New cost-saving platform for realty clients in UAE

UAE - Home Owners Direct (HOD) is latest startup to join the pool of service providers in the property sector in the UAE. The brand claims to be the first dedicated real estate marketplace in the region that directly connects property owners with buyers and tenants.

Property owners can list their properties for free, upgrade the subscription, and purchase additional services which include, but are not limited to, virtual tours, professional photography, marketing boards, etc. Also developers and ecosystem suppliers can subscribe and advertise their properties directly to consumers.

At its core, HOD is a cost-saving platform that combines innovative technology and expertise to bring value to its users. "It is a marketplace for over 100 approved service providers, offering a range of ancillary services directly to users at significant discounts," says Cecilia Reinaldo, CEO, Home Owners Direct.

HOD was officially launched in January 2019, with an objective to empower property owners and buyers/tenants to take control of their own property deals and save money.

"HOD's vision centres around unlocking information to empower consumers to make more informed purchase decisions at a time when the real estate sector has transformed, resulting in a more tech-driven e-commerce experience. The firm intends to bridge the gap between consumers and asset owners by offering a convenient, free platform for the property sector," said Reinaldo.

"For long, customers had no viable alternative than to depend on real estate agents who would charge hefty commissions in the name of guidance and security. Today, by leveraging the impact of technology, HOD's objective is to offer expert guidance for cost-efficient real estate transactions, resulting in a quantum leap for the brokerage segment."

The venture so far boasts 20 plus developers and 200 per cent growth over the past 30 days of traffic. The app is currently enjoying a daily average of 300 downloads. The venture plans to educate consumers on the real estate ecosystem and empower them to connect directly and transparently.