Dubai's luxury lifestyle obviously appeals to a large amount of residents, and now you can own a piece of the luxury yourself by purchasing a golf home in Dubai. There are numerous golf courses all across the Emirate, some of which are championship courses and specifically designed by the world's leading golfers. As the home of the Desert Classic, a major golf tournament, golf is an important part of life here, and a popular sport with regular visitors and many local residents soon to be held at Dubai Sports City. It is no wonder then that there are so many options for Dubai real estate buyers that want to own a property overlooking a golf course.

With apartments and villas available, there are projects to suit most buyers' requirements and budgets. The earliest freehold development to offer golf course views is Emirates Hills, the luxury villa project that is an integral part of the Emirates Living Community. If you have the money, this is the perfect place to live, right next door to the prestigious Emirates Golf Club, home of the Desert Classic. If you want something more affordable next to the same course, then The Views, another Emaar development, are just across the other side, and offer the same fantastic vistas of the course and the rest of the area. With well-finished apartments of all shapes and sizes, not to mention a great community of apartments with excellent facilities, The Views is a better option for property investors that don't have a huge property budget.
The Arabian Ranches is yet another Emaar development that brings the golf course to your door, and with a whole range of villas and townhomes mixed up together, this has proven to be a popular place to live with many small and large families. Obviously not all the villas overlook the golf course directly, but many do, and there is the added bonus of easier membership to the adjacent Desert Course and clubhouse or there will also be the new Ernie Els course located at Dubai Sport City. With restaurants and sports facilities, this is an added feature that will be a huge draw for regular golfers.

There are so many properties either adjacent or near to golf courses. Despite this, there will soon be more with upcoming developments in the Dubailand project. With golfing communities such as Al Badia Hillside Village in Dubai Festival City, Victory Heights in Dubailand, and the Emaar Towers right next to Dubai Creek and Yacht Club, you are spoilt for choice.

For all you Dubai property needs contact us for more info.

For apartment buyers that want something different, don't limit your search to freehold apartments in the middle of the city. Furthermore, don't just consider high-rise living, because there is a great selection of low-rise and affordable apartments at the Discovery Gardens. This project from leading developer Nakheel is a necessary concept for Dubai's well-rounded freehold property portfolio, completing the picture by offering the perfect environment for small families and couples that want open spaces and hassle-free living in a scenic community.

Discovery Gardens covers an impressive 26 million square feet of land, and also features around 26,000 apartments. While this does seem like a scary amount, don't worry that the community will be over packed with property, because the whole concept of Discovery Gardens is to create a peaceful garden environment away from the busy city of Dubai. There are six different themes of architecture within the development: Zen, Contemporary, Mediterranean, Cactus, Mogul and Mesoamerican. The themes have been chosen to truly mix in harmony with the garden landscapes and winding pathways of the surrounding space.

With a choice of studio, one and two-bedroom apartments available, Discovery Gardens is a great place to own a property if you have a small budget, or are even looking for a home away from home. With a large collection of facilities right on hand, including swimming pools, gymnasiums, play areas and 24-hour security. This is an excellent freehold development to live within if you want a safe, family oriented community.

The development is currently under construction, and once complete it will be another thriving project in an excellent location. With Ibn Battuta shopping mall just a stones' throw away, and other freehold developments in the district, including Jumeirah Islands, this is just a small part of Dubai's newest place to live.

Searching for Dubai property or Dubai real estate? We can always help with projects in Dubai Sports City and any Ajman Property that we are currently selling.

Owning a home in Dubai as a holiday property is a popular option for many overseas investors. Dubai is continually growing as a top holiday destination, and with the growing costs of hotels, especially in peak holiday times, owning a small property in the Emirate is a great alternative. There are plenty of projects available on the Dubai real estate market that can meet all tastes and budgets, meaning that frequent visitors can pick up an affordable holiday home in the city, outside the city or next to the waterfront, according to your budget.

Finding a hotel in Dubai during peak times across the winter is near impossible. Prices of rooms are at a premium, and they are filled months in advance. The better alternative for frequent visitors is a studio or one bedroom apartment at one of Dubai's many freehold property projects. Price ranges are diverse, depending on where you choose to buy, and if Dubai is your favourite destination to visit, then you will have the option of visiting when you want, without having to worry about finding a hotel or the costs of doing so. For buyers that want more space, the option of buying a holiday home is also viable if you have a higher budget.

While owning your own property gives you the freedom to visit, it is also a great way to earn income. Many property buyers, local residents and overseas buyers, rent out their properties to other visitors, and with high hotel rates at peak times, you can earn large rental prices for your property when you are not using it. As of now, the only developer to place restrictions on short-term rentals is Emaar, but with so many other properties available without these restrictions, the opportunity to own a rental property and cover the mortgage on a property is even better.

While apartments are certainly the preferred choice of visitors, there are plenty of choices to suit all. Properties in International City are popular for buyers on a budget as they offer great accommodation with easy access to the city; however, they are located away from the beach. For beachfront property, Dubai Palm Island or any property within Dubai Marina is a good option. Prices are higher but the location is superior and there are better facilities with the properties. For a city apartment, look no further than Business Bay or Downtown Dubai. Prices are what you would expect of a centralised piece of real estate, however, with a great variety of small apartments on the market, you can still pick up a freehold property that doesn't break the bank.

Looking to buy Dubai property for a holiday home or to rent out? We have a large portfolio of Dubai properties to offer.

A Freezone area dedicated to media and entertainment production, The Dubai International Media Production Zone (IMPZ) is in fact the first such dedicated area in the Middle East, and as a result has been attracting a good deal of attention since its conception. And now with the development almost reaching full completion, it has again found itself in the media spotlight. So what's it all about?

Well the development is all about further extending Dubai's role as a business friendly environment, with the International Media Production Zone seen as the means by which to enhance the number of Media companies and establishments based in Dubai. With the IMPZ on top of other Business and Media areas in Dubai such as Business Bay and Media City, Dubai is creating an environment in which all firms can grow and prosper, whilst also enjoying numerous tax breaks and business incentives. Covering over 43 million square feet, the development offers the latest in technology and complete infrastructure in which firms can successfully operate. It will also offer residential, commercial and retail real estate for sale.

In terms of the residential property on offer here, there are dedicated freehold residential towers, and then mixed commercial and residential freehold towers. Some of the Dubai property here, such as The Centrium, a four tower development, has already proven so popular that is now only available on the secondary Market place, but there is still a good deal of freehold property that is available direct from developers. There is Fortune Serene, a development that promises luxury property, but all within an affordable price range! Property here comes in the form of studio, one or two bedroom apartments, and the development can also boast restaurants, cafes and a health club and spa.

The Lakeside, a four tower development is also worthy of some consideration.
As the name might suggest, these 21-storey towers are situated next to a lake, with all of the studio and one bedroom apartments that make up the project featuring a lake view due to the buildings unique layout. And with swimming and gym facilities on site, the building also comes with all that you would expect from a home in Dubai.

With other residential projects such as the Crescent, Lago Vista, and Oasis residential, the IMPZ has plenty of freehold property for both the IMPZ workers, and anyone who wants to own Dubai real estate within a pleasant and eco-friendly environment.

For those of you feed up of working in a dull and lifeless environment, or perhaps those looking to start up a business in Dubai and looking for somewhere a bit special, then Jumeirah Lake Towers could just be the development you have be hoping for. As commercial real estate goes, few environments within the Emirate of Dubai could be more scenic. The development features 79 towers in total, each grouped 3 to a lake to create 23 lake clusters, with the Dubai Metals and Commodities Centre at its centre.

The towers here will all either be 35, 40 or 45 stories high, and will look out over the lakes and the lush surrounding gardens and green landscape and certainly compare to any Dubai Property on the market today.

With freehold commercial property becoming ever more sought after, getting hold of a good office space within Dubai is not an easy task. However here we have a development that has a good amount of commercial property for sale, and all within an attractive setting. But what about location? Well Jumeirah Lake Towers is certainly well situated on Sheikh Zayed Road, at interchange 5 and 6. This puts it next to Jumeirah Islands and the ever popular Dubai Marina! It also means it is extremely well located for travel into the centre of Dubai, and within a very short distance from a huge array of shopping and entertainment options! However the development is not all about commercial freehold property, with Jumeriah Lake Tower also featuring freehold residential property too.

Towers such as Goldcrest Views 1, will give buyers the option to make this attractive development their home. Featuring 376 apartments, plus health club, swimming pool, shopping floor and 24 hour concierge service, you will not be left wanting for anything here. Other residential buildings at Jumeirah Lake Towers include Goldcrest Views 2, Lake Terrace, and Bonnington Tower, which also includes a hotel as part of the building.

Commercial freehold property options include Saba Tower 1, which can boast 360,000 square feet of office space, Jumeirah Business Centre and Mag 214. With Dubai's role as the Middles East's business district set only to grow, commercial property in Dubai looks to be a very good purchase at this time, and Jumeirah Lake Towers certainly offers some of the best office space and residential property within the Emirate of Dubai.

Waterfront property is prime real estate in Dubai, and there are plenty of waterfront apartments available on the Dubai property market if you have the right budget. With an extensive coastline along the Arabian Sea, a beautiful manmade marina in the heart of new Dubai, and the Dubai Creek running straight though the city, Dubai has plenty of waterfront to choose from. The price of freehold has increased over the past few years; however, buying a waterfront apartment offers the breathtaking vistas and luxury lifestyle that are worth the extra money.

The most popular place to own a freehold waterfront apartment is Dubai Marina. This extensive engineering project covers a large chunk of new Dubai, and features a mixture of low-rise and high-rise buildings, luxury hotels and plenty of shops, cafes and restaurants. The project is home to a large number of freehold apartments that look out over the Marina and the Arabian Sea. Some of the freehold apartment projects available here include Dubai Marina Towers, Marina Crown, The Waves, Residencia del Mar, Marina Sail, Marina Terrace, Oceanscape, Al Seef Tower and many more. This is truly the best location for property investors that want to locate right next to the waterfront, and all the apartments here are spacious, with excellent facilities and surrounding amenities.

Beachfront property is a lot rarer, and only a few freehold developments are currently completed on the beachfront. While the future promises to bring many more beachfront apartments to the Dubai real estate market such as The Waterfront and Palm Jebel Ali, there are currently the Jumeirah Beach Residences and the Palm Jumeirah. The great thing about Jumeirah Beach Residence is that is covers both the Dubai Marina and the Beachfront, with a key location between the two and apartments of all shapes and sizes to suit most property buyers. The Palm Jumeirah, has a selection of low-rise luxury apartments that line the trunk of the palm, and residents get excellent views out over the sea. For property buyers with money to burn, there are also the World Islands, strictly for the ultra-wealthy.

The Dubai Creek will soon be extended even more into the heart of the city, and with that, there will be more freehold property sitting alongside it. At present, the key freehold property adjacent to the Creek is Emaar Towers, one of the earliest freehold apartment projects and still in a unique location on the Deira side of Dubai. When the Creek is extended, it will run through Business Bay, a massive residential and commercial project from Dubai Holding group that will feature waterfront apartments together with waterfront office space, creating Dubai's new financial district. When complete, this will be a popular destination for residents and visitors so buying a property here is a good idea if location is important.

There can be no doubting that within the UAE, Dubai offers the largest and most diverse selection of freehold residential and commercial property. However Dubai's success in this area has not gone unnoticed in the neighboring Emirates and Ajman property really could be the next big thing! Ajman was the second Emirate after Dubai to introduce freehold property law back in 2004, and with the Governments backing; things are really starting to take off. Whilst Ajman may not conjure up the same exclusive image as Dubai, don't forget that less than a Decade ago Dubai had very little to offer both in terms of property and entertainment options. Things happen very quickly in the UAE, and with a number of Ajman property projects already complete and many more on the way, the real estate market here is already on the up.

Ajman offers all one would expect in terms of maintaining a high standard of living environment with plenty of retail and entertainment options here, but living here comes with the added bonus of allowing residents to escape the noise and fast paced city environment of Dubai. Situated between Sharjah and Umm Al Quwain, Ajman real estate is still within commuting distance to Dubai. The smallest of the seven Emirates at 100 square miles, Ajman property looks to offer buyers property with a great investment potential. Whilst the days of obtaining huge returns on Dubai property look to be over, the Ajman freehold property market is still very much in its infancy, with property coming direct from the developers. Those that get in now could be set to enjoy similar returns to those obtained within the Dubai freehold property market at its peek. This then is clearly an opportunity worth a closer look.

So what property developments are being built in Ajman then? Well, a good example of the sort of property for sale within Ajman would be something like Emirates City. An AED 15 Billion freehold development that will offer a mixture of residential and commercial property within its seventy two towers, Emirates City can be considered a town within its own right. Featuring two lakes at its centre, plus landscaped gardens throughout, here you can find one, two and three bedroom apartments, plus commercial and retail property.

Ajman still has plenty of other property developments for investors and buyers to consider. Al Ameera Village is another large scale freehold residential development that is set to cover over 3 million square feet, and will offer 41 residential buildings all set around numerous cafés, restaurants and shops. Other developments here include the likes of Ajman One and Ajman Corniche Residence.

Ajman can clearly boast some impressive real estate developments, and with many more on the way, Ajamn really could be the next big thing.There can be no doubting that within the UAE, Dubai offers the largest and most diverse selection of freehold residential and commercial property. However Dubai's success in this area has not gone unnoticed in the neighboring Emirates and Ajman property really could be the next big thing! Ajman was the second Emirate after Dubai to introduce freehold property law back in 2004, and with the Governments backing; things are really starting to take off. Whilst Ajman may not conjure up the same exclusive image as Dubai, don't forget that less than a Decade ago Dubai had very little to offer both in terms of property and entertainment options. Things happen very quickly in the UAE, and with a number of Ajman property projects already complete and many more on the way, the real estate market here is already on the up.

The Dubai real estate market has grown significantly since the introduction of freehold property law in 2001, and as a result, there are a large variety of finished developments, and exciting developments under construction. Many expatriates living in Dubai or around the UAE have eagerly be awaiting freehold property law for many years, and now that the Dubai property market is in full swing, most long term residents have opted for owning their own home in the Emirate.

Due to the innovative projects that have been announced for freehold development, there has been a huge increase in interest from overseas investors and the Emirate of Dubai is now regarded as a top tourist destination and top place to own a home. Over the next few years, it will be interesting to see how the Dubai property market develops, as it is such a new market and there is such a diverse variety of projects that are ongoing. From the first freehold project to be finished in Dubai, The Greens, to the most anticipated completions due over the next decade such as Dubailand, the market for real estate has established itself as an increasingly important part of Dubai's long-term growth strategy.

Key freehold properties that completed on the market right now include Emirates Hills, The Lakes, The Meadows, The Greens, The Views, Dubai Marina, Emaar Towers, International City, Jumeirah Islands, The Springs and Jumeirah Beach Residence. Projects that are in their final stages and home to new residents already include the Palm Jumeirah, Jumeirah Lake Towers Downtown Dubai and Dubai Sports City. Over the next few years, residents will be flooding to developments such as Dubailand, the completed Downtown Dubai development, the completed Dubai Marina, The Palm Jebel Ali and the World Islands.

Property prices in the Emirate have accelerated rapidly over the past couple of years, mostly due to the excess demand for accommodation with new residents arriving in the region every month. More residents and more popularity have caused prices to generally rise, but due to the competitive market for property, there is such a large, diverse market with real estate for every type of budget.
For more information on Dubai freehold property, visit propertyportal.ae for extensive property listings from the most popular developments, or contact our property agents who are happy to deal with any of your enquiries.

As the Dubai property market is so new, many of the properties that are for sale are not yet complete. Only a small handful of Dubai's popular developments are actually completely finished. Developments such as Emirates Hills, The Meadows, The Springs, The Lakes and Jumeirah Islands. Even developments such as Dubai Marina and The Greens/Views district are not completely finished due to the many added properties from the originals.

Buying off-plan property is a popular decision on the Dubai real estate market for two vital reasons. Firstly, buying off-plan allows the buyer to choose the fixtures and fittings in many of the properties if they are the first buyer. Property developments such as the Business Bay, Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Downtown Dubai had this option but future freehold developments will offer the same package. Secondly, buying a property off-plan is usually much cheaper than buying on the second hand or completed market.

Property prices in the Emirate of Dubai have increased at a rapid rate yet many freehold developments that have yet to be completed are available to buy at lower prices than popular developments that are already finished. While waiting to see how the property looks when finished is good protection against buying a property that may not be exactly what you want, it does limit your ability to find a bargain property.

One of the most popular developments to buy from right now is Dubailand, the massive mixed-use development that will be a top location when finished. The entire project is not due for completion for a decade, and none of the properties are finished, yet interest in the development is strong.

At propertyportal.ae, we have a large selection of properties that are off-plan and available to buy at the most competitive prices on the market. For more information on off-plan Dubai property, our property agents are waiting to deal with your enquiries.

Whilst many people around the globe know about the likes of Palm Jumeirah and The Burj Dubai, not everyone is aware of who is behind the great freehold real estate that has become common place throughout Dubai. Dubai has a number of developers involved in the freehold property market, all bringing their own touches to the real estate here, but it is hard to not start with the two largest and best renowned property developers, Nakheel and Emaar.

It is the ingenuity exhibited by these two developers that has really put Dubai on the map. Both have been involved in a number of freehold developments that have captured world wide media attention, and that have allowed for other developers to capitalize on the interested generated. For a start Nakheel is behind the world famous Palm Jumeriah project and its siblings the Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira. And it has since added numerous other projects such as the Dubai Waterfront, The World, Jumeirah Village, Jumeirah Islands and Dubai International City. Make no mistakes, Nakheel offers some truly special property which is often sold out to investors the same day of its release.

And not wanting to be left out, Emaar has brought a number of massive projects to the market. The most spectacular of which has to be the Downtown Burj Dubai project, which features as its centre piece the world's tallest building, The Burj Dubai. But the Burj Dubai is only one of many properties here, as with the rest of the development and the likes of its Old Town development, Emaar has brought a huge number of studio, one, two, and three, four bedroom apartments as well as Duplexes and penthouses to the market. Add in that the most popular Dubai freehold residences such as The Greens, The Meadows, The Springs, The Views and Arabian Ranches are all Emaar projects, as is the super exclusive Emirates Hills, and you can begin to see the massive influence Emaar has had here.

Whilst much of Dubai's most popular property is dominated by Emaar and Nakheel, one should not overlook some of the other property offerings from other developers. And with Developers such as Damac, ETA Star and Omniyat, who have properties in a wide range of areas, such a Business Bay, Dubai Sports City and Jumeirah Lake Towers, you can rest assured of a wide range of designs and comprehensive living options being offered in Dubai now and well into the future.

We currently are launching off plan developments and studio`s from AED 529,000 in Dubai Sports City, Jumeirah Lake Towers, Jumeirah Village and Dubai International City CBD for more information contact us.

We also have our main site Property Portal with thousands of properties on the market so visit us today! Whether you're looking to buy, sell or rent, you'll find everything you need right at your fingertips. For our disconcerting Buyers, we offer a vast selection of properties and land covering the entire map of Dubai.

100% of proceeds from this page such as books and dvd`s bought will go to my charity of choice Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation. Thanks for passing by!

With so much demand for Dubai property, particularly villas, the Jumeirah Village South development is set to cater to the average Dubai property investor, offering affordable freehold property in the heart of a thriving community. Located close to Dubai's other popular freehold developments such as Emirates Living Community, Dubai Marina and what is soon to be Jumeirah Park, Jumeirah Village South will provide a collection of villas, town houses and apartments of all shapes and sizes, set in landscaped surroundings.

Jumeirah Village South is part of the expansive Jumeirah Village development that will feature around 6,000 new villas, and a wide choice of apartment sub-developments. The development is designed to offer community living in a safe environment, with all the convenient amenities and facilities you would want or need from life. With schools, shops, cafes, restaurants, health clubs, various sporting activities and much more, Jumeirah Village South is hoping to target couples and small families that want to live outside the busy city, while still being able to get to work in the morning.

There are many projects within the Jumeirah Village South development, including Le Grand, Jehaan Residence, The Executive, Emirates Gardens, The Heights, The Lawns, Jumeirah Wave, Al Duaa Garden, Imperial Residence and Mag 226. With such a great mixture of high-rise apartments, low-rise apartments, villas and town homes all in one key location, it's no surprise that property within the Jumeirah Village development have been highly in demand.

With a selection of studio, one, two and three bedroom apartments, as well as two, three and four bedroom villas available within Jumeirah Village South, it is the perfect development to buy within if you want to get onto the Dubai real estate ladder. With construction already underway, properties can expect to be finished starting from next year and we look forward to the results.

If you are interested in a property at Jumeirah Village South, then our property agents will be happy to deal with your enquiries.

Jumeirah Lake Towers has a little bit of everything going on within its 2.4 million square feet grounds. At Jumeirah Lake Towers you can expect to find plenty of freehold property, be it residential or commercial, as well as retail space. It is even home to the Dubai Metals and Commodities centre. And Jumeirah Lake Towers provide all this within short distance from a whole host of other important developments and hotels, and with all its towers set out within green landscaped gardens and surrounded by multiple lakes.

The mixed residential and commercial freehold property development consists of 79 towers, each grouped into 3's around a lake, to provide a total of 23 building and lake clusters. All the Towers within the development will vary in size, being a mixture of 35, 40 or 45 storey. With many of the freehold towers at Jumeirah Lake Towers now complete, the development has to offer some much sought after office space for the Dubai market. Commercial property is undergoing somewhat of a supply shortage, so it goes without saying that freehold commercial property here is very much in demand.

After all, not only are you purchasing office space in modern well equipped freehold buildings, but an office at Jumeirah Lake Towers has the added bonus of a great surrounding environment, and all in a very well located development. After all Jumeirah Lakes Towers is situated on Sheikh Zayed Road, between interchange 5 and 6, and includes Dubai Marina and Jumeirah Islands as neighbors, and the Palm Islands and numerous retail options all within a short distance.

Whilst Business Bay will bring a good deal of commercial freehold property to the market place, it will not be complete for a good few years yet, making Jumeirah Lake Towers the most important new business area for a good while to come. As a result of this, combined with a general lack of commercial office space for sale throughout Dubai and high commercial rental prices, prices at Jumeirah Lake Towers are on the rise. However compared to the current price of renting office space, purchasing property within the development represents a good long term saving, and a great investment opportunity for those more interesting in renting out office space here. In both cases, purchasing now rather than later seems to make the most sense if you are looking for a good Dubai property investment.

Dubai clearly has a lot to offer in terms of the freehold apartments on the market. Whilst not everyone sees an apartment as their ideal home, preferring the space of a villa or town home, apartments do clearly appeal to a wide spectrum of buyers, and for the majority of cases offer a lot more for your money. In Dubai, pools, restaurants, gyms and saunas are almost a prerequisite for any apartment complex being built. Freehold apartment developments and buildings are scattered all over Dubai, so interested buyers can live in almost any part of Dubai that they desire, which is great news.

And with so many apartments from which to select, many developers have had to go the extra distance to make their projects stand out from the crowd. Somewhere like Dubai Sports City can offer buyers a unique location and life style options, International City budget accomodation, The Burj Dubai the exclusivity of living in the world's tallest building, and International City can offer value for money apartments themed on a number of countries architectural styles. A big draw in Dubai is property with water views or features. Business Bay will have the extended creek, Jumeirah Lake Towers has its man made lakes, and Dubai Lagoon is called so for a reason! However some of the best water related property and best property in general for that matter can be found at Dubai Marina. Whilst Emaar is the master developer behind the whole project, Dubai Marina features buildings from a number of developers, which generally is a good thing.

It total the Marina spans a 2 mile stretch of Dubai's coastline, and covers just under 5 million square meters. In total Dubai Marina should house 120,000 residents in a wide variety of apartments. Some of the more popular and established buildings include Princess Tower, Ocean Heights, The Waves and Jumeirah Beach Residence, which is a development in its own right. And whilst many properties here come with their own facilities for residents to use, The Marina also has the added benefit of Marian Walk. Maria Walk is the entertainment and retail centre of the Marina. Located right next to the waters edge, here you will find a number of restaurants, cafés and supermarkets.

The Marina has proven a very popular destination with Dubai property buyers and investors, so prices here are generally on the high side, but given all that is on offer here, buyers seem happy to justify such prices.

With so much development taking place in Dubai and so many freehold properties available, it's easy to get overwhelmed! This blog is designed to offer a multitude of information on Dubai Property, as well as the latest news on the ever expanding freehold market.
Find all the necessary information on Dubai leasing property, selling Dubai property, buying Dubai property and Dubai property investment in general. Mortgages, finance, market trends and recent property legislation are all important issues facing investors today so staying up to date with all the facts will keep you ahead of the game.
With the property development value of the United Arab Emirates running into several hundred billion dollars, the scope and value of freehold properties in Dubai especially is still on the rise. Dubai property investment has been a major source of interest since the introduction
of freehold property rights in 2002 and with the addition of the property law in 2006 which allows freehold title on properties, is set to see a renewed surge in interest.
Issues on attaining finance for freehold properties have also become much debated. Previously, only financiers in association with flagship developers Emaar and Nahkeel were authorized to provide mortgages to property investors. Now the market has opened up to allow numerous, more familiar banks to offer financing and loan options to investors that include competitive interest rates and Shariah
compliant alternatives.
With such an expansive array of property developments being undertaken, several key ventures stand out above the rest. These are Burj Dubai tower, The Palm
Dubai, The World island Dubai and the Palm Jebel Ali. High levels of interest have seen property prices rise exponentially over the past few years, even before the property has been completed. However, with so much property available on the market, there has also been a great deal of speculation about the future
of not only the Dubai property market, but also the rest of the Emirates that are jumping on the bandwagon of late. Only time will really tell the true implications of investing in Dubai and other Emirates, both long-term and short-term.

For buyers on a tight budget, living in the most expensive districts of Dubai property is not really an option. With the continuous inflation of freehold property prices and rental property prices, residents need affordable and practical property to buy and rent. One of the major districts with residents looking for affordable rental property has been Jebel Ali Village, located between the Dubai Marina and Ibn Battuta mall.

The latest news is that developer Nakheel, that already has a significant number of developments in the area, has sold the first phase of the Jebel Ali village development that is being redeveloped to offer a mix of residential and commercial plots in a great location. This phase of 22 plots sold in a matter of hours, showing that the development is a popular choice amongst investors. Once the Jebel Ali village development is updated, it is expected to be home to around 40,000 residents, which should certainly relieve some pressure on the Dubai real estate market.

The development will be a self-contained community of properties, uniquely designed by the sub-developers that have bought plots to develop according to their plans. This will create the best possible mix of projects, and the best possible choice for potential property buyers. The development will feature schools, shops, cafes and restaurants, as well as health clubs and hotels.

The Jebel Ali village has long been a favourite with local residents, known for its affordability and great community spirit, which developer Nakheel hopes to convey into the new developments on the plot. The Jebel Ali club is being kept where it is, and will remain open throughout the development of the rest of the site due to the popularity of the club with members and visitors. Once complete, the new developments at Jebel Ali Village are expected to breathe new life into one of Dubai's best districts.

If you are looking to buy or sell Dubai property let us guide you every step!

The Emirate of Dubai is widely recognised for amazing property ventures, and now Dubai wants to be recognised as a business capital. The Business Bay development, by Dubai Holding Company, is currently under construction, and will offer a selection of freehold high-rise buildings for commercial and residential use. The whole development is designed to reflect other major financial districts in the world such as Manhattan Island in New York and London's Canary Wharf, by dredging the Dubai Creek inland by 11 kilometres.

Given the amazing engineering abilities within the Emirate, the Business Bay will be a groundbreaking project to add to the already diverse collections of freehold property on the market. The centre of Dubai is already home to mix of business towers, and the Business Bay development will extend the city by 64 million square feet of space. While the project belongs to Dubai Holding, the land within the development has been sold onto other reputable developers in the region and beyond. This diversity in project developers means that the varieties of property will be even more diverse, as different projects and different design concepts will add to the Dubai property skyline.

There will be over 230 commercial, residential and mixed-use towers once the Business Bay development is complete. With so much choice, and the best facilities available within sub-developments and across the general project, this is the perfect place to relocate your office, or even to move your home. Office space does come at a premium here, but with such an excellent location adjacent to Downtown Burj Dubai and Dubai International Financial Centre, this is the best place to be. With shops, restaurants, cafes, sports and recreational facilities all available within the development to accompany the stylish waterfront atmosphere, this is going to be one of Dubai's most popular new districts once it is complete.

There are too many towers to list all of them, but some of the most anticipated projects include Iris Bay, The Prism, XL Tower, The Binary, One Business Bay, Executive Towers, The Skyscraper, Bayswater, West Bay Tower, Burj Al Alam, Churchill Towers, The Court, The Forum, The Oberoi Business Bay, The Citadel and much more. The project is moving at a rapid pace, and is expected to be complete by 2010, if no delays occur.

If you are looking to buy Dubai real estate or sell Dubai property you can contact us on the links below.

The Arabian Ranches are a unique community of mixed developments combined to create a lifestyle that takes you back to nature. As one of the earlier property projects to be completed on the Dubai real estate market, this is a popular development with large families due to the amount of space the properties offer. Dubai has been plagued with a shortage of villas since the introduction of freehold properties, with plenty of apartments available all over the Emirate, but certainly not enough villas. Now that the costs of renting property in Dubai have increased excessively, more and more families are finding it impossible to afford to rent a large villa, and are facing the choice of moving into an apartment, moving away from Dubai or buying a property.

The Arabian Ranches ticks all the boxes for a bringing back villa living, with spacious properties, finished to the highest standard and featuring a mixture of excellent amenities that include swimming pools, gymnasiums, playgrounds, health clubs and most importantly - to some at least - a golf course adjacent location! What more could you ask for?

This development is a concept by Dubai's flagship developer Emaar, which is also responsible for most of the villa developments available on the entire Dubai freehold property market. Developments such as Emirates Hills, The Meadows and The Lakes show that Emaar is the best choice for creating a perfect villa environment, and the Arabian Ranches have certainly been successful.

The design of Arabian Ranches is based on traditional Arabian Architecture, to truly fit in with the garden and desert surroundings. The properties are mixed in exteriors and dimensions to create a unique community of unique villas. Shops, cafes, restaurants, schools and the fantastic Desert Golf Course are all within this development, so residents have everything they need just a few minutes away. Access to the main city of Dubai is also convenient, with the Arabian Ranches being located next to the Emirates Road, just 10 minutes from the Mall of the Emirates and 20 minutes from the city centre. With the choice of sub-developments at Arabian Ranches including Savannah, Terra Nova, Saheel, Mirador, Hattan, Gazelle, Alvorada, Palmera, Al Mahra and Alma Townhomes.

If you are looking to buy Dubai real estate or sell Dubai property you can contact us on the links below.

If its studio, one or two bedroom residential Dubai Property that you are searching for, then allow me to introduce Nakheel's International City development. Located in close proximity to Dubai airport in the Al Warsan area of Dubai, this development offers property based on a number of international architectural styles. So here you will find apartment buildings with diverse styles, from Chinese to English, from Thailand to Spainish and many others as well, hence the developments name. So in all, this is one interesting looking residential complex. But International City is much more than just the one residential area. There are also various commercial and retail facilities based here.

International city is broken down into a number of areas. The main residential district, which will house over 60,000 people and cover an estimated 300 hectares of land, will offer around 2,100 studio and one bedroom apartments for sale. And then there is the Lakes District area, offering two and three bedroom duplex apartments. In total there will be 1375 apartments to pick from here for those looking for residential property, and all set around lakes and greenery. Then there is the central district, which will offer more in the way of commercial property and retail space, with the 21 hectares of land plots being sold to individual developers. And then there is the Dragon Mart, a commercial centre, set to play home to numerous Chinese companies. And the final area of international city is the Forbidden City area. Based on the famous Chinese location, it will feature both retail and residential property options.

And the best thing about International City is that prices here are amongst some of the lowest in Dubai for freehold residential property. So if it's a good value studio, 1, 2, or 3 bedroom apartments that you searching for, International City could well be your answer. And with being built by a Developer of Nakheels standard, the developer who brought the World the Palm Jumeirah and The Dubai Waterfront, you know you will be getting a high standard of home.

Dubai International City, a project from Dubai's well know developer Nakheel, offers a large range of freehold real estate that aims to be affordable to a large majority of Dubai's residents. A mix of commercial, residential and retail property, here buyers have a broad assortment of real estate options from which to pick. Broken down into a number of different zones, it is the Central Business District or CBD that aims to be the commercial centre point for the development as a whole. Covering a total of 21 Hectares, The Central Business District will consist of 34 land plots, which will offer investors a unique opportunity to become involved in the commercial goings on here.

Buyers can construct their own project here, so long as they follow the general themes found throughout Dubai International City and the CBD. For the majority, the CBD will consist of 10 storey buildings, all featuring basement parking, and with retail options located on the ground floors of the buildings.

With top of the range services and infrastructure, buying into the Central Business district here at International city presents buyers interested in freehold real estate with a number of opportunities. And with a location on Emirates Road, in close proximity to Dubai Airport and within a short drive from The Dubai International Finance Centre, it is also very well located for both residential and commercial purposes.

We currently are launching off plan developments from AED 529,000 in Dubai Sports City, Jumeirah Lake Towers, Jumeirah Village and Dubai International City CBD.

For more information contact us.

If all this sounds appealing you to, then just get in contact with us to find out more.

The Name Dubai Technology, E-commerce, and Media Free Zone doesn't exactly role off the tongue, and thankfully the development is more commonly referred to as TECOM. So what is TECOM? Well you may be more familiar with Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City and Knowledge Village, which come together to form the TECOM free zone area. Here a huge number of global firms have chosen to set up their offices, taking advantage of full ownership and a clear and open working environment, allowing business transaction to be successfully completed without any administration headaches. Featuring companies from media, technology and communications backgrounds, TECOM has become one of the Middle East's most important business districts and is unique for Dubai property. Cleary owning commercial freehold real estate in this area has a great appeal to many firms and investors. So what does TECOM have to offer in the way of Dubai commercial property?

Well for a start there is Smart Heights. With stunning architecture, you may be forgiven for thinking the building was all about the looks, but luckily it lives up to its name! This is one commercial tower that won't leave you disappointed with the technology on offer throughout the project. Featuring Smart Office Space, the tower aims to maximize efficiency and space utilization, allowing you to get the most out of your commercial property. With high tech energy management system and building management system along with fiber optic grids and other top of the range technology features that are beyond my understanding, you can rest assured of being well catered to here!

And if the design of Smart Heights wasn't stand out enough, then maybe Executive Heights will be more to you liking. A 25 storey tower, with 360,000 square feet of commercial space up for grabs, it aims to provide an environment that is both fitting for work and play! With health club, gym, jogging track, restaurants and cafes, you should have plenty to do when you are able to drag yourself away from your desk! With just 10 offices per floor, and state of the art technology throughout, Executive Heights brings a good balance between work and play, and all within the popular TECOM area.

TECOM has proven its worth in the Dubai business environment, with the large numbers of firms calling it home evidence to its conductive working environment similar to that of Dubai sport city. Commercial property here therefore represents a great opportunity to buy into a well established development. If this sounds of interest to you, then please contact us.

Another project from developer Nakheel that once again has raised the bar for what other developers should aspire to, Jumeirah Village looks set to be a huge success, with property here continuingly gaining in popularity with buyers and investors alike. The development so was popular on its initial launch that 7000 villas and townhouses were sold to private investors in just the one day! This included 1000 villas that were initially planned to be held back, but such was the popularity of the freehold residential property here at Jumeirah village that Nakheel released them anyway. And this was all back in September 2004. The freehold villas and townhouses here have if anything grown in popularity since!

All in all, this one popular development! Luckily for those wanting to purchase a freehold property here, that there are a lot of villas being built at Jumeirah village. The popularity of the freehold villas here is for a large part due to their affordability, with Nakheel keen to provide lower budget house hunters with a chance to own a villa in Dubai, which in the current property market has become difficult with villa prices having become rather expensive! In providing an inclusive development, with a good range of villa styles and sizes, and with much of the property at a reasonable price, Nakheel really hit the jackpot in regards to providing what the freehold real estate market was looking for.

Compared to other similar standard developments, property at Jumeirah Village still remains very competitive. There is no where else in Dubai where one could purchase a freehold villa in such a luxurious environment for such a cost. This really gives Jumeirah Village a big edge in the property market, as does its strong focus on community, giving the project a wide spectrum of appeal, from investors keen to cash in on the potential of the development, to families looking for an affordable yet suitable environment for children.

Jumeirah Village really does have a lot going for it in term of facilities as well. What you might ask? Well for a start it can boast not one but two international schools. It has its own medical facilities, and even its own vet! There is then a country club, community centre, sports pitches, swimming pool, cycling track, all on top of restaurant, cafes and supermarkets. So its facilities galore, a great location in the heart of Jumeirah and value for money freehold residential Dubai property you seek, then Jumeirah village has it all.

The Palm Jebel Ali has been a significant player in the Dubai Property market for a few years now and at least so far on paper, looks like being a highly impressive development, and if all goes to plan, could even upstage the ultra fashionable Palm Jumeirah, which is no easy task! The Palm Jumeirah was the 1st of its kind and therefore encountered a few problems which resulted in the delays which have seen people move onto to the island much later than expected. However this has only come as a benefit to those buying on the Palm Jebel Ali, as developer Nakheel has learnt lessons from its first palm project, the benefits of which will be seen here. However one thing Nakheel won't be changing is the bulk of property on offer. Keeping with the same housing format that has proven so popular on the Palm Jumeirah, both Signature and Garden Homes will be offered here on top of the Waterhomes, unique to this island. The Signature Villas here will no doubt continue to prove popular as they have so done on the Palm Jumeirah. And with all that they offer, it comes as no real surprise. So what exactly is it that you get for your money here? After all, make no mistake, owning a signature villa here does not come cheap!

Well starting with the villas themselves, you have a pick of five, six or seven bedrooms. These therefore are not small villas in any way shape of form! And once you have decided on the number of bedrooms you want, you can then have to pick from a number of different architectural styles such as European, Arabic, Ranch and Italian. You then get to choose which fittings and fixtures you want, from which you should expect only the best. The biggest plus point of a signature villa however is the stretch of private beach that comes with the home. This is a huge plus for many investors and property buyers, and something even Emirates Hills owners can't boast. You also get your own private landscaped garden and swimming pool to create a very desirable home.

And let's not forget the fact you will be on one the Palm trilogy, so you of course get a huge array of facilities and shops just on your doorstep as well, should you choose to leave the luxury of your home that is. If all this has sparked your interests, then please don't hesitate to get in contact with us to find out more.

Nakheel's Palm Jumeirah development has proven immensely popular since it was first launched to the public back in 2001. Despite being hit by construction delays, some areas of the island have already been occupied for a good few months now. So with completion looking to come to a close, have you left it too late to purchase here? And where should you buy?

Well if its apartment you are looking for, then the Palm has plenty! There are a number of options, from Oceania, Marina and Golden Mile apartments all options for those looking for free hold property here. However, you may be interested in the Palm's shoreline apartments. With penthouses, one, two, three and four bedroom apartments on offer here, and with a number of layouts, you really do have a wide selection! It's may not come as such a great surprise therefore, that these have proven very popular with property investors. The result of which has seen prices rises to match, However when you look at all that's on offer here, you may soon find yourself justifying the price tag.

All shoreline apartments feature high standards of furnishings and fittings, and due to their location along the trunk of the Palm, many have brilliant sea views, for which you can put the well sized balconies that come with the apartments to use!

There are also communal gardens to enjoy, along with swimming pools, health clubs and gyms. As well as great views, the Shoreline apartments location also affords them to be very close to all the Palm has to offer in terms of eating and entertainment options, including cafes, restaurants and shops and supermarkets. And if that's not enough, the location of the Palms trunk gives quick access back to the main land where no shortage of hotels, shopping malls, golf courses and restaurants await! You really are in a perfect location here. And this is of course why prices have continued to rise on the Palm since it was launched. There may be more affordable options around Dubai, but then you just wouldn't be living on the Palm. That extra exclusivity does cost, but it is a cost that many people see fit to pay.

If you want more information about the Palm Jumeirah Shoreline apartments, then please Contact Us

Another Emirate also looking to get in on the property act is the Emirate of Umm Al Quwain. And whilst one of the smaller Emirates within the UAE, there is more to Umm Al Quwain that just a hard to spell name! The 750 square kilometer Emirate is located in the north, next to Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah. Whilst small in size, making up one percent of the UAE's total area, Umm Al Quwain possess great natural beauty, and overall offers something a little different to Dubai.

Whilst there is no doubting Dubai property offers its residents a great life style, freehold property price within the Emirate have risen to a large degree these past few years, whilst rental prices have been crazy for a good while. The results of which have led some people to seek an alternative location that offers better value for money, but whilst keeping many of the things that attracted them to Dubai in the first place. And Umm Al Quwain could be just this place! Whilst it may not have attention grabbing freehold property developments of the likes of the Palm Jumeirah and Dubailand and Sports City Dubai, it can still boast a collection of large freehold real estate developments and some attractions of its own! There is the multi million Dirham Dreamland water park, plus Umm Al Quwain's famous long white stretches of beach and lagoon. With the traditional occupations within the emirate being fishing and the growing of dates, Umm Al Quwain is certainly a different proposition from the likes of Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

So Umm Al Quwain can offer a pleasant living environment, but what about the freehold property developments here? Well, whereas most of the other Emirates have a large number of freehold developments, Umm Al Quwain property instead has a small number of developments, but all of which are vast in size. Take freehold development Al Salam City for example. The development will feature a mixture of residential and commercial freehold property, plus shopping malls and hotels amongst its many districts. In total around half a million people will be able to call Al Salam city home upon completion. Other real estate developments include two water front based projects, White Bay and Umm Al Quwain Marina, whist The Emirates Modern Industrial area offers a good selection of commercial and industrial property.

This country themed developed, the brain child of admired developer Nakheel has proven very popular since its initial launch, and has gone some way to providing Dubai residents with good quality accommodation that remains affordable despite Dubai's ever increasing property prices. With a variety of different zones, the area aims to provide both residential and commercial freehold real estate, as well as a number of tourist attractions.

International City shows you still can obtain a high quality living environment whilst not having to break the bank to do so. Dubai has many freehold property areas such as The Meadows, Arabian Ranches and Dubai Sports City, but none has focused on affordable property to the extent of International City. And with rents in Dubai growing ever higher, International City offers a realistic alternative to own your own property and escape the rental madness! After all it would seem good sense to have something to show for your money at the end of every month other than just the large smile on your landlords face as he collects the rent!

You might think that with buying a property aimed at the lower budget buyer that you would be limited in choice? Well not here at international city, that is for sure. Each zone feature architectural styles of a different country. So expect to see homes with styling from the likes of China, England, Italy, Spain, Greece, Persia, Thailand, Russia, Indonesia and France! No shortage of options here then! All this is to be found in the aptly named Residential District, but this isn't the end of the freehold property on offer at Dubai International City.

There is also the Lake District Area, 60 acres of lush gardens, with a large lake at the centre. Featuring 26 buildings offering a total of 1375 two and three bedroom duplex apartments, this area offers a good alternative to the Residential District. And for those seeking retail or commercial freehold property at International City, then look no further than The Central District, which set over 21 hectares, will provide the focal point for commercial and business activities within the development. And with other areas such as the Dubai Design Centre, The Dragon Mart and The Forbidden City, International City has even more to offer its residents and visitors than just Dubai commercial property and residential freehold real estate.

With year round sunshine, relatively cheap living
costs and tax free salaries, it's no wonder more and more people are looking to invest in Dubai. The lifestyle here is like no other; the finest hotels the world has to offer are spread out across the city, restaurants and bars are plentiful and with extremely low crime rates, Dubai is safer than your average cosmopolitan city. These factors have combined to make Dubai an appealing place to visit for tourists and a great location to live permanently. The latter has been a significant influence on the introduction of property legislation, as it was previously impossible to live here permanently if you were not a GCC national. With the creation of companies such as Emaar, Nakheel, Dubai holding and other developers following on afterwards, the reality is that expats are now able to make life in Dubai a constant fixture.

While an extravagant lifestyle is the norm for many Dubai residents, Dubai Property have not been limited to the luxury end of the market. A variety of developments are available that specifically cater to the low-budget market, or as potential holiday homes to the frequent visitor. The vast majority of properties offer an extensive range of amenities within the area, and the most popular large scale projects will feature state of the art entertainment, leisure facilities and more hotels of course.

The major drawback to life in Dubai is most often cited to be the spiraling costs of rental accommodation. The continuing popularity of the Emirate has driven prices up, even though they are still reasonable from an international standpoint, yet accommodation has suffered the worst. This has made Dubai leasing property less attractive and led to further demand to Dubai Property .

There are numerous ambitious projects such as the Burj Dubai tower or the Palm Dubai that aim to offer even more to the rich lifestyle of the city. For those that can handle the few drawbacks of economic growth, Dubai will continue to offer a quality of life that surpasses many countries.

Dubai Waterfront

It is always going to be a difficult task following up previous popular developments, but when you are looking to buy Dubai Property then Nakheel should be one of the major developers to look out for! These include the Palm Trilogy (Jumeirah, Jebel Ali, Deira and The World amongst others, then you really do have a task on your hands! Matching let alone toppling that back catalog is always going to be difficult. So what do you do next? Well if you are Nakheel you come up with the Dubai Waterfront, a truly huge mega development! Forming an arch around the Palm Jebel Ali, it will extend the Dubai cost line by almost 500 miles, so 12 times the current length! This therefore is no small project. It will be bigger than Manhattan, and will cover an area over 80 million square meters, and when finished will be the largest man made development in the world.

It will be broken up into a number of zones, with 70 Kilomters of canals running through the project. The Madinat Al Arab will be at the centre of the project, and will have the Al Burj Tower as its centerpiece, rising up some 750 meters.

It will also feature its own harbor, along with a huge array of residential and commercial property, along with resorts and entertainment areas. With over 150 communities currently planned, this is a city within a city!

So what about property here? Well its still early stages, but the Madinat Al Arab area, one sub district of the many planned at the waterfront, sold out its 1st phase to private investors in just 5 days, at a cost of 13 Billion AED! Other property that gets released here over the coming years will no doubt be snapped up just as quick. Therefore if you want to get on the property ladder on this spectacular development then you will need to keep alert to new announcements. We will of course endeavor to keep everyone up to date both here and on our forum.

With so much property on offer in such a small place as Dubai, thinking about what home you should purchase can become a little overwhelming. After all, Dubai has such a wide selection of freehold property developments, all trying to provide that something a little extra to stand out from the crowds, it can be hard to know where to start. And of course, the properties location and immediate scenery are always going to play a huge part when it comes to buying a home in a place such as Dubai. However, the ever popular waterfront properties in Dubai really do have a lot going for them, and this is certainly an area worthy of further discussion!

Dubai has numerous waterfront freehold properties, but no development is better known in this regard that the Palm Jumeirah. This man made island built out in the Arabain Gulf has an extensive range of waterfront villas and apartments. There are the Palm's most expensive and luxury villas, The Signature Villas, which offer ample space and bedrooms, and have to added bonus of a private pool and private stretch of beach! Garden Villas offer much the same only without the private beach element but also without the same large price tag.

The Palm also features Canal Cove Townhomes on the shoreline, which offer some great value freehold waterfront property. And there are also plentiful waterfront apartment options here as well, such a The Golden Mile and Shoreline apartments. And for those looking for off plan waterfront property, you may be very interested in the Water Homes at the Palm Jebel Ali. These will be built out into the water on stilts, and even come with their own private boat mooring!

Dubai Sports City also features waterfront property in the form of Canal Residence West, whilst Jumeirah Lake Towers offers a wide range of both commercial and residential freehold property, all based around the many lakes that make up the development. Jumeirah Islands also boasts waterfront property for those looking for spacious villas, with four or more bedrooms.

And then, for those who don't mind waiting, there is the very special real estate proposition that is The Dubai Waterfront. A huge man made development built around the Palm Jebel Ali, and set to dwarf the likes of Manhattan, The Dubai Waterfront will be a city within its own right, offering a huge range of freehold waterfront property, with the centerpiece being the Al Burj skyscraper.

Who can buy freehold property?

Anyone can. The introduction the freehold property law in 2002 entitles anyone to purchase a property with 100% ownership; however, this is restricted to property that is specifically designated as freehold. Given the large amount of projects being undertaken, this is quite a selection.

Are there any recent developments in property law?

Yes there are. In 2006, the government passed an updated property law that allows expatriates to register their freehold properties in their names. This is great news for investors who have faced uncertainty with regards to government protection of freehold property rights.

Why buy Dubai Property?

There are many reasons. The majority of people pursue freehold options because of rising costs of renting accommodation in Dubai. By investing in freehold property, money that was used to pay the rent can go towards owning a property. The cost of buying freehold property is below other busy cities. Although property prices have increased since the introduction of freehold property, there is still a massive gap between other popular business hubs such as Singapore and Hong Kong. With tourism continuously on the rise, its a viable option for frequent visitors to buy property here as the rates are competitive with holiday homes in other tourist destinations. Furthermore, freehold property investors can apply for a residency visa that includes family, giving people the ability to retire here.

Are there any taxes involved?

Investment in Dubai freehold property is currently completely tax free.

What about arranging finance for a freehold property?

Sorting out a mortgage is very straightforward, even more so now that a variety of international banks offer financing in addition to local financiers associated with the developers. There is a wider choice of mortgages available with competitive interest rates and many banks also offer shariah compliant options. Mortgages are available from 5-25 years, with fixed long-term repayment options and various fractions of the property cost covered. Interest rates are linked to US and UAE markets.

What banks are offering loans at the moment?

At present, freehold finance is being offered by Amlak, Tamweel, HSBC, Mashreq Bank, Rak Bank, Dubai Islamic bank, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank and National Bank of Dubai.

Is a local bank account required?

No, the evolution of the market now caters better for investors that are not living in the UAE or do not have banking facilities in the country.

What about capital growth and the yield on rentals?

The market has seen a significant amount of growth over the past few years as more and more properties have been completed and entered the market. Premiums on properties have varied across the board, with major developments such as the Palm Dubai seeing several hundred percent premiums! A major concern with some projects has been the quality of the build and several developments have received numerous complaints with regards to this. Overall the standard of quality is variable, and as the market is so new there are expectedly some cracks in the procedure. As rental options are thin on the ground, yields on renting are relatively good at between 8-10%, and seeing predictions of an increase in rental rates, the market looks to remain healthy into the future.

What about the infrastructure surrounding freehold areas?

The general concept behind all major freehold developments is good infrastructure. The facilities and amenities that are to be included in property developments will meet the same or better standards than rental properties that are currently available. With the ongoing construction of the metro system to reach out to freehold areas, and various developments planning to offer self-enclosed transport services, these should provide good alternatives to driving or taking taxis. Developments that have already been completed such as the Springs and Meadows have a number of leisure facilities, they are located in close proximity to entertainment and shopping facilities and a selection of schools have been opened in the district.

Its finally great to see the Burj Dubai coming together after all the years of driving past and watching it rise storey by storey. The 1,680-foot skyscraper still under construction in Dubai claimed Saturday that it has become the world's tallest building, surpassing Taiwan's Taipei 101 which has dominated the global skyline at 1,667 feet since 2004.

The Burj Dubai is expected to be finished by the end of 2008 and its planned final height has been kept secret. The state-owned development company Emaar Properties, one of the main builders in rapidly developing Dubai, said only that the tower would stop somewhere above 2,275 feet.

When completed, the skyscraper will feature more than 160 floors, 56 elevators, luxury apartments, boutiques, swimming pools, spas, exclusive corporate suites, Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani's first hotel, and a 124th floor observation platform.

After North American and Asian cities marked their 20th century economic booms with skyscrapers, the Gulf grew eager to show off its success with ever taller buildings. In Dubai, long an oil-rich Gulf symbol of rapid economic growth, the building reflects the city's hunger for global prestige.

The $1 billion skyscraper is in the heart of downtown Dubai, a 500-acre development area worth $20 billion. Construction, which began just 1,276 days ago, has been frenzied - at times, one storey rises every three days.

The tip of the Burj's spire will be seen for 60 miles, developers say. But Sang knows it will not dominate the world's skyline forever.

"It's a fact of life that, at some point, someone else will build a taller building," he said. "There's a lot of talk of other tall buildings, but five years into Burj Dubai's construction, no one's started building them yet," he said.

Previous skyscraper record-holders include New York's Empire State Building at 1,250 feet; Shanghai's Jin Mao Building at 1,381 feet; Chicago's Sears Tower at 1,451 feet; and Malaysia's Petronas Towers at 1,483 feet.

The Burj will let the Middle East reclaim the world's tallest structure. Egypt's Great Pyramid of Giza, built around 2500 B.C., held the title with its 481 feet until the Eiffel Tower in Paris was built in 1889 at a height of 985 feet, or 1,023 feet including the flag pole.

The company says the Burj will fulfill the Chicago-based Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat's four criteria for the tallest building.

Present market conditions show that the real estate market is still enjoying a boom, with freehold property prices on the rise. However, as in other property markets, booms cannot be sustained indefinitely and Dubai is no different. Although the market is new and its future state cannot be compared to previous cycles, surely this surge in property investment is temporary?

The cycles of the property market are extremely hard to predict, and booms can either last longer than anticipated or a lot less too. This does not favour investors that are still pursuing investments in Dubai property with the hopes that there is still room for property prices to increase. They may be very right, but they could also be wrong. Such is a feature of all property markets across the world but bringing this concept to Dubai that is stepping into unfamiliar territory makes the situation even harder to judge.

The supply and demand for property has often been unbalanced since the initial release of property developments, with numerous construction delays contributing to excess demand for property and supply being sporadic at times. The past few years have seen a focus on off-plan investments, then a long wait for the procurement of their purchases but now that the market has matured a little, investment is shifting towards completed projects.

The recent release of Jumeirah Beach Residence and a large quantity of properties on the Palm Jumeirah has meant that supply is topping demand, but this can and will most likely change again. With such a new and fluctuating market, the decision to buy now should be less motivated by making money and more related to purchasing a home.

Following on from the huge success of Dubai's foray into freehold property, other Emirates of the UAE have also taken steps to introduce property for expatriates and overseas investors. While Ras Al Khaimah and Ajman quickly followed Dubai, Abu Dhabi has taken the move into freehold more cautiously but due to the popularity of the Capital already, it will not take long for the Emirate to be the second alternative to buying Dubai property.

Abu Dhabi has the benefits of excellent infrastructure in place and a lifestyle very similar to Dubai right now, unlike the other Emirates. Abu Dhabi is only an hour away from Dubai along the Sheikh Zayed Road and this means that more and more residents will look to buying property in Abu Dhabi to save on the rising costs of buying Dubai real estate. With price inflation on the rise, owning a home in Dubai is becoming more difficult for investors on a budget, and with a number of projects currently ongoing in Abu Dhabi, investors should definitely widen their search to find a viable property option.
All the properties available in Abu Dhabi will start to be completed over the next couple of years, and the advantages of buying early are that prices tend to only increase as properties reach completion. While Abu Dhabi has also been pushing for UAE and GCC Nationals to purchase within these developments, the levels of interest from overseas and expatriate investors has been moderate since all eyes are still on Dubai. While investors should certainly be cautious about investing in Abu Dhabi, the same could be said about Dubai just a few years ago and early buyers certainly make excellent returns on the properties they bought.

Some of the projects currently under construction in Abu Dhabi include Al Raha Beach Development, Al Reem Island, Dolphin Towers, Shams Abu Dhabi, Al Gurm Resort, Golf Gardens, Al Raha Gardens, Saadiyat Island and much more. All properties will be finished to high standards and will be complete with a good variety of amenities and services. With easy access to Dubai, Abu Dhabi property will certainly take shape as the next destination for freehold property buyers over the next decade.

Property speculators are watching the Dubai freehold property market keenly these days, as it continues to defy the odds and prolong the boom of house prices. As interest rates in the US have been cut continuously over the past several months, this has had a direct effect on the UAE economy since the Dirham is pegged to the Dollar, and subsequently an even stronger impact on house prices.

Property experts have been predicting for the past year now that prices will start to come down, and with the rest of the world going into a recession, it seemed like a matter of time before these conditions brought the Dubai real estate market into check as well. New indicators show that the cut in interest rates has led to further increases in house prices meaning that investment continues to strengthen in Dubai's most promising sector as more and more projects are approaching completion.

There is plenty on show for the Dubai property market already. Major developments such as Dubai Marina, International City, The Palm Jumeirah and Emirates Living Community are well established and still in demand. This year progress continues on the Burj Dubai Tower and surrounding Downtown project, while commercial projects like Jumeirah Lake Towers and Business Bay are following suit. The market for freehold property is considerably more diverse than when the first properties were launched, and with so many unique projects under construction and on the near horizon such as The Waterfront and Dubailand, the market for property shows signs that it will be able to maintain a high degree of buoyancy even as the global markets for property slow down.

While many property investors see the increase in property prices as a worry, it does suggest that buying early can lead to a profit later down the line. While most buyers want to own a home to live in and not to make a profit on, you really can't put a price tag on that dream home you want. For many property investors, the Dubai property market is starting to stretch beyond reach with no properties readily available below the one million mark, however, the neighbouring Emirates of Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman and Abu Dhabi will surely pick up the large numbers of buyers that are looking to get more for their money. The entire UAE property market is growing rapidly, and serious property buyers should look at all the options available before deciding on a property.

For more information on the Dubai real estate market or any specific Dubai property projects we can always help.

With the supply of apartments available for freehold purchase far outstripping the supply of villas, it's no wonder that the Dubai property market is seeing a serious imbalance of demand between the two. While there are large quantities of high-rise buildings appearing all over the place, especially in the Dubai Marina area, the development of villas is a lot lower due to the square footage that houses cover. Basically, villas are less profitable than apartments that are stacked on top of each other twenty stories high.

With a large amount of the expatriate community, villas are more popular. More space, a garden and close to the ground. Living in Jumeirah has always been a favourable option based on the lack of apartments and dominance of low level villas. Applying this idea to the freehold market has resulted in successful villa projects like the Meadows, the Springs and Emirates Hills, but this supply of housing remains dwarfed by residential developments that only offer apartments.

As a result of this, the price per square foot for villas has risen over the past year, over 30 percent in 2006, while apartments have seen very little change in this booming market. Small quantities of villas on offer have seen high levels of interest while shifting apartments has been more of a challenge.

In light of this situation, perhaps developers have learned that investors are not necessarily looking for box standard apartments with limited space to call home, but something different that offers similar features to villas. Some new developments are promoting larger apartments, lofts and penthouses, featuring terraces and even garden space in an effort to attract the people that prefer a villa lifestyle to apartment living.

What service can I expect from an estate agent?

The estate agent is paid by the Vendor, so they act for them not the purchaser. He is not obliged to highlight negative aspects of the property to you. The agent will show you suitable property and put any offers to their vendor clients.

What costs do I need to consider?
There are a number of costs to be taken into account when buying property. Typically these are:
Solicitor's fees (Including government charges, transfer fees, local authority searches, etc)
Part payments on municipality charges, service charges
About 10% deposit
Property insurance and house contents insurance
Mortgage (indemnity premium and arrangement fees - usually can be added to mortgage)
Surveyor's fees
Removal firm
Municipality Charges
Estate Agent fees
Services (Any utilities that need to be reconnected, mail redirection)

I'm a first time buyer, what's the process involved?

Roughly these are the steps involved in buying property:
You find a property
You get a mortgage and appoint a solicitor
The mortgage company will carry out their valuation on the property
You instruct a surveyor to do a home buyers report or a full survey
The Vendors Solicitor supplies draft contract, title deeds on the property to your Solicitor or any other proof of ownership
Your solicitor arranges for local search and raises any queries with the Vendor's solicitor.
Once your solicitor is satisfied you can proceed to signing contracts and agreeing a completion date.
You provide the Vendor with the deposit
Signed contracts are sent to you from Vendor
Contracts are exchanged and you arrange insurance for the property
Completion takes place on agreed date
Your solicitor pays remainder of purchase price to Vendor's solicitor
Vendors solicitor confirms that sale is complete and arranges for keys to be handed over.
You move in!

Tips for home buyers

Keep registering with estate agents.
Sometimes agents don't get back to you or send details. It can seem like they're not interested and you wonder if they want to sell houses! This is a misleading perception - they're just busy and someone else might have beaten you to the post. Estate agents are not obliged to call you when your ideal property comes in. So it pays to call and visit regularly.
Appoint a solicitor before you find a property.
This will avoid delay once you've found a property and want to proceed to survey. It also shows the purchaser/estate agent you're serious about buying.

Facts and Figures and reasons to invest in Dubai:

* Dubai's population is around 1.67 million, and is set to increase to 3.5 million by 2010
* Over 82% of Dubai's population consists of expatriates, and of the expatriates, 80% are Asian.
* There are around 185 differing nationalities in Dubai, including Europeans, South Africans, Australians, New Zealanders, Russians and Americans.
* Dubai's coastline stretches over 72 miles (115 km) of the Gulf coast. And its total area is near to 2,428 square miles.
* Unlike the other Emirates, Dubai's economy doesn't rely heavily on oil, with sales constituting only 6% of its GDP. Dubai is more focused on pursuing long term success through international investment.
It is estimated that 15-20% of the world's cranes are operating in Dubai
* 5,420,724 guests stayed in hotels in Dubai in 2004 alone, continuing the annual marked increase, of a 13% rise in numbers of hotel guests. Such increases are expected to continue for the foreseeable future.
* It has been predicted that by 2010, there will be approximately 15 million visitors to Dubai and up to 40 million visitors by 2015
Dubai, like the rest of the UAE is four hours ahead of GMT
* The currency is the Emirati Dirham (Dhs), fixed at 1US dollar equaling 3.67 Dhs.

Shot at 2007-07-24

Shot at 2007-07-25