The future of Dubai and UAE real estate will be more successful and solid than in previous years, due to lessons learned during the economic crash.
Both developers and property analysts are keen to reassure investors that while days seem dark right now, next year will be bright.
Many see last year's soaring prices and astronomical profits as symptoms of an immature market dominated by speculators chasing short-term gains.
Despite the excitement they generate, sky-high profits are both unsustainable and unhealthy. Ultimately, they create unrealistic expectations about future performance, especially because high prices hurt demand.
Such displays of transparent communication are signs of a maturing market, one that will be more successful in the future.
There are many reasons to be optimistic about Dubai's resilience during this downturn. Despite worsening economic conditions in other parts of the world, the UAE and GCC remain on track for solid growth.
6% growth
The UAE's economy is forecast to grow around 6 per cent in 2009, far above the global average growth of 2.2 per cent, predicted by the International Monetary Fund.
Dubai's property market, while slow at the moment, will attract long-term investors next year once the panic and negative sentiment are over. Speculators are abandoning the market, house prices are coming down leaving 2009 the year for the end-user.
Thursday 11 December 2008
Tuesday 28 October 2008
Dubai Law aims at Stability
Agents and investors in property in Dubai have been mulling over changes to the Emirate’s real estate laws that are designed to make the buying process safer and more transparent for investors, as well as bringing some degree of stability to the markets amid the financial turmoil gripping the rest of the world.
Three new laws have taken effect in the past few weeks, and all were published on 31st August. The laws concern the areas of off-plan sales, mortgage laws and property disputes.
Law 13, covering the sale of off-plan property in Dubai, states that all transactions must be registered with the Dubai Land Department. This means that developers can no longer launch and sell developments before they have taken possession of the land and been granted the necessary building permits. “Whereas previously you had some developers launching and advertising projects for sale before they had even taken possession of the land, now they will be forced to hold off”, according to Lynnette Brown, a partner at law firm Al Tamimi.
The law also gives buyers and investors added confidence in what they are buying for the future. As all sales now can only be completed after the plans and permissions have been lodged and registered, there can be little deviation between what buyers expect and the finished product.
The law pertaining to fees and charges for the sale of property in Dubai has also been amended. Developers will no longer be able to charge a transfer fee to clients, but may now charge an administration fee. This fee, which previously could be levied as a percentage of the property value, is now to be capped at a maximum of 5,000 Dirham.
The law also sets out defined timelines for different contingencies – for example, if a buyer defaults on a property the developer now can report it to the Land Department and begin a process of informing the buyer and ultimately cancelling the contract and putting the property back onto the market. This will provide added stability in the current market conditions.
The final law change is to do with the administering of mortgages in Dubai, which can only be issued by a UAE-registered bank and must be registered with the Land Department. The law also applies retrospectively to mortgage arrangements already in place, meaning that they must be registered or will be considered null and void. This extension of the mortgage laws has been hailed as a positive move, helping to reduce speculative pressure on the property markets
Three new laws have taken effect in the past few weeks, and all were published on 31st August. The laws concern the areas of off-plan sales, mortgage laws and property disputes.
Law 13, covering the sale of off-plan property in Dubai, states that all transactions must be registered with the Dubai Land Department. This means that developers can no longer launch and sell developments before they have taken possession of the land and been granted the necessary building permits. “Whereas previously you had some developers launching and advertising projects for sale before they had even taken possession of the land, now they will be forced to hold off”, according to Lynnette Brown, a partner at law firm Al Tamimi.
The law also gives buyers and investors added confidence in what they are buying for the future. As all sales now can only be completed after the plans and permissions have been lodged and registered, there can be little deviation between what buyers expect and the finished product.
The law pertaining to fees and charges for the sale of property in Dubai has also been amended. Developers will no longer be able to charge a transfer fee to clients, but may now charge an administration fee. This fee, which previously could be levied as a percentage of the property value, is now to be capped at a maximum of 5,000 Dirham.
The law also sets out defined timelines for different contingencies – for example, if a buyer defaults on a property the developer now can report it to the Land Department and begin a process of informing the buyer and ultimately cancelling the contract and putting the property back onto the market. This will provide added stability in the current market conditions.
The final law change is to do with the administering of mortgages in Dubai, which can only be issued by a UAE-registered bank and must be registered with the Land Department. The law also applies retrospectively to mortgage arrangements already in place, meaning that they must be registered or will be considered null and void. This extension of the mortgage laws has been hailed as a positive move, helping to reduce speculative pressure on the property markets
Monday 18 August 2008
Reasons to Buy Dubai
Ten reasons Dubai real estate will continue to boom
Dubai real estate may well be the next asset class bubble to be created by inappropriate interest rate levels set by the US, alongside Hong Kong property. But there are at least 10 good reasons to think the present realty boom in Dubai will continue for rather longer than many outside observers believe possible.
They may seem high now, but property prices will continue to rise
1. Dubai mortgage rates are around 8.5 per cent and have yet to adjust to the recent US rate cuts, which they have to do because of the dollar peg to the dirham. Just a couple of years ago local mortgage rates of seven per cent were available. Therefore the downward pressure on the cost of home finance is clear, and if the local mortgage market follows Hong Kong and becomes more competitive, then interest rates could go much lower, making it significantly cheaper to buy than rent. Real interest rates are already negative due to high local inflation.
2. Rental yields in the Dubai market of 7-10 per cent are abnormally high by international standards. Rents are unlikely to fall in a booming market, so it is more likely that rising capital values will gradually pressure yields down towards global levels. There is no reason why rental yields should be higher in a booming city like Dubai than in a city where the economic outlook is poorer.
3. The hype about Dubai development projects has admittedly duped even this skeptical correspondent over the years. The fact is that far less supply is coming on stream than promised by overenthusiastic developers, due partly to limited supplies of manpower and materials. Dubai Properties is one of the biggest and has just said it will deliver 5,000 units to the freehold market in 2008 which is not nearly enough to meet surging demand.
4. Dubai house prices are still low in absolute terms in comparison to other global cities with similar salary levels. The HSBC survey of house prices in comparison to per capita GDP put Dubai and Abu Dhabi near the bottom. This is a historic anomaly that will be eliminated by price rises.
5. Six years ago, when Dubai freehold began, it was a market without any formal legislation and regulatory infrastructure. Now it has world-class laws, a state-of-the-art land registry and a strongly-led regulatory authority. Hope has been replaced by experience.
6. The Dubai Financial Market crashed in 2006 pushing local investors into property as an alternative. It recovered in late 2007, but is now again trending downwards with global stocks, and has become highly volatile, shifting over 10 per cent in a day. Expect stock market participants to again seek a more stable alternative.
7. Indeed, the absence of investment alternatives is a major theme for 2008. Global stock markets have had their worst January in history. Recent US interest rate cuts leave deposits paying 2.8 per cent. This makes Dubai real estate look attractive as an alternative. Where else offers such a return?
8. In the same way that the local stock market crash attracted foreign bargain hunters to invest last year, foreign investors in search of yield are also increasingly investing in Dubai real estate. Problems in the UK housing market might be dissuading some buyers, but large numbers of oil-rich Russians, for example, are now buying in Dubai.
9. Dubai still has some undeveloped market niches in real estate, such as holiday lets and fractional ownership, which are big and even dominant market phenomena in many beach resorts around the world. This source of higher rental yield on property has therefore yet to be fully tapped.
10. The Dubai Government has been the most proactive developer in the emirate, and its recent legislation and regulatory initiatives suggest that this support is not only likely to continue, but will respond appropriately to any adverse market developments.
Dubai real estate may well be the next asset class bubble to be created by inappropriate interest rate levels set by the US, alongside Hong Kong property. But there are at least 10 good reasons to think the present realty boom in Dubai will continue for rather longer than many outside observers believe possible.
They may seem high now, but property prices will continue to rise
1. Dubai mortgage rates are around 8.5 per cent and have yet to adjust to the recent US rate cuts, which they have to do because of the dollar peg to the dirham. Just a couple of years ago local mortgage rates of seven per cent were available. Therefore the downward pressure on the cost of home finance is clear, and if the local mortgage market follows Hong Kong and becomes more competitive, then interest rates could go much lower, making it significantly cheaper to buy than rent. Real interest rates are already negative due to high local inflation.
2. Rental yields in the Dubai market of 7-10 per cent are abnormally high by international standards. Rents are unlikely to fall in a booming market, so it is more likely that rising capital values will gradually pressure yields down towards global levels. There is no reason why rental yields should be higher in a booming city like Dubai than in a city where the economic outlook is poorer.
3. The hype about Dubai development projects has admittedly duped even this skeptical correspondent over the years. The fact is that far less supply is coming on stream than promised by overenthusiastic developers, due partly to limited supplies of manpower and materials. Dubai Properties is one of the biggest and has just said it will deliver 5,000 units to the freehold market in 2008 which is not nearly enough to meet surging demand.
4. Dubai house prices are still low in absolute terms in comparison to other global cities with similar salary levels. The HSBC survey of house prices in comparison to per capita GDP put Dubai and Abu Dhabi near the bottom. This is a historic anomaly that will be eliminated by price rises.
5. Six years ago, when Dubai freehold began, it was a market without any formal legislation and regulatory infrastructure. Now it has world-class laws, a state-of-the-art land registry and a strongly-led regulatory authority. Hope has been replaced by experience.
6. The Dubai Financial Market crashed in 2006 pushing local investors into property as an alternative. It recovered in late 2007, but is now again trending downwards with global stocks, and has become highly volatile, shifting over 10 per cent in a day. Expect stock market participants to again seek a more stable alternative.
7. Indeed, the absence of investment alternatives is a major theme for 2008. Global stock markets have had their worst January in history. Recent US interest rate cuts leave deposits paying 2.8 per cent. This makes Dubai real estate look attractive as an alternative. Where else offers such a return?
8. In the same way that the local stock market crash attracted foreign bargain hunters to invest last year, foreign investors in search of yield are also increasingly investing in Dubai real estate. Problems in the UK housing market might be dissuading some buyers, but large numbers of oil-rich Russians, for example, are now buying in Dubai.
9. Dubai still has some undeveloped market niches in real estate, such as holiday lets and fractional ownership, which are big and even dominant market phenomena in many beach resorts around the world. This source of higher rental yield on property has therefore yet to be fully tapped.
10. The Dubai Government has been the most proactive developer in the emirate, and its recent legislation and regulatory initiatives suggest that this support is not only likely to continue, but will respond appropriately to any adverse market developments.
Tuesday 29 July 2008
Overseas Property: the Time to Buy is Now
With the credit-crunch and rising oil prices becoming a devastating tag-team on the global stock market and the performance of other investments, global real estate is becoming the most popular investment choice.
Billions of dollars are being put into the creation of more and more property investment funds around the world, and almost every country in the world is getting in on the action. The emergence of Africa onto the international property investment scene, and now even Iraq seeing its first luxury property development, is testament to the rising popularity and profitability of overseas property investment.
The time to buy is definitely now, no one can say for sure when the credit crunch will end, prices in the best emerging markets are rising well above inflation, and getting higher all the time, not to mention building regulations making off-plan purchases harder to come by in some of the older strong markets – off plan property providing the best value and biggest potential for profit.
Billions of dollars are being put into the creation of more and more property investment funds around the world, and almost every country in the world is getting in on the action. The emergence of Africa onto the international property investment scene, and now even Iraq seeing its first luxury property development, is testament to the rising popularity and profitability of overseas property investment.
The time to buy is definitely now, no one can say for sure when the credit crunch will end, prices in the best emerging markets are rising well above inflation, and getting higher all the time, not to mention building regulations making off-plan purchases harder to come by in some of the older strong markets – off plan property providing the best value and biggest potential for profit.
Dubai Leads Global Property Investment Markets
The volume of property sales in Dubai is poised to rise as more global investors, shifting their focus away from markets hit by credit crunch, seek to enter the Gulf markets, a leading global property investment.
Dubai, which registered the greatest improvement in real estate transparency globally over the past two years, is projected to record a 55.2 per cent surge in property deals to hit Dh717 billion in 2008 from Dh462 billion in 2007
With credit crisis hitting real estate markets in the US and Europe, many investors are eyeing Gulf markets, particularly Dubai
Dubai's position as the most transparent of the MENA markets placed it ahead of other emerging economies such as those of the BRIC Markets (Brazil, Russia, India and China).
Better than China, India and most of Russia, Dubai's transparency index score exceeds the other BRIC markets
Transparent markets as those that are open and easier to do business with the components of transparency encompassing transaction processes, the regulatory and legal environment, market fundamentals and performance measurements.
Dubai, which registered the greatest improvement in real estate transparency globally over the past two years, is projected to record a 55.2 per cent surge in property deals to hit Dh717 billion in 2008 from Dh462 billion in 2007
With credit crisis hitting real estate markets in the US and Europe, many investors are eyeing Gulf markets, particularly Dubai
Dubai's position as the most transparent of the MENA markets placed it ahead of other emerging economies such as those of the BRIC Markets (Brazil, Russia, India and China).
Better than China, India and most of Russia, Dubai's transparency index score exceeds the other BRIC markets
Transparent markets as those that are open and easier to do business with the components of transparency encompassing transaction processes, the regulatory and legal environment, market fundamentals and performance measurements.
Ocean Heights Tower Reaches 10th Floor
DAMAC Properties – the luxury lifestyle provider and region’s leading private sector master developer has reached the 10th floor level for its Signature Series Ocean Heights residential tower.jpg)
Ocean Heights is one of the many freehold towers being built in the Dubai Marina, which is located opposite to Le Meridien Mina El Seyahi. Ocean Heights will be a 310 meter (1,017 feet) 82-storey tower, with 680 apartments. The AED 1.5 billion (US$ 408 million) free hold residential tower will contain 1, 2, and 3 bedroom apartment units from 722 to 1,515 square feet and will feature 9 units of Signature Series Apartments from the 67th to the 75th floor and Duplex apartments from the 76th to the 81st floor.
In his comments, Peter Riddoch, CEO of DAMAC Properties, said: “It is very important time for us, we recently handed over 572 units at Lake Terrace and will continue delivering to our customers. We are pleased to see the development of Ocean Heights, we have already reached the 10th floor and now we are able to see it while driving by. We’re proud to bring Ocean Heights from the design concept to reality.”
“Aedas is the Lead architects for Ocean Heights. Aedas offers tailored, customized services and accommodates the needs of every development. Their international experience extends across a range of projects, private and public. Having AEDAS on board will ensure that we deliver highest level of architecture and creative design. DAMAC projects are designed with passion and vision aimed at becoming the Middle East’s most prominent luxury focused private sector master developer” He added.
Amenities at Ocean Heights will include an outdoor leisure deck with a temperature-controlled swimming pool, gymnasium, sauna, steam room, game room and children's play area. Other amenities included are coffee and juice bars, restaurants, 24-hour security, concierge desk, and housekeeping services.
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DAMAC Properties won two prestigious awards at the recent CNBC Arabian Property Awards 2007 - for the top property developer received the ‘Best High Rise Development’ award for ‘La Residence at the Lotus’ and the ‘Best Website’ award for the company’s revamped website – www.damacproperties.com. DAMAC’s La Residence at the Lotus in Business Bay Dubai has won the Best International High Rise Development Award that was held at Las Vegas recently.
Ocean Heights is one of the many freehold towers being built in the Dubai Marina, which is located opposite to Le Meridien Mina El Seyahi. Ocean Heights will be a 310 meter (1,017 feet) 82-storey tower, with 680 apartments. The AED 1.5 billion (US$ 408 million) free hold residential tower will contain 1, 2, and 3 bedroom apartment units from 722 to 1,515 square feet and will feature 9 units of Signature Series Apartments from the 67th to the 75th floor and Duplex apartments from the 76th to the 81st floor.In his comments, Peter Riddoch, CEO of DAMAC Properties, said: “It is very important time for us, we recently handed over 572 units at Lake Terrace and will continue delivering to our customers. We are pleased to see the development of Ocean Heights, we have already reached the 10th floor and now we are able to see it while driving by. We’re proud to bring Ocean Heights from the design concept to reality.”
“Aedas is the Lead architects for Ocean Heights. Aedas offers tailored, customized services and accommodates the needs of every development. Their international experience extends across a range of projects, private and public. Having AEDAS on board will ensure that we deliver highest level of architecture and creative design. DAMAC projects are designed with passion and vision aimed at becoming the Middle East’s most prominent luxury focused private sector master developer” He added.
Amenities at Ocean Heights will include an outdoor leisure deck with a temperature-controlled swimming pool, gymnasium, sauna, steam room, game room and children's play area. Other amenities included are coffee and juice bars, restaurants, 24-hour security, concierge desk, and housekeeping services.
DAMAC Properties won two prestigious awards at the recent CNBC Arabian Property Awards 2007 - for the top property developer received the ‘Best High Rise Development’ award for ‘La Residence at the Lotus’ and the ‘Best Website’ award for the company’s revamped website – www.damacproperties.com. DAMAC’s La Residence at the Lotus in Business Bay Dubai has won the Best International High Rise Development Award that was held at Las Vegas recently.
Tuesday 15 July 2008
Work, Live, Shop and Play Under One Roof
The Concourse. A multi-use, virtually self-sufficient living complex where you can work, live, shop and play, all within strolling distance of each other. Comprising two elegant towers rising out of a 4-level podium topped with an expansive Leisure Deck, the stunning architectural design of this complex is surpassed only by its extraordinary convenience. Facilities at the Concourse include;
25 floors of offices, 15 floors of residences
Common podium with 4 levels of parking
400 sq. mts. of Leisure Deck
Retail area and shopping mall
Easy access from main road on all 4 sides
Entire ground level dedicated to retail and shopping mall
Easy access for residents, office-goers and visitors
Supermarket for your daily needs
Open late for your convenience
Swimming pool with kiddie pool
Walking/jogging track
State-of-the-art gymnasium
Steam and Sauna
Restaurants
Thursday 29 May 2008
Burjside Terrace Serviced Apartments
Dubai Serviced ApartmentsBurjside Terrace blurs the line between service apartments and luxury hotels. Located in the ‘platinum’ square kilometer of Burj Dubai District , Burjside Terrace is the epitome of quality living, and the pinnacle of lucrative investment opportunities.
Facillities at Burjside include;
62 levels of luxury serviced apartments
5 levels of podium
Dedicated level for leisure and relaxation
State-of-the-art gym and health club
Swimming pool, Jacuzzi, mini basketball
Ample parking
Thursday 1 May 2008
Green Court Jumeirah Village Dubai
Green Court in Jumeirah Village. A truly beautiful residential development offering stylized Mediterranean and Arabic themed architecture and comprising of studios, 1 and 2 bedroom apartments. A home that fills you with pride and makes every moment worth living! Green Court is a combination of ground plus 4 storey buildings. Enjoy the contrast of warm earth tones with the vivid green of the gardens both in your building as well as in the landscape surrounding you.
If you are an ardent health freak, you’ll find all the latest facilities to keep you in the pink of health. A spa with steam and sauna, to gently pamper you along with an extensive range of fitness facilities that are revitalizing. Perhaps, a workout at the gymnasium or a few laps in the pool.
Swimming pool
State-of-the-art gymnasium
Health club for men and women
Sauna and steam room
Convenient elevator access from the parking to the apartments
2 elevators and 2 emergency staircases
Location facilities:
Walking, jogging & cycling trails
Oasis promenades
Neighbourhood parks
Community sports
Thursday 3 April 2008
Parkside Apartments Dubai
A home away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Parkside is a modern architecture with two buildings connected by a common podium and highlighted by picturesque well-planned lush green spaces between the buildings. A cozy abode with calm and soothing surroundings, you’ll enjoy living in a home where luxury and beauty reside in perfect harmony. Facilities - common
Landscaped roof gardens
Premium health club with gym & changing rooms
Sauna
Temperature-controlled outdoor swimming pools
Children’s playground
Wading pool (children’s pool)
Exquisitely designed lobby
Multi-purpose hall
Concierge desk with 24-hour service
High-speed elevators
Security access control and closed-circuit TV
Ample parking space
Facilities - apartments
Fitted kitchens with fridge/freezer, washer/dryer, ceramic hob, oven and dishwasher
Balconies
Wardrobes in bedrooms
Fully tiled bathrooms, ensuites and guest toilets (wherever applicable)
Vanity units and mirrors
Centrally air-conditioned
Double glazed windows
Satellite TV and telephone connections
Ultra high-speed internet access with ‘future technology-ready features’
Ceramic floor tiling
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