Over recent years, Dubai’s real estate market has grown to become one of the most dynamic and sought-after property markets globally. With the ever-increasing demand for properties, it is crucial for real estate agents to ensure that their listings are authentic and credible.
An authentic property listing not only makes you stand out but also increases your chances of closing a deal. In this article, we will explore what an authentic listing is, the issue with ‘fake’ listings and how to position yourself as an authentic agent.
How Can Authentic Property Listings Help You Generate More Leads
We’re sure you’ve heard the words ‘authentic listings’ thrown around a lot in real estate, but what makes a listing authentic?
An authentic listing is defined as having accurate information, pictures that are not misleading, being available on the market, and the agent has all the documents required to post it online.
Authenticity plays several key roles in the Dubai real estate market.
Firstly, authenticity builds trust with property seekers. Property transactions carry high monetary value and often involve a lot of emotions as clients purchase their first home, move away from home or invest in their first property. In such situations, the property seeker must be able to fully trust the agent they are working with to work with them.
When prospective buyers or renters search for properties online, they rely on the information provided in the listings to make informed decisions. If the information in the listing is inaccurate or misleading, it can lead to mistrust and damage the credibility of the real estate agent/agency.
Authentic listings contribute to creating an accurate and transparent real estate market and shape the global reputation of the Dubai real estate market.
Why Combat ‘Fake’ Listings?
A fake listing typically:
- Contains inaccurate information
- Not available on the market
- Uses the wrong pictures
- Advertised at an inaccurate price
It is important to note that listing a fake property is illegal and can result in a hefty fine for the agency or agent. Apart from this, it creates a loss of trust between the property seeker and the agent. Inaccurate listings are a waste of time and resources for buyers who spend time doing their due diligence on a property they’re interested in, to find out later that it is fake or unavailable.
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In addition to this, fake property listings can also damage the reputation of both real estate agents and agencies. If an agent is found to be posting fake listings, potential buyers may be hesitant to work with them in the future. Similarly, agencies that are associated with fake listings may lose the trust of clients and damage their professional reputation.
Combating Fake Listings
Over the years, the UAE government, along with property portals like Bayut & dubizzle, have taken various steps to make the real estate industry more transparent.
Our Checked and TruCheck™ badges are key indicators of a listing’s authenticity and availability. Our dedicated team here at Bayut reviews each listing’s documents to make sure they are accurate and match with the Dubai Land Departments (DLD) data.
From October 2022, any seller can generate a maximum of three Trakheesi permits to advertise a listing online. Effectively this means that a maximum of three agents can list the property online. Sellers also have to verify the permit number being generated.
In April 2023, the DLD introduced Madmoun, an electronic service accessible through the Trakheesi System. This initiative generates a QR Code for any listing permit, which enables customers to quickly and conveniently verify the advertisement’s authenticity by showing that it is approved for sale/rent by RERA.
Positioning Yourself As An Authentic Agent
Here are some things you can do to position yourself as a transparent and authentic agent:
- The first step in promoting yourself as an authentic agent is getting your RERA license to show that you are certified to act as a real estate consultant in the UAE. You can showcase your BRN number on your Bayut Agent Profile.
- Ensure all the information you upload for your listings is accurate, and share all its details in the description.
If you don’t have all the information needed to list your property (location, size, facilities), we suggest visiting the area so you have a better understanding of the property. This also gives you the opportunity to take high-quality photos and understand the layout of your property and nearby amenities. - Once your listing is sold/rented, make sure you remove it from the portals to show that it is no longer available.
- Upload all the documents needed to get the Checked badge. This includes Form A, Title Deed and the owner’s passport or Emirates ID. You can take your listing one step further with the TruCheck™ badge. Simply visit the property and take a photo of it on the Profolio™ app (our mobile application) to show that the unit is genuinely available.
- It is also a great practice to gather testimonials from your past clients. This will help you build credibility with your new clients when they see that you are truly trustworthy and reliable. You can share these testimonials on Bayut Agent Reviews.
Being transparent and honest can help you build lasting relationships with potential buyers, leading to a smoother and more successful property transaction. It can lead to receiving referrals in the future.
For more tips like these, check out our Content Corner, our library of resources for real estate professionals in the UAE. You can also register for an interactive workshop at Bayut Academy, where our many trainers help you learn all the skills needed to succeed in the competitive UAE real estate market.