Dubai Real Estate: Off-plan property attractive in prime locations
While the pandemic has forced developers in the UAE to rethink project launches, slowing down the off-plan market considerably, real estate experts say there is a sustained demand for off-plan projects in prime locations. According to Property Finder reports, in November 3,928 transactions worth Dh7.65 billion took place in the Dubai real estate market. Around 38.5 per cent of these transactions were in the off-plan market.
Prime locations in demand
Dubai Real Estate: Off-plan property attractive in prime locationsOff-plan is still attractive in prime locations. The Madinat Jumeirah Living is a perfect example of this. It has seen a good demand from investors. So has La Mer, Emaar Beachfront and Emerald Hills project in Dubai Hills. Developers are also being as competitive as possible, offering waivers on service charges, DLD fees etc to attract demand.” Property Finder’s November report seconds this. Four apartments in El Primo were sold recently, each for more than Dh18.9 million. But projects, even in affordable luxury, have also done well.
There is not much inventory in the villa and townhouse sector, hence demand has been steady, in the Madinat Jumeirah Living, one-bed apartments start from Dh1.22m and two-bedroom apartments from Dh1.88m. Plots in Emerald Hills start from Dh3.3m, apartments in La Mer start from Dh1.2m and Emaar Beachfront from Dh1.5m.
Top areas in Dubai
Dubai Real Estate: Off-plan property attractive in prime locations
According to Property Finder data, as of November 30, top off-plan villa/townhouse transactions have been in Tilal Al Ghaf, Dubai South, Dubai Land, Arabian Ranches 3, Serena, Dubai Hills Estate, Town Square, The Valley, Arabian Ranches 2 and Jumeirah, while top off-plan apartment transactions have been in Mohammed Bin Rashid City, Jumeirah Village Circle, Business Bay, Downtown Dubai, Dubai Creek Harbour (The Lagoons), Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Harbour, Arjan and Dubai Hills Estate. The measures taken by the Dubai government during Covid-19 has also helped revive the off-plan sector.
More certainty next year
A good off-plan launch in the market is getting snapped up very quickly. We can expect a peak supply of new properties to come into the market over the next 12 months when there is more certainty. The improvements in the local economy against the backdrop of Expo2020 Dubai will also be a catalyst for the sector, experts feel. With most investors in Dubai’s real estate being regional and international, it is believed that the future of the off plan market will depend on the global economic climate.
