Coldwell Banker Around the World: December 2021

From the land of Cleopatra and Pharaohs, archaeologists and world treasures, where myths and truths weave a magical web of histories, we journey to Egypt and get to know Coldwell Banker Egypt.

From the land of Cleopatra and Pharaohs, archaeologists and world treasures, where myths and truths weave a magical web of histories, we journey to Egypt. Known for the mighty Nile River, ancient tombs, and marvelous pyramids… Egypt is a land of discovery and awe. A counter that offers golden-sand beaches, surreal landscapes, unique dining, and even natural therapeutic treatments. Located on the eastern shore of the Nile is Cairo, Egypt’s capital and home to the last existing Ancient Wonder of the World, The Great Pyramid of Giza (around 4,500 years old)!

“Cairo is known for its chaotic roads, but you can always feel it is a happy chaos… Never a dull moment!” Hagar Bakhtiar, the Marketing Director of Coldwell Banker Egypt, said.

Never a dull moment indeed, as the Coldwell Banker Egypt team is taking on a new challenge this week and launching their franchise program for the first time. “We are witnessing a real urban renaissance in Egypt with strategic projects by the public and private sectors, and we seek to enhance the real estate market by sharing experiences and knowledge for both our clients and investors,” Mohamed Abdullah, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Coldwell Banker Egypt, said.

“The franchise program is intended to enrich the real estate market with professional real estate brokers to regain trust among customers and expanding access throughout Egypt to enhance the professionalism of real estate brokers to ensure customer satisfaction,” Sherif Mahmoud, Vice President of Franchising for Coldwell Banker Egypt added.

Best of luck to Coldwell Banker Egypt in this new endeavor! Read on to learn more about their home base…

Where do you live: I live in the Capital and largest city in Egypt, Cairo. Cairo is the largest metropolitan area in the Arab world.

What is the perfect weekend day like: The perfect weekend can differ whether you are in summer or winter, as the activities and destinations are completely different. It is likely that the weekend can be spent locally. Fridays are when social activities take place, waking up with either an aromatic cup of coffee or tea, followed by a large breakfast with the family. Friday could be a perfect day to visit the great Giza Pyramids, which shockingly, even many Egyptians haven’t seen. People take a walk around the pyramids either on foot, by camel or by horse. Then, head to the Khufu Ship (Sun Ship) to take loads of creative photos. The day can be ended with a hearty typical Egyptian meal, such as Kushari (popular Egyptian food made with rice, lentils, chickpeas, and pasta), Foul, or Falafel.

What are the common modes of transportation there: There are different means of transportation in and out of Cairo from the neighboring cities (trains, buses, taxis). Ubers do not exist. Internal flights are available too, for those affluent Egyptians.

 Tell us about the foods your area is known for: Egyptian cuisine is heavy with legumes, vegetables, and fruits. Some examples of Egyptian dishes are rice stuffed vegetables, hummus, falafel, mashed fava beans, Kushari (mix of lentil and pasta).

What is your favorite meal? At home or at a restaurant: Kushari is my favorite holiday meal, whether at home or at a restaurant. It is quite filling and rich in flavor.

Where do you recommend someone vacation in your region, why: The Red Sea is always my vacation recommendation to anyone. It is known for its pristine beaches and amazing recreational diving sites. The quality of resorts along the Red Sea make it the perfect spot for nationals and tourists alike to visit. Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh are the most popular destinations to visit on a vacation in the Red Sea area. Seafood restaurants, souvenir shops and the colorful sea fish delight all. Whether you go to the beach to get the perfect tan or are a hardcore diver, you will be set in any area in the Red Sea. Desert Safaris are very popular for everyone. The city is operating year-round, yet visiting the Red Sea between September and May would be the smartest idea to avoid the heat.

What is your favorite recreational or leisure time activity: Visiting the seaside to tour the most beautiful bays with transparent water, either on the Mediterranean or the Red Sea, is my favorite leisure activity. I also recommend touring the Quetrihué Peninsula by bike or walking for 12km and returning by boat from the Arrayanes Forest

Is there a specialty your area is known for: Egypt is known for its long-staple raw cotton, and it is considered the world’s cotton hub, normally supplying one-third of the world.

Share a little known but interesting fact about the area/region: A city in upper Egypt, Aswan, is considered the third sunniest place in the world with more than 3,863 hours of sun. If you are looking for some extra sun… visit Aswan!

If you were to live in any other region where we have a Coldwell Banker presence, where would it be and why: Although there is never a dull moment in Cairo (the city that never sleeps), I would love to live in Rome, as it offers a blend of history, art, culture and life. The rich landscape and its architectural history make living in Rome seem worthwhile and intriguing.

View on modern Cairo from the Nile

Territory Summary:

Egypt is a country located in the northeastern corner of Africa. Egypt’s heartland, the Nile River valley and delta, was the home of one of the principal civilizations of the ancient Middle East, and like Mesopotamia farther east, was the site of one of the world’s earliest urban and literate societies.

Key Facts:

• Population: 102,275,618
• Language(s) Spoken: Arabic
• Climate: Egypt’s climate is semi-desert, characterized by hot dry summers, moderate winters, and very little rainfall. The country has areas with strong wind, especially along the Red Sea and Mediterranean coasts.
• Currency: Egyptian Pounds

Industry Facts:

• Types of Architecture: Shaping architecture and construction around the world, Egypt’s roots are tied to the Mediterranean, Africa and the Middle East. Most of the country’s population is concentrated along the Nile Valley and Delta, Contemporary Egyptian architecture draws from a rich history.
• Average Sale price: Average price per square meter is EGP 9,550 for apartments and EGP 20,500 for villas.
• Average years in house/apt: 40-60
• Types of Financing: Direct installments with the developer (up to 12 years installment plans) or Mortgage and bank loans.

Follow Coldwell Banker Egypt on social media!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CBNewHomes & https://www.facebook.com/ColdwellBankerEgypt/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cbnewhomes/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cbnewhomes/

Sam Shalom

Sam is the Content and Multimedia Specialist for Coldwell Banker Real Estate. He is Jersey born and bred, and currently resides in Weehawken, NJ. He is an avid reader, loves Games of Thrones and is a New York Yankees die-hard.

You can follow him on Twitter @World_Shalom