Dubai Property for Sale: Investing in UAE Properties

Dubai has become an international property hotspot, with great architectural developments and ambitious projects rising up seemingly overnight. With the market still young and demand exceeding supply, the time is ripe for foreigners to invest in this vibrant, captivating city.

In March 2006 the Freehold Law was passed allowing foreigners either 99 year leasehold or freehold ownership of land in designated areas. Freehold or leasehold allows the foreign investor many advantages. Owners are able to sell or rent out their property in Dubai if they so desire. Investment potential is high, with a great demand for short-term rentals and yields around 10 percent. Dubai does not levy taxes on income, including that obtained from renting property. In addition there is no Capital Gains Tax. With Dubai's population expected to double within the next five years causing the rental demand to increase, a property purchased for the purpose of leasing can be seen as a long term income-generating asset.

Owners are not required to live in the UAE, but must visit the country briefly once every six months. There are several local and international property management companies, including Colliers International, Cluttons, Asteco, and JG Property Management, who can look after the property when the owners are away. Properties can also be passed on as inheritance if specific procedures are followed. Ownership of freehold property also entitles the first named owner to a 3 year renewable residence visa. (This visa does not permit the holder to take up work in the country.)

Buying Property in Dubai - Are You Sure?

Property in Dubai has had investors rushing for off plan deals provided by developers in the region building numerous Dubai projects. The attraction of affordable luxury living, a tax free environment, predictions that point toward good capital growth and being part of the world fastest growing city make Dubai an attractive proposition.

About Dubai

Dubai is one of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates. This location has been a hot market for luxury property in the past few years. Dubai is the most populated and second largest United Arab Emirates. Dubai has been seeing enormous construction and has attracted several real estates projects.

Large projects in Dubai include offshore property such as the Palm Islands and The World. Inland projects include Dubai Marina, Dubai Waterfront, Business Bay, Dubailand and The Burj Dubai Complex.

These overseas property complexes feature the innovative and ultra-modern architecture of the skeikh. These properties are home to skyscrapers such as Emirates Towers and the Burj al-Arab. The Burj al-Arab is located on offshore property in the Persian Gulf. The Burj al-Arab is currently the tallest hotel in the world.

Dubai's Emaar Properties is working on another tall structure that may be the future tallest structure in the world. The final height of the skyscraper is a secret and is expected to be completed in 2008. The skyscraper will be called the Burj Dubai. The company is also building the world's largest shopping mall called the Dubai Mall.

Business Bay is also a very prominent piece of property in Dubai. The new business district is to be home to five hundred skyscrapers, all of which are going to be built on land that was lifted from the Dubai Creek.

New laws mean more buyers Duabi has been an attractive place to invest in overseas property the sticking point for some time has been the confusion concerning freehold laws in Dubai. New laws now allow foreigners to own the freehold of certain real estate in Dubai. Since the announcement on March 12 2006 that non United Arab Emirates nationals may be given the right to own freehold properties in some parts of Dubai, massive interest has been stirred in overseas property investors. Demand is surging and real estate is in short supply many off plan developments sell out in days of release.

Freehold in Dubai Foreigners will have the right to lease or purchase the land, after getting approval from the three master-developers, Emaar, Al Nakheel, and Dubai Properties. Land will be registered in the name of a foreigner only after the developers submit a no-objection letter, stating that all the payments for the transaction have been made in full. There are three kinds of ownership proposed in the legislation: freehold, usufruct, and common hold. The owner will have complete ownership rights over a free hold property and the building in this case will be in the owner's name. The second category is usufruct or long-term lease. The law characterizes 'usufruct' as the right to use another's property short of destruction or waste of its substance. The right of usufruct, as per the law, should not be for less than five years. This will most probably be a long-term lease whose maximum validity period will range from anywhere between 50 to 99 years. Common hold allows leaseholders to dispense with their landlord and obtain a share of the freehold.

Dubai property why some say no

Property in Dubai is expanding so quickly and at such large volumes some investors are worried that Dubai may have an over supply of real estate. However these investors are not looking past the next 3 years and over the medium to long term Dubai is set to offer sound investment potential. Increased tourism and a growing expat population will meet the demand that investors need to benefit from their Dubai property.