The end-user demand for affordable homes from mid-income bracket will drive sales of mid-range properties in the region, according to a top property expert.

Mohammed Nimer, CEO of MAG Group Property Development, said 'With mid-range property value showing little sign of significantly softening, ironically despite the economic slowdown, now is a good time to buy property.'

Nimer was speaking as the MAG Group prepared to celebrate its 30th anniversary.

“What we have already seen is a significant reduction in the selling prices of high-end properties, especially those that had increased substantially. This is normal, the higher you climb, the harder you fall,” he noted.

'In comparison, the mid-range market has been more stable and when the inevitable upturn comes, people buying mid-range apartments as owner-occupiers, will drive that market segment,' he said.

Now that speculators have either already fled the market or been exposed to negative equity and or unsustainable payment plans, opportunity knocks especially for new buyers with aspirations as owner-occupiers, he pointed out.

Nimer said the issues of liquidity remain, but the banks will need to start lending to prospective buyers.

'However, with a recent history of relatively stable prices and monthly payments more inline if not cheaper than some rental prices, I am confident that the moderately priced real estate will recover quicker than the luxury end of the spectrum,' he opined.

Nimer admitted that many industry commentators have been caught out trying to predict which way the real estate market was headed.

'I believe that the market here began to stall in late June 2008. But because of the two-month summer break, followed by Ramadan and the Eid holidays, nobody really felt it until October.'

'Given that perspective, I firmly believe that we will start to see a recovery by late this year or early next year,' he said.

Nimer also reckoned that this was yet another reason why their real estate offering had a competitive edge.

'The Dubai real estate market in particular has witnessed the more unsavoury side of property development. Financial irregularities, land ownership disputes, cancelled and delayed projects and poor quality finishes,' he observed.

'Having been in business now for 30 years, the MAG Group has an enviable track record of stability and consistency and it is that comfort factor that many investors will now look for. We recognise that what people are looking for is affordability, quality and a pleasant home to live in and bring up their families,' Nimer added.

He said the MAG Group sees itself a regional industry leader in establishing firm business ethics embracing sustainability and communicating transparently.

'We also guarantee that anyone who purchases one of our properties does so without worrying about the safety of their investment,' he stated.

In total MAG has a property portfolio in excess of Dh3 billion and was one of the first developers to create Escrow accounts for all of its projects, long before the Dubai Government introduced Law number 8, he pointed out.

In October last year, MAG Property Development was awarded ISO 9001 certification by risk management company Der Norske Veritas (DNV).

MAG still remains one of the few developers in the region to be accredited to that standard.-TradeArabia News Service