Raha Beach has a push

We have been saying it all year!Off plan is dead but completed or nearly completed stock has a chance depending on location.

We had a few sales this week in Abu Dhabi and quite frankly they came out of the blue. We have not advertised AD for over 7 months and the website is totally out of date! We put our heart and soul into The Palm and then 3 quick sales from somewhere off the radar.

I actually worry about things like this, convincing myself that i am missing a trick and too slow to see what is happening.After scratching my pate for 48 hrs I decided to get in the car and see for myself how the Capitol was bucking the trend.

Here is what i saw.

This is the New Head Office for Aldar and in my opinion totally breathtaking. I don't suppose it is particularly economic on useable space but on this occasion i don't care. It is going to be the centre piece for some time for Al Raha Beach and allows Aldar bragging rights to say they have arrived and mean business.

Muneera and Bandar projects are a short distance away and unfortunately it was a sandy day and difficult to get decent photos.

These projects are progressing well and have come out of the ground siginificantly which must account for the recent activity.

There is a huge lack of housing in Abu Dhabi which sees rental rates still rising. It is in need of properties reaching the market as soon as possible. These projects benefit from being close to the Etihad headquarters and will be full of Pilots etc.

Despite the recent downturn it looks to me like Al Raha beach is going to have a good run as all the fundamentals are in place and to top it all Abu Dhabi Finance ( along with other banks) are throwing money around at would be homeowners.

I don't suggest we all go buying off plan properties again just yet but the prices you can buy AL Raha beach for today are going to rise considerably in the 12 months.

Trainspotter

I am an Anorak!

I have done it and I promise you will only see me sat onthe Monorail again when I am either drunk and planning a getaway from the Atlantis or someone is paying me a fortune.

Although there were hardly any people on it the majority were loud obnoxious brats who need a lesson in how to act in public. It made me remember why I have only been to the Mall of the Emirates 4 times since it opened. I need a bubble to live in and preferably one that does not glide on a few sheets of concrete up and down the Palm.

For those of you (Joanna) who think i only talk about beer, the price of a return ticket from the foot of the Palm to the Atlantis is the price of a pint. 25AED. Too much! I would rather get a taxi for 5AEd and suffer the wrath of an angry driver who is miffed that he got such a short ride.

In its defense the ride does give you a great view of the Palm and lands right outside the Atlantis door. I just can't see who would use it at the moment.

One group who will love it are the Trump Investors who get a cracking view of the construction site. No workers but a good view of the foundations which are capped off with concrete. Stop Mark!

View from the window... can you hear the kids!