Saturday 17 March 2012

Dubai real estate: Why, Where and What


Traditionally having properties offshore has always been attracting to all of us. Most of us always dream about owning assets overseas. As the world is exploding and gearing towards the global village, new avenues of similar investments are opening up. Asia traditionally has been always an investor's choice because of its unlimited untapped potential. However current progressive regime at United Arab Emirates has made all efforts to open up this sector for foreign investors.

Why Dubai

Dubai with its mega malls, good infra structure, mix ethnicity, relatively more open work culture has always been a tourist destination. With its sprawling beaches, malls and night life it is almost as good as any western country. It offers excellent living conditions and sure is cheaper than our own country. Also to me one of the best advantages living over there is getting very cheap household help. In few hundred dollars we can have a home maid.

In almost all emirates only UAE and GCC citizens are allowed to own property. However Dubai has become the first emirate to allow investors to own freehold Dubai real estate. What it really means is a foreigner can purchase the freehold real estate property in Dubai under his/her name. The person can sell it, lease it or transfer it to another person as well. The owner and their immediate family members will get permanent resident visas for their life (Cost around 5000 DHS).

Where in Dubai

Opening up real estate for foreigners has really put real estate sector on fire in Dubai. A lot of constructions are going on. The biggest and probably the best of them all is Dubai Palm Island. It is projected as the biggest and the most beautiful man made palm shaped island. This place offers many luxurious and affordable Dubai apartments, villas and many other accommodations for your stay. It is claimed to be visible even from space. A property at Dubai Palm Island can instantly bring respectability in international stature of a person. While living at Palm beach you may indeed come across real celebrities. Other than palm island there are several developments going on in Dubai e.g. Dubai Marina, Burj Dubai, Arabian Ranches, Dubai International City, Jumeirah Lake Towers and many more.

What is up-side potential?

Many people doubt about the current boom in Dubai questioning about longevity of the boom. The people who purchase the property 2 years back resold it for as much as 45%-50% margin, however future does not seem so bright considering the large scale development going on. However considering Dubai's socio-economic scenario and considering most of Dubai work force is foreigner, many analysts do believe that boom will go on probably till at least 2013.

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