Monday 15 January 2018

4 reasons to invest in the Dubai real estate market

Global management consulting firm, AT Kearney, recently ranked Dubai as the most ‘global city’ within the Gulf. The report also affirmed Dubai as the city with the highest growth potential in the region.1 It’s no wonder investors seek to be part of its growth, especially within the real estate market. Analysts estimate that Dubai’s irresistible appeal of a safe, peaceful and modern lifestyle is bound to help the emirate record property sales over AED 292 billion in 2017. In fact, in the first 15 days of this year, it already witnessed sales of over AED 12 billion – with the help of increased interest from countries such as India and China.2

But, why exactly is Dubai realty a popular choice for Indian and Chinese investors? Here are few reasons that show us why they favour Dubai’s real estate market.

Government policies in Dubai
Dubai offers a fairly straight forward, hassle-free process to purchasing property. There are no special permits or lengthy paperwork requirements to make a successful transaction – in fact it’s very easy to invest in property in comparison to other parts of the world.

Dubai’s market stability
A safe, viable and profitable business environment is key to pulling international investors. As market turbulences are a frequent affair in other parts of the world, Dubai offers investors a friendly environment in comparison. It’s the fastest growing economy in the world with a massive influx of tourists from across the globe. Apart from that, Expo 2020 is another compelling reason to invest in Dubai . Recently the Dubai Expo 2020 announced construction contracts worth 11 billion in 2017, proving its move towards making the mega event a resounding success and reinforced expectations of growth.

Booming tourism sector
With 14.9 million overnight visitors recorded in 2016, Dubai is a world-class tourist destination and the fourth most visited city in the world. The growth of Dubai’s tourism, even through market fluctuations, validates its ability to adapt. Also, for a memorable experience, Dubai offers luxury malls, man-made islands and extraordinary hotels to its guests. Entertainment and hospitality sectors flourish as investors have poured in money for an unforgettable tourist experience. In 2016, Chinese visitors increased by 20%, with 540,000 tourists visiting Dubai and for the first time crossing the half million mark. Visitors from South Asia grew by 13% mainly led by tourists from India.

Higher rental yields
A steady market and quality tourist experience makes Dubai a premier destination for return on investment. It offers high rental returns, which attracts a significant amount of international investors. According to property portal, Bayut.com, Dubai’s rental yields can range from anywhere from 8% to 10%. As property prices are lower than other international markets and with a close proximity to Asia, investors from India and China possess a key advantage in making money from renting out property.
Dubai has established itself as an obvious choice for anyone looking to invest in realty, with many Asian countries seizing the opportunity to boost their investments in Dubai’s flourishing real estate sector.


Sources: 1: Gulf News 2: Khaleej Times 3: The National 4: Emirates 24/7

What Are My Visa Options As A Dubai Real Estate Investor?

According to the Dubai Land Department (DLD), real estate tractions reached AED 77 billion during the first quarter of 2017, a 45% increase in value compared to the same period last year. 1 With the UAE’s real estate market growing at a steady pace, investing now stands to be a good decision. High rental yields and the ability to get a residency visa make Dubai ideal for investors from all around the world.
So, if you too are planning to invest here and want to know more about the type of visas available to investors, the duration or the requirements, here is a summary to help you get started.

What type of visa can I get?
The Dubai Land Department offers investors a two-year investor visa Dubai upon submission of the required documents and payment of all fees. This visa is renewable and investors can also sponsor family members, but additional fees will be applicable for dependants.

What are the basic criteria to apply for this visa?
Below are general requirements investors need to meet in order to apply for the two-year renewable visa:
§  Visas will only be granted for properties that are valued over AED 1 million
§  The property (flat or villa) must be owned by the investor with a title deed issued by the Dubai Land Department
§  The purchased property must belong to a freehold area in Dubai
§  An investor with multiple properties can also apply for this visa provided that the total shared value of their properties is above AED 1 million
§  Spouses may share a property when applying. However, they will be required to present their marriage certificate at application
§  Investors will be required to renew their visa every two years

What documents will be required?
When preparing for your application, make sure you have the documents below. In some cases, the authorities may ask for additional documentation. So, it’s advisable to keep all important documents ready in advance to avoid any delays. These include:
§  A copy of the title deed of your property
§  Passport copy and photographs
§  Police clearance certificates, including an NOC from the customer service at the DLD office
§  Legalised marriage certificate (if applicable)
§  An NOC from the bank if the property is mortgaged
§  Proof of health insurance for applicants and dependents
For more information, check out a comprehensive guide recently launched by DLD in collaboration with Al Tamimi & Co. ‘Know Your Rights as a Real Estate Investor in Dubai’ aims to educate and help investors to be aware of relevant laws and procedures. So, if you’re looking to invest or already own properties in Dubai, the guide can help you make a well-informed investment decision.

Sources: 1: GulfNews; Dubai Land Department