5 Things Diaspora Egyptians Should Know Before Listing Property Online

Verify Your Documents Before You List

Before you even think about photos or pricing, make sure your ownership documents are in order. This is especially important if you inherited the property or if it was bought decades ago.

• Confirm the title deed is in your name (or complete the inheritance transfer).
• Check for any outstanding utility bills or building fees.
• If you need a power of attorney for someone in Egypt, prepare it at the Egyptian consulate in your country.

Buyers will ask about documents. Being prepared shows you're serious and speeds up the process.

Invest in Quality Photos

Photos are everything online. A listing with dark, blurry photos gets scrolled past. You don't need a professional photographer, but you do need decent photos.

• Natural light: Shoot during the day with curtains open.
• Wide angles: Stand in doorways to capture the full room.
• Clean first: Ask someone to tidy up before photographing.
• Cover all areas: Kitchen, bathrooms, bedrooms, balcony, building entrance, street view.

Ask a family member with a decent smartphone to take 10-15 photos. It takes 20 minutes and makes your listing 10x more attractive.

Price Based on Local Market, Not Your Expectations

This is where many diaspora sellers go wrong. You might think your apartment is worth a certain amount based on what you paid or what you've heard. But the local market decides.

• Search for comparable properties on MasrMarket. Same area, same size, same finishing level.
• Don't convert to foreign currency and price based on what sounds "low" in GBP or AED. Egyptian buyers pay in EGP.
• An overpriced listing gets zero interest. A fairly priced one gets multiple inquiries within days.

Describe Infrastructure Honestly

MasrMarket is the only platform that lets you share infrastructure data: internet type, electricity stability, gas availability, and water reliability. Use this to your advantage.

• If your area has fiber internet (FTTH), say so. It's a major selling point for remote workers.
• Be honest about electricity. If there are occasional cuts, say so. Buyers appreciate honesty over discovery.
• Mentioning piped natural gas is a plus. Many newer compounds don't have it.

Be Responsive, Even Across Time Zones

Buyers in Egypt will contact you during their daytime. If you're in the UK, that's mostly during your working hours. If you're in Dubai or Saudi, the overlap is even better.

• Reply to WhatsApp messages within a few hours, not days.
• Set up WhatsApp notifications so you don't miss inquiries.
• A quick, polite response builds trust. Buyers can tell when an owner is engaged vs. absent.