Dubai or not to Buy? A Short Assessment of the Dubai Property Market

Never has there been such an ambitious and creative drive to establish a property market as has been witnessed in Dubai over the past three years. Running short on oil reserves, Dubai’s crown prince, Sheikh Mohammed Al Marktoum, set out to turn Dubai into the financial, commercial and tourism capital of the Middle East and in the space of three years he has more than succeeded. The country’s GDP has expanded by 17 per cent over the past year and HSBC Bank estimates that there is .5 billion worth of projects under construction, compared with billion for the rest of the neighboring oil states put together.

The result has been the rise of Dubai as the world’s most glamorous property investment market. Nothing in Dubai is understated. The tiny emirate, that only five years ago was nothing more than a simple fishing village has suddenly become the Manhattan of the Middle East. Following the mantra ‘bigger is better’ Dubai has proudly announced the world’s first seven star hotel, Burj Al Arab and is set to construct the world’s biggest shopping mall, the first underwater hotel and amazingly, the longest indoors ski slope.

Already the annual number of visitors stands at 5 million and is set to rise to 10 million by 2007. The scale of development has been unprecedented with apartment blocks being constructed by the dozen and selling out within days to hordes of zealous investors prepared to queue overnight to bag a bargain in Dubai. The projects being released are some of the most inventive and ambitious the world has seen, with man made islands such as The Palm and more recently The World capitalizing on the attractions of beach front living and redefining the world’s geography in the process.

With real estate as out of the ordinary as this, it’s not difficult to see why Dubai’s property market is attracting such large-scale international interest. There really is nothing like it and it seems everybody who’s anybody will have a piece of Dubai. Dubai’s more exclusive developments are being snapped up the celebrity classes and the world’s elite. Ageing English rocker, Rod Stewart is already the proud owner of Britain [The World's miniature Britain that is!] and villas along the Palm are being bought by sports stars, film stars and anybody with upwards of €1.5 million to spend on a private waterfront retreat.

If so much has been achieved in three years, where is Dubai to go from here? Nakheel, the company behind the extraordinary Palm and The World projects already has its eye, literally, on a new development. Dream City, like the Palm is also a series of man made islands but out sizes the Palm significantly. When finished, Dream City will form the shape of an eye, with the residential element on giant eyelashes extending out into the Persian Gulf. Villas at Dream City start at €425,000 for around 371 sq m (4,000 sq ft) of accommodation. Townhouses start at €200,000, while one and two-bedroom apartments start at €150,000.

For the property investor seeking a lucrative return, a new market is always a risky one and the fear is that the market may collapse soon after it has taken off!. With plenty of anecdotal evidence to suggest that property prices in Dubai are rising by as much as 60% in one year, it’s tempting to rush straight in and grab a piece of the action. But the canny investors will have to consider if it is too much too fast.

The pace of the property market in Dubai makes is a speculators dream. It’s not unheard of for properties to have been transferred up to a dozen times even before the building is complete. Many opportunistic investors are booking 10 to 20 villas in new developments, selling them at significant profits before they have been completed.

Cashing in on this and perhaps in an effort to cool the market, builders are charging a fee of up to 7% each time a property is transferred and lending institutions are trying to keep some control on the market by agreeing to finance only the original sale price. In the secondary market, prices can exceed the original price by 10-70%, depending on the development’s popularity.

All the indications are suggesting that the initial hype is easing and prices are settling. A year and a half ago 900 houses in one development sold out in 7 hours. Many believe that demand will continue to be sustained and prices will continue to rise, though not at the frantic rates they have been rising over the past two years.

In comparison to other new and emerging markets, such as those in Central and Eastern Europe, Dubai appears to be a more attractive investment. Prices in the middle market are comparative to those in Eastern European cities such as Tallinn and Krakow. Unlike these countries Dubai has the sunshine factor and a glamorous edge, which is surely contributing to the high immigration from Europe, the Gulf Region and the Indian subcontinent. Over 100,000 extra people are expected to arrive in Dubai every year. Such large-scale immigration is sure to sustain the property rental markets.

Other property markets are seeing rental yields drop through the floor. Too many investors buying up properties and not enough tenants to rent them! Ireland, Britain and many of the New European capital cities are seeing yields drop to below 3%. In Dubai, rental yields have dropped from a very healthy 8-9% but are now holding firm at 6-7%. The fact that in Dubai rents are paid in advance, sometimes up to one year in advance, is surely a motivating factor for those considering a buy-to-let property in Dubai. On the downside, service charges on new development can be high, anywhere up to £4000 per annum and may be requested by the developer upfront!

Despite the current boom and huge immigration into Dubai cautious investors are raising understandable questions about the security of ownership in the UAE. As yet, no law has been passed to confirm the right of foreigners to own property in any of the projects launched to date. However, the UAE allows individual emirates to issue their own legislation to regulate ownership of real property. While Dubai is committed to encouraging overseas investment, they rule by decree and decisions can be changed overnight the whim of the current ruler. The government have promised that freehold would be granted in the near future. When this happens it is likely to further boost investor confidence in the Dubai property market.

If the property market in Dubai is to develop with any degree of stability, capturing the interest of second homeowners and expats seeking to relocate is essential. If the market continues to be speculator driven, the possibility of a speculative bubble is not unlikely. A revision of property ownership laws for foreign investors should encourage a more stable property investment climate, helping to avoid any crash that might be caused by a quickly exhausted investor base of opportunistic speculators.

Invest In Dubai Property

Located on the southern coast of Persian or Arabian Gulf, Dubai is the 2nd largest of the seven emirates that constitute United Arab Emirates. Dubai has a population of 1.35 million inhabitants of which majority consist of expatriates. Dubai has the biggest population among other cities of UAE. Major parts of Dubai consist of rolling sand dunes. During the last few decades, Dubai has experienced a hasty development in every field of life. Twenty years back and you would find Dubai, a city inhabited by itinerant Bedouin roving across with their flocks and herds. Today, Dubai has become one of the most modern cities in the world. With the continued boom in industry sectors such as tourism industry and Dubai Property industry, Dubai has fast become the center of attraction for millions of people and businessman around the globe.

To some extent, Dubai is little different from rest of six Emirates of UAE. Unlike other Emirates, revenues from oil products contribute only 6% of the Gross Domestic Products of Dubai. The major contributors in its GDP are the tourism sector and the real estate sector. Later has gain a significant importance in the economical growth of Dubai. Today Dubai proudly holds some of the tallest skyscrapers in the world.

With nonpareil facilities and lifestyle on offer in Dubai, many people are planning to make Dubai as their second home. Some are even planning to relocate their. This has resulted in an increase in the property demand in Dubai. The increase in the demand of Dubai property for sale has forced the hike in price for properties in Dubai. With the announcement of new laws for property in Dubai, Dubai has able to magnetize many property investors around the globe. According to AME Info (leading press release website about Middle East), a massive investment of USD 4 billion has been committed in the Dubai property market since the passing of new laws for property in Dubai.

Dubai Investment Fund has planned to broaden the horizons of property investment across the following three branches of Dubai property market.

1- Commercial Property in Dubai

2- Industrial Property in Dubai

3- Residential Property in Dubai

DIF has aimed about 15 to 20% annual growth in the investment funds for Dubai property sector. One of the major developments in Dubai real estate market has been the announcement of new Dubai Freehold Property Zones. Expatriates can own in these zones either on permanent basis or on the basis of 99 years lease. This factor has significantly intensified the Dubai property market. All of a sudden, Dubai property market converted from an average local market into a full of activity international market. With matchless lifestyle Dubai has now become the heaven for millions of people in quest of a trendy and out of this world lifestyle.

The Dubai property prices have shown a significant upward trend during the last few years. Dubai property market has seen a 40% increase in the rental price against the property for rent in Dubai during the first six months of 2005. The price of property for sale in Dubai has also seen an increase between 20 to 50% during 2006. According to many real estate experts, this is the best time to invest in Dubai property market as prices are set to see more heights during the upcoming years with ever increasing property demands. Many investors are turning to invest in Dubai property market to take home their share of benefits that Dubai property market has on offer for its investors. There is a lot of profit on offer in Dubai property market if you can play your cards well. All one needs is the careful survey of Dubai property market.

Property in Dubai, Abu Dhabi - Guide to Buying Property in the United Arab Emirates

Overview

In recent years, the government of Dubai has reformed the property laws in that country. Through this reformation process, more and more people have found that buying residential real estate and investment real estate in that country is ever more attractive.

Historically, many foreign nationals were reluctant to invest in real estate in Dubai because there was a great deal of uncertainty as to exactly what type of real estate interest a person could actually obtain by investing in real estate in that country. Specifically, the most desired type of interest in real estate is what is known as a freehold estate. Legally speaking, in Dubai and in other countries the world over, a freehold estate is one in which a person has an absolute interest in a piece of real estate and can convey that real estate to any other person or entity without any encumbrances to such a conveyance. It is the state in which a person has an absolute ownership interest in a piece of real estate.

Investment Property in United Arab Emirates - Dubai

Far and above, the most common type of real estate purchase that foreign nationals are making in Dubai involves investment real estate. In recent years, the government of Dubai has made a concerted effort to draw more foreign investment into that country than at any other time in the history of Dubai.

By way of example, a significant number of foreign nationals have invested in business and commercial property within Dubai. More often than not, a group of foreign investors tend to come together to invest in a particular commercial property in order to spread the risk a bit. Even though Dubai is one of the more stable countries within that particular region of the world, the Middle East remains something or a powder keg and the future stability of the region is always a concern.

Residential Property in United Arab Emirates - Dubai

The demand by foreign nationals for single family dwellings historically has been nominal. However, in the past decade, the number of people from different nations who can be found seeking single family dwellings in Dubai has increased by nearly 100%. There are two primary reasons why more foreign nationals have become interested in single family dwellings within Dubai.

First, with Dubai and its government becoming more interested in playing a larger role on the world’s economic stage, there has been something of a concerted effort at attracting foreign business enterprises to that country. As a result, there are more foreign nationals who have elected to purchase real estate in that country for residential purposes.

Secondly, throughout much of the Arab world and into Europe and Africa, a growing number of people from these other nations have begun to look toward Dubai as a place to maintain vacation or holiday property. More and more people have elected to make the purchase of second residence in Dubai for vacation and holiday purposes.

Residential Real Estate - Apartments in United Arab Emirates - Dubai

As mentioned previously, due to the influx of foreign nationals into Dubai over the course of the past decade, the demand for residential property is on the increase. Many foreign nationals have turned to purchasing and owing apartments for residential purposes.

Generally speaking, even rather luxurious apartments can be purchased in Dubai for comparatively reasonably prices. For example, a person generally can make the purchase of an apartment in Dubai that would cost considerably more for a comparable unit in many other countries around the world .

Holiday Property in UAE Holiday Resorts

As referenced previously, a growing number of people have begun buying and owing vacation property within Dubai. This includes foreign nationals who are turning to Dubai as a place to travel to for vacation or holiday purposes.

Because Dubai is one of the most stable nations in all of the Arab world, many more well to do people from other nations in the region are turning to Dubai as a location in which they can own second or vacation residences. In addition, a growing number of Europeans are also taking to purchasing vacation properties within Dubai. The trend towards the ownership of vacation property by foreign nationals in Dubai is expected to increase over the course of the next two decades, according to real estate analysts who have spend a great deal of time considering real property trends in Dubai.

Specific Steps to Buying a Property in United Arab Emirates - Dubai

Since the 1940s, most foreign nationals who had an inclination to purchase real estate abroad have shied away from buying such property in any of the countries in the Arab world. There are two primary reasons why so many foreign nationals historically have avoided buying real estate in Arab countries, including in Dubai.

First of all, as news reports have recounted over the course of the past sixty years, the Arab world is far from being the most stable region in the country. Wars and violence have been common occurrences within that corner of the world.

The second reason why so many foreign nationals have avoided buying and owning real estate in the Arab world rests in the fact that the laws governing the ownership of real estate in many of these countries has been complicated and structured in such a way that it overtly discouraged foreign investment in real estate. Indeed, many countries that make up the Arab world have prohibited foreign ownership of real estate during much of the past fifty to sixty years — including to the present day.

With all of that said, Dubai has been on the vanguard of creating foreign-friendly real estate laws that encourage the investment in real estate by foreign nationals. First and foremost, the laws in Dubai have been reformed to make it abundantly clear that a foreign national can purchase and own outright real estate within that country. A foreign national can obtain a freehold interest (as has been discussed previously) in real estate in Dubai.

In Dubai, the first step in buying real estate is an oral offer to a seller. In Dubai, a foreign national needs no special permission to make the purchase of real estate in that country. In addition, unlike some countries (including some in the Middle East region of the world), a foreign national can own real estate directly and does not have to bounce through an extra set of hoops towards the goal of buying and holding real property.

Following the acceptance of the oral offer, an initial real estate sales contract is drafted and executed between the parties. A deposit — in an amount negotiated by the parties — is placed at this time by the buyer to the seller. Generally speaking, the deposit is not refundable unless the seller of the property is unable to convey ultimately the real estate to the buyer. In other words, barring some snafu by the seller, a buyer will lose his or her deposit if he or she backs out of the contract.

In Dubai, a mortgage lender from nearly any country in the world can provide financing for the purchase of real estate in that country. What one needs to bear in mind when buying property in Dubai is that many times a lender will require collateral beyond the property located in Dubai, beyond the real estate being purchased. In most real estate transactions the world over, the only collateral the lender requires for a mortgage loan is the real estate itself that is buying purchased. However, when a foreign national is making the purchase of real estate in Dubai, a mortgage lender in most instances will require collateral beyond the actual real estate situated in Dubai that is being purchased.

The primary reasons for the requirement for additional collateral when obtaining a loan to purchase real estate in Dubai include the general instability in the region. There is a concern on the part of some mortgage lenders that something might cause a disruption in Dubai that might effect the real estate collateral in that country. Thus, the typical lender will want additional collateral for any loan. Additionally, while the real estate related laws in Dubai are very liberal, there is always some concern that a new regime might take control of the country causing a disfavor able alteration in the real estate laws in that country. Again, for that reason, lenders desire additional protective collateral in regard to the purchase of real estate in Dubai.

With this in mind, when purchasing real estate in Dubai, it is imperative that a potential purchaser makes certain that he or she has access to other property that can be used as additional collateral for the purchase or real estate in that nation.

Once the various requirements of the initial contract are satisfied — the buyer obtaining financing, the seller making certain that the property is free of any encumbrances that might prevent a conveyance to the buyer — a final contract is executed, the remaining money due to the seller is paid and a deed for the property is given to the buyer who will become the new owner of the real estate at that juncture.

Property Abroad always recommends using a Solicitor or Lawyer.

Property in Dubai - Will the Dubai Property Market Implode?

Since 2002 the real estate market in Dubai has seen rapid growth. The reason behind this was the change in ownership legislation that was passed by the governance post 2002.

The main point of the legislation change was to allow non-nationals to own property outright freehold in the region. This as an effect has had a resultant effect of bringing large investment into the region and attracting a large amount of foreigners into the region.

Due to the tax implications of working in the area (100% tax free) amongst other things Dubai has attracted a massive amount of workers in to the region.

With this initial massive influx of workers and individuals into the area there was a gross under supply of housing in the area, and this has had the effect over the past few years of raising property prices as well as rents to unprecedented levels in the region. Residential property values are still rising in the region but at slower levels seen over recent years.

With developers like any business observing this aggressive appreciation being achieved in the property market in Dubai larger amounts of developers started to build ever more opulent as well as quantities of accommodation to cash in and also satisfy demand.

What many are starting to believe now is that this demand that had fuelled the growth in the property market was mainly fuelled by investors speculating and not end users.
Also there will be a large amount of developments that will reach completion over 2009-2010, so many are believing that these factors combined will cause a correction in the market due to an over-supply in the market.

So the main factors that will determine if a correction is imminent in this region is going to population growth, and skilled at that. If Dubai can continue to support an expanding skilled workforce who can afford the high housing costs then we can expect to see potentially a stabilising of the market if not then I would assume a potentially large correction in store specifically in Dubai.

This has been one of the reasons that many investors have started looking at other less developed Emirates undergoing growth to invest in property.