Investors Subscribe to Purchase Equity in Lebanon Premier Western Ranch and Resort

An innovative resort venture which promises authentic western log cabins, horses and a Dallas Style Mud Wrestling ring complete with mechanical bulls and horses opens up share offering to private investors to own equity in a 65 unit resort in the mountains of Lebanon.

Few countries in the world today can boast a 30% increase in tourism and real estate values other than Lebanon.

The Ministry of Tourism has declared a surge in demand for hotel rooms, with number like 20,000 additional rooms could be added in the next five years.

Brand hotels such as Movenpick, Four Seasons, Intercontinental have all planted their roots firmly in the the Playground of the Middle East, and building is brisk and the market is dynamic.

However, one new development, under planning stages seems to stand out among the new projects planned for tourism and real estate development outside the capital, Beirut.

Dukesville as it is called, is a real American style western ranch, complete with horses and real Dallas Texas style modern saloon, with mechanical bulls, mud wrestling, line dancing, muscle cars, and the first drag racing track in the country.

The project is the brainchild a Chekri Helou, a native Lebanese who was inspired by the old wild western traditions during his living experiences in the USA.

Mr. Helou is no stranger to the Western Ranch business. He was one of the founders of another venue in Lebanon 3 years before, leaving that successful enterprise to complete his vision of a full hotel and ranch community in a more popular location.

Authentic Resort Entertainment, SAL will develop 65 units in the hills of Lebanon on a 42,000 metre parcel that enjoys views that tourists would die for, says Bassim Matta, Chairman of the Group.

The company has undertaken an agreement with an international hotel management company to operate the hotel aspect, and is in the process of accepting subscriptions from the public sector to allow individuals to become partners in this unique log cabin hotel resort.

Individuals may apply for cabin partnership and receive the lions share of the revenue, while also enjoying usage benefits annually. We predict on a worst case scenario the return on investment will be between 18% to 24% annually, says Matta.

Lebanon has proven it is resilient to geo political tension, and has always bounced back from what others may perceive as doom, but what the Lebanese have become to accept as everyday life in one of the most panoramic country sceneries in the world.

Situated 20 minutes from world class ski slopes and 20 minutes from spectacular beaches, Dukesville in Ajaltoun will attract 80 percent of its market share from the local market. Our clients love their children, but also demand the bet of entertainment when it comes to their own precious leisure time.

Our purpose built Western Star Saloon will knock the boots off of anyone who dares to try to sit quietly during one of our stunning shows. We are able to accommodate 150 persons in our boutique western style resort accommodation, and 300 persons per night in our restaurant ,saloon entertainment center.

We have appointed World Class Group, leaders in leisure resort consulting to guide the resort through the stages of hospitality development and investment products, including a form of shared ownership through condo hotel licensing.

According to Michael J. Tolan, CEO of World Class Group,” the project will meet its 10,000,000 required capitalization through small and medium investors who will benefit from the spectacular attractions that will drive traffic to this theme park resort.”

“Phase one of the project will open in 2010, and the resort completion, including a full amenity package which promises many surprises to the market, will finalize in 2011.

“Investors may participate in the ownership of the resort for as little as 18,000 usd.”

For Further Information, contact Michael J. Tolan, CEO, World Class Group on mjt@worldclass-uae.com

If the world property market could be considered a heart and was connected to a hospital EKG machine, most doctors would declare that the market has flat lined. This is where the experts rush the patient to emergency procedure of cardio resuscitation sending thousands of volts through paddles in an attempt to restart the heart.

In today’s market place, many methods are being used in an attempt to restart the heartbeat of the market.

Investors are now offered in some markets, record low mortgage rates, while in others not equipped to offer these advantages are offering deep discounts. All of this is as best , entertaining for a seasoned investor who often takes a wait and see attitude and position.

However, in the a little known region to most of the world, but a more popular area to residents in the middle east, Sharm el Sheikh, a peninsula on the famous red sea, has created a little oasis that has more than a full pulse beating for it.

For starters the area has grown over a hundred percent in the last 4 years alone, stunning the conservative onlooker as to how they do it.

The sheer scale and size of the resorts and real estate projects in Sharm is also staggering, and prices continue to rise, while remaining friendly according to European valuations.
The area boasts several casinos, famous branded resorts such as Four Seasons, Marriott, and others have long since planted their flagship properties in this “Little Vegas” of the middle east. It has a reputation for some of the best diving in the world, with crystal clear blue seas covering majestic and rich corals.

A drive through this paradise area of Egypt will confirm that, due to its ideal climate and attractive nature, it attracts a full cosmopolitan assortment of tourists and investors from everywhere in the hemisphere.

World Class Group, a PR communications company that focuses its real estate consultancy on solutions for developers and investors, sees the perfect destination for the next wave of real estate success, fractional ownership in Sharm El Sheikh.

In the past, developers have been reluctant to look at this new real esate model as sales were brisk worldwide and overseas investors were able to secure finance as easily as collecting sand from the desert.

Today, however, this has hindered many investors, prompting many developers to offer modestly attractive in house finance.

Fractional Ownership, or what World Class CEO, Michael J. Tolan refers to as, property partnership, allows the average investor the opportunity to become a partner in an apartment or villa, and have not only usage for one month per year, but a potential investment strategy at a low entry fee.

“This is no invitation to sell distressed stock than otherwise has no value to consumers, as many successful fractional projects are high end up market investment properties” said Tolan.

Tolan believes that areas such as Sharm El Sheikh, Dubai and even nearby neighboring Lebanon, will become the trendy destinations to own a piece of the seashore without paying the earth, through fractional ownership. This is lifestyle product of real estate with the marriage of hospitality” he added.

“The potential is huge for investors and developers to embrace this next wave of real estate success, Fractional Ownership, which allows virtually everyone to own their part of a dream.” said Tolan.

As property sales demand subsides, proactive property developers gather to understand the alternatives available to package shared ownership offers to smaller investors, embracing the Multi-Billion Dollar niche market of Fractional Ownership in Cyprus.

As property sales on the island of Cyprus stall, like thinking developers look to new avenues to generate new sales and income from alternative sources.

One of these solutions was discussed at the First Cyprus Property Developer Symposium on Shared Ownership in Nicosia at the Hilton Hotel.

The event featured a comprehensive presentation on how developers in Cyprus might utilize new systems in re-packaging properties to investors through collective ownership, co-ownership and fractional offers.

Put simply, this new niche market has blossomed into a multi-billion dollar industry worldwide as it allows an investor to own part of a property, to invest less, and maximize their own enjoyment and usage of a second home

Developers would typically allow up to 12 investors to purchase a 1/12th interest in a luxury second home, thereby allowing them usage of one month a year.

Today, this system in popular in the USA, Thailand, Dubai, Turkey, Greece and other markets where tourism has flourished and the appetite for a second home has provoked investors to obtain their own piece of the pie.

Typically the developer places the selected property into a company, and allows smaller investors to purchase shares in the company, giving them the right of usage for one month a year, and also securing their investment with an equity based asset that the company they invested in now owns.

“Although there are several formulas on the market today, we believe forward thinking developers will embrace this formula to move their sales forward, and at the same time, attract a new fresh caliber of savvy investors who would never use a second home in Cyprus more than one month per year.” said Michael J. Tolan, CEO of World Class Group.

Tolan reminded the audience that developers who do the exact same things they have been doing without changing their mindset or strategy are doomed to sink in quick sand.

George Mintis, Vice President of the CTO also announced that the Cyprus Tourism Organization was reviewing proactive solutions for Hotel Owners to also profit from other forms of Shared Ownership, and highlighted Condo Hotels as one area of potential focus.

The Registry Collection, the world premier lifestyle services company that provides flexibility and value to investors of Fractional Ownership owned by Wyndham Worldwide was featured to the attendees as a solutions company to assist developers to enter this new arena.

Mr. Vassilis Themelidis, Regional Director of Group RCI based in Athens, was on hand in Cyprus to meet property developers who he believes can and will capitalize on this sector of the market.

“We at Group RCI are committed to provide Cyprus developers with the experience and support of our organization we have earned over the past 30 years worldwide “ he said.

“There are sunny days ahead for Property developers in Cyprus who embrace this concept now and who make a commitment to exceed client expectations by delivering superb products and services” he added.

Shared Ownership concepts will be explored in a Summit to be held in Cyprus on 29 October, at the Hilton Hotel in Nicosia.

Tourism and Development companies can embrace structures to prosper in today’s marketplace.Fractional Ownership is already a buzz word in many board rooms hoping to increase sales by the successful application of this new formula for Cyprus.

The First Fractional Ownership Symposium in Cyprus will be held on November 29th, in the Hilton Hotel in Nicosia and will be opened by Mr. George Mintis, Vice President of the CTO.

The summit will unveil the latest trends worldwide, many of which could be applied in Cyprus by using existing laws in the Republic of Cyprus.

Developers and Hoteliers are invited to attend the event which promises to explore new horizons in creating new platforms for the Building and Tourist Sectors.

Organizers, World Class Group, led by CEO Michael J. Tolan, have over 25 years in shared ownership expertise in 15 country markets. Their PR communications unit has offices in Beirut, Dubai, and Malta.

Fractional Ownership is a relatively new concept in Cyprus, however major developers are now looking into this aspect of real estate offerings to pepper their income streams with additional revenue sources.

“Developers that responsibly embrace the holistic concept of providing investors with superb benefits, management and quality with a sensible value offer will excel in today’s market place” said Tolan.

Fractional Ownership is one form of the shared ownership matrix, we also have models whereby hotels in Cyprus could also benefit by using a hybrid business model, which is covered under the current law” he added.

Fractional Ownership models may be applied to up market residential developments that offer services to end users they would have come to expect from a five star hotel, therefore the marriage of hotels and developers is essential for a healthy growth cycle in Cyprus, said Tolan.

An Introduction to Collective Syndicated Ownership will be presented to Property developers, agents, accountants and legal experts at the Nicosia Hilton hotel, on the 29th of October, 2009 organized by World Class Group.

Collective Syndicated Ownership, CSO, often referred to as Fractional Ownership, has proved that it offers alternatives to vacation home buyers through the combining the collective power of a several investors to buy, own and use a luxury property as a second home through syndication.

The principal of using the combined financial strength of several investors to own  and share a single asset is not entirely new.

According to Trump University spokesperson, founded by Donald Trump, the concept is simple and sensible, its like getting a few friends and family members together to enjoy a beach house and sharing the usage.

Security of ownership is provided by carefully structured legal systems that provide real equity for the end user.

“Major organizations worldwide have applied a Fractional Ownership model successfully, and its time to import this knowledge to Cyprus and the region”, says Michael J. Tolan, CEO of World Class Group.

World Class Group, a PR and communications unit, with various offices in the region, has a shared ownership division and services developer clients worldwide.

Attendees of the symposium will be updated on news from the recent World Alternative Ownership congress in Phuket, Thailand, where delegates from World Class Group represented various clients who are eager to learn the success formulas from around the globe.

They will also unveil the newest innovations in ‘Property Partnerships’, a product created by the consulting firm.

“We see the opportunity for mature developers to capitalize on this opportunity to create compelling product offerings through  uplifting their current real estate holdings and this will invigorate the Cyprus Property market.” he added.

“Cyprus will benefit from the proper introduction of Fractional Ownership, and in the process, consumers will derive excellent value as the average second home usage in Cyprus is less than 32 days per annum.

“This will allow many more potential clients to acquire a dream home in Cyprus,  and only invest the amount of capital that will represent their usage requirements. Fractional Ownership provides the opportunity for investors to experience capital appreciation over time as the asset, although shared, is deeded.” said Tolan

World Class Group promotes as one of its clients a ‘consortium of developers’ to attract investment to Cyprus through the Cyprus Investment Festival, which will also be touring Doha, Qatar later in November.

At the Collective Syndicated Ownership Symposium in Nicosia, World Class Group will also share business models and opportunities for accountants ,FSA’s, Asset managers, Property companies to participate in what is expected to be the fastest growth in the real estate on the island over the past 18 months.

“Without thoughtful innovation and a bold commitment to change  current strategies, Cyprus property markets are doomed to experience a major hurdle of growth recovery in the future.” We are certain that, CSO, in offerings of Fractional Ownership, will play an important role to over that hurdle and  to attract prosperity for the future of the Property Market in Cyprus.” said Tolan.

The Cyprus Investment Festival, held in Beirut, Lebanon was officially opened by his Excellency, Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus, Dr Kyriakos Kouros.

During his address he pointed out the strategic alliances currently available to investors in Cyprus and its market stability.

“The Cyprus investment Festival has launched this initiative and we are pleased to support this event”, he said. “ We are open for business in Cyprus, and our doors are now open for investment” he added.

The Cyprus Investment Festival organizers, World Class Group, a PR and communications consultancy unit based in Dubai, launched the Cyprus promotion to the Middle East with its first leg of the festival in Beirut. The Cyprus Investment Festival will showcase the advantages of investing in Cyprus throughout the Middle East later in the fall of 2009.

Among the participating partners of the Cyprus Investment Festival are seasoned development groups in Cyprus, Iacovou Brothers Development and Pafilia, and other quality boutique developers.

The aim of the festival is to inform potential investors of new opportunities of foreign investment in Cyprus, in particular a new resolution in the counsel of minister’s decision to allow non-Europeans to apply for permanent residency status when purchasing a property in Cyprus under certain criteria. The organizers are promoting this as the new ‘Open Doors’ policy of Cyprus.

Organizers of the festival were impressed by the growing number of investors from the Middle East expressing interest in making substantial commitments in Cyprus. “Cyprus is the gateway to the EU for the region, and having the lowest corporate tax has also attracted many international companies to set up shop in the country,” said Mr. Michael J. Tolan, Ceo of World Class Group, organizers of the Cyprus Investment Festival.

Visitors from Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq and the UAE were in attendance to the Festival. Many of these investors showed high levels of interest in investing in Custom Villas and other income properties that enjoy a strong rental demand by vacationers who rent luxury villas by the week.

“ Now is the time to seize opportunities in Cyprus which enjoys a stable economy in spite of the global so called crisis” he added.

The Cyprus Investment Festival will be held in Beirut at the Phoenicia Hotel throughout the month of August. Investors were enlightened to new developments in Cyprus such as a new world class marina project in Paphos, destined to attract the jet set of the Mediterranean to Cyprus, several new golf courses including one in Larnaca and rumored talks with major theme parks groups which will add to the already growing tourist market.

“Many investors who have been perplexed by the world economy now view Cyprus as the darling safe haven of Europe”, said Tolan. The number of incentives that are available to major investors including grants from the EU attracts other investors. Fractional Ownership, introduced in Cyprus by World Class Group earlier this year, also got the attention of speculators who desire to acquire assets in Cyprus while having a lower exposure and a deeded slice of a superb vacation property.”

“On the upper tier of the scale, we have inquiries ranging from 500,000 to 10,000,000 Euro level investment in properties and joint ventures.”

Hundreds of visitors surveyed were interested in various areas of Cyprus, the Protaras and Famagusta areas were popular on speculation of reunification of the island, while Larnaca and Limassol remained front-runners, followed closely by Paphos and Polis, the new frontiers of buy to rent properties.

The Cyprus Investment Festival will tour Dubai, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, Singapore and Malaysia over the next few months’. George Mintis, Vice President of the Cyprus Tourism Organization, said “The Open Doors policy of Cyprus has opened a new gateway to the EU for many investors in the Middle East and around the world”.  “There are opportunities for any entrepreneur to secure safe and profitable investments in our country. Cyprus boasts the lowest corporate tax rates in the EU, and is attracting many multinational companies to relocate to the island of smiles,” added Mintis.

World Class Group, a leading shared ownership consultancy group, based in the UAE, has entered into a strategic partnership with MyPropertyCyprus, a leading real estate management group in Cyprus to introduce fractional ownership alternatives to developers in Cyprus through its joint venture initiatives in developing SmartHomeShare product offerings.

Fractional ownership is an alternative of buying a second home and only paying for the amount of time per year than one typically uses the home, while owning a real proportionate interest in the property.

Unlike its predecessor Vacation Ownership or Timeshare, Fractional Ownership is sharing the real equity of an asset, and today the principle is being used in selling Jets, Yachts, Luxury Cars, and Properties.
Fractional ownership properties is a growing trend in second home selling, and has achieved over 1.9 Billion usd in sales volume in the USA in 2008 alone.
The system allows multiple parties to join together to enjoy the usage and equity in a single asset, typically meaning each sub-investor subscribes for share of one month a year in the house or apartment.

The selling technique and legal structure of this type of property is new in the region, and therefore My Property Cyprus, leading luxury villa operators, have partnered with the expert firm, World Class Group, in order to guide developers through this new and profitable process.
Profits from selling a fractional ownership scheme are typically 20% higher than that of a normal property due to a well marketed and structured product amenity system.

Today Europe has 91 projects under this scheme and experts predict that another 200 will be on line within the next 24 months. In recent forum presented by Fractional Life Magazine in London, experts revealed that sharing assets will become a household trend within the next 5 years, and property purchases for second home use will see a surge in this segment of the market especially during recessionary times.

There are up to 15 developers that have already expressed interest in introducing some form of this concept in Cyprus, according to Yiannos Trisokkas, partner in the new alliance and Managing Director of My Property Cyprus.

Cyprus has become a market whereby the second home market has firmly established itself, although demand for a normal unit sale has dwindled.

Some elite forms of fractional ownership allow for 6 to 10 independent users to share equity in a single property, while enjoying many of the benefits of typical home ownership and hotel hospitality, as well as equity in a real property, albeit a proportionate share.

SmartHomeShare has developed solutions for the major hurdles of a developer with no experience in this type of a product including ongoing property management solutions, by-laws of usage contracts, reservation requirements, maintenance, and investor default.

Through their alliance they have also established a UK lender for new end user purchasers who will be able to obtain finance for their ‘one month a year’ second home without difficulty, even in the current economic climate.

The new business unit will offer advisory services, marketing and sales systems, strategic panning, property evaluation and packaging, training, legal set up for the sale of properties, and a membership based marketing alliance to generate leads for sales. The new business partnership will now offer start up solutions for developers and hospitality companies wishing to reap the benefits of this new attractive product in the region.

Currently World Class Group is providing services for developer and hospitality clients in Thailand, Dubai, Lebanon and Malta.
The Cyprus alliance will enable our team to service Cyprus and the region with more flexibility and strength, said Michael J. Tolan, CEO of the Dubai based group.

Property on a worldwide scale has plummeted and sales resistance grows from consumers. One new trend that some developers are turning to is to repackage a luxury residence into a fractional ownership offering, allowing each smaller investor the opportunity to have real equity in a vacation home in destination resorts such as Dubai. Michael J. Tolan explains…

Fractional Ownership Provides Potential Boom in Recession

As property values plummet, fractional ownership offers developers and consumers a breath of fresh air. Consumers get real value, and developers are able to appeal to a wider audience, making the whole package affordable and profitable for all parties.

Is Dubai Real Estate set to Boom again through Fractional Ownership?

In the wake of the global financial crisis, real estate has taken the brunt of the consumer chill.

Surveys indicate that many end users are simply waiting for the prices to fall further, while some indication is the fractional ownership space will actually enjoy a renaissance.

Many developers in areas such as Dubai and even Cyprus have been hit hard as projected values have plummeted and financing has dried up.

Fractional ownership may be one formula that offers a win-win to the developer and consumer.

First of all the consumer will acquire a luxury residence for the time of year they could actually use it, while sharing the capital outlay with up to 12 other families, who in turn, own a real slice of the equity in the asset.

Properties using this scheme that provide hotel style management will cater to the wishes of consumers who only want to see their investment grow over the years, while enjoying the usage of their vacation home annually.

Unlike timeshare, fractional ownership actually provides an easy exit clause, should the buyer wish to sell on at a later stage, with a long term view of having the property increase in value. The caliber of properties that will enjoy a renaissance must be top end in design and amenities, said Michael J. Tolan, Ceo of World Class Group.

The property should be a location of desired annual vacations and other areas such as Malaysia and Thailand also hold much promise.

The developer has the opportunity to open up a market never before available, and by dividing the cost of the asset to more members or property partners, makes it more saleable and much more attractive. This requires a unique marketing formula than traditional real estate, but the rewards are appetizing.

There are various legal schemes to apply these principles, and consumers should insist that an independent trustee is in place to protect the covenant of the agreement throughout the duration of the ownership.

“Fractional Ownership could be the answer that provides both developers and consumers with the perfect formula for today’s appetite for value for money, and a fabulous lifestyle option.” added Tolan.

Michael J. Tolan is a consultant based in Dubai, with over 15 years of shared ownership experience. He is CEO of World Class Group.

For further information, contact: 00971 50 157 2321

http://www.worldclass-uae.com