Investors show trust in UAE real estate market with more investments

The government’s recent measures on real estate investment will increase market credibility, transparency and boost investor confidence in the growing sector, experts say.

Analysts, executives and developers said the government’s action such as introducing new reporting requirements for property transactions and tightens rules on real estate advertisements will bring stability in the market that already attracted investments worth more than Dh170 billion during the first seven months of this year. They expect investment in the UAE property market is expected to exceed Dh300 billion by year-end.

Referring to official statistics, the market experts said Dubai real estate will continue to drive growth in the sector as it attracted Dh135.5 billion investment during the January-July 2022. In addition, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah also registered Dh22.38 billion and Dh11.2 billion property transactions, respectively, during the first half of 2022.

Real estate activities are estimated to generate about 5.5 per cent of the UAE’s overall gross domestic product (GDP) annually. The UAE’s residential real estate market is expected to post a compound aggregate growth rate of more than eight per cent during 2022-27, according to Mordor Intelligence.

Haider Tuaima, director and head of Real Estate Research at ValuStrat, said recent government measures will not slowdown growth in the sector.

“The simple answer is no,” Tuaima said in response to a question about new reporting requirements for property transactions and tightens rules on advertisement may impact the growth of the sector.

“Enhancing regulations by tightening rules on property advertisements can only increase market credibility and transparency, this potentially boosts investor confidence going forward,” he said.

Robert Thomas, head of Agency at real estate consultancy Core, said new measures will bring maturity to the market.

“No, on the contrary, we expect it would further mature the market and these regulations will filter the market with qualified listings and product offerings,” he said.

Yousuf Fakhruddin, CEO, Fakhruddin Properties, echoed the similar views and said property sector will attract more investment due to timely government action to further enhance transparency in the market.

“The UAE has always been at the forefront of implementing measures to bring out and encourage better economic and business practices. The new reporting requirements further make it a more secure environment for property investors, which we hope will drive their interest in real estate opportunities even further,”

In our opinion, he said the government's move to increase regulation in the real estate sector is a positive one.

“This will help to protect buyers and investors and create a more stable and transparent market and in the long run, this will encourage sustainable growth in the sector. The new regulations are a positive step forward for buyers' rights. It provides greater clarity and protection for investors, and we believe this will lead to increased confidence in the rental market” he said.

Ata Shobeiry, CEO at Zoom Property, also welcomed the government’s policy measures and said it would benefit the sector.

“I believe these requirements will make the Dubai property market safer for both sellers and buyers. Therefore, it will encourage more investment in the sector,” he said.

Market experts said the real estate market will sustain an upward trend in the remaining part of this year due to various growth drivers such as visa reforms, consistent policies, ease of doing business measures and future planning, among others.

“Strategic decisions put into action by the government since 2019, balancing supply and boosting demand in addition to the 2040 urban plan and enhancing market transparency by openly sharing transactional data, all this helps drive the property market towards more healthy and sustainable growth,” Tuaima of ValuStrat said.

Shobeiry of Zoom Property also repose trust in the future of the market and said various factors will drive the market in coming months.

“The reformed visa rules, investor-friendly policies, and the stability it offers to investors are some major factors that will drive the property market throughout the rest of 2022 and beyond,” he said.

Thomas or real estate consultancy Core said Dubai’s continuing positive handling of Covid, pro-business and tourism environment and ongoing visa reforms have made it an attractive proposition for both residents and international buyers.

“With strong transaction activity along with rising occupancy levels, the supply-demand dynamics is at a relative equilibrium. Furthermore, buyers have the option to choose from a wide array of products across entry points with property-linked visas, making Dubai a favourable investment destination,” he said.

Fakhruddin also see bright prospects for the real estate sector ahead.

“In a perfectly placed and progressive country like the UAE, there are quite a few drivers of growth for the Dubai property sector. Fact that the UAE is a global nation ready to welcome people from any country in the world has enabled more people set up new businesses to move here and call it home,” he said.

“The way this country provides for everything from lifestyle to luxury to the residents, has fostered an optimistic and content sentiment amongst expats wanting to live and invest in the country. The recent increase in the number of new business and employment visas in the private sector reinforces the belief system for the real estate sector,” he said.