Welcome noteby Massad Fares

Over the past couple of months, REAL board of trustees has been closely working with many other organizations and government representatives, aiming s to elevate the rank of this association to a higher level of professionalism and development. In this issue, you will read about the achievements of REAL; to include but not limited to the signing of various protocols with other countries, the acquirement of memberships in the most important international real estate organizations, and the finalization of the required documents to file the request at the Ministry of Interior in order to become a syndicate.Moreover, our esteemed readers, you will get to know about all the efforts that have been deployed on the educational level whereas REAL, in collaboration with one of the biggest universities in the country, is preparing a course about real estate essentials and brokerage. Additionally, we are currently working on unifying all the forms used by our agencies. This will guarantee a better service, whereas we protect our rights without overlooking the right of our customers. We are also encouraging the developers to set up their own associations; which will strengthen the communication with our main clients and will bring us closer. Our role is critical in fulfilling the mission of our association and we believe that clear communication is essential to achieving our goal. Therefore, your comments and suggestions are always welcomed.We would like to thank all the staff participating in the preparation of this newsletter, and we hope you enjoy reading REALnews as much as we did preparing it. On behalf of REAL board of trustees, thank you for letting us share our thoughts with all of you!

R.E.A.L.newsissue#2 / August 2012

R.E.A.L.elections:

On the 15th of February, 2012 REAL members elected a new board of trustees to serve a two year term starting February 2012:

Massaad Fares (Prime Consult): President Samir Barrage (Rinvest): Deputy President Walid Moussa (PBM): Secretary of the board Ahmad Khatib (Century 21): Treasurer of the board Nabil Gebrael (Coldwell Banker): Member of the board Mireille Korab Abi Nasr (FFA): Member of the board Antoine Abou Rizk (Real Estate Lebanon): Member of the board

R.E.A.L.activities:

18 July 2012A discussion with General Manager of the Ministry of Finance in Lebanon, Mr. Alain Bifani organized by REAL in collaboration with the Lebanese press club.

On 18th of July, 2012 Mr. Bifani discussed tax regulations in Lebanon in general and real estate tax policies in specific at an event held by REAL. The event took place at the press club in Furn El Shebek in the presence of real estate professionals, members of the association and journalists. Mr. Bifani gladly answered all questions presented by reporters and other members of the presence.

On 14th of June 2012, REAL held its annual lunch at restaurant “Imm Sharif” in Ashrafieh. Mr. Massaad Fares, President of REAL gave a word at the beginning of the lunch welcoming the presence, highlighting major updates regarding the association and stressing on the importance of cooperation between members.Secretary of the board, Mr. Walid Moussa distributed membership cards and stickers of the association to the members. Members of the association met together and enjoyed their discussions over a tasty meal.

REAL’s Annual Lunch14 June 2012

September 2011

In September 2011, REAL participated in the “Development and Real Estate Annual Meeting”, known as DREAM. It also took part in “Beirut International Property Fair” that was held in Habtoor in May, 2012.REAL welcomed members and guests at its stand and took the opportunity to meet new potential members.

REAL participates in Real Estate Exhibitions

7 December 2011

On December 7th, 2011, board members of REAL visited Minister

REAL visits Minister of Economy & Trade, Mr. Nicolas Nahas

February 2011Essentials of Real Estate Brokerage” course

Prime Consult

Members news

Prime Consult, the real estate consultancy company, owned by Mr. Massaad Fares, will be promoting the 2nd development for Antonios Projects after Sama Beirut. In 2 months, the project will be launched consisting of an office building and very selective retail units, located in the area of Ashrafieh.On the other hand, several studies are being conducted by Prime Consult, on lands located in Jounieh, Verdun-Mazraa and Raouché.As for the ongoing projects handled by the company, sales in SAMA BEIRUT (Ashrafieh-Sodeco) have reached 35% and approximately 60% in AYA project (Ashrafieh-Mar Mikhael)”.

Coldwell BankerColdwell Banker held its 8th Annual Awards Dinner at Portemilio Kaslik on the21st of January, 2012 in presence of REAL’s board members.Mr. Shady Farah salute the ceremony with his lovely voice. A Royal Award “President with Excellence” was offered to the CEO Mr. Elie Harb.

PBM s.a.l.PBM is recently promoting two projects, Hazmieh 2871 and Baabdat 2925. The project in Hazmieh encompasses both residential and commercial properties. The 4 story building consists of stores on the ground floor and apartments on the 1st to 4th floor. Sizes of apartments

Nahas at the Ministry of Economy and Trade. Possibility of cooperation between the ministry and REAL and specifically his possible contribution in forming a realtors syndicate were discussed.

In February 2011, REAL offered its members the opportunity to attend the

“Essentials of Real Estate Brokerage” course given by EduDMG. The course highlighted the different aspects of real estate rights and laws.At the end of the course, certificates were distributed to the members who attended.

range between 198 sqm and 234sqm with a starting price of $ 1,800/sqm.The project in Baabdat is located in a calm and overlooking neighborhood, 10 minutes away from Beirut. The 4 story building consists of 3 apartments per floor with duplexes on the top floor. Sizes of the apartments range between 156sqm and 264sqm with a starting price of $1,900/sqm.PBM will also be launching a new residential and commercial project in Mar Mikhael soon. Sizes will be around 80sqm for apartments and offices and around 120sqm for stores.

Century 21 1st GlobalThe first issue of BUYERS GUIDE, the Century 21 1st. Global Real Estate Magazine was presented to the market in June 2012. It contains several listings from most of the Lebanese Territories; it is a result of our 10 years’ experience in the Lebanese market and we offer a comprehensive and unique array of services which secure both the buyers as well as the sellers. Century 21 1st. Global team participated in Beirut International Property Fair which was held between May 25th to 27th 2012 in Hilton Beirut Habtoor Convention Center. It is the professional property fair for architects, Real Estate & contracting companies. We were the representatives of Pafilia Developer Exclusive Agent in Lebanon which is offering clients who diversify, invest in Cyprus to be eligible for residency in an EU member country.

Internationalactivities:

REAL participated in the 63 FIABCI World Congress in St Petersburg Russia represented by Mr. Walid Moussa. Mr. Moussa, secretary of the board gave a presentation titled “Real Estate Market in Lebanon”.

R.E.A.L. in the International Real Estate Federation Congress

On April 4th, 2012 REAL became an official member of the Middle East and North Africa Real Estate Association. Mr. Walid Moussa was assigned as REAL’s representative in MENARES board.

REAL becomes a member of MENARES

On March 8th, 2012 REAL signed a partnership agreement with the French Syndicate in Paris, France. Mr. Massaad Fares and Mr. Walid Moussa signed the agreement representing

Real Partners with the French Syndicate

4 April 2012

8 March 2012

December 2011

In December 2011 a workshop titled “Mechanism of Real Estate Investments in Lebanon” was held in Kuwait The workshop was the first formal cooperation with the Real Estate Association of Lebanon (REAL), headed by Chairman Massaad Fares, since the Kuwaiti team signed a ‘cooperation protocol’ with the former in November to help “remove hurdles facing Kuwaiti businesses” in Lebanon.

Workshop in Kuwait

REAL while Mr. Alain Duffoux and Mr. Steven Zunz signed representing the syndicate. The event took place in the presence of his Excellency Boutros Assaker, the Lebanese Ambassador in Paris and the vice president of the Lebanese French Chamber of commerce Mr. Pierre Rossek.

Elias Sarkis Avenue Achrafieh 2062 8306 Beirut - Lebanon Tel: +961 1 332 300 Park Tower 1st Floor P.O.Box 11 3590 info@real.org.lb

The Board of Directors of the International Real Estate Ferderation “FIABCI” approved the Direct Principal Membership of the Real Estate Association of Lebanon “REAL” on October 7th, 2011.

REAL joins The International Real Estate Federation

www.real.org.lb

R.E.A.L.members:

s.a.r.l

Antoine n. Abou RizkConsultant Immobilier

7 October 2011

On the 13th of October 2011 “REAL” signed a “Work and cooperation Protocol” with the Real estate Association of Kuwait. The agreement was signed by Mr. Massaad Fares, representing the Lebanese Real Estate Association and Mr. Tawfiq al-Jarrah, Chairman of the Kuwait Real Estate Association in the presence of Mr. Ahmad EL Khatib, treasurer of REAL’s board.

13 October 2011REAL Partners with the Kuwait Real Estate Association

New members

Elie Wakim:Icar WakimNawal El Baba:FFA Real EstateRoger Haddad:Elephant Real EstateKarl Sarkis:Blox RealtorsDany Hakim:SurveyorsRawad Abi Raad:Coldwell BankerMohamad Al Kojok:Coldwell BankerElie Harb:Coldwell BankerFarah Al Husseini:Century 21 1st GlobalNabil Kamar:Re/max investCedrik Hajaiban:Century 21 1st GlobalNicole Khawaja:PBMJoumana Baroudi Eid:Lead InternationalMohammad Kabbani:DorchesterHanaa Cheaban:DorchesterAya Haddad:At home in BeirutRabih Merhej:Real Star International