SweetcHome total media coverage

Imen had moved to a beautifully designed and upgraded apartment in JBR, which she initially loved due to its prime location. However, after some time, she encountered challenges with her daily commute to work. The heavy traffic during peak hours began to affect her well-being, prompting her to realise that her dream apartment was not suitable for her lifestyle. Additionally, as a pet owner of three small animals, the high-rise apartment lacked the necessary space and outdoor area for her pets to play.

Hence, she wanted to move out of that space and find an apartment, which was more suited to her needs, but she soon realised that she had to honour her tenancy contract. Faced with a dilemma, she discovered SweetcHome and opted to register on the platform, and with the help of the team, she not only secured a new residence but also found a suitable tenant to take over her apartment in JBR.

Upon discovering this case study, we were keen on understanding how residents can ‘swap’ their homes for a more fitting one without the concern of violating their contracts. Hence, we sat down with Soufien Haddad, Co-Founder of SweetcHome, who shared what drove him to launch this platform in 2023 and the strategies they are employing to manoeuvre through the complex real estate landscape.

Amani Nahedh, Founder & CEO and Soufien Haddad, Co-Founder of SweetcHome SweetcHome has a ‘Click, Match, Settle’ approach Can you share the inspiration behind starting SweetcHome?

The idea for launching SweetcHome stemmed from our personal experiences as expats who frequently moved between countries in the region. With each relocation, we faced the challenge of navigating the complex real estate market and unreliable online listings in search of a suitable home.

However, the main ‘trigger’ was when we finally settled into what we thought was our ‘ideal home’ in Dubai, but to our surprise, we discovered people parking in our driveway every day during school pick-up times because their children attended the school opposite our villa. Meanwhile, we were driving 20 minutes each way to drop off and pick up our children from school.

This situation sparked a conversation about how some of the parents parking in our driveway were possibly living near our children’s school, and how much more efficient it would be if we simply switched homes. Hence, using our technology background, we decided to create a platform that streamlines the home-hunting process to make it more efficient and frictionless.

What differentiates your platform from other portals in the market?

We offer a hassle-free real estate search experience through our ‘Click, Match, Settle’ approach. In just three minutes, customers provide us with their criteria, and we do the rest. Unlike other portals that push listings and properties, we focus on customers’ specific needs and search for the most relevant options available, making the process efficient and tailored to them. While many agencies concentrate on buying and selling, we focus on the rental market, catering to all budget levels, and ensuring that we find the ideal property for anyone.

We aim to match people with homes close to their points of interest, reducing carbon footprints and optimising mobility. Also, we believe that if anyone is unhappy with their current home, they deserve to live in a place that brings them joy, instead of waiting for months for their contract to end.

How does the AI matchmaking technology work?

As mentioned earlier, our ‘Click, Match, Settle’ approach will assist you in clearly expressing your needs, using advanced machine learning and AI to ask the right questions, to ensure we understand your preferences accurately from the start. Once we have your criteria, using our sophisticated algorithm, combined with our real estate expertise, we search for the most relevant properties.

We constantly improve our questions to make sure they are relevant and address often overlooked criteria like avoiding highways and proximity to mosques. By staying connected to our customers and understanding their needs, we can provide customised solutions that meet their specific requirements.

What measures do you take to ensure the legitimacy and safety of tenants and property listings on the platform?

Our AI matchmaking system uses our comprehensive database of offers and requests from individuals, landlords, agents, and partners to facilitate suitable home swaps. The algorithm considers criteria such as the number of bedrooms, size, location, amenities, and other essential preferences specified by the customer. The algorithm facilitates the matching process, but the result is not always a perfect 100% match; sometimes it’s 90% or 80%. Our team then intervenes to provide a personal touch, guaranteeing the most appropriate matches are suggested.

To ensure the legitimacy and safety of tenants and property listings, our platform is built with state-of-the-art security measures. Our strong digital team is well-versed in the safety and privacy requirements essential for these types of platforms, guaranteeing a secure and reliable experience for all users.

SweetcHome has a ‘Click, Match, Settle’ approach An Interview with Soufien Haddad, Co-Founder, SweetcHome: On disrupting the rental market with AI-powered home matchmakingThe proptech landscape in the UAE is rapidly evolving, driven by a mature and well-established real estate market How does your platform generate revenue?

Currently, we generate our revenue through a combination of subscription fees from agents and commission-sharing agreements.

What are the biggest challenges you are facing today?

Our current challenge lies in effectively handling the numerous requests for low to medium-rent properties in Dubai’s high-rent areas. It is essential that we continuously work to broaden our expertise and extend our reach to cover all regions of Dubai successfully. To address these challenges, we are prioritising the expansion of our operations and utilising assistance from the real estate industry to cater to the varying requirements of our clients.

How do you view the competitive landscape for proptech solutions in the UAE and what advantages does SweetcHome offer?

The proptech landscape in the UAE is rapidly evolving, driven by a mature and well-established real estate market. Our platform stands out in this competitive environment by blending digital innovation with a strong on-the-ground presence. We prioritise maintaining a human touch with our customers, ensuring a user-centric approach. Our mission revolves around serving users, making them the core of our process and focus. This unique combination of technology and personalised service sets us apart in the industry.

In what ways do you foresee the future of the rental market in the UAE shaping up, and how does SweetcHome plan to grow, adapt, and innovate in response to these changes?

We anticipate continued growth in the UAE’s rental market. At SweetcHome, our goal is to support residents in finding homes closer to their points of interest, thus reducing their carbon footprints and contributing to the sustainability agenda of the city. We plan to refine and master our operations in Dubai, extend our services across the UAE, and eventually expand to GCC countries and beyond.