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The crowdfunding property investment platform’s latest sale brings nearly 50% net capital appreciation
March 12, 2024 | Staff Reporter | UAE | PropTech
SmartCrowd, the MENA region's first regulated crowdfunding PropTech platform for real estate investments, is celebrating a record-breaking exit with a 75% total return, or 25% on an annual basis, for investors in a Dubai Marina studio. This marks SmartCrowd’s 22nd property exit, signifying their consistent track record. The unit, a studio in Studio One, Dubai Marina, was purchased by 56 investors in February 2021, one year into the COVID pandemic for AED 500,000 and sold in February 2024 for AED870,000 - resulting in a nearly 50% net capital appreciation.
Over the three-year period, the property generated significant rental income to its investors of AED 149,966, or almost 27%, demonstrating the success of the investment strategy. Developed by the renowned Select Group, the studio catered to holidaymakers, as the unit was in an appealing Marina location with great amenities nearby. Despite initial challenges such as a less desirable view, this carefully chosen property investment in Dubai Marina yielded phenomenal returns. The PropTech’s data-driven strategy focused on maximising short-term income while anticipating long-term appreciation, proving successful with this remarkable outcome of a 75% total return on investment.
“Investing with SmartCrowd is more than just buying real estate, it also entails investing in a network of experts committed to your success. You won't need to make a sizable initial investment to take advantage of the benefits of passive income and capital appreciation. Thanks to their knowledge and assistance, I’ve been investing in numerous on the platform since 2019. You won't regret looking them up if you're thinking of making a real estate investment in Dubai.”
Amr Hamada, SmartCrowd Investor
This latest exit showcases how a well-planned approach can lead to significant returns - even in challenging market conditions. SmartCrowd, registered with the DIFC and regulated by the DFSA, is the MENA region’s pioneering real estate platform on a mission to democratise access to market-beating investment opportunities for every investor.
The real estate industry remains a tangible and stable asset class worldwide. SmartCrowd, with its innovative real estate crowdfunding platform, has exited 22 properties so far with an average holding period of 33 months, returned AED 5.37million net total profits and an average ROI of 40%.
Newly-appointed CEO at SmartCrowd Riz Ahmed, says, “With 22 successful exits completed, SmartCrowd’s track record really speaks for itself. I’ve believed in this innovative and disruptive business as a client, as an angel investor, as a board member, and now as CEO. This is a platform that will look after you and your money, without a doubt.”
Siddiq Farid, SmartCrowd co-founder, adds, “Giving that kind of return to our investors is a phenomenal feeling. This exit highlights the discipline of buying a quality asset in the right location for the right price. It also goes to show that you don't necessarily need to have the best views to boost your return on investment, as long as you employ the right strategy. Overall, our success with this unit reaffirms our approach at SmartCrowd. Through discipline, deep research, foresight and strategic buying, we've been able to maximise our investors' returns. This proves once again that the key to real estate investment in Dubai is through SmartCrowd.”
SmartCrowd has crowdfunded 120 properties on its platform worth over AED 139 million, distributed nearly AED 10 million in rental income, and enjoys a base of 100K+ users that continues to grow rapidly.
