Buying a house in Dubai: The idea of buying a property in the United Arab Emirates is tempting. The real estate market has been in a stable upward trend for years and the Persian Gulf state has become a popular destination for emigrants and professionals from all over the world.
Here I'll show you what you should pay attention to when buying a house in Dubai and which locations are particularly popular.
The average price of a house in Dubai is currently between 5 and 12 millionIn AED. In view of the fact that the metropolis on the Persian Gulf is a large city the size of Berlin, the purchase prices are comparable to those in Germany. The buildings are modern and luxuriously furnished and guarantee the highest level of living comfort.
When you get an overview of the real estate market in Dubai, you may be irritated at first. The real estate market in Dubai is different from that in Germany. Price, location, sightseeing, yield and more.
How do these differences come about?
The reason for this is that the terms are used differently in the United Arab Emirates than in German-speaking countries.
In the Persian Gulf country, there are often several villa-like houses on one plot of land. The residential units are often grouped around a shared pool or other communal facilities.
“Houses”, on the other hand, are individual properties that are located on separate plots of land. For owners, this is associated with a higher level of autonomy and privacy. These amenities are reflected in purchase prices.
Townhouses are mostly residential units that are strung together and share common walls with neighboring units. Their living space is usually smaller than that of villas, but larger than apartments. In some parts of the city, you can buy townhouses as free-standing properties.
The prices of houses, villas and other properties in Dubai depend primarily on the following factors:
As in all other real estate markets, the situation in particular influences the purchase price. Houses in the sought-after districts close to the city center, such as Palm Jumeirah and Dubai Hills, are more expensive than a property in the peripheral districts.
The larger the living space, the higher the purchase price for the property. Properties with many rooms are more expensive than smaller residential units.
The number of bedrooms and bathrooms in the United Arab Emirates reflects the exclusivity of a property. The more of these rooms in a building, the higher the purchase price.
New houses have more modern features than older properties and are therefore more expensive than old buildings.
An unobstructed view of the ocean, Dubai's skyline or a golf course also increases the purchase price. Particularly exclusive features such as a balcony further increase the value of the property.
Depending on the location, residential and land area and equipment features, the purchase prices for real estate vary significantly: Smaller properties in peripheral districts such as Deira and Bur Dubai can be purchased for around 300,000 euros; some luxury properties in the Palm Jumeirah district cost more than 25 million euros.
Newly published market data It makes it easier for you to get an overview of the selling prices for real estate: 35% of transactions were worth less than 250,000 euros. Only 9% of sales exceeded a volume of around 1,250,000 euros.
Dubai's real estate market is also interesting if you want to buy a house as an investment in order to diversify your portfolio: With an increase of 48.8% between 2022 and 2023, the city is the leader in terms of performance; since the corona pandemic in 2020, prices have risen by around 225%.
For many people, living in Dubai is a dream: The city offers excellent career opportunities, a diverse range of cultural offerings, breathtaking architecture and a rich entertainment program.
If you're thinking about buying a house in the metropolis, different districts come into question. In some of the nine districts, such as Business Bay or Downtown Dubai, high-rise buildings dominate, meaning that free-standing properties are not found in these areas or are extremely rare.
Are you looking for a quiet residential area in Dubai? Then Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC) is the perfect option for you. The district, which is located around 20 kilometers from the city center, has been under construction since 2005. It is known for its lush green spaces and low to medium-rise buildings.
In Jumeirah Village Circle, you will find residential units such as apartments and studios as well as detached villas and townhouses. The district is quiet and well-kept and is therefore particularly popular with families who want to raise their children in a protected environment away from urban life. Jumeirah Village Circle is home to various schools, kindergartens, shopping and leisure facilities.
Palm Jumeirah is an artificial island in the shape of a palm tree located off the coast of Dubai. This world-famous district is known for the luxurious villas and apartments in close proximity to the beaches. From a property in Palm Jumeirah, you can enjoy views of the Arabian Sea and the skyline of the city center, which is about 15 kilometers away. The houses, villas, and apartments in the posh district are often equipped with amenities such as gyms, swimming pools, gardens, and spa areas. You can park your private or business car in the garages belonging to the real estate.
The Arabian Ranches are a family-friendly district and a popular destination for foreign professionals who want to live and work in the United Arab Emirates. It is dominated by a low-rise development with spacious houses and villas and extensive gardens, which are often equipped with swimming pools and other amenities. Thanks to the distance to the center, properties with large living spaces and many bathrooms and bedrooms are also available at affordable prices. If you work in the city center, you still don't have to take long journeys to work: You can reach Downtown Dubai within around 20 minutes via the 16-lane E311, which connects the Arabian Ranches directly to the center.
This district is home to the Arabian Ranches Golf Club, which offers one of the best golf courses in the metropolis on the Arabian Sea.
Dubai is also home to the prestigious Jumeirah Golf Estates residential and golf complex, home to the famous DP World Tour Championships. The course, designed by golf legend Greg Norman, is characterized by its unique design, which is inspired by the elements of fire and earth. With a focus on environmental friendliness, the 12,000 square meter clubhouse offers a variety of sports and leisure activities, from golf to tennis, as well as relaxation options at the pool with a view of the “Earth” golf course. Additional amenities such as billiards, table tennis and special children's areas complement the offerings, while the well-maintained fairways and first-class golf courses are attractive to both residents and visitors.
Dubai Islands is a project that consists of five islands and covers a total of 17 square kilometers. It offers over 80 resorts and hotels, more than 20 kilometers of beaches, including a certified “Blue Flag” beach, as well as extensive parks, open spaces, and golf courses overlooking the Arabian Gulf. The project, announced as “Deira Islands” in August 2022, is part of the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan and aims to strengthen Dubai as a top global destination. It also includes a new marina, Nakheel Marinas Dubai Islands, with space for up to 13 superyachts and additional boat berths.
The Dubai Hills Estate district is located around seven kilometers from the city center. It is your ideal choice if you appreciate short distances to the vibrant heart of the city. The district borders the Dubai Hills Golf Club, which is one of the most renowned golf courses in the Emirate. Your own property in this district offers you an exclusive and incomparable view of this complex, which stands for the luxury of the metropolis on the Arabian Sea. The estates have swimming pools, spa areas and gyms. Despite its proximity to the city center, the district has its own infrastructure with kindergartens, schools, shopping facilities and medical facilities.
Mohammed Bin Rashid City, often abbreviated as MBR City, is a superlative urban development project that aims to further increase Dubai's attractiveness through ambitious projects. A new “ultra-luxury residential district” with an 18-hole golf course, the world's largest shopping center and a city park with an area of 30 square kilometers are planned. The government of the Emirate is also planning to build more than 100 hotels and an amusement park, which will offer more than 200 attractions and shows. Dubai is investing around 80 billion US dollars in the project. When construction is complete, Mohammed Bin Rashid City will be home to up to 100,000 people. The district is to include the existing Business Bay and Downtown Dubai districts. A look at Mohammed Bin Rashid City is particularly worthwhile for you if you are interested in long-term buying or investment opportunities near the city center.
Buying a house in Dubai is a complex process that requires professional expertise. The first step of the transaction is to conclude a contract between the parties, who are involved in the purchase on the one hand and in the sale on the other hand. The document should include all essential details of the transaction, including the purchase price, warranty conditions and payment terms.
Note: It should be mentioned here that the purchase process just described is that of existing properties. The process is different for off-plan projects.
The purchase is then registered with the Dubai Land Department. The involvement of a lawyer or real estate agent in this step is mandatory.
After payment processing, the transfer of ownership takes place, which is also carried out by the Dubai Land Department.
Buying a house in the United Arab Emirates often requires further permits, such as registration and consent from the developer.
Real estate transactions also incur taxes and fees: These include notary fees and the registration fee charged by the Dubai Land Department.
In addition, foreign citizens may only buy objects in free-hold zones if they own 100% ownership of an object and also want to bequeath it.
To buy a house in Dubai, you need a valid passport that allows you to buy a property.
There are various visa options: For example, if you invest 2 million AED, you can get the so-called Golden Visa, which allows you to stay in the UAE for 10 years.
You will also receive a so-called residence visa if you buy a property with a minimum value of 750,000 AED in Dubai or in another city in the UAE.
If you are planning to buy property in Dubai, you should contact a reputable brokerage firm such as Real Estate Blondies. Real estate agents are experts in the housing and housing market and will find the best offer for you. The realtors are also informed about current projects on the housing market and suggest lucrative investment opportunities.
In addition, a brokerage company such as Real Estate Blondies takes care of the most important formalities for you.
These include:
The Real Estate Blondies also offer you a comprehensive property management service to keep your property in Dubai in pristine condition. At your request, the brokerage firm will design your interiors.
If you are planning to rent out your property in Dubai, the Real Estate Blondies are looking for future tenants for your properties and also take care of negotiating the rental agreement and obtaining all necessary documents. The company also registers the rental parties with DEWA and Empower and carries out a thorough check of defects before purchasing.
The housing market in the Persian Gulf city is interesting for both investors and people who want to emigrate to Dubai. Although real estate prices have risen significantly in recent years, property in the United Arab Emirates is still affordable. A brokerage office such as Real Estate Blondies will find the best offers for you and take care of the formalities required for the transaction.