By Talal Abu Issa
Dubai-based Simsari.com is launching a “consumer-to-business” service that will allow individual property owners to list their homes online and thereby engage real estate brokers and agents to sell them.
It differs from other real estate portals in that owners don’t list properties to sell directly. The point of the listing is to have property agents compete for the privilege of managing the sale. It allows agents and brokers to expand their listings base and reach more potential buyers. The seller stays out of the picture until sale is finalized. And, unlike real estate sites in other countries, the entire transaction can take place online.
“I believe that the success of this service will attract more traffic to Simsari.com from all sides, individual owners wanting to sell properties, real estate agents wanting to get involved in selling their properties and potential buyers looking for properties,” said Seif Eldik, marketing manager of Simsari.com.
Simsari.com, whose slogan is “real estate made real easy,” hopes to open new marketing channels in all emerging Middle East markets. It runs ad campaigns online, in newspapers and billboards. Part of Tejari Company, it’s backed by Dubai’s Real Estate Regulatory Authority, the Dubai Land Department an the government-run electronic-payment gateway. Tejari, which launched b-to-b services seven years ago, has conducted more than $4 billion in online transactions.
“Simsari.com doesn’t really have many competitors in the market, as the majority of real estate Web sites offer listings with minimal information about their properties,” said Eldik. “Simsari.com offers a comprehensive real estate service as all properties are validated, managed by a professional staff, all information needed about the properties are available in terms of prices, floor plans, site plans, location maps, payment plans, online finance available, online booking available.”
For buyers, Simsari.com provides UAE property listings, detailed property information and financial approval. Interested parties have the option of purchasing properties using a traditional offer or bidding through an online auction system. For sellers, Simsari.com offers property-marketing services and partnerships with other real estate agents. There’s also a 24-hour call center.
Simsari.com includes properties for sale ranging from a $20 million, 80-unit apartment complex to a studio apartment for $89,600.