Category: Dubai Real Estate

When considering a solid investment in Dubai’s thriving real estate landscape, one name consistently rises to the forefront: Emaar Properties. As the city’s property market experiences unprecedented growth, investing with Emaar offers not only a piece of prime real estate but also the assurance of aligning with a proven industry leader. Let’s delve deeper into the tangible benefits and long-term prospects of such an investment choice.

In the constantly evolving world of real estate, Dubai has positioned itself as a powerhouse, attracting global attention and investments. Leading this surge is Emaar Properties, a brand synonymous with luxury, innovation, and value. When discussing the merits of investing in Dubai’s property landscape, understanding Emaar’s pivotal role is crucial. Here’s a closer look on the return on investment (ROI) potential, market stability, and the myriad long-term benefits of diving into Dubai’s burgeoning property market.

1. Exceptional ROI Potential with Emaar: 2023’s performance of the Dubai real estate market is testimony to its robustness. By June alone, the residential property segment recorded a sales revenue of an astonishing $28 billion (AED93.18 billion). When compared to the $17.29 billion (AED63.51 billion) of the entire first half of 2022, this marks an impressive 46.71% increase. Emaar, with its iconic developments and visionary projects, plays a pivotal role in this growth story. Investors in Emaar properties can expect significant appreciation, given the brand’s reputation, strategic locations, and commitment to quality.
2. Market Stability Amidst Global Uncertainties: Despite the economic fluctuations and unpredictable global events, Dubai’s real estate sector has exhibited remarkable resilience. The commercial real estate domain, for instance, saw close to a 30% increase in value terms by mid-2023. This stability, in large part, can be attributed to pioneering developers like Emaar who have diversified portfolios, spreading their assets across residential, commercial, and retail sectors. Such diversification acts as a bulwark against market volatility.
3. Long-term Advantages of Dubai’s Market: Beyond mere numbers, Emaar and Dubai offer a lifestyle, a promise. Emaar properties are embedded within meticulously planned communities, ensuring residents have access to world-class amenities, schools, healthcare facilities, and entertainment hubs. Dubai’s attractiveness and success are attributed to its stable economy, favourable visa policies, and a high standard of living. Furthermore, the evolving infrastructure of Dubai, spearheaded by developers like Emaar, ensures rising ROI and rental yields.

Recent trends have also identified a surge in first-time buyers in the Dubai residential market. Attractive property prices, especially when compared to global cities like London or New York, enhance Dubai’s appeal. Investing in Emaar properties within this landscape thus promises not only a valuable asset but also a piece of Dubai’s future.

In Summary, as Dubai’s real estate market continues its upward trajectory, an investment in Emaar stands as a beacon for potential growth, stability, and luxury. Drawing from recent data and market trends, the narrative is clear: investing in Emaar in Dubai is an opportunity too lucrative to overlook.

The minimalistic language of clean lines and linear surfaces in Emaar’s latest communities brings a sophisticated, understated luxury, a subtle nod to the timeless art of Feng shui, adding a lasting touch of harmony and peacefulness to our modern world.

Feng shui (pronounced fung shway) is a learned and intuitive art of understanding the energy of elements. Feng is wind and shui is water. The goal of this Chinese philosophy is harmony and balance, which some people have compared with the Western Classical ideals of symmetry and proportion.

Designers and decorators claim that they can “feel” the surrounding, universal energy called ch`i. But architects who incorporate the Eastern philosophy are not guided by intuition alone. Feng shui teaches us how to create a healthy and harmonious environment. The concept dates back at least 3,000 years, but more and more architects and decorators are incorporating the ideas of feng shui into the design of contemporary residences.

For modern architecture, feng shui can be incorporated into the design. Despite its many complex rules, feng shui is suitable for many contemporary architectural styles. Indeed, a clean and tidy appearance may be your only clue that a house or building is designed according to feng shui principles.

Designed to be an integral part of cities of the future, each of Emaar’s new communities subtly integrate many aspects of the art of Feng shui into the overall concept, down to the architectural details and use of material.

One prominent  example is Arabian Ranches III, a beautifully crafted community composed of vibrant green spaces that bring families together in a holistically designed set of neighbourhoods interwoven with contemporary villas.

The community design is arranged as green linear threads between rows of standalone villas offering each villa direct access to green open space from the rear entrance. At the heart of the development is a larger central park with world-class community amenities that include a clubhouse with swimming pools for adults and children, a gym and a multi-purpose hall.

Walkways interweave throughout the parks linking the villas around them to the outdoors. The parks are arranged across the whole community such that all residents are close to green space and create a friendly neighbourhood feel around a series of playable green streets and communal parks.

Villas and townhouses are designed stylishly to provide expansive open space for living, dining and entertaining. The design schemes are contemporary with architectural languages that extenuate the horizontality and scale of the villas. These elements vary in colour, texture and design from one residential unit to the other provide variety and interest on the streetscape and adhere to the different personal tastes.

SINCE MAY 2019, A NEW LONG-TERM RESIDENCY AND GOLDEN VISA SCHEME WAS LAUNCHED, ENABLING FOREIGNERS TO LIVE, WORK AND STUDY IN THE UAE WITHOUT AN EMIRATI SPONSOR. WITH EQUALLY ATTRACTIVE BENEFITS FOR PROPERTY INVESTORS AND TO THE REDUCTION OF THE MINIMUM FINANCIAL REQUIREMENT TO APPLY FOR A 3-YEAR INVESTOR VISA, THE PROSPECT OF INVESTING AND LIVING IN DUBAI HAS BECOME MUCH EASIER AND MORE APPEALING.

Who can buy property in Dubai?

Anyone can buy a property in Dubai, providing they have the funds. You don’t need to live in the emirate or work here, and there is no age limit. Freehold properties can only be purchased in designated areas for foreign investment. This is not limiting, however, since there are many freehold areas across Dubai.

What type of property will be considered and for what value? 

The property or properties should be 100% ready, not on a construction plan, and most importantly, not subject to a dispute. The purchase value (not the current market value) of your property needs to be at least AED 750,000 or above, and you have paid off a 50% mortgage (you should be mentioned as the property owner). The Dubai Property Visa can be issued against residential properties purchased in a freehold area (Apartment, Serviced Apartment, Villa, Townhouse) and/or commercial properties (Hotel Room, Hotel Apartment, Office, Warehouse).
You are eligible for a UAE investor visa as long as your total investment is AED 750,000 or above in one of a maximum of three properties. If multiple people own the property, everyone can apply for a Dubai investor visa as long as they have a share of AED 750,000 or above in purchase value.
If the property is owned jointly by husband and wife, both can apply for a UAE investor visa even if the property’s total purchase value of AED 750,000 is divided between both of them. An attested marriage certificate has to be presented in this case

What are the types of property visas available in Dubai?

Six Month Multiple Entry Dubai Property Visa: 

This visa costs less and can be obtained quickly. However, you will not be issued an emirates ID, so it is technically similar to a tourist visa. The six-month visa can also be used to facilitate the completion of obtaining a golden residency.

Three Year Dubai Property Visa: The visa is issued for three years tenure and can be renewed before or upon expiry at a nominal cost.

The Dubai Land Department (DLD) has announced the reduction of the minimum financial requirement to apply for a 3-year investor visa from AED 1,000,000 (USD 272,300) to AED 750,000 (USD 205,000).

This visa offer is available only when purchasing a residential property ready for occupancy. If you are considering purchasing an off-plan property, you will only obtain a 3-year visa after all the construction work has been completed and the property is handed over for occupancy. The investor must provide a passport and an electronic copy of the title deed certificate to apply for a visa. If the property is mortgaged, the investor must pay the bank at least 50% of the real estate value or at least AED 750,000 at the time of application. It is also necessary to provide a no-objection letter (NOC letter) in Arabic and a mortgage bank statement.

Investors in joint ownership can apply to a 3-year visa only if the share of each individual constitutes at least AED 750,000. In addition, investments should be strictly made in one residential property and not in any commercial units. The validity period of the investor visa is maintained as long as the investor owns real estate in the country. Another requirement for the application is that real estate must be retained for at least three years, and the amount invested in the property must not be on a credit basis.

Spouses can share one real estate only if they provide an attested marriage certificate. A power of attorney (POA) is required to submit an application by a third party on behalf of the investor. If the sponsor is the mother, she must provide a letter without objections (NOC) from the father, certified by a notary, to obtain children’s visas. The unmarried letter is necessary for the sponsorship of a daughter over 18 years old. A study certificate is required to sponsor a son over 18 years old.

You can submit all the necessary documents for a visa application online by uploading them to the DLD Vault website or through the Dubai REST app. If the request is approved, the investor will be contacted to complete the procedure. After the approval of a 3-year visa, the applicant must go to the Cube Centre in the DLD main office and pay the required fees. The total service fees for a 3-year investor visa are about AED 15,000 (USD 4,100). The medical examination is obligatory and is conducted in the actual centre. The service time takes 3 to 5 working days.

Five Year Dubai Property Visa: If you have invested at least AED 5 million in properties (can be split across three properties) and have no mortgage on any of the properties, you can qualify for a five-year Dubai property visa. Unlike the 10-year visa, you do not need to make additional investments.

This visa is a resident visa which means you or your family members will not be allowed to work on that visa. If you or any of your family member wish to work, the visa status will have to be changed, and the organization which offers the job will have to issue a sponsoring visa.

Ten Year Residency Visa (Golden Visa):

This visa is available to any individual who invests at least AED 10 million into the UAE. It is stipulated that a maximum of 40% of the investment, or AED 4 million, can be in real estate. This may be split across up to three properties to a total value of AED 4 million. The other 60% of the investment must be made in other sectors. A six-month multiple entry visa can be issued for the applicant and used to facilitate obtaining a golden residency. This visa can be extended to facilitate the completion of the process.

UAE Retirement Visa:

This visa offers resident expatriates and foreigners over 55 years of age the opportunity to stay in the emirate even after completing work. can get a long-term residence visa for 5 years with the possibility of renewal if they meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Invest in a property worth AED 2 million.
• Have financial savings of no less than AED 1 million.
• Have an active income of no less than AED 20,000 per month.

The Advantages of Having A UAE Residency Visa

• Being able to spend as much time in Dubai as you like during the visa’s valid period and to come and go as you please.
• Having access to UAE bank accounts and financial services.
• Being able to apply for a UAE driving licence.
• Possible visa-free travel to certain countries.
• Being able to sponsor your spouse and dependents. If you are successful in obtaining a 10-year residency visa, you can extend your sponsorship to an executive director and one advisor, in addition to your family.
• Both the 5-year and 10-year visas can be easily renewed, provide you continue to retain your investment.

Dubai’s property market is booming, and this fast-growing city is becoming one of the most desirable places to live in the world. Offering premium quality accommodation at a reasonable price, along with brand new facilities that have been carefully planned and designed to provide the best of everything, it’s particularly popular with young professionals and young families. Here’s our quick guide to buying property in Dubai.

Where to start looking

A villa or apartment in Dubai is a big investment, so you’ll need to choose carefully. Looking at developer’s websites can give you a good idea of what’s available, but nothing beats being ‘on the ground’ and looking at villas and apartments in person.

Ask yourself what kind of property you want – do you want to be in the very heart of the city (for example, at the stunning Emaar Property’s Grande complex in downtown Dubai), or are you looking for a more family-friendly property in a suburban setting such as the ever-popular Ranches development? Is a beachfront property with an uninterrupted sea view an absolute must? If that’s the case, a look at Emaar Beachfront should tick all the right boxes. Or does the thought of being surrounded by green open spaces and the friendly neighbourhoods of Dubai Hills Estate feel more homely?

Dubai’s property boom has been extraordinary and since foreign nationals were given the right to buy property in Dubai, the building bonanza has resulted in some exceptional properties for sale in the UAE.

Take a look at websites, book viewing appointments, and make sure you thoroughly research what’s on offer before you think about putting in an offer.

The legalities of buying a house in Dubai

Having a realtor you can trust is absolutely paramount when you’re buying property in Dubai. They’ll take you through the process step by step, whether you’re buying off-plan, or putting in an offer for an existing villa or apartment.

Anyone of any nationality can buy property in Dubai, as long as those properties are in designated areas as authorised by the Ruler of the Emirate of Dubai. You don’t have to be a fully-fledged resident to buy property, so if you live abroad you can still buy property to rent out or use as a private residence when you’re in the UAE.

Should you consider freehold or leasehold when buying property in Dubai?

As with many other cities around the world, there are two main types of property available – freehold (where you own the property outright) and leasehold (where you buy the lease of a property for a set period of between 30-99 years).

Bear in mind that if you do go for a leasehold (which may be slightly less expensive than freehold properties, especially in the heart of Downtown Dubai), you will have to factor in additional costs such as ground rent, service fees, and maintenance charges.

How long does it take?

Once the Agreement of Sale has been signed, it usually takes around 30 days to complete the transaction, so timeframes are very similar to buying property in other countries such as the UK.

Once you’ve found a property or villa in Dubai that you like, a Memorandum of Understanding is signed, and a deposit is paid (usually around 10%). That gets things moving, and the next stage is for the buyer and seller to meet and apply for a No Objection Certificate so that the property can be sold. The developer will be happy to issue this on payment of a fee, and if they are certain that the buyer has the correct funds to buy the property. So if you do need finance to buy a property in Dubai, make sure you have it in place before you start the process. Otherwise you may be refused the NOC and the sale will fall through.

Once you’ve obtained the NOC, you can then go to the Dubai Land Department and transfer ownership of the property. You will need to pay the purchase price in the form of a manager’s cheque payable to the seller on the transfer date.

Once all that is completed, you’ll be issued a land deed in your name for the property.

Buying property with a mortgage in Dubai

If you’re buying property in Dubai with a mortgage, then the NOC won’t be issued unless your bank or lender has sufficient funds set aside to pay for the property. If you’re buying with a mortgage, the timeline may be slightly longer and more protracted than if you’re doing a straight cash buy.

The cost and fees when buying a house in Dubai

As well as the cost of the property you’re buying, you’ll need to budget for a raft of other fees and charges.

• NOC fees – the cost of the No Objection Certificate is between AED 500-5,000, depending on the value of the property. These are usually paid by the seller to the developer. You may also be subject to an additional charge from the developer, but this is a refundable deposit which is repaid once you present the new title deeds and they update their records.

• Estate Agent’s commission – this is usually around 2% of the purchase price

• Transfer fees – approximately 4% of the purchase price, and an additional fee of not more than AED5,000 payable to the Dubai Land Department.

• Mortgage Registration Fees – If you are buying with a mortgage then you may be subject to mortgage registration fees at a rate of 0.25% of the loan amount, again, paid to the Dubai Land Department.

You’ll also have to pay your annual service charge to the developer in advance.

Where are the top spots for buying property in Dubai?

Downtown Dubai has countless developments offering high-quality apartments just minutes from the very centre of the city. Apartments in the Emaar Forte block are highly sought after, and command a premium price, while the Harbour Views tower development at Dubai Creek Harbour offers real luxury and the very best in modern city living.

The Emaar Ranches development has large family homes in safe, comfortable communities with plenty of amenities and wide open spaces, perfect for young families who want a more secluded and peaceful environment.

Apartments at BLVD Heights in Downtown Dubai offer larger city apartments, or the low-rise Park Point at Dubai Hills Estates is an interesting alternative to high-rise living in the centre of Dubai.

To view all properties available within our communities section, click here.