the only attribute of great architecture. It can also tell a lot about us as human beings. One of the main things they teach you about ancient cultures is in fact the structures they built. Through it, we can get a glimpse of what the builders and other people living there were like. Let’s take ancient Egyptian civilization, we see the pyramids, the temples, the Sphinx and can immediately get a sense of how they viewed their rulers and religion.
#5 Kyoto, Japan
Image credits: Sunkisty
#6 Inner Walls Of Ta Prohm Monastery. Cambodia, Khmer Empire, 12th-13th Century
Image credits: MunakataSennin
Also, big historic events like The Industrial Revolution had an effect on many life aspects. The birth of mass production of iron and steel was a game-changer in construction. It allowed to design bigger and lighter structures and gave a path to Modernism. So one way or the other, all revolutions and historic changes influenced the way we see and think about design, and if we would take more time to observe it, we could clearly see how.
#7 Hungarian Parliament Building, Budapest
Image credits: KantKay11
#8 Athens
Image credits: forestpunk
#9 Jewel Changi Airport, Singapore
Image credits: Roku80
If design concepts tell so much about our culture and environment, what would they say about our present way of life? One very important topic now is sustainability. The U.S. Energy Information Administration stated that buildings generate nearly 40% of annual global CO2 emissions and that the global building floor area is expected to double by 2060.
#10 Two 17th Century Half-Timbered Houses At Hohe Straße 18 And 19 In Quedlinburg, One Of The Best-Preserved Medieval And Renaissance Towns In Europe That Escaped Major Damage During World War II. Harz, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany
Image credits: ManiaforBeatles
#11 The 24 Year Old ‘Wisteria’ Cottage. This Beautiful Cottage Is Located In Inistioge, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland
Image credits: TheGuvnor247
#12 This 50-Foot Tall Statue Of A Native American Woman In South Dakota Titled “Dignity”
Image credits: karmagheden
Since the population and sea levels will continue to rise, architects will have to adapt. Architecture Quote is an innovative platform where you can find the right architect for any type of project you have in mind. According to them, “Architecture is the solution to poverty, overcrowding, and land depletion.” They provide a few thoughts on what future trends in construction will look like.
#13 Chefchaouen, Morocco
Image credits: bakhtura2403
#14 Tree House, Singapore
Image credits: tanmaypendse63
#15 The Neuschwanstein Castle In Germany Looks Even More Stunning In Snow
Image credits: SophiaJohnson123
Nowadays, architects are urged to take into account sustainability, carbon footprint, price, and innovations. When it comes to choosing building materials, timber seems to be a trend that’s coming back. It has been used for thousands of years and there still are some buildings that can be dated back to 6000 B.C. “Timber is an inexpensive, light, and easy material to work with during construction,” Architecture Quote explained. “The future of architecture inches closer and closer to more eco-friendly, sustainable solutions each year. Timber actually stores carbon and helps our planet.”
#16 Ruyi Bridge, China
Image credits: Dee_Odj
#17 Concrete Bench, Part Of The Santuario Dell’amore Misericordioso Complex, Todi, Italy (By Architect Julio Lafuente, 1953-1974)
Image credits: tanmaypendse63
#18 English Country Garden Surrounding Asthall Manor, A Gabled Jacobean Cotswold Manor House Originally Built In The 1620s And Later Altered And Enlarged In The 1910s. Asthall, Oxfordshire, England
Image credits: ManiaforBeatles
Plywood and newspaper wood are also being used more frequently due to the new look that they give. There’s the growing idea of repurposing materials for a new use, like newspapers. They are especially popular in small living spaces since they give a sense of warmth to the interior.
#19 Casa Batlo, Barcelona, Spain
Image credits: Industriosity
#20 My Favorite Castle In Germany
Image credits: nico_shoot
#21 This Is One Of My Favorite Museum’s Stairs (Paris)
Image credits: redcattino
According to the platform, glass is also considered to become an important material in future housing. There’s a new glass technology that can harness heat from the sun and add to the insulation of the building. “This is particularly exciting for energy efficiency and sustainability in the future,” they said. “Future buildings feature more and more glass as we have learned that it can help with stress, anxiety, productivity, and depression.”
#22 Evening Scene In Bremen, Germany
Image credits: granta50
#23 Tolbooth Tavern, Edinburgh / Sir Lewis Bellenden
Image credits: langshot
#24 Wooden Houses In Bergen, Norway
Image credits: MassiveCunt1
Another thing that is considered is earth materials. Even though making walls out of mushrooms might sound crazy, it is possible. And it’s actually better for us to breathe in. “Materials like mud and adobe have been used since the beginning of civilization. The architecture of the future has taken inspiration from the past.” Using the resources that our planet provides us is not only greener but also economically attractive.
#25 Ornate Carvings And Solomonic Columns On The Stone Steps Leading To The Water In Varenna, A Town On The Scenic Shores Of Lake Como, Northern Italy
Image credits: ManiaforBeatles
#26 Las Lajas Shrine – Built 1916 -1949 Designed By J. Gualberto Perez & Lucindo Espinosa – Nariño, Colombia
Image credits: 43mysticalSquirrels
#27 Kapaleeswarar Hindu Temple In India
Image credits: Rapama2
Besides, there are new types of buildings that are emerging due to our fast-paced lives. For example, tiny or modular homes. They provide a less environmental impact while saving you time and money. With small homes, you don’t have to stay at exactly one location, you can roll your house anywhere you wish. With modular architecture, houses are built off-site and being delivered already finished to the site.
#28 Old Gatehouse In Northern Ireland
Image credits: I_am_person6969
#29 80 Metre Climbing Wall Built On The Side Of A Power Plant In Copenhagen, Denmark
Image credits: 99Blake99
#30 The Frog House In Bielsko-Biała, Poland
Image credits: Faiiven
“The demand for these small homes is on the rise and we can expect to see many more tiny homes in the future. Architects are building for smaller and smaller spaces as populations rise, whether it is a tiny home or a small apartment. The future is all about small.”
#31 La Casa Pàdua, An Example Of Catalan Modernism Architecture Originally Built As A Single-Family Residence In 1903, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi District Of Barcelona, Spain
Image credits: ManiaforBeatles
#32 English Garden Of The Coton Manor, A 17th Century Country Manor House That Was Extended In The 1920s, Coton, Northamptonshire, England
Image credits: ManiaforBeatles
#33 Cathedral Of Saint Mary Of The Flower, Florence
Image credits: Maksele
Lastly, let’s not forget green buildings. According to the World Green Building Council, “A ‘green’ building is a building that, in its design, construction or operation, reduces or eliminates negative impacts, and can create positive impacts, on our climate and natural environment.” So it seems that the hope for the future of architecture is using low-waste and reusable materials, living tighter, greener and more mobile.
#34 Walzin Castle On A Cliff Overlooking The River Lesse, A Castle That Started Construction In The 13th Century And Was Restored Several Times Since, Namur, Wallonia, Belgium
Image credits: ManiaforBeatles
#35 San Carlo Alle Quattro Fontane, Lugano, Switzerland
Image credits: Dee_Odj
#36 Architectural Juxtaposition In Clinton Hill Historic District, Which Consists Of 1,063 Largely Residential Buildings Built Between The 1840s And 1930 In Contemporary And Revival Styles Popular At The Time, Clinton Hill, Brooklyn, New York City
Image credits: ManiaforBeatles
Even though the facts of environmental impact and population rise sound alarming, such architectural trends are giving us hope to be excited about the future of construction. Admire these photos on your screen and try to think about how they reflect our lives. And if that seems like not enough, we have some more stunning architecture right here and here.
#37 Stone House In The Small Village Of Tissington, Derbyshire, England
Image credits: ManiaforBeatles
#38 Concrete Turret Of The Félix Potin Building, A 1904 Art Nouveau Department Store With An Exterior Of Moulded Concrete Casts On Rue De Rennes, 6th Arrondissement Of Paris, France
Image credits: ManiaforBeatles
#39 Ghost Sculpture In The Castle Of Vezio, Italy
Image credits: karmagheden
#40 Imam Reza Shrine, Mashhad, Iran
Image credits: BrilliantFamous6570
#41 Grand Central Terminal, NYC, The Sun Can’t Shine Through Like That Now Due To The Surrounding Tall Buildings. 1929
Image credits: SHIVANSH_RTX
#42 Sainte-Chapelle At Paris, France
Image credits: chardrizard
#43 Windows Of Paris
Image credits: TheHammershoi
#44 Traditional Old Wooden Houses In Trakai, Lithuania
Image credits: 43mysticalSquirrels
#45 Snowy Evening, Oxford University
Image credits: granta50
#46 Old Bridge Over A Modern Road. Dublin, Ireland
Image credits: trinerr
#47 Top Of Tribune Tower, Chicago Illinois
Image credits: MessyGuy01
#48 Cairo, Egypt
Image credits: manbel13
#49 The Architecture In Some Older Power Plants Were So Unique And Ornate, This One Built In 1925 Was A Neoclassical Design Inspired By Roman Bath Houses. Although It Has Seen Better Days It’s Still Beautiful And Dripping In History
Image credits: st-jawnthebaptist
#50 The First Of The Two Round Houses Constructed In Moscow 9-Storied, 936 Flats, Built In Late 1970s
Image credits: ElectronicRhubarb841
50 Times Architects Outdid Themselves (New Pics)
- Published in 700-page, Architecture, buildings, Homepage featured, images, interesting designs, interior, Interior Design, interiors, International, Pics, pictures, reddit, subreddit
Designers Visualize The Same American House In 10 Different Styles From The Last Five Centuries
Have you ever watched a Hollywood movie or TV series and caught yourself paying attention to the beautiful architectural styles of the characters’ houses rather than the plot? I have. Which is why I was so happy to find out that American Home Shield has decided to look back at the evolution of the American house for their 50th anniversary.
Turns out, many elements of American home design have stayed the same over the last 450 years. Talk about long-standing traditions, right? In the images below, you can see renders that American Home Shield has created to document the history of the American home.
More info: ahs.com | Facebook | twitter.com | youtube.com
Cape Cod Style (1600s–1950s)
Image credits: American Home Shield
“The first Cape Cod style homes were built by Puritan colonists who came to America in the late 17th century. They modeled their homes after the half-timbered houses of their English homeland, but adapted the style to the stormy New England weather. Over a few generations, a modest, one- to one-and-a-half-story house with wooden shutters emerged. Reverend Timothy Dwight, a president of Yale University in Connecticut, recognized these houses as he traveled throughout the Massachusetts coastline, where Cape Cod juts out into the Atlantic Ocean. In an 1800 book describing his travels, Dwight is credited with coining the term “Cape Cod” to describe this prolific class or type of colonial architecture.” (source)
“Although Victorian styles eclipsed the plain Cape, these houses came back, in greater numbers than ever, during the Colonial Revival of the 1930s, often larger than the originals and with different framing methods, interior plans, staircases, and details. Owing to the romantic associations of 18th century models and the ubiquity of 20th century Capes, this is arguably the most recognized house style in America.” (source)
Georgian Colonial House Style (1690s–1830)
Image credits: American Home Shield
“The Georgian style arrived in America via British architectural building manuals called pattern books around 1700. While the Georgian style was popular in England in the 17th and 18th centuries, it is based on the classical forms of the earlier Italian Renaissance period. English master architects Inigo Jones, Christopher Wren and James Gibbs, inspired by the classicism of the Italian Renaissance developed the Georgian style in England. (source)
The first high-style examples are in the South, built usually by affluent tobacco planters. Grand examples—of wood rather than brick as in Virginia—became more common in the North only after 1750.” (source)
Federal Style (1780–1840)
Image credits: American Home Shield
“After the Revolution, Americans wanted cultural as well as political independence, and they began to change the style of their buildings to reflect their change of allegiance. While the houses were not radically different—and still drew upon British sources—the high-style buildings of the new era bore a new and American name.
The Federalist party which, ironically, tended to favor British interests in foreign affairs, was the party of the merchants and landowners. These were the people with the means to build important houses—houses that came to be known as having been built in the Federal Style. The name “Federal” is a catch-all for buildings that date from the close of the Revolution (1783) until the first great machine-age style, the Greek Revival, became popular in the 1820s and 1830s. Other terms used for buildings of the Federal decades are Adamesque and Neo-Classical.” (source)
Greek Revival House Style (1825–1860)
Image credits: American Home Shield
“British architect James “Athenian” Stuart is said to have been the first to introduce Greek Revival to Britain, but it was in America that Greek Revival would fully bloom. As a new democracy, 19th-century Americans were inspired by the birthplace of democracy and by Greek culture, art, and philosophy and all of the symbolism and meaning that it held for a nation in the midst of defining itself. Americans began to reject the Federal style with its British influences and sought an American style with bona fide democratic roots. The Greek War of Independence (1821-1832) was another galvanizing force encouraging Americans to embrace the values of a country that had created democracy and was fighting for its independence from the Ottoman Empire.” (source)
“In Greece, temples were built of marble painted in primary colors. But by the time they were discovered by Europeans in the eighteenth century, the paint was long gone, leaving the white marble. And to this day, people associate the Greek Revival with the color white – the white columned look.” (source)
Italianate House (1840–1885)
Image credits: American Home Shield
“The style derived from Italy’s rambling farmhouses, usually built of masonry, with their characteristic square towers and informal detailing. By the 1830s, Italianate had spread to the United States, where architects began to transform it into something truly American with only hints of its Italian origin. Thus, working in this style, architects had a higher degree of artistic freedom than they had in earlier, more rigid styles.” (source)
“The Italianate style was popularized in the United States by Alexander Jackson Davis in the 1840s as an alternative to Gothic or Greek Revival styles. Davis’ design for Blandwood is the oldest surviving example of Italianate architecture in the United States, constructed in 1844 as the residence of North Carolina Governor John Motley Morehead.” (source)
Queen Anne Style (1880–1910)
Image credits: American Home Shield
“The Queen Anne style represented the culmination of the picturesque, or romantic movement of the 19th century. Based on a premise of “decorative excess” and variety, there was little attempt to stay true to any one particular style or historical detailing. Rather, the style displayed a combination of various forms and stylistic features borrowed from the earlier parts of the Victorian and Romantic eras. “Queen Anne” is somewhat misleading given her much earlier reign (1702-1714) during times when Renaissance-inspired architecture was the norm.
The last two decades of the nineteenth century saw Queen Anne become the most dominant residential style in the U.S., heavily favored by the Victorian elite who had become wealthy from industrial growth. Middle- and working-class families often enjoyed their own versions, however, in the form of smaller, L-shaped cottages or other “folk” variants decorated with some of the style’s typical trim or siding varieties.” (source)
Arts and Crafts (Craftsman) (1905–1930)
Image credits: American Home Shield
“As a reaction to the manufactured and ornate styles of the Victorian age, Arts and Crafts-style homes embraced handcrafted design and approachable materials. The style originated in Great Britain in the mid-19th century and came to America around the beginning of the 20th century. The term “Arts and Crafts” refers to a broader social movement that encompasses not just architecture, but also interior design, textiles, fine art, and more.
The design movement began as a revolt against the opulence of the Industrial Revolution, where design could be needlessly overdone. Arts and Crafts instead focused on the opposite–instead of mass-produced and uninspired, the movement was all about being handcrafted and personal. The idea was that if quality could replace quantity, good design and good taste would prevail.
The Arts and Crafts movement was directly tied to the rise of Craftsman and Bungalow-style homes, architecture that played off of the same mentality of simple but thoughtful structures. Bungalows were intended to give working-class families the ability to own a well-designed home that was easy to maintain and manage.” (source)
Art Deco + Art Moderne House Style (1920–1945)
Image credits: American Home Shield
“Art Deco was the first widely popular style in U.S. to break with revivalist tradition represented by Beaux-Arts and period houses. Art Deco uses a style of decoration that was applied to jewelry, clothing, furniture, handicrafts, and – in this case – buildings. Industrial designers used art deco motifs to decorate streamlined cars, trains, kitchen appliances, and many other machine-age innovations. Art Deco takes its name from the Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs and Industriels Modernes, held in Paris 1925.” (source)
“The Art Deco style first gained public attention in 1922 in a design competition for the Chicago Tribune Headquarters. Finnish architect Eliel Saarinen submitted an Art Deco design that was not chosen, but was widely publicized and embraced as an exciting new architectural style.” (source)
Ranch Style (1945–1980)
Image credits: American Home Shield
“True ranch-style homes first made their appearance in the 1920s. Originally, they were based on Spanish colonial architecture used in the American Southwest. Efforts to combine that style with modern architectural touches created the California ranch-style home. That led to a boom in the building of these homes from the 1940s through the 1970s. Their livability, flexibility in floor plans and uncomplicated design were perfect for the post-World War II growth of American suburbs.” (source)
“A small number of architects working in California and the Southwest during the 1920s and ’30s designed the first suburban ranch-style houses. These were based on the simple, one-story houses built by ranchers who lived in the harsh climate of the plains and mountains of the West. For young architects seeking forms that were defined by their function and not layers of Victorian bric-a-brac or the Colonial-style treatments popular in the East, the ranchers’ houses had particular appeal.” (source)
Prefabricated Homes (1945-present)
Image credits: American Home Shield
“Prefabrication is a method of producing standardised components off-site in a factory or workshop, that can be fitted together on-site. The components can be shipped flat packed or partially assembled and are not subject to fluctuating weather conditions when they are manufactured. Prefabrication was a solution where there were no suitable local materials, for example in the former colonies, where buildings had to be erected quickly or where there were skills and materials shortages.” (source)
“After the development of the assembly line by Henry Ford in 1913, it became even easier to manufacture modular homes at a price that was affordable to many more consumers. And after World War II, when the US faced a housing crisis as soldiers returned home and started families, modular construction offered quick, low-cost housing options to house a new generation of Americans. From the beginning, modular buildings have provided innovative and affordable solutions.” (source)
Designers Visualize The Same American House In 10 Different Styles From The Last Five Centuries
- Published in #architecture, #style, American, American Home Shield, Architecture, art deco, arts and crafts, cape cod, Design, federal, full-page, georgian colonial, greek revival, Hidreley, History, home, Homepage featured, houses, italianate, queen anne, ranch, USA
Woman On Twitter Shows Major Interior Design Flaws Of This Castle That Costs $60M
Various movies, books and cartoons romanticized living in a castle and that would be many kids’ dream to live in one. Some adults may think so too because they also know about what kind of lifestyle is associated with it. However, the reality of living in a castle is very different as many of them are really old, need renovations and modernization.
That is why some people who have enough money build their own dream castles with all the commodities that modern times offer and with even more features that the old ones don’t have, like a cinema room or a golf field.
If you go to look through the listings of houses, you might not find a castle that easily, but they are definitely there. Twitter user Rebecca Makkai actually came across one and its interior and exterior are so unusual, the owner’s story is so crazy, and it can be rented for unusual events, so it caught her eye.
Twitter user Rebecca Makkai shared an unusual property listing she found and it was an actual castle
Image credits: rebeccamakkai
Rebecca Makkai is a writer from Chicago and on her Twitter, she shared a long thread of pictures of Christopher Mark’s castle with a moat surrounding it with some interesting facts about the place and the owner taking advantage of her talent to make it an interesting read.
Image credits: rebeccamakkai
It is a modern-day castle, built in 2010 and it resembles a Disney one but a little bit more creepy and less magical
Image credits: rebeccamakkai
The castle was built in 2010 by Christopher Mark, the grandson of Chicago steel tycoon Clayton Mark who was one of the pioneer makers of steel pipe in the US. It is located in Connecticut, around 40 miles from Hartford.
It looks quite fairy tale-like, something similar to what can be seen in Disney movies about princesses and it’s not a coincidence as Christopher Mark dedicated this castle to his daughters who liked to dress up as if they were part of a royal family.
Image credits: rebeccamakkai
The castle is currently owned by Christopher Mark, who had it built for his daughters and he is now selling it for $60M
Image credits: rebeccamakkai
Image credits: rebeccamakkai
The property with the land surrounding the castle covers 75 acres and the castle has 18,777 square feet (1744 square meters) of living space with 9 bedrooms, 10 bathrooms, 12 fireplaces, an underground garage, seven floors and an elevator. There are secret passageways, a dungeon and a moat. The castle is surrounded by a pond, so why not take advantage of it and dig a ditch? On the ground floor, there is a home theatre and complete performing arts stage.
The construction on the castle began back in 2003 and cost $4,100,000. It was a long project and more than 100 artisans from all over the world got involved in it. The wooden doors you see in the pictures were actually hand-carved by a local Connecticut boat builder. Although the style may not be everyone’s favorite, but the construction and the designing of the castle required a lot of effort and time.
Image credits: rebeccamakkai
It has 10 bedrooms, 9 bathrooms, 12 fireplaces, 7 floors, an elevator, a performance stage and many other crazy features
Image credits: rebeccamakkai
Image credits: rebeccamakkai
It was first listed for sale in 2014 for $45,000,000 and the price changed a couple of times but nobody bought the castle and in 2016 the listing was removed. In June of last year, it reappeared again and the price was $35,000,000, which is $3,000,000 more than before removing the advertisement. Interestingly, a few days ago, on 23 of January, the price had a drastic jump to $60,000,000.
Image credits: rebeccamakkai
Even though the style is not Rebecca’s cup of tea, there was a lot of effort put into the construction and design of the castle as over 100 artisans worked on it
Image credits: rebeccamakkai
Image credits: rebeccamakkai
Both the exterior and interior of the castle are really eccentric, extravagant and just over the top, so the buyer must have a specific taste, but they must also have some spare millions in their bank account. It’s definitely not a traditional family house.
Rebecca, who posted the thread, seems to not be very fond of the decisions that were made to pull everything together. She points out that there are quite a lot of clocks inside that may be there to remind people that time is what is killing us, unless the moat will be useless and the Visigoths will do that first.
Image credits: rebeccamakkai
Not only did Rebecca talk about the arrangement of the rooms, she gave some interesting facts about the owner’s life
Image credits: rebeccamakkai
Image credits: rebeccamakkai
She draws our attention to a room that you could say is eclectic as it features some branches that might allude to an enchanted forest from the above-mentioned fairy tales about princesses right by the flat-screen TV and above the marble floors.
The dining room is, for some reason, guarded by suits of armor and the nearby room is decorated with two elephant statues looking down to a family crest integrated in the wooden floor.
Christopher Mark is the great-grandson of Clayton Mark who started using steel for pipes
Image credits: rebeccamakkai
Image credits: rebeccamakkai
Image credits: rebeccamakkai
Christopher didn’t live in the castle with his family for too long as his wife filed for divorce
Image credits: rebeccamakkai
Another weirdly arranged part of the house is the kitchen, which is round and has a column in the middle of it with storage space for spices.
Rebbeca’s favorite part is what seems to be an office space where the different-sized chairs just make sense.
Image credits: rebeccamakkai
He then invited his girlfriend to live with him but when she gave birth to their child, Christopher broke up with her over text
Image credits: rebeccamakkai
Image credits: rebeccamakkai
Image credits: rebeccamakkai
The writer continues her engaging story to talk about what happened to the castle after it was built. Turns out, Christopher Mark lived there with his wife Mary Galt and two daughters, but she filed for divorce and left.
Then he invited his now ex-girlfriend Marina Isakova to the castle, who left her husband and took her daughter with her to live with him. After she gave birth to Christopher’s daughter, she was reportedly banned from the castle. What is more, Christopher refused to pay more than a required minimum for the child support, so Marina had to live off food stamps.
Image credits: rebeccamakkai
What is more, he refused to pay more than the minimum required childcare and he was allegedly involved in the starving of a camel
Image credits: rebeccamakkai
Image credits: rebeccamakkai
Image credits: rebeccamakkai
Another scandal surrounding the castle was a dead camel. So the castle had a zoo and it was called Wilderness Kingdom, Inc. Besides the camel, the zoo once housed an emu and a zebra. During the divorce litigations between Chrostopher and his wife, Mary, they both accused one another of starving the camel to death.
Despite the family drama attached to the castle, even though it hasn’t been sold yet, it hasn’t stayed empty all that time. It has held events like music performances and weddings and it was involved in the making of the 2020 Hallmark movie One Royal Holiday.
As nobody has purchased the castle, it was repurposed for various events and a movie was filmed in it
Image credits: rebeccamakkai
Image credits: ErinEdw78312460
The castle leaves quite an impression; it is for you to decide if it is a good or a bad one. We would like to hear if you would live there if you had the money. What is your favorite and least favorite part of it and why do you think it is still on the market?
Woman On Twitter Shows Major Interior Design Flaws Of This Castle That Costs $60M
Top 18 Family Vacation Spots in Pakistan in 2020
“Take vacations, go as many places as you can, you can always make money, and you can’t always make memories.” ~ Unknown.
I love vacations! What about you?
I truly believe that vacations are crucial for our personal growth and development. Not only do vacations give us ease of mind but they also broaden the horizons of our knowledge and learning.
Vacations give us a chance to relax and enjoy the world around us. It is always a good idea to take a break from the sluggish and boring routine and devour the marvels of nature around us.
Islamabad is a place of beautiful landscapes and the second most beautiful capital in the world. There are certain haunted places in Islamabad if you are curious about these places you should add these places in your list.
However, international trips can be pricey, especially when you are traveling with your family. Luckily, Pakistan is loaded with excellent yet inexpensive family vacation spots. Pakistan should not be underestimated when it comes to vacation destinations since it has some of the top places to visit in the world.
You do not have to go to Switzerland to experience the natural beauty and all that greenery. Similarly, you don’t have to hunt for an exotic beach in the Maldives to experience the fresh and soothing effect of the sea. Although Maldives is offering free entry for Pakistani passport holders the accommodation and food are quite expensive.
Apart from solo travelers, Pakistan is excellent for people who want to travel with families. Cafés in Karachi are perfect for hangouts with friends and family. There are lists of amazing and best places to travel with toddlers in Pakistan.
If you are someone who is looking for a nice and memorable family vacation spot in Pakistan, then keep on reading. We have come up with an amazing list of cool places to visit in Pakistan.
1. Naltar Valley
This is a beautiful valley situated on the outskirts of Gilgit Baltistan. If you are a big fan of lush green sceneries and out of this world lakes then Naltar Valley is your go-to place. It has mountains covered in snow, a very beautiful valley, lakes and most importantly, it has the longest chairlift in Gilgit.
In short, it is the perfect spot for families who want to have some family time in a cool and quiet place.
2. Neelum Valley
Neelum Valley is situated in Azad Kashmir district. Apart from its outstanding views and sceneries, the place is famous for fishing and angling activities. If you and your family are interested in fishing and devouring trout by the lake, then do check out Neelum Valley. If you want to get away from the scorching heat of June and July in Pakistan, then try vacationing in this area.
3. Deosai Plains
The place is also known as ‘the land of giants’ because of its wide and huge plains. Deosai plains are also known as the second-largest plateau on Earth. It is situated in the Gilgit Baltistan region. The best time to visit the place is August because the place is booming with millions of colorful wildflowers, a sight you do not want to miss.
There is a national park as well which serves as the home of many endangered species of animals such as brown bears and the national animal of Pakistan, Markhor. Indeed, it is an excellent vacation spot for kids because they can have a rich experience of the flora and fauna of Pakistan.
4. Siri Paye
Do not confuse this mesmerizing place with the food, Siri Paye. Just kidding!
It is a beautiful and lush area located near Kaghan. Some of the places a person should visit in Siri Paye include Makra Peak, Malika Parbat, Musa ka Musala and the mountains of Kashmir.
However, one should keep in mind that this is an isolated place with steep and dangerous paths. So, if you have small children with you, you probably want to opt for another less risky place. But if you only have grownups in your group then Siri Paye is your place to go.
5. Swat Valley
Who has not heard about the outstanding Swat Valley? Did you know the youngest Nobel Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai also hails from Swat Valley? Swat is situated in the Malakand region of Pakistan. The place is packed with waterfalls, scenic views, and greenery.
The place is also very famous for its stones and emerald mines. You can easily find many beautiful pieces at a very affordable rate. So ladies, if you are looking for stone jewelry, then do visit Swat.
6. Bahawalpur
Bahawalpur is a beautiful and historical city situated in Punjab, Pakistan. If you are a big fan of historical places then you should visit Bahawalpur. The city is filled with strikingly beautiful architecture and polo grounds. Horse riding and hunting are also common in Bahawalpur.
You should see the Noor Mahal and Darbar Mahal – both buildings belonged to the royal family of Bahawalpur. The palaces look gorgeous at night.
Some of the other places that you should visit are Abbasi Masjid, Bahawalpur Zoo, Derawar Fort and the national park. If you and your family members have a knack for history then you should not miss Bahawalpur. Try going there in winter because the city gets quite hot during summer.
7. Gwadar
This place is one of the best family vacation spots in 2020. Who wants to spend an insane amount of bucks on exotic beaches and yummy seafood when you already have Gwadar? Gwadar is a port city located in Baluchistan. You can view the mesmerizing Arabian Sea from Gwadar.
Kallang Beach and Gwadar Beach are no less than any other beaches in the world. You can visit the Hammerhead, Omara, Princess of Hope and national parks located in the city.
8. Saif ul Malook
It is one of the best family vacation spots on a budget. Jheel Saif ul Malook is situated in the Kaghan Valley. The place is breathtaking and often regarded as heaven on earth. The crystal-clear water and wildflowers leave you in awe. There is a myth that fairies come to this lake on the 14th of the lunar month.
9. Murree
Every Pakistani knows about Murree. We all have been there at least once in our lives.
Murree is one of the most famous vacation spots in Pakistan. Every year, thousands of people visit this place. It is a 45 minutes’ drive from Islamabad. The beautiful hill station has been winning hearts for ages now.
The hill station was founded by the Governor of Punjab, Sir Henry Lawrence in 1851. It was previously used as a sanatorium for the British troops. With the passage of time, it became one of the most popular vacation spots in Pakistan.
Mall Road in Murree is famous for its bazaar where you can find lots of local products such as key chains, decoration pieces, clothes, embroidered pieces, and wood products.
You can also take a stroll at the Kashmir point. The cool breeze and majestic trees add more beauty to the place. Also, do not forget to enjoy the chairlift in Patriata. Trust me, it will be one of the most memorable experiences of your life. You can see the whole city from up there.
While you are in Murree, don’t forget to try hot pakoras and chutney from Chara Pani. Mall Road is also loaded with innumerable street food stalls such as soup, fries, karahis, burgers, fries, pakoras, and broasts, etc. Murree also has a cinema. That means you can also enjoy your favorite movie over there. In short, Murree is one of the best options for vacations. An interesting fact about Murree is that some people believe that Murree is named after the Virgin Mary.
10. Chitral
The next vacation spot on our list is Chitral. Chitral is located in the Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa region and is known for its beautiful landscapes and valleys. Chitral is perfect for people who want to experience unique music, culture, and rich cuisine. Interestingly, around 14 languages are being spoken in Chitral alone. How cool is that?
While you are in Chitral, do visit the Chitral Polo Ground. The annual Shandur Festival happens in this ground. Also, Chitralis love polo and there are plenty of polo matches happening at the place now and then. You can also visit the Chitral Museum and Governor House. Did you know that Chitral was the first princely state that acceded to Pakistan after independence? The Mehtar of Chitral, Muzaffar-ul-Mulk, stated his intention to accede to Pakistan on 15 August 1947.
11. Kalash Valley
Kalash is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Pakistan. The valley is further divided into three main regions: Bumburet, Rumboor, and Birir. Among them, people usually visit the Bumburet region because it is easy to reach and there are plenty of hotels in the region.
The culture and traditions of the Kalasha people are very unique and interesting. The people follow the animism religion (Animism is a religious belief that objects, places, and creatures all possess a distinct spiritual essence).
Also, you need to see the traditional dresses of the Kalasha people. Their clothing is vibrant and full of beautiful embroidery. The headdress which they wear is very heavy yet they carry it beautifully.
Several festivals are celebrated in Kalash Valley every year such as Chilam Joshi, Uchau and Choimus. These festivals are a perfect depiction of Kalash’s culture where there are dances, music and loads of food and drinks. The people of Kalash Valley are said to be the descendants of the army of Alexander the Great who was left behind in the region.
Get to know the top restaurants in Lahore.
12. Arang Kel
Arang Kel is one of the most beautiful places in Pakistan. Arang Kel is a small but strikingly beautiful village located in Azad Kashmir. Green meadows full of flowers, gorgeous wood huts, and clear waters define Arang Kel.
The lush green meadows, beautiful plains, and mind-blowing weather are enough to make you fall in love with the place. The place can be accessed by either trekking or by chairlift. Arang Kel is also known as the pearl of Neelum Valley.
13. Lulusar
Lulusar is another exceptional vacation spot located in the Naran region. It takes 1.5 hours from Naran City to reach Lulusar. You can easily reach Lulusar Lake with any vehicle. Get to know how to apply for a vehicle license. However, you must keep in mind that there are no hotels in Lulusar and one has to stay in Naran City.
The lake is enclosed by gigantic snowcapped mountains and lush green grounds. Lulusar is also the primary source of the Kunhar River which runs across the whole valley.
14. Skardu
Skardu is located in the Gilgit Baltistan region and is known for its scenic views. The place is situated near the Indus River, which separates the Karakoram Range from the Himalayan mountain range.
The history of Skardu is very old. It was part of the Tibetan Empire and a very important cultural region for them. The weather in Skardu is perfect in summer. The best time to travel to Skardu is from April to October. After October, the temperature falls significantly. The temperature can reach −10 °C (14 °F).
There are beautiful places near Skardu that you can visit with your friends and family. These places include Skardu Fort, Shigar Fort, Satpara Lake, and Kachura Lake. If you are up for adventure and trekking then do visit Skardu.
15. Nathia Gali
Nathia Gali is a mountain resort located near the Abbottabad District. It is one of the most beautiful hill stations in Pakistan because of its scenic views, beautiful weather and peaceful environment.
The whole place is packed with pine, cedar, oak, walnut and maple trees. Don’t be afraid if you spot monkeys on your way because they are harmless. There are many historical sites in Nathia Gali as well such as Saint Mathew’s Church and the Governor House.
If you are a big fan of hiking then you have to visit the Mukshpuri Top. The hike is a bit difficult if you are a beginner but once you reach the top, you feel like you are at the top of the world. You can see the whole region from the top.
16. Kumrat Valley
Kumrat is one of the best places to visit in Pakistan. Kumrat Valley is a gorgeous valley located in the Dir district. The beautiful valley is tucked in between huge mountains and lush green trees. The place is also known for its exotic fauna and flora.
There are fewer hotels and staying places in Kumrat but you can camp aside the waterfalls and streams. Jahaz Banda and Kotora Lake are the main attractions of Kumrat Valley.
17. Attabad Lake
Did you know Attabad Lake was not present before 2010? Yes, you heard me right. Attabad Lake was formed after the Attabad disaster in which there was a huge land slide in the area. The incident resulted in losses but today, the place is attracting tourists from around the world. Attabad Lake is one of the most visited places in Pakistan. Every year, hundreds of tourists visit this place. It is situated in the Gilgit Baltistan region.
If you are someone who loves recreational activities like boating, fishing and jet skiing then Attabad Lake is the perfect place for you.
18. Sonmiani
Who needs the Maldives or the Bahamas when you have Sonmiani Beach right here in Pakistan? A lot of people are unaware of this exotic beach located near Karachi.
Sonmiani Beach is just 1.5 hours away from Karachi. It is located on N25 Highway which connects Karachi with Makran Coastal Highway. If you want to spend some luxurious and peaceful time with your loved ones, then do visit this out-of-this-world beach. It has state-of-the-art resorts and guest houses. It is a perfect spot for picnics and BBQ parties as well. The sandy beach with seashells, crystal clear water and the cool breeze takes you to another world.
I would like to end this piece with a very famous quote by Bill Bryson which goes like this:
“I can’t think of anything that excites a greater sense of childlike wonder than to be in a country where you are ignorant of almost everything.”
Pakistan is full of amazing tourist sites. There are a lot of tourist places in Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi that you visit with your family and friends as well. Islamabad is full of amazing lush green parks, and natural beauty. There are a lot of places in Islamabad to visit, as well. Some dams in Pakistan are the perfect vacation spot, providing you with swimming spots, beautiful scenic views, and fishing. To see the true and beautiful colors of Pakistan, one has to visit places in Lahore. All we need is recognition and exposure from our people. This was our selection of beautiful places in Pakistan that you can visit with your friends and family. These places in Pakistan are no less than any other vacation spot in the world. If you need to get fit, visit some of the best gyms in Islamabad to maintain your healthy lifestyle.
Get to know the list of schools in Karachi.
These were our suggestions for the best family destinations in 2020. Do let us know about your favorite vacation spots in the comment section below. We hope you find the family vacation ideas for families on this list. Like the best tourist spot, Pakistan has the best restaurants as well. If you are a food lover you should visit these amazing restaurants as well. Get to know one billion in Urdu conversion
Happy vacations!
Top 18 Family Vacation Spots in Pakistan in 2020
- Published in International, Tourism
A Vision for Real Estate: How IMARAT Group is Reshaping the Industry
Pakistan’s real estate industry is transforming conventional practices through digitisation and international investments, thanks to the IMARAT Group of Companies. IMARAT came into the real estate sector with the vision to transform the real estate sector and change the future of the industry that will last for years to come.
In this article, Feeta.pk gives an extensive overview of the path that this company is taking to revamp the real estate sector.
Envisioning a Transparent Real Estate Sector
IMARAT is built on the sole principles of Integrity, Respect, Innovation and Drive. Adhering to these principles is what makes the foundation of this group not only strong but also sparks the innovation and discipline that is crucial to reshaping the future of this industry.
With this vision, IMARAT has brought back the confidence of overseas Pakistanis to invest in Pakistan. All commercial and residential projects require clarity and security to endow trust in potential investors; only then the project can succeed.
With the digitization of records, and transparent and efficient delivery of projects, it is safe to say that IMARAT has played a significant role in encouraging overseas investors to invest in the country. Currently, IMARAT Group is operating all across Pakistan and has also expanded internationally, with offices in UK and Dubai.
OADD for Transparency in the Industry
Fraudulent schemes and societies have affected a lot of investors in Pakistan. To avoid such scams and assist people in making the right choice, IMARAT believes in the OADD systemization that clears any doubts that investors and buyers may have.
IMARAT Group believes in verifying the ownership of any land or property before adding it to its platform. This ownership saves a lot of customers from wasting their money fraudulently on property that is not transferred to them.
Besides this, the system of checking NOCs and approvals of housing schemes is a must for properties and housing that are uploaded with IMARAT Group.
Moving on to the next step, Demand is important before actually deciding on getting a property. IMARAT Group believes in guiding people to make the right choice at the right time. Checking the demand of a project is crucial, as it will directly affect the value of the property and the profit that it generates.
While IMARAT works on verifying properties to give the best to its customers, the group takes pride in promising and delivering its projects exactly as per promise. This not only embarks trust for their name in customers but has also led IMARAT Group to be a trusted group that has transformed the real estate industry.
Feeta.pk – Pakistan’s Very First and Authentic Online Real Estate Marketplace
Feeta.pk comes under the umbrella of IMARAT Group of Companies and has, since its launch, simplified consumer experience when it comes to the real estate market. Feeta.pk provides a complete and transparent marketplace that assists buyers and sellers in finding ideal properties that are not only authentic but also a good opportunity to go for. This online platform is the ideal place to put your properties up for rent, find properties for rent, buy and sell your properties.
Agency 21 International
Agency21 International caters to the growing needs of authentic property transactions in the real estate marketplace. This agency was launched keeping the need for transparent property transactions in mind.
This comes under the belt of IMARAT Group, set in the year 2016, this agency came into the industry with a vision to reshape real estate dealings. It offers broker services by keeping the best of interest of both parties involved in a deal, besides assisting in the legal proceedings for the transaction.
Agency 21 has a team of trained professionals who have a thorough knowledge of areas and property trends, ultimately guiding you with the best property options so you can make an informed choice.
This company aims to be the first premium national real estate brand in Pakistan and has already started operations in twin cities.
PropSure – Digitized Data Bank
PropSure is a digital revolution for the real estate industry to verify the authentication of properties across Pakistan. With this platform, buyers can easily check the ownership of a property they potentially want to buy. This digital verification of properties helps incorporate clarity in the real estate industry through a check and balance system.
IMARAT Group’s Practices – Construction Waste Management
Construction Waste is a massive issue that is keeping the real estate industry at par with developing and adapting new and sustainable ways. This neglected issue can be resolved only by incorporating the approach of 3Rs (Reduce, Recycle, Reuse). IMARAT Group implies sustainable practices in their construction to contribute minimal waste and conserve the environment.
Sustainable Construction not only reduces pollution but also redeems the additional waste that will be saved from going into landfills. Reusing and recycling is a great way to save cost, and the only way to move forward now that sustainability is the key to the future of real estate, all around the world.
Introducing Five-Star Hospitality Services in Pakistan
Pakistan has vast potential in the tourism industry, yet has long suffered the lack of five-star, state-of-the-art hospitality services. This is due to the neglect that affected keeping up with international standards.
However, IMARAT is reshaping hospitality in Pakistan by bringing in Five-Star hospitality services under their collaboration. This will be a helping hand to accommodate foreign tourists who come here and want to relax in a hospitable environment.
Recognising Pakistan’s booming potential in Tourism, IMARAT Group joined hands with Marriot International to bring two of their luxury hospitality brands to Pakistan. These brands are Courtyard by Marriott and Residence Inn, which IMARAT will construct keeping international standards and quality in view.
IMARAT Group Brings International Giants to Invest in Pakistan Real Estate
Chairman IMARAT Group, Shafiq Akbar, after the successful setup of multiple companies in Pakistan, has brought in Turkish giants to invest in Pakistan’s real estate.
After a successful grand event in Islamabad, the President and Chairman of ADO Group and ADOPEN, Mustafa SAK, showed interest in investing in the real estate sector of Pakistan.
Given the past years where real estate fluctuated, this is a huge step in the right direction that will transform the industry.
IMARAT Group – Mega Projects in Commercial and Residencial Real Estate
IMARAT Group has successfully delivered premium projects in the commercial and residential sectors of the industry. From hotels to malls to apartments, a wide variety of projects has brought in a lot of development and efficiency for real estate in Pakistan.
IMARAT Builders Mall
IMARAT Builders Mall is a megaproject that is dedicated to fulfilling your building material, fixtures and construction, needs, all in one place. This innovative concept of bringing luxury and comfort under one roof is Pakistan’s very first, and one-of-a-kind mall.
The mall will be constructed as a five-story building that consists of various brands that offer building materials that cater to construction projects of all kinds.
The mall comprises a range of lighting and fixtures that feature luxury options to reasonable items that you can choose accordingly as per your demand.
Besides this, sanitary fittings and kitchen accessories are also a part of this mall. Everything from flooring to furniture to accessories, this project is a complete one-stop shop if you’re building a home, an office, or any other construction project.
IMARAT Builders Mall is a unique project that not only offers convenience but also a variety of options that makes it easy for you to choose the best for your construction needs.
IMARAT Residences
IMARAT’s vision for vertical landscaping in the country is not only sustainable but also affordable given the rising economic fluctuations. IMARAT Residence is a luxury apartment project that offers a contemporary lifestyle that is ideal for people who want to enjoy the finer things in life.
This apartment complex is not only limited to residential units but will also feature a budding business space. IMARAT Residences is an amalgamation of the finest living standards. It is one of the most-awaited up-and-coming projects that will redefine smart living in Pakistan.
Golf Floras
Golf floras is IMARAT Group’s luxury apartment project that is located just beside Bahria Golf Course, which is a scenic state-of-the-art golf course. These golf-facing apartments give you just the scenic view from your home that you need.
The best thing about investing in these apartments is the mesmerizing views of the green grass layout that you can see at all times.
Golf Floras is located just between the twin cities, which is one of the most convenient localities given that it offers easy access to both cities. It is located in Bahria Town Phase-8 and is easily accessible via Bahria Expressway which is at the distance of just a 5-minute drive away from the GT Road.
Amazon Outlet Mall
Amazon Outlet Mall is one of the finest additions to the commercial real estate of the twin cities. It is a luxury mall that features all high-end brands in one place, along with unique places. Amazon restaurant in the Amazon Mall is an Amazon rainforest-themed restaurant that perfectly sets the aesthetic for people who love nature.
Besides this, the mall also features a designated floor for children’s recreational activities and rides as well as a food court that comprises the best food chains from across the country.
One of the best things about the Amazon Mall is that it features a rooftop restaurant that perfectly captures the daylight scenes and night views of city life around. Not only is it a refreshing environment, but also a beautiful view with quality food that you’re sure to fall for.
G-11 Hotel
The G-11 Hotel is located in sector G-11 and is currently an investment project that is under the works. This project is at its prime time for investors who want a handsome monthly return in the coming years.
The hotel features luxury accommodations, restaurants, pools and amenities that will attract visitors and tourists from all across the country. This hotel will feature 4-star hotel services in Islamabad.
Florence Galleria
Florence Galleria is the first-ever luxury boutique mall located in the twin cities. IMARAT Group has initiated this project with a renaissance aesthetic in mind that will feature architectural mastery in its exterior. This project is designated to be built in DHA 2 and will have access from the main GT Road.
This building will not only feature shopping brands but also a four-star hotel that imparts luxury renaissance in its services. It is a classic take on commercial projects in Pakistan and will be one of the leading hotels that offer luxury accommodations.
Besides shopping and accommodation, Florence Galleria will feature a state-of-the-art well-being center that will assist in relaxation and rejuvenation that also feature specialized health clinics. These health clinics will offer health facilities ranging from dentistry, hair transplant, dermatology, nutritional consultation, etc for your fitness needs.
Florence Galleria is a CDA-approved luxury project, that is currently under construction and is a great opportunity for investors.
Mall of Arabia
Mall of Arabia is a project by IMARAT Group that will feature the aesthetic of the world’s most dynamic malls. It will ideally be located on Faisal Avenue, which is the most prominent area of Islamabad. This mall is yet to be the avant-garde that will feature innovative digital interaction and a media facade that will assist brands in revolutionizing customer experiences.
Given the need for scrutiny that is important in the real estate industry for making the right investment, IMARAT Group has played a significant role in revolutionizing the aspect of real estate transparency that is crucial for the development of this sector.
If you’re looking for more information about IMARAT Group of companies and other companies under its belt that is reshaping the real estate sector of Pakistan, follow our blog at Feeta Blogs to stay updated.
A Vision for Real Estate: How IMARAT Group is Reshaping the Industry
- Published in International, Real Estate
Pakistan Real Estate Forecast 2022 | A Detailed Review of Various Property Investments
The delay in this year’s forecast has been because of the new FBR valuation tables for the property. In Dec 2021, FBR announced new rates of FBR which were 100 to 300% more than the existing prices and therefore disrupted the entire real estate market. However, after successful negotiations, the prices are under revision and are expected to be revised by 1st March 2022.
I wanted to publish this year’s real estate forecast after the FBR revised its land valuation rates. However, because of further delay by FBR to publish these land valuation tables till 1st March, we will publish our annual report as per our expectations of the land valuation tables, which will release later in March.
After 1st March 2022, we will publish a supplementary forecast after new land valuation tables are published by FBR.
Summary Round-Up of 2021
2021, has been a high year for the real estate market. The property sector gained another 50 to 100% continuing the uptrend setup in 2020. We saw the most gains in the plot and files sector, and one of the biggest surprises was DHA Quetta. The prices soared from just 30 lacs to above 90 lacs and have established a range between 60 to 90 lacs. DHA Multan, Sixty6 Gulberg, and Goldcrest remained our focus in 2021 and we made some great gains. In 2021, plots performed better than construction projects in the first half whereas in the second half, we saw construction projects leading from the front, with both Sixty6 Gulberg and Goldcrest gaining 30%.
Pakistan’s real estate has always been a beneficiary of global crises. 2020 is the year we entered a new uptrend cycle in our real estate as the downtrend which started in 2016 ended. The trend continued throughout 2021. However, in Dec 2021, two major disruptive policies were announced by the Govt.
- FBR land valuation prices were revised.
- DNFBP registration became compulsory for real estate agents.
Both these policies target black money involved in the property market and have the potential of seriously disturbing the real estate market uptrend. While the Govt is presently in the process of revising these tables. An increase of 40 to 100% is expected in March 2022, followed by a further increase in the valuation tables in June 2022.
Present Market Conditions
The real estate market has been quiet since the a/m policies were announced. One of the biggest enemies of real estate is unpredictability, and this is exactly what we are going through at this moment. Smart investors are taking an exit or have already taken it.
The overall mood is quite neutral at this moment and everyone is waiting for March 2022 when the new land valuation tables will be announced.
2022 Real Estate Forecast
This is a make-or-break year for the real estate plots and file sector. A lower-than-expected land valuation by FBR will be treated as positive and the real estate sector will continue to consolidate its gain in the year 2022. However, if the prices are revised upwards in March 2022 and then later on in June 2022, which is the most expected outcome, we will see real estate coming to a standstill.
Although, as per our previous record in Pakistan, an uptrend cycle may last anywhere between 2 to 4 years. The negative impact of Govt policies may reverse the cycle even before 2 years. It is very clear that we are at the top of the expansion phase of the uptrend cycle, nearing peak and negative sentiment in the market can prove very dangerous.
However, like always, real estate will continue to grow in the ever-green market of construction and end-user market. The smart investor will prevail now who understands the dynamics of real estate and the gambler/speculative traders will play with fire.
While 2020 and 2021 were the years of plots and files, 2022 will be the year of construction projects. Especially if the FBR increases valuation tables by over 100% this year as expected, so tread carefully.
At Imlaak we only deal in select societies and bring the safest of investments with maximum growth potential, from all over Pakistan. The list of societies and projects in Pakistan which are best for investment in the year 2022 is as under:
Luxury Apartments and construction projects in Lahore
DHA Lahore residential plots
DHA Lahore commercial plots
DHA Gujranwala & ARY Laguna
DHA Multan
DHA Quetta
Gwadar
We have selected these societies based on merit, risk, and maximum profits.
Besides this, more opportunities may arise during the year 2022, so we strongly recommend that you subscribe to our blog and stay in touch to remain updated.
Apartment / Construction Projects Investment Forecast
The Government plans to fortify construction activities moving into the future and this alone is a good enough reason to change our direction as well.
The best thing I love about installment projects is the flexibility and hedge against bad markets and even USD appreciation. As you are paying slowly over years, the ROI is usually much, much better than you can get in plots. In addition, they make great rental properties if you have a bit of patience.
The projects listed below are the best available in Lahore at the moment and will offer you 15 to 20% annual returns.
Sixty6 Gulberg Luxury Serviced / Hotel Apartments
As part of our 1 crore challenge, Sixty6 Gulberg has the potential to gain 80% in capital gains in 3 years and 15 to 20% rental and capital gains combined per annum thereafter. Presently, the project is being only offered by imlaak at 30% less price than the market.
For those looking for a rental property in installments, investors can choose between short-term rental management offered by Imlaak at a discounted price or a 10% rental guarantee offered by the developer for 3 years after possession.
It may be the perfect time to grab a piece of this upcoming project on its launch in 2022 as the Government’s construction relief package and amnesty cover the project under section 111.
The construction of the project is undergoing and we expect basements to complete in April 2022.
Goldcrest Mall and Residency DHA Lahore
Goldcrest Mall and Residency is now under possession and as forecasted in our last year’s forecast, the prices have risen to 22000 per sqft plus for apartments. It is the best rental property at present in DHA Lahore, offering a 6% rental yield with a promise of at least a 20% growth in the next 2 years in capital gains.
This year we expect the Goldcrest Mall to come into full flow once the food court, cinema, and play areas open. It is especially going to be very fruitful if you invest in the commercial Mall 1st floor and food court.
Downtown Mall Liberty
Downtown Mall liberty is one of the best serviced apartment building in Gulberg Lahore offering a 10% guaranteed rental return on its apartments. In addition, the developer plans to offer hotel rooms on the 1st,2nd,3rd, and 4th floors. The project will be complete by end of 2022. If you are looking for immediate and safe rental income property, then it is your best bet.
In terms of capital gains, you can expect an increase of 20 % in a year’s time when it is nearing possession in 2022.
Indigo Boutique
We have already seen a price increase of 15% as forecasted by me in 2021. The possession is at hand and it will give great rental returns as a one-bedroom apartment that costs only 90 to 100 lacs has the potential rental yield of 6 to 8% per annum.
DHA Lahore Residential Plots Investment Forecast
This forecast is based on the assumption that FBR increases the land prices valuation by 40 to 100% in March, followed by a further increase in June. This may be enough to keep the sector under pressure in 2022 and good trading opportunities may be rare. However, if the Land Valuation is not increased, we may see increased activity, optimism, and a further jump in the prices of plots and files.
Remain tuned for trading opportunities in the residential plot sector.
DHA Lahore Phase 9 Town
9 town has made good gains in 2021 but the prices seem to be at the peak now. It is best for 5 and 10 Marla end-users for now. This makes it an ok investment in 2022, considering it is quite a mature property and may not suffer any huge blowback in case of revision of FBR valuation tables upwards.
DHA Lahore Phase 7
Phase 7 showed a lot of momentum in 2021. It is a possession phase, but an increase in FBR prices is likely to bring some correction in this phase. I see it to remain mostly stable with some chances of correction in 22.
DHA Lahore Phase 6
DHA Lahore Phase 6 has reached its peak for now and with the expectation of FBR price increase, it is less likely to continue its upward trend. It may be the best phase as of now to make a house, but for investment, there are better opportunities. I expect more growth in blocks that are less populated than the main ones such as A, B, C, etc.
DHA Lahore Phase 8
DHA Lahore Phase 8 might just suffer because of the increase in FBR valuation table. Although we may not see a major correction in 2022, we still cannot rule out the possibility of slight correction. If you are looking for a safe bet in DHA Lahore, Phase 8 and Phase 6 are still the best options. You cannot expect huge growth in Phase 8 in the coming years as the speculative traders may focus more on 9 Prism or other underdeveloped areas in the coming years. However, a detailed review is only possible after FBR valuation tables.
Given the choice between Phase 6 and Phase 8, I will definitely want to put my money on Phase 8.
DHA Lahore Phase 9 Prism
Phase 9 Prism as foretold in 2021, trading opportunities were at their peak in Phase 9 Prism because of the upcoming possession. However, the possession was only announced for Q and R blocks in February 2022. If the FBR values in this area increase in March 2022, this will be a risky phase to keep your money as the prices are already very high.
Now that DHA has announced the possession in two blocks and other blocks may get possession gradually in 2022 and 2023 as well. I believe the trading opportunities are ending and prices may stall for a couple of years.
DHA Lahore Phase 10
If you have made money in Phase 10 files in 2021, it may be a good time to thank us as we predicted it as a good opportunity in our 2021 real estate forecast.
However, going into 2022, my sentiment is exactly the opposite and I would take my profits and take an exit if not taken already.
DHA Lahore Commercial Investments Forecast
I strongly recommend commercial investments if you have the resources because they can build your rental income. So if you invest in developed areas and build a commercial plaza, not only do you take advantage of the construction relief package, but you also build yourself some good rental income.
In addition, when I reviewed the FBR values announced in Dec 2021, I found an anomaly that the FBR commercial prices were not raised like the residential plots. This may be deliberate or by mistake, but if in final valuation tables FBR values of commercials won’t match the real prices, we may get an idea where black money will park.
Defence Raya Commercials
Defence Raya surprised everyone with a major speculative move managed by big players. However, this year I am certain you will not see any growth. I still believe the prices are inflated and should be prone to correction.
As for rental income, it is a well-planned commercial area and should offer good rental income in times to come. Although, as of now due to a huge supply of rental income, opportunities may suffer for some time.
CCA 1 & CCA 2 of Phase 8
The thing is that it may gain as Phase 8 develops, but in the presence of Broadway commercials, CCA 1 and 2 don’t seem attractive to me. The best bet is to stay away.
Broadway commercial Phase 8
This is going to be the biggest commercial market of DHA Lahore in years to come. So it is always wise to take advantage of lower prices and invest. This is the place that can be the next commercial hub of DHA after Phase 6 MB.
Prices in CCA 1 & 2 of Phase 8 and Broadway are almost similar as of now. However, that may change as time passes, and comparing both, Broadway has a much better chance of developing into a premium commercial hub.
Park View 4 Marla files Phase 8
This a very unpredictable area as DHA failed its investors. Billions of rupees are stuck in these files and there is no clear policy announced so far. A lot of rumors and news keep coming in the market but ultimately they all prove to be fake. My advice is to take an exit instead of sticking with a failure unless you have a huge portfolio and a 20 M investment doesn’t bother you.
MB commercials
Best place for steady rental income is DHA Lahore. MB has established itself as the commercial hub of DHA Lahore and we will see more activity in 2021. However, prices shall remain stable because of rental income prospects.
CCA 2 Phase 6
Why bother when you have MB? Keep your focus on MB in Phase 6 in 2021 until the Bedian road expansion project. If you are looking for a mid-range commercial investment, then the Broadway commercial of Phase 8 is more relevant.
CCA 1,2,3,4 & 5 Phase 7
Yes, the prices increased in Phase 7 but that is because they increased everywhere. This area can not produce optimum rental income, for now, so only consider it for investment if FBR undervalues it in valuation tables for short and mid-term capital gains.
9 Town 4 Marla Plots
If you want to invest in low price commercial in DHA Lahore, this may be an option because of the chances of Bedian road expansion. Although not expected to give you huge returns in 2022, it is a valid investment for mid to long-term investment.
Zone 1 , 2 & 3 & Oval commercial Phase 9 prism
The possession announcement in Q and R block has skyrocketed the prices of commercials in Zone 1. I still consider 9 Prism prices to be part of a speculative bubble and will not recommend investment in 9 Prism except for a short-term trading opportunity, if applicable.
DHA Phase 11, Phase 2 Ext Rahbar commercial
You can not invest everywhere, select the best in your budget. In this investment, look at 9 Town commercial or preferably Phase 7.
Other Cities Forecast
DHA Gujranwala forecast
ARY Laguna has been launched in DHA Gujranwala in 2022. This could spark interest in speculative traders and I see files performing well above average. The excitement may be short-lived for DHA Gujranwala with minor highs. It is best to buy balloted plots on a correction or for a mid to long-term trading plan.
DHA Multan forecast
Our focus remained on DHA Multan in 2021 and finally, we got rewarded. The best strategy is to focus on select areas and be patient. I was focused on DHA Multan and gained more than most who moved their investments around in Pakistan. Commercials in DHA Multan didn’t gain as much as the residential plots as expected in 2021. However, now the prices are going to be more stable, with at least one major spike in 2022, which should give you a great opportunity to take an exit if you are an investor.
DHA City Karachi
DHA City Karachi is all set for some great gains in 2022. The prices have been lower for many years and even the uptrend in 2020-21 made a little difference. The 1 Kanal plot price ranges from 1 to 1.6 crores and I foresee atleast a 20 to 30% gain in 2022.
DHA Quetta
DHA Quetta is a ticking time bomb and if you have missed the train in 2021, do not worry and get carried away by buying at a higher price. If you have listened to us in 2021, you should not care anyway as you made similar or maybe more money in DHA Multan in 2021. I am more of a fan to go for a surest option rather than gambling in areas; I doubt.
Gwadar real estate forecast
While the real estate prices across Pakistan grew in 2020 and 2021, Gwadar real estate has shown negligible change. The low prices may spark the interest of the investors in 2022 or 2023. Although a bit risky. Your money is safe as you will buy at lower prices and can hold it for a couple of years to sell when the market rises. It will not be a surprise to me if investor focus shifts to Gwadar in 2022.
If you have a big portfolio of investments, it may be the right time to put some eggs in Gwadar for the long term.
Conclusion
I feel that speculative trading in plots & files will be under a lot of pressure in 2022 as unpredictability surrounds this sector. Most of these residential plots and files have gained more than a 100% in 2020 and 2021, therefore risking to invest further makes little sense to me. It is better to take an exit and wait for the next opportunity. If you are fearful of losing the next uptick, it may be best to invest in rental properties or construction projects while you wait.
The best places you can look into in 2022 are carefully selected areas in Gwadar, commercial plots in certain sectors of DHA, serviced and hotel apartment construction projects, and any other rental properties.
Lastly, this analysis may change in the future after valuation tables are announced so remain tuned.
Pakistan Real Estate Forecast 2022 | A Detailed Review of Various Property Investments
- Published in Yearly Real Estate Forecast
This Is How Garden Design Evolved Over 4,000 Years All Over The World, Provided By Household Quotes
Household Quotes, Civilizations around the world have been creating gardens for thousands of years. Since then, garden designs have continued to evolve, influenced by trends and changing priorities.
To show how much garden designs have changed over the years, Household Quotes.co.uk identified 10 key eras in the evolution of garden design and visualized them as a series of detailed 3D renders.
c. 1400s BCE: Domestic Garden (Ancient Egyptian Era)
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Our Ancient Egyptian garden is inspired by the world’s oldest known garden plan. The design exists today as a 19th-century copy of a painting from a nobleman’s walls in the era of Pharaoh Amenhotep II. However, the plan is so sophisticated that it is likely a style that had developed over years or centuries before this example was designed.
The Egyptian garden was an oasis. It provided shade and carefully ordered natural beauty in an arid land. But the garden was also a spiritual haven, dotted with symbolic patterns and trees, including frankincense and sycamore fig.
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The bold geometry of the Egyptian garden had as much to do with practicality as aesthetics. In addition to pleasure, gardens were cultivated for the raw ingredients of everyday life – from herbs and spices to papyrus and palm trees that offered both shade and fruit. Water features were positioned to aid irrigation (worth thinking about if you don’t want to trek to the far end of your garden every night of a hot summer).
400 BCE to 550 CE: Graeco-Roman Courtyard (Classical Era)
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The walled cities of Ancient Greece and Rome left little space for gardens. Only the rich had room for a small courtyard in the centre of their home. The roofed portico around the edge of the garden below is called a peristyle and offers shelter among finely painted walls. The Ionic columns that form the colonnade are inspired by those in Pompeii’s House of the Coloured Capitals.
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Greek and Roman architects designed these urban gardens for escapism as well as to entertain. They would specify dining areas and impress with the inclusion of sophisticated statues and fountains. High walls offered privacy and regulated the climate for all-year use.
It wasn’t all stone and water. Herb and flower beds boasted roses, violets, saffron, thyme, marigolds, and narcissi, offering fresh scents and colour – although these areas, too, would be augmented with statues and water features. Box hedging zoned larger courtyards, while Cyprus and mulberry trees put greenery on the vertical plane.
c500s BCE to c1700s CE: Chahar Bagh/Pleasure Garden (Indo-Persian Era)
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“The chahar bagh was more than a pleasure garden,” said Aga Khan IV in a 2003 speech. “In the discipline and order of its landscaped geometry, its octagonal or rectangular pools, its selection of favourite plants and trees, it was an attempt to create transcendent perfection – a glimpse of paradise on earth.”
According to the Qur’an, paradise will be a place of flowing, incorruptible waters, flowers, and fruit trees. On Earth, the Chahar Bagh garden celebrated natural beauty while acknowledging the imperfections of life as lived. Still, designers would often divide the garden’s four quadrants with running water to represent the four rivers of paradise.
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A sloping underground tunnel called a Qanat was used to irrigate gardens in arid regions. Rugs embroidered with flora enhanced areas where nothing would grow. In verdant areas, roses were prominent, supported by bulb flowers, violets, poppies, and flowering shrubs. The pavilion on the central axis emphasises the symmetry and craft of the garden. The influence of Persian garden design is still felt today, through Islamic traditions and then via Greece, thanks to the impressions made on Alexander the Great as he invaded and conquered the region.
1000 to 1450: Town or City Garden (Medieval Era)
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As the medieval city developed, there was still space for town dwellers to cultivate a garden. Ongoing food insecurity made home ‘kitchen gardens’ commonplace. Meanwhile, physicians prescribed the scent of flowers to ward off the plague and recommended garden walks for mental health. Therefore, ornamental gardens flourished in hospitals and wealthy homes, while commentators snorted that smaller garden owners should stick to vegetables.
Another key difference between regular city gardens and those of the wealthy was the enclosure. While poorer gardens were often street-side, wealthier gardens were securely enclosed – following the lead of the monastery and castle gardens from which they took their cue. Further inspired by the renaissance in Italy, European gardens were designed with greater regularity of form, adopting rows and symmetrical quadrants.
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The garden as a status symbol flourished, and so did one-upmanship among horticulturalists seeking finer and rarer flowers for their ornamental gardens. Roses, lilies, and violets became commonplace. When the tulip arrived in Europe, speculation on the value of bulbs led to ‘tulip mania’ and – perhaps – the “first great financial bubble.” One Dutch gardener even designed a network of carefully positioned mirrors to give the impression of a larger collection (and thus, greater wealth).
Early 1600s: Knot Garden (Tudor Era)
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Tudor designers wove medieval and Renaissance-Italy influences into impressively complex gardens. The knot garden had begun in medieval times as a practical way to partition kitchen gardens with intertwining patterns of herbs. Under Henry VIII and, later, Elizabeth I, the knotted hedge became an ornamental feature to be admired in its own right.
The knotted hedges of ornamental gardens often dipped at the ‘joins’ to give the impression that they actually threaded through. This may be hard work to achieve but, once established, such hedges are relatively low-maintenance. Gardeners can fill the hollows between knots with fancy herbs and flowers: gillyflowers, carnations, violets, marigolds, and roses were popular in Tudor times.
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Tudor gardens could be grand attractions. A knot garden might have been just one feature of a network of walled garden types, including labyrinths and fish ponds. A knot garden works best when visitors can get an overhead view. Elizabethan designers favoured a snail mount, consisting of a sloping path that spiralled up to a pavilion or sitting place.
1600s: Jardin à la Française/French Formal Garden
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The Gardens of Versaille are one of the few ‘international celebrities’ in the gardening world. And they exemplify the French formal garden type, whose enormous influence across 17th-century Europe continues to reverberate today. Versaille and its contemporaries were cutting-edge horticultural achievements requiring an enormous effort of labour. Versaille itself continues to need replanting once every century.
But all of this does not put the style out of reach of the average 21st-century gardener. Versailles is an expansion of the garden unit known as the parterre: a formal garden divided into patterns by gravel, hedging, and flower beds. Those with the time and imagination can scale the style down and replace elements with less maintenance-intensive features. As well as richly scented plants including lavender and rosemary, the French formal garden may feature trees such as beech, chestnut, and Linden.
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The English variation on the Jardin à la Française, like the knot garden above, was inspired by the patterns of embroidery. This parterre à l’anglaise transplanted the patterns of the French formal garden to a grass lawn, softening the effect and delivering a spectrum of floral colour. Water features and statues are popular in all variations.
Early 1800s: Gardenesque Style (Late Georgian)
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Celebrated garden designer John Claudius Loudon conceived the gardenesque style as high art, which, all the same, removed design responsibility from architects and passed it to gardeners. Loudon proclaimed that “any creation, to be recognised as a work of art, must be such as can never be mistaken for a work of nature” – and yet his gardening philosophy called for plants to be allowed to express their natural uniqueness.
The trees of a gardenesque landscape should be segregated by type, but the arrangement should not be geometric or repetitious. And the flora should be displayed for pleasure and education, without being “picturesque” (or kitsch, as we might put it today). All in all, the gardenesque style is wracked with contradictions.
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Loudon’s solution to these contradictions? Firstly, to import exotic blooms which fully celebrate nature while being quite unnatural (and therefore artistic) in an English garden. And second, to plan the gardenesque design on a ‘hidden’ structure of irregular geometric shapes of grouped species. The result was an immersive, dramatic garden. Unfortunately, gardenesque principles are difficult to replicate since they involve swapping out even local grasses for exotic ones and making lakes and large rocks seem artificial by substituting the surrounding vegetation wholesal
1800s: Early American Period – Pioneer Kitchen Garden
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Aesthetics were the last thing on the mind of pioneer kitchen gardeners. As invaders of a strange land, the kitchen garden was a vital source of sustenance. The garden was laid out with an eye for efficiency: close to the door for access and security, with perimeter paths for harvesting rather than admiring the beds. Border hedges or fencing kept scavengers out.
But there was beauty in this economy of design. Sweet-smelling herbs were planted nearer the house, with onions and cabbages grown at a distance. Patterns emerged where seasonal vegetables grew close to each other to prevent the disturbance of perennials that could be left alone. Taking a tip from the Native American tradition, settlers would plant corn, pole beans, and squash together. These three crops provided trellis support, nitrogen for healthy growth, and light and temperature regulation, respectively.
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Fruit trees, cotton, and medicinal plants were also cultivated, but flowers were not a priority. The settlers learned lessons that prevail today: listen to the land and find beauty and structure in the functioning of nature.
1870s to 1920s: Arts & Crafts Garden (Victorian & Modernist Eras)
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The Arts and Crafts movement valued authenticity and a hands-on approach. Its manifestation in the garden was no different. Like the gardenesque style before it, the arts and crafts garden railed against kitsch ornamentation – but now, faithfulness to the site was paramount. From region to region, this meant the use of indigenous plants and materials. From home to next-door home, it meant celebrating nuances between the architectural and environmental features of neighbouring properties.
The arts and crafts garden should express the personality of its owners. It begins as an extension of the home and then blends into the landscape beyond the owner’s plot, segueing into woodland or the countryside. The natural textures and colours of materials used in built elements of the garden should be exposed, and the crafter’s hand might be visible in the uneven stones of drywall or crooked trellis.
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The look can be approximated and modernised today with fashionable materials such as rattan and slate and the use of vines and fruit trees. But to truly approach a ‘modern’ arts and crafts garden, begin by stripping back your garden’s features and looking into the local ecology and history for artistic inspiration.
1900s to Today: American Suburban Front Lawn (Contemporary Era)
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It’s a modern classic: the American lawn, veteran of Fitzgerald’s novels and David Lynch’s movies. The lawn is the simplest of gardens but a complex status symbol representing colonisation or middle-class attainment, depending on your perspective.
At first, grass was a matter of survival: settlers sent for non-indigenous grass seeds to replenish the land after their livestock ate their way through what they found. But after the American Revolution, as food security improved, settlers embraced European influences. The lawn was conceived as a country estate in miniature – an enclosed and manicured landscape with room to roam.
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Lawn maintenance aside, the art of the American front garden is found in its practical elements: a winding path that delivers varying views of the home and surrounding landscape, that white picket border fence and shady tree. Choosing a dogwood, magnolia, or sugar maple tree adds narrative to the front of your home, changing with the seasons.
Today, the sprinkler system and the hired gardener of the American front lawn operate along the same lines as the ornamental hermits mentioned in the introduction – they are garden furniture in themselves, indicating the unruly scale of the land and the wealth of the owner. But with thousands of years of garden design inspiration from which to draw, you are sure to invent more unique ways to bring out the best in your home.