‘A new government could save real estate’

As the property market entered into a troublesome year, the Real Estate Association of Lebanon (REAL) began 2013 by celebrating its recognition as a syndicate aiming to unite real estate intermediaries under a code of ethics. Executive asked REAL President Massaad Fares about the body’s first achievements under the new status as well as its plans. E  REAL has been active as a full syndicate for around a year. What have been the main achievements in this period? We were previously active as an association and incorporated into a syndicate, as you said, about a year ago. Our major activity was the signing of an agreement with the [American University of Beirut] for the first real estate course in Lebanon: introduction to real estate brokerage. E  How long does the course run, what does it entail, and why is it important? It is eight weeks, three times per week and