2018 will be remembered as the year of Post-Handover Payment Plans (PHPP), special seasonal offers and reduced Dubai Land Department (DLD) fees. These were all positive steps by the developers to help buyers, and they have worked well in an increasingly competitive buyers’ market. 

The offers are great news for the end user who may need a nudge to buy, but we have to check “what’s in it for the developer?” and “is this a good investment with and without the offer?”

The majority of buyers make their final payment using a mortgage, so this often removes the need for a PHPP and should a 4% discount (No DLD fee) really be enough of an incentive to choose one property over another?

Some of the properties that were offered with a PHPP would certainly not be a recommended investment for the Buy to Let investor and some of the offers have simply been a marketing tactic to aid the sales of less attractive units.

Of course, there are many exceptions to the above and 2018 was a great time to find a deal and make an investment or purchase your future home.

The first working week of 2019 is an appropriate time to consider the highlights from the previous year and for me to compile a list of my 12 favourite properties. 

Belgravia Square – Every developer should look and learn from the company that has created the benchmark of quality, design and value for the entire market. Belgravia 1 has been an enormous success for investors, residents and tenants and I am currently helping Belgravia 2 clients with the snagging of some of the best value for money apartments in all of Dubai – One beds from AED 775k and two beds from AED 1.1m  with expected rental yields of over 8% make this my top Buy to Let recommendation.

DT1 in Downtown - offers a truly distinct setting inside and out. A sleek, contemporary glass façade wraps around just 16 floors of oversized modern and luxurious private residences with a chic 5* Hotel finish. Elegance and attention to detail are integral to the concept created by the Perkins+Will team based out of New York and could make this address one of the best in Dubai, - One bed from AED 1.98m, two beds from AED 2.927m and three beds from AED 4.731m

Dubai Creek Harbour - Emaar has created an island alongside the Creek within a new city that is a combination of the Dubai Marina and Dubai Downtown, a brilliant master plan with all the best elements of the two most successful master developments in Dubai. Above average rental yields combined with excellent growth potential with two beds from AED 1.3m and three beds from AED 2.1m

Dubai Hills Estate – Everything that Emaar has learned by developing Emirates Hills, The Greens, Lakes, The Springs, The Meadows and the Arabian Ranches has been improved upon to create a unique blend of well-planned residential neighbourhoods centred around an 18-hole championship golf course alongside a massive new Mall and all just 10 minutes from the Centre of Dubai. This will rapidly become the community of choice in Dubai as people begin to move in within a few months - Apartments from AED 1m, four-bed townhouses from AED 2.7m and large family Golf Villas from AED 6m.

Emaar Beachfront- will be a private, gated island located in the sea between JBR and Palm Jumeirah encompassing a Miami style living experience along with a 1.5km private beach, a range of leisure and lifestyle attractions including F&B outlets, one of the largest marinas in the region, beachside play areas and retail pop-ups. One beds from AED 1.29m, two beds from AED 1.9m and three beds from AED 3.5m

Marina Gate – The first building has been handed over, and when the project is completed by the end of 2019, we expect everyone in Dubai will know Marina Gate, and it will become one of the most sought-after apartment buildings in all of Dubai and certainly the finest in Dubai Marina. Designed to be a complete community across three buildings with excellent facilities to include, shops, restaurants, gyms and swimming pools. One  beds from AED 1.5m and two beds from AED 2.5m

MJ Living is a residential community that is an extension to the collection of 5* Hotels that make up the Madinat Jumeirah resort and is one of only a handful of freehold properties available in the area. The architecture of the buildings with their modern interiors are based upon traditional Arabic designs constructed around cool landscaped courtyards, gardens and pools. One beds from AED 1.2m and two beds from AED 1.9m.

Port de La Mer - Everyone knows “The Beach” restaurant and shopping centre in front of JBR, but the same government-owned developer also has “La Mer” at the north end of Jumeirah close to Downtown. This is a popular area for residents and tourists as home to many cool new restaurants and cafes alongside a pristine beach. The developer has now launched Port de la Mer which is a low rise gated development close by and with its own private beach and yacht Marina see the video here One beds from AED 1.2m and two beds from approx. AED 2m and three beds at approx. AED 4m all due for completion in 2020.

Serenia Residences is a private property directly on the beach without any hotel or retail element in keeping with its exclusivity and is home to some of the most stunning apartments available on the Palm Jumeirah. Large one bedroom apartments from AED 2.3m and two beds from 3.6m surrounding lush gardens and one of the biggest private infinity pools in Dubai

Studio One – The project is progressing well and on target to be handed over mid- 2019. Everyone that I have taken to the onsite show apartment has given very positive feedback, and I believe this to be one of the best investments and certainly most affordable of all Dubai Marina residences – I have a few one beds at under AED 1m and two beds starting from AED 1.4m

Town Square – as a sister company to Emaar, the experienced and extremely well-funded developers have had total control over the supply of properties, the landscaping, the 600 retail shops and the entire infrastructure and facilities so making it an increasingly desirable and very affordable new city within a city. Studios starting from AED 434k, one beds from AED 540k and two beds from AED 850k together with the three-bed townhouses from AED 1.3m

Wilton Terraces - A contemporary residential development designed by an award-winning architectural firm. Located in Meydan within the master community known as Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum City (MBR). These buildings are the yard stick for quality, design and price within one of the most significant land developments in the history of Dubai. The “affordable luxury” apartments are a perfect “Buy to Let” investment as some of the most competitively priced properties located within 10 minutes of the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall and are a great example of the best that Dubai has to offer for location, quality, design, payment plan, price and developer. One beds from AED 1.07m and two beds from circa AED 1.47m

Thank you for reading this far and I hope to see you very soon

Have you read the Bullet Point Property email no. 109

 Why is a Mall so important to the UAE?