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.

Dubai property Is Over - Hardly

It seems that every time I tell someone what I do, I get the same reply. It goes something like this

“Dubai property is over, yesterdays news”

“Really?” I say,

“Absolutely, it was booming a few years ago but not anymore”,

“According to whom?” I ask

“Everyone”

Good news all round

It seems that the property developers don’t share these concerns as billions of dollars have been invested into projects newly announced this year. The largest project announced in Dubai to date was announced this year. Capital values haven’t stopped increasing and concurrently neither have rental values.

The finance market is on the up and starting to mature. A broader range of finance products have been announced by existing banks offering more sophisticated and developed options as well as many newer banks moving in and presenting their spectrum of products.

There are also an endless number of articles by financial advisers which sing the praises of investing in Dubai property. These cover topics such as the new property laws that have been introduced which have supported international investment in Dubai through to anecdotes about 25% of the world’s cranes being located in Dubai.

It is hard to believe that so many large organisations that have invested billions in Dubai have not done their due diligence beforehand.

No news is bad news

It seems that the concerns of the naysayer arose not from negative reports of Dubai but rather a lack of positive ones. All this information is not filtering through to the public at large, at least not in the UK. Dubai is no longer mainstream news as it was five years ago. The novelty of giant artificial islands or an entire brand new city made from the ground up in the desert has worn off. In order to find new information, specialist news services on the Middle East or international economy and property have to be read.

As a result people are not as excited about Dubai property as they were five years ago when it could be argued that it is now a more exciting time. Emirate Ventures Ltd, a UK based Dubai property agency, has seen a healthy level of inquiries and sales continue despite this change in perception.

Everyone is an expert apparently, but the real experts agree that Dubai is not over by any means. It has matured and continuing to grow at a very healthy pace.

Investing in Dubai Property Market

Dubai is certainly a dynamic property market. Villas and townhouses are sold within a very short period of time. Developers offer rebates to investors who invest heavily and if you buy an entire floor of a building, chances are there that you will be offered discounts that will position you to achieve windfall capital gains over a period of time.

However, there are some regulations; especially if you are a non resident. The first and foremost is that you must have resident visa to buy property in Dubai. But those who have the resident visa with themselves or are the residents of Emirates, are sitting on a stack of opportunities.

With its ever-flourishing economy and increasing headcount, residential properties in Dubai enjoy astonishing volume of demand. According to the estimates of Emaar, a Dubai-based developer, there are about 20 residential projects that are open for sale in Dubai, currently.

Most of the property projects are located within the radius of 20 kms of the central business district where the Sheikh Zayed Highway runs alongside the emerging Burj Dubai district. Projects near the location of ‘Dubai International Financial City’ are the most sought-after ones that have the potential to deliver returns to the tune of 50-200 per cent in the next three years.

For investors looking for regular income in the form of monthly rental, furnished apartments offer superior rate of return on investment. Unfurnished properties in Dubai, on the other hand, are preferred by mostly the non residents who move into the city just recently.

For more details on Dubai Real Estate log on to magicbricks.com

Investment Property in Dubai

A few years back, many investors would have thought that an orthodox country such as the UAE could be a lucrative real estate investment destination. But with a little foresight and intelligent alliances, the rulers of the UAE have transformed the oil-dependent Middle East country into a major tourist hub with huge investment opportunities being thrown open to the global real estate investors looking to buy property in Dubai.

Dubai is a dream destination as far as temporary or permanent visitors in the country are concerned. The Europeans just love the modern amenities readily available for cheaper prices than their home countries. The guarantee of quality life at highly affordable cost of living makes Dubai a real hot potato for the British real estate investors.

Property Market in UAE - Dubai

Dubai is on the move and some serious developmental projects are under way on a large scale to transform the fortunes of the country. Almost everyday, reputed international companies are exploring the means of setting up their shop in Dubai. This is attributed to some aggressive promotional and developmental strategies adopted by the government.

The Burj Tower, with 188 storeys, is set to be the highest building of the world housing the 7-star Al-Burj Hotel. The Burj Tower is the jewel in the crown as far as high-rise and skyscrapers are concerned. Dubai is planning to host more than 200 buildings to increase its population from present 1.3 million to 4 million by 2015.

The country as a whole has some enchanting sites to visit. From the sand dunes of great deserts to pristine beaches to rugged mountains to lush-green well-maintained parks to ancient villages to places of worship to swanky shopping malls, you name it and you have it in and around Dubai.

The country offers an open port with low import duties. That’s why duty-free shopping in Dubai is on a high-priority list for the locals as well as visitors in the country. It is impossible to find a woman who has not heard about the annual Dubai Jewellery Shopping Festival.

Many European families prefer Dubai as a second-home destination because they can easily find maids and helpers at a fraction of what it costs in Europe and America. Such facilities are common in Dubai due to a large migrant population from Asian countries, like India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, who are looking for menial jobs with decent pay.

Even though the UAE is a Muslim country, Dubai is an epitome of multi-culturalism in the Sheikhdom. For long, it was dependent on the Petrodollars for perking up its economy. However, the recent interest in developing tourism and tourist-related activities in and around Dubai means the investors are flocking in their droves.

International Golf and Tennis tournaments have lifted the global profile of Dubai and it’s been increasingly seen as a hub of international activities, particularly in the Middle East. You can also indulge in plenty of aquatic adventures, such as scuba diving and snorkelling, on a vast Mediterranean coastline. And while, in Dubai, don’t miss out on exploring the Manhattan of the Middle East, the Abu Dhabi City!

Dubai Calling !

Seeing the growth potential of Dubai, the government has emersed itself in overdrive in attempt to attract high-end as well as low-end global real estate investors. For the high-end investors, there is Palm Island property which currently attracts international celebrities, like David Beckham, don’t be surprised if your sharing your neighbourhood with a top Hollywood or sporting celebrity!

Even if you are planning to buy property for rental purposes, there’s no place better than Dubai. The city is fast turning into a services hub, which generates immense demand for Studio Apartments as well as separate dwelling units for small and medium families.

Some of the other attractive features that’ll surely lure you to invest in Dubai property include -

No Capital Gains Tax

Immense capital appreciation (15% - 25% annually)

Simplified buying process

Freehold for foreign investors

World class entertainment and other facilities

Year-round sunshine

The price of Studio Apartments in Lakeside Development - IMPZ start from £49K, and other properties starting from as low as £23,000. Cheap apartments in Dubai are fast becoming a favourite of the astute property investor.

The Disneyland attraction in Dubai also contributes to a huge demand for Dubai property from just about every kind of investor.

The best part of investing in Dubai as an overseas investor is your status as a property owner. You will be a freehold owner of the Dubai property you purchase. To meaningfully make investment attractive in Dubai, the government has also relaxed several formalities and done away with rigorous procedures. It’s now much easier to invest in a high-end Dubai property with minimum help from a legally qualified professional. However, the language issue may compel you to hire a professional who can guide you accurately in realizing your Dubai real estate dreams.

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.

Want To Buy Property In Dubai?

As you know Dubai’s property market is one of the most famous markets in the world.The design of the towers are wonderful.The construction materials are perfect.The prices are good.The government is planning to build the first and best things in the world like the tallest the biggest the largest and….in Dubai.I am sure that property is one of the most important businesses of the government.They are going to increase their populations to double.

They have some huge projects such as The World (including many islands shaping the World), Palm Deira, Palm Jumeira, Palm Jebel Ali (three big islands shaping palm), Dubai sport city(the fist city of sports in the World), Dubai Media City(the biggest in the world), Dubai World Central International Airport(the biggest airport in the world), Golf World, Dubai Motor City(Formula 1).

As an investor you can invest in many projects in Dubai, as the prices are increasing everywhere.You just need to find the best one.Many people from different countries of the world started investing in Dubai.Almost 178 different nationalities live in Dubai and most of them are investing there.

You can also find many projects under construction and ready ones if you are going to buy something as an end user . Places your family and you will love and may find it the best place to live.You may have greenery, waterfront,good apartment design in your dream house or apartment.

All means that it is wise to start business in U.A.E and specially Dubai property market.It will be a great experience for you and the outcome will be unbelievable.