Online portals are emerging as the biggest marketing tools in the real estate sector as manifested by the latest trend in internet searches for properties in Dubai, which witnessed a remarkable 45.5 per cent increase, said an industry expert.

Leo Sterling, UAE’s premier select property portfolio manager, pointed out that a survey by top US trade association National Association of Realtors showed that 90 per cent of real estate buyers were now searching for properties online, as the net provides a more comprehensive and accessible avenue to a range of value-added features such as multiple photos, videos, mapping functionalities, and host of real estate information.

'The internet is increasingly becoming an indispensable technology solution not just in offices but in households across the UAE and in our target markets all over the world,' said Laura Martorano, CEO and founder of Leo Sterling, citing a recent Rightmove Overseas Research Report.

'It is our goal to complement this trend and help internet-savvy real estate clients and agents to optimise the time they spend online by providing them with value-added real estate services through our newly upgraded portal,' Martorano said.

According to her, the new online-led business paradigm has enabled Leo Sterling to build a competitive edge in its target markets with the completion of a comprehensive upgrade of its online portal, which now features up to five languages and provides an expanded range of customer-focused support features such as full search capability for its database, live chat, real estate market advisory, and selling and buying guides.

With internet penetration in the UAE poised to reach 70.5 per cent by 2013 with more than 3.77 million people expected to regularly use various online applications, Leo Sterling disclosed that it intends to harness the country's huge market potential for its online-based services and offerings.

'Information is a key element in the real estate business; buyers want to gather as much data before they start negotiations with real estate brokers for a particular property,' Martorano said.

'The internet has helped us satisfy this crucial requirement of our clients and we are very pleased to see their enthusiastic response to our new range of online-based support facilities. Our new online offerings reflect Leo Sterling's continued efforts to develop innovative and dedicated services that benefit clients from all our target markets,' she added.

Powered by a highly experienced, multilingual team of global experts and professionals, Leo Sterling has been aggressively consolidating its market presence through a comprehensive, long-term growth strategy in the UAE's property sector.

Leo Sterling has also established a new regional office in London, seeking to further strengthen its growing client base in the UK and Europe.-TradeArabia News Service