In 2002 the government of Dubai created freehold property zones in the city. For the first time foreign individuals could own property in the freehold areas of Dubai. This has resulted in an unprecedented boost in the real estate market leading to massive construction projects that are among the best in the world. The new law was established in order to enhance the confidence of property buyers in the legal system. The legislation was intended to attract foreign investment through international developers that always prefer to work in countries where the laws are straightforward and keeps things simple. Before the law was passed foreign nationals could only get a 99-year lease at a maximum but it was only since 2002 that they could actually own property in the freehold areas of Dubai. Another good thing about the legislation is that it helps to support 80% of Dubai’s population, made of non citizens, to rent out the property and lead better lives. Freehold property owners in Dubai can rent out their property on 99-year leases of their own.
According to the new laws people looking for buying property in Dubai will now have outright ownership of the construction as well as the land below it. There will no going back between freehold and leasehold. The new Dubai property law means that you can register the property under your own name with the Dubai Land Department. The best part of all this is that the Dubai Land Department uses the latest technology to manage everything so there is no need to worry about endless paper work and fussy rules and regulations. Everything is designed to work smoothly for everyone. Before 2002 the buyers kept a contract of the sale from the developer that allowed them to transfer the ownership only through the developer. The contract included an agreement that the freehold property would be granted as the freehold title as soon as it was ready. The new law says that the title deeds can be handed over the owners a lot sooner.
A huge impact of all this can be seen in the mortgage market because of the high rate of construction and property trading going on in Dubai. The resale market is boiling hot and international banks, especially Standard Chartered Bank, are vying to enter the market to offer financial loan options. Hitherto the same institutions were unwilling to enter the market because of legal uncertainties. It is now fully expected that many banks are going to aggressively enter the market and lower the mortgage cost and offer highly competitive prices and several new services. Introductory discounts are going to make a huge difference to the mortgage market. It has generally been noted that the lower the cost of the money the higher the price of property. One of the reasons for high rates of property in the world is the low cost of money.
Showing posts with label Dubai mortgages. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dubai mortgages. Show all posts
Tuesday, 17 March 2009
Friday, 13 March 2009
Funds Made Available to Support Dubai Builders
Dubai companies should begin receiving funds “in a matter of a week or two” from the US$10 billion (Dh36.73bn) the Dubai Government recently borrowed from the Central Bank to help ease a cash pinch in the emirate, Nasser al Shaikh, the head of Dubai’s finance department, said at a conference today.
The funds are part of a $20bn bond programme launched last month to help Dubai meet its short-term funding requirements. The move has calmed investors, who feared that companies may face difficulties repaying debts this year, given the reluctance of banks to refinance loans because of a global credit shortage.
The emirate will decide how to administer the funds on a case-by-case basis, he said, adding the money could be lent to the companies directly or used to guarantee loans provided through local banks.
While Mr al Shaikh said companies in Dubai’s property sector would receive special priority, companies outside of the property sector would also be eligible. Shady Shaher, an economist at Standard Chartered, said he still expected the majority of the money to go into property companies, especially those partially owned by the Dubai Government. “Since the majority of real estate companies have government ownership, they would naturally get more support,” he said.
A crucial decision will be what amount of money is allocated to paying down the companies’ debts and how much is needed to simply boost the cash they need to continue paying workers and contractors
The National Abu Dhabi
The funds are part of a $20bn bond programme launched last month to help Dubai meet its short-term funding requirements. The move has calmed investors, who feared that companies may face difficulties repaying debts this year, given the reluctance of banks to refinance loans because of a global credit shortage.
The emirate will decide how to administer the funds on a case-by-case basis, he said, adding the money could be lent to the companies directly or used to guarantee loans provided through local banks.
While Mr al Shaikh said companies in Dubai’s property sector would receive special priority, companies outside of the property sector would also be eligible. Shady Shaher, an economist at Standard Chartered, said he still expected the majority of the money to go into property companies, especially those partially owned by the Dubai Government. “Since the majority of real estate companies have government ownership, they would naturally get more support,” he said.
A crucial decision will be what amount of money is allocated to paying down the companies’ debts and how much is needed to simply boost the cash they need to continue paying workers and contractors
The National Abu Dhabi
Friday, 16 January 2009
One floor completed every week at Ocean Heights tower
Construction contiues apace in DubaiContractor Arabtec undertaking an impressive pace at Marina development Luxury lifestyle provider DAMAC Properties is showing its determination on delivery by completing a floor every 5.2 days at its Ocean Heights tower at Dubai Marina. The 84 storey skyscraper is being constructed by Arabtec, one of the Gulf’s leading construction contractors and currently staff on-site are successfully delivering one complete floor in a little over every five working days. Ocean Heights is set to be one of DAMAC Properties’ most iconic buildings with a twisting architectural design which is now starting to take shape. People driving past the building at Dubai Marina can now witness the building starting to give the appearance of ‘turning’ as it reaches the 30th floor. CEO of DAMAC Properties Peter Riddoch welcomed the progress on site by Arabtec and praised the focus and efficiency they had shown. ‘We are working with Arabtec on many of our buildings. They have a reputation for delivering successfully on projects and for meeting even the most complicated of building challenges,’ he said. ‘With delivery being at the heart of the DAMAC promise for customers it is so important to us to see progress of the nature we are seeing at Ocean Heights. One floor being completed every week is something both companies are rightly proud of.’ Ocean Heights will eventually offer 680 apartments ranging from one to three bedrooms.
In addition several floors of the building will feature DAMAC Properties’ Signature Series penthouse range – ultimate luxury apartments with the latest in hi-tec gadgetry and luxurious home comforts. These apartments have been designed by HBA (Hersh Bedner Associates), a leader in hospitality interior design worldwide, and combine elegant décor with the most up to date home management systems. In addition to providing stunning individual homes, Ocean Heights will offer an outdoor leisure deck complete with pool plus a gym and sauna/steam rooms for all residents. 
There will also be restaurants and cafes at ground level with nearby links to the new Dubai Metro and extensive leisure facilities and shops of the Marina on hand. The building is scheduled for completion in 2010. Mr Riddoch added:‘Ocean Heights is set to become one of DAMAC Properties’ flagship buildings with its eye-catching external design and beautifully finished apartments so we are delighted to see the excellent progress being made on site. ‘We are confident that continuing to work closely with Arabtec we will continue to make further strides during the first few months of 2009 and people in Dubai will continue to see swift progress being made at this iconic building.’ 
Ocean Heights is situated in the premium acres of Dubai, earmarked for resorts, boutique hotels and breathtaking futuristic developments. Where you can choose between the refined pleasures of luxury hotels and entertainment plazas, and a sundown barbecue with your family and friends. When you have your home in one of the 680 luxury freehold condominiums of Ocean Heights, overlooking magnificent vistas on all sides, your views simply have to be beautiful and grand. In fact, the majestic tower is a sight by itself; spiraling skywards dramatically different from every angle you view.
At Ocean Heights, Dubai you can experience the finer points of life at their finest. And discover a lifestyle, which is just your kind, in a neighborhood that is home to the cream of Dubai's avant-garde society. Up here, the good life gets even better.
That's what the ambience of Ocean Heights Dubai is. It urges you to live a healthy life, to the fullest. Besides the refreshing breeze around, you will have all in-house amenities to relax and stay in the pink of health
Thursday, 11 December 2008
Dubai Learns the Lessons
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.
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.
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.
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
Sunday, 29 July 2007
Mortgages made easy in Dubai
Making processes easier for buyers
The Mortgage Advisory division of DAMAC Properties Co. L.L.C recently organized a joint workshop with representatives of Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank(ADCB).
DAMAC Mortgage Advisory is engaged in facilitating mortgage processes for buyers of
DAMAC projects. Since the inception of DAMAC Mortgage Advisory in January 2007, ADCB has extended its full cooperation and support to the mortgage advisory team, who have
successfully procured mortgages for over 100 clients.Participants discussed various measures onimproving customer service and enhancing efficiency. Suggestions on speeding the mortgage facilitation process for the customers were at the forefront of the discussion. “DAMAC has pioneered the concept of mortgage facilitation for its customers.DAMAC MortgageAdvisory is the first-of-itskind service started by any developer and we feel privileged to be apart of this endeavour.The initial screening
process carried out by the DAMAC Mortgage Advisors is quite helpful and leads to rapidresponse.The bank offers mortgages to all UAEresidents, and non-residents of selectnationalities. Zero percent closure penalty upto five years makes themortgage offer by ADCB quite attractive and unique.
The Mortgage Advisory division of DAMAC Properties Co. L.L.C recently organized a joint workshop with representatives of Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank(ADCB).
DAMAC Mortgage Advisory is engaged in facilitating mortgage processes for buyers of
DAMAC projects. Since the inception of DAMAC Mortgage Advisory in January 2007, ADCB has extended its full cooperation and support to the mortgage advisory team, who have
successfully procured mortgages for over 100 clients.Participants discussed various measures onimproving customer service and enhancing efficiency. Suggestions on speeding the mortgage facilitation process for the customers were at the forefront of the discussion. “DAMAC has pioneered the concept of mortgage facilitation for its customers.DAMAC MortgageAdvisory is the first-of-itskind service started by any developer and we feel privileged to be apart of this endeavour.The initial screening
process carried out by the DAMAC Mortgage Advisors is quite helpful and leads to rapidresponse.The bank offers mortgages to all UAEresidents, and non-residents of selectnationalities. Zero percent closure penalty upto five years makes themortgage offer by ADCB quite attractive and unique.
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