Latest news with #AlecSmith
CBS News
a day ago
- CBS News
Two teens arrested for abducting North Texas woman at gunpoint while searching for another person, police say
Two teens have been arrested after allegedly abducting a woman at gunpoint as leverage to locate another person, Sherman police said Thursday. Eli Clark and Alec Smith, both 17, are charged with aggravated kidnapping with a deadly weapon. Police said both teens admitted to the crime and were booked into the Grayson County Jail. Officers responded to the 900 block of Boone Street around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday after a 911 caller reported her roommate had been taken at gunpoint by two males, according to the Sherman Police Department. Police said the teens forced the woman into a vehicle before fleeing the scene. The suspects later returned the victim to Sherman, where she contacted police and was found unharmed. Detectives worked overnight to locate and interview the suspects. The investigation is ongoing, Sherman police said. CBS News Texas will provide additional details as they become available.
Time Out Dubai
04-08-2025
- Business
- Time Out Dubai
How to buy your first home in Dubai
If you're getting ready to buy your first home in Dubai, there's lots to consider before you get started. The process of buying a first home has now become even easier, thanks to a recently launched first-time buyers scheme available for both expats and UAE nationals. So if you're eager to buy your first home but don't know where to start, here's all the info you'll need to know (according to the experts). How to buy your first home in Dubai Getting started (Credit: Canva) First things first, work out your budget limit and how you will be paying, whether that's cash or via a mortgage. To help get you started on the mortgage process, you can contact your bank or a mortgage advisor who can help you determine what could be offered. The new Dubai first-time buyers scheme has partnered with a selection of banks, which will provide tailored mortgage products. These include the Commercial Bank of Dubai, Dubai Islamic Bank, Emirates NBD, Emirates Islamic and Mashreq bank. How to use the first-time buyers scheme Launched in July 2025, the scheme was created by the Dubai Land Department (DLD) and the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism. Eligible to those over 18 years old who do not own a freehold residential property in Dubai and are looking for a home under Dhs5 million, the scheme allows you to access a range of benefits, from priority access to new launches to relaxed payment plans for the registration fees every property owner must make to the DLD. Those interested in applying for the first-time buyers scheme must register online here. To understand the process further,Time Out Dubai spoke to Alec Smith, Head of Residential Sales and Leasing at Savills Middle East, to answer some key questions about the process. Q: What are the main benefits for first-time buyers now compared to before the scheme? 'The initiative doesn't lower property prices outright, but it makes buying a home much more accessible. 'First-time buyers now have access to priority launch offers, special pricing on select units, competitive mortgage rates from partner banks and the option to split the four percent registration fee into instalments via eligible credit cards. 'This is a big help for mid-income earners who may have struggled with upfront costs. It's a shift toward long-term ownership not just investing and supports Dubai's wider goal of encouraging more residents to settle and put down roots.' Q: How do the payment plans differ now? 'What's different this time is the coordination between developers, banks and government-linked entities. One standout update is the ability to split the four percent (DLD) registration fee into monthly instalments via credit card, which helps ease the financial pressure. 'Previously, buyers could include this fee in their mortgage, a benefit that was phased out by late 2024. The new initiative reintroduces flexibility in a more structured and accessible format. 'Combined with post-handover payment plans and improved financing terms, it offers stronger support for first-time buyers looking to enter the market.' Where to buy in Dubai Dubai neighbourhoods are constantly changing and expanding, meaning there are plenty of options whether you're looking to buy or rent. However, when it comes to your first property, Smith confirmed some areas are proving more popular than others. He added: 'Areas like Jumeirah Village Circle and Dubailand continue to attract high volumes of first-time buyers, together they accounted for over half of new unit transactions in Q1 2025. 'For buyers looking at more established communities, locations like Al Furjan, Business Bay, Downtown Dubai and Dubai Marina continue to appeal due to consistent rental demand and long-term capital growth.' The next steps (Credit: Canva) Once your offer has been accepted and your mortgage finalised, you'll set a date to transfer ownership of the property. This will be done at the Dubai Land Department, and once signed for the keys are all yours. Once you're in, it's time to get cracking on setting everything up, from your DEWA account to your Wi-Fi and all the rest. Want to get to know your new area? Check out all the best spots to know in our complete Dubai neighbourhood guide here. Living in Dubai? 4 genius DEWA bill hacks every Dubai resident should know Make sure you try these ASAP Every UAE golden visa category explained: How do I apply and what are the benefits? You may well qualify without knowing it The real reason Dubai doesn't have postcodes (and how to send mail) Everything you need to know
