My Own Home takes you inside a reader-owned property to ask how much they paid, why they decided to buy and what they have done with it since moving in
Entrepreneur Jack Sellers, 32, moved to the UAE from London in 2021 with a plan to invest in property.
The founder of YallaValue, a digital property valuation platform, grew up in neighbouring Bahrain, so the move to Dubai felt natural to him.
When he bought his three-bedroom flat in Marina Sail Tower, in Dubai Marina, for Dh2.35 million back in 2022, it was purely for investment purposes. He added two bedrooms and planned to rent it out to five tenants.
But after a gruelling renovation that set him back 10 per cent of the property value, he decided to take the master bedroom for himself – and he couldn’t be happier.
The National takes a look around.
Please tell us about your home
I basically bought a big three-bedroom flat in the Marina that had the potential to be turned into five rooms. I made the calculation that that would make it worthwhile for me and keep the bills paid.
The vibe is like a young professional co-living space in a modern, minimalist setting.
I removed all the designs from before, painted all the walls, redid the floors. I picked people that I thought would get along with each other, and so there's always a friendly vibe.
Everyone's doing their own thing, everyone's got their own lives, their own jobs, but we still enjoy spending time together as a flat and congregating in the kitchen.
How much did you buy it for?
I moved to the UAE in 2021 and bought the flat in March 2022 for Dh2.35 million.
I own a property valuations platform and the estimate it gives now is around Dh2.8 million. And I think that's pretty conservative. I'd say anywhere between Dh2.8 million and Dh3 million right now.
The thing is, there are not many people who want to buy a five-bed. There are a lot of people who want to buy a three-bed with a living room. If I were to sell it, I'd probably have to convert the living room back.
What renovations have you done?
Initially I wasn't planning to live here. I was literally just going to buy it, do it up and go live somewhere else. But I made it the way that I wanted it, so at the end I felt like I had to live here now. I didn’t want to go and rent something that I don't really like when there's something that I designed.
The renovation process was quite stressful, because it was a big job. And I'd never done anything like this before. This was my first renovation.
We knocked down walls, put up new ones, repainted the rooms, split the AC across the two new rooms so each room had their own separate controls.
We also redid the kitchen and added a new bathroom, redid all the other bathrooms, pulled out all the bathtubs and put in showers.
I was going to leave the original tiles to save money, but at the last minute I saw a picture of some herringbone floors and thought, ‘I’ve got to do that’. It finished it off really nicely, so I’m really glad I did that.
How much did you spend on renovations?
The renovation was about Dh200,000. When I went into it, again, it was purely for investment. At the time, I said to myself, I would be willing to spend up to 10 per cent of the property value on renovating it.
It meant being smart about all of the individual, little things, looking for alternatives. If I hadn't have had that figure in mind from the beginning, then I would have spent a lot more.
Why did you decide to buy?
I was in London, then during the second Covid-19 lockdown, I had just had enough. I grew up in Bahrain, so coming to Dubai was like coming home.
I felt like I had kind of done everything I wanted to do in the UK, and I wanted something else. I had some money that I'd set aside to put into property, and I just knew that I didn't want to do that in the UK. Dubai was the obvious choice, really.
Why did you choose Dubai Marina?
It was obvious to me before I even came. I can't think of anywhere better in Dubai. I've never felt Downtown. It's nice to look at Burj Khalifa, but that's assuming you've got a flat that does, as those flats are expensive.
I do a lot of walking as well, and being 10 minutes from the beach, sitting here now and looking at the boats – nothing compares to the Marina, in my view.
What facilities do you have access to?
We've got a gym and we've got a pool. The gym is small, so I don’t use it, but the pool has a lot of potential, it’s just a bit old.
I'm on the board of the building and I've battled very hard to try to make changes in the building. It takes time, but we're getting there.
How long do you plan to own this property for?
The long term. I really love it. I like just being able to sit here and see the boats. It's a very bright flat. Even though the living room is two bedrooms, I redid the kitchen so that all the light is still coming into the flat.
It just has a very nice vibe.
At some point in the future, would I turn the living room back into the living room? Yeah, potentially. But it works for now.
The biog
Mission to Seafarers is one of the largest port-based welfare operators in the world.
It provided services to around 200 ports across 50 countries.
They also provide port chaplains to help them deliver professional welfare services.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Reputation
Taylor Swift
(Big Machine Records)
How Islam's view of posthumous transplant surgery changed
Transplants from the deceased have been carried out in hospitals across the globe for decades, but in some countries in the Middle East, including the UAE, the practise was banned until relatively recently.
Opinion has been divided as to whether organ donations from a deceased person is permissible in Islam.
The body is viewed as sacred, during and after death, thus prohibiting cremation and tattoos.
One school of thought viewed the removal of organs after death as equally impermissible.
That view has largely changed, and among scholars and indeed many in society, to be seen as permissible to save another life.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Barcelona v Liverpool, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE).
Second leg
Liverpool v Barcelona, Tuesday, May 7, 11pm
Games on BeIN Sports
Western Region Asia Cup T20 Qualifier
Sun Feb 23 – Thu Feb 27, Al Amerat, Oman
The two finalists advance to the Asia qualifier in Malaysia in August
Group A
Bahrain, Maldives, Oman, Qatar
Group B
UAE, Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia
UAE group fixtures
Sunday Feb 23, 9.30am, v Iran
Monday Feb 25, 1pm, v Kuwait
Tuesday Feb 26, 9.30am, v Saudi
UAE squad
Ahmed Raza, Rohan Mustafa, Alishan Sharafu, Ansh Tandon, Vriitya Aravind, Junaid Siddique, Waheed Ahmed, Karthik Meiyappan, Basil Hameed, Mohammed Usman, Mohammed Ayaz, Zahoor Khan, Chirag Suri, Sultan Ahmed
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
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Cricket World Cup League Two
Oman, UAE, Namibia
Al Amerat, Muscat
Results
Oman beat UAE by five wickets
UAE beat Namibia by eight runs
Fixtures
Wednesday January 8 –Oman v Namibia
Thursday January 9 – Oman v UAE
Saturday January 11 – UAE v Namibia
Sunday January 12 – Oman v Namibia
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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England World Cup squad
Eoin Morgan (capt), Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler (wkt), Tom Curran, Liam Dawson, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, James Vince, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood
THE%C2%A0SPECS
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MATCH INFO
Quarter-finals
Saturday (all times UAE)
England v Australia, 11.15am
New Zealand v Ireland, 2.15pm
Sunday
Wales v France, 11.15am
Japan v South Africa, 2.15pm
Water waste
In the UAE’s arid climate, small shrubs, bushes and flower beds usually require about six litres of water per square metre, daily. That increases to 12 litres per square metre a day for small trees, and 300 litres for palm trees.
Horticulturists suggest the best time for watering is before 8am or after 6pm, when water won't be dried up by the sun.
A global report published by the Water Resources Institute in August, ranked the UAE 10th out of 164 nations where water supplies are most stretched.
The Emirates is the world’s third largest per capita water consumer after the US and Canada.
Tips to avoid getting scammed
1) Beware of cheques presented late on Thursday
2) Visit an RTA centre to change registration only after receiving payment
3) Be aware of people asking to test drive the car alone
4) Try not to close the sale at night
5) Don't be rushed into a sale
6) Call 901 if you see any suspicious behaviour
A timeline of the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language
- 2018: Formal work begins
- November 2021: First 17 volumes launched
- November 2022: Additional 19 volumes released
- October 2023: Another 31 volumes released
- November 2024: All 127 volumes completed
Analysis
Members of Syria's Alawite minority community face threat in their heartland after one of the deadliest days in country’s recent history. Read more
The details
Heard It in a Past Life
Maggie Rogers
(Capital Records)
3/5
MATCH INFO
Champions League last 16, first leg
Tottenham v RB Leipzig, Wednesday, midnight (UAE)
Breaking News: The Remaking of Journalism and Why It Matters Now
Alan Rushbridger, Canongate
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
Herc's Adventures
Developer: Big Ape Productions
Publisher: LucasArts
Console: PlayStation 1 & 5, Sega Saturn
Rating: 4/5
THE APPRENTICE
Director: Ali Abbasi
Starring: Sebastian Stan, Maria Bakalova, Jeremy Strong
Rating: 3/5
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South Africa squad
: Faf du Plessis (captain), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock (wkt), Theunis de Bruyn, AB de Villiers, Dean Elgar, Heinrich Klaasen (wkt), Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Duanne Olivier, Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Akeed
Based: Muscat
Launch year: 2018
Number of employees: 40
Sector: Online food delivery
Funding: Raised $3.2m since inception
UAE squad
Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Etihad (etihad.com) flies from Abu Dhabi to Mykonos, with a flight change to its partner airline Olympic Air in Athens. Return flights cost from Dh4,105 per person, including taxes.
Where to stay
The modern-art-filled Ambassador hotel (myconianambassador.gr) is 15 minutes outside Mykonos Town on a hillside 500 metres from the Platis Gialos Beach, with a bus into town every 30 minutes (a taxi costs €15 [Dh66]). The Nammos and Scorpios beach clubs are a 10- to 20-minute walk (or water-taxi ride) away. All 70 rooms have a large balcony, many with a Jacuzzi, and of the 15 suites, five have a plunge pool. There’s also a private eight-bedroom villa. Double rooms cost from €240 (Dh1,063) including breakfast, out of season, and from €595 (Dh2,636) in July/August.
Tonight's Chat on The National
Tonight's Chat is a series of online conversations on The National. The series features a diverse range of celebrities, politicians and business leaders from around the Arab world.
Tonight’s Chat host Ricardo Karam is a renowned author and broadcaster who has previously interviewed Bill Gates, Carlos Ghosn, Andre Agassi and the late Zaha Hadid, among others.
Intellectually curious and thought-provoking, Tonight’s Chat moves the conversation forward.
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What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
ENGLAND SQUAD
Goalkeepers Henderson, Johnstone, Pickford, Ramsdale
Defenders Alexander-Arnold, Chilwell, Coady, Godfrey, James, Maguire, Mings, Shaw, Stones, Trippier, Walker, White
Midfielders Bellingham, Henderson, Lingard, Mount, Phillips, Rice, Ward-Prowse
Forwards Calvert-Lewin, Foden, Grealish, Greenwood, Kane, Rashford, Saka, Sancho, Sterling, Watkins
