Tuesday 6 January 2009

Kidding

Now, this is about as scientific a measure of the exodus as weighing Gulf News (640g) is a measure of real estate advertising revenue, but today was my first 'proper' day back at work this year and the drive to work was significantly eased by a marked decrease in the morning traffic queues. In fact, looking at the length of them, I'd say they were about 30% shorter than in December. And, unless I've missed something big, there's no particular reason why the roads should be light right now.

So we could speculate, perhaps, that the volume of people rushing off to school/work is around 30% down?

Which is partly what makes Damac Properties' ad in Gulf News today (about 2g in) so interesting. It's a desperate-sounding little thing, offering 2007 prices to the first 50 callers for some 'delivery in 2011' property, all headlined with the immortal words, "The property boom is back with a bang!"

They are, your humble correspondent submits, only kidding themselves...

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Government departments and some schools were still closed in mouring for the passing of the UAQ ruler. Could be why the traffic is lighter?

Alexander said...

Thought that was a 3-day mourning period from Friday last week...

Seabee said...

Sadly it's just the usual end of year holiday period Alex, the gridlock will be back when the holidaymakers are.

Alexander said...

NO! NO! It's the recession! This is the new traffic pattern! I refuse to believe you! Lalalalalala!

BTW

Heard a lovely quote about 2009 today: "Flat is the new up."

;0)

Anonymous said...

My daughter's school is closed all week. My son's conversely (perversely according to him) is open.

But I like your theory best

Anonymous said...

"..offering 2007 prices to the first 50 callers for some 'delivery in 2011'.."

ermm, hold on. I thought the majority of Real Estate market was back to 2007 prices. :S

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