FutureBrand releases key study on gulf real estate sector

Partnering with Gulf Business Magazine and Asteco, FutureBrand has extended this year's Study to include additional Gulf markets, "mystery shopper" research and a greater focus on the customer. GRES provides a unique point of view and insights on the marketplace, the role of branding and brand performance as well as the customer experience.

The Gulf Real Estate Study also details how the Dubai housing market is set to more than double by 2015 and how that projected supply could practically house the population of Kuwait.

Notably, this year's Study spends considerable focus on the customer - who they are, what they are buying, sales and rental pricing and how developers can better position their products and brands for the end-user. Emerging trends detailed include, in part:

• Decreasing Down Payments
• The Emergence of Tabloids and Tattling
• The Rise of Homeowners Associations
• A Focus on Sustainable Communities
• The Continued Dominance of Golf Communities

"The region is one of the most exciting places in the world for development but strong demand and speculators have end-user customers getting lost in the process. As the market matures and the competitive noise continues to increase, brand performance and winning the customers loyalty remains key." Rina Plapler, Executive Director at FutureBrand notes.