Properties a click away

Lebanon’s real estate market is not the most transparent for property buyers. But expats and foreigners looking to buy or rent assets in the country can turn to the internet to at least get an initial idea of what to expect and where to buy. Although almost all of Lebanon’s competitive real estate agents accept the importance of the internet — at least to attract potential clients — many are still reluctant to share details of the properties they market online. Despite this, some attempts have been made to launch comprehensive online portals, giving viewers the opportunity to see what different sellers are marketing in the country. Last July, Dubai-based online real estate portal propertyfinder.ae acquired Lebanese counterpart realestate.com.lb as part of a plan aimed at extending the firm’s activities across the Middle East.  “We enable users in Lebanon and abroad to see what properties are on the market,” explains