Dubai Housing Market Shows Signs of Growth
There has been a significant shift in recent times in the Dubai housing market if a recent report is to be believed. And it’s one that should be of real interest to prospective investors, as it shows growth in an area that isn’t usually associated with the super-rich image of Dubai.
Encouraging Figures for Growth
The research – released by dubizzle Property and real estate consultants JLL in their End of Year Property Report for 2017 – shows that sales leads for properties under AED1,000 per sq ft have risen by an impressive 24 percent in the last 12 months. The findings suggest that it is in Dubai’s mid market segment that things are now really starting to move, with well over half of the residential properties that dubizzle Property are listing falling into this category. It’s part of a wider trend, according to Samer Abdin, the company’s general manager.
“Developers in Dubai announced 16 new projects this year – several of them were in the mid-market segment offering attractive payment plans,” he says. “Agencies who are focused on off-plan sales and have inventory that falls under the less than AED1,000 per sq ft bracket are likely to see gains here.”
The First Signs of a Potential Recovery?
Taking an even wider view, the bigger picture in Dubai also seems to be one of encouraging signs of growth in the mid and lower segments of the housing market. It’s no secret that the property market in Dubai has head into the wrong direction in the past, but it appears that the recovery now may well be on its way.
“This is where I believe the market is extremely undersupplied and not adapted to the demand,” says Salah Belkhayat, managing director of property adviser Valuance Consulting. “The prices in that segment are increasing while the rest of the market is still correcting.”
A Real Opportunity for Investors in Dubai Housing Market
The research suggests that paying close attention to the differing trends in the distinct sectors of the Dubai property market is a smart approach for investors.
“The Dubai residential market has remained relatively soft during 2017, while there has been little change in average sale prices, rents have continued to decline in most locations,” says Craig Plumb, head of research, JLL MENA. “This disguises variations between different communities and different sectors of the market.”
While many expats in particular may still be earning high salaries, it’s clear that there are a growing number for whom the top-end properties are a step too far. Many have been looking to rent or buy in neighbouring emirates where prices are lower – but the rising demand for affordable properties in Dubai shows that it is still a highly desirable location.
So, while it seems that the higher end luxury market has struggled in the face of low oil prices and unemployment issues, the more affordable parts of the Dubai property market are now bouncing back – presenting potential investors with a real opportunity to take advantage of a sector where demand is increasingly healthy.