Thursday 25 September 2014

Developer Supply and Demand

Everything from sales of electronic gadgets, to cars and houses is ruled by the age old relationship of supply and demand. As supply increases it can tend to have a negative effect on demand because people will have more options and therefore a better chance of negotiating. According to Forbes, Dubai was recently voted in the top ten most influential cities in the world after cities like London, New York, Paris and Hong Kong. It is important therefore, that we in the real estate industry strive to meet and exceed the highest standards in the world in cooperation with Dubai Land Department
Previously Dubai was a city which was developing from zero and the rest of the world was not aware of what it was like to actually live here. With the strides Dubai has made, it is at the forefront of many people’s minds as the desirable destination to be. But this hasn’t come easy. It has taken years of structuring, building and maintaining different sectors of Dubai including property. As well as the countless sky rises, hotel resorts, shopping malls, Dubai has had to ensure it maintains its culture and identity whilst never failing to amaze the world with every new development.
With constant expectation of the property sector, to each time surpass the last achievement, it can be very easy to keep building bigger and better towers but forget to analyze whether it is the right time to bring new supply into the market. If you oversupply the market with units at a time when the demand is not as high, you run risk of putting units into a diluted market with less chance of getting sold.
At the beginning of the year developers were releasing developments at a very high rate. such as each week a new building would come into the market. One example of this was a major developer promising to bring 52 new buildings into the market in 2014. In the current market this would have been detrimental to demand for both new and existing developments. We would possibly have seen a major adjustment in prices and therefore units would have remained unsold.
Fortunately developers have been adapting to the market conditions and adjusted to ensure that price and inventory increase at a healthy rate. The market is always open to versatile qualitative developers with a more complete community view to their development plans.  An example of this is Meraas’s “The Beach” development in JBR and “City Walk” which holds promise of new caliber of developments.
 The government is finalizing plans for more environmentally friendly options such as solar panels on residential building, which could feed power back into the grid. Demand is shifting to a different type of property. Therefore developers who are one step ahead are moving ahead of the market by releasing sustainable projects such as Diamond Developer’s “Sustainable City.”
With Cityscape just around the corner it is looking very promising for the general outlook of Dubai’s Property market. New developments will be showcased and to some extent redefine Dubai’s identity and solidify its position as a world hub and gateway to everywhere. We are confident the demand in Dubai will grow at a steady rate while at the same time entertaining the world with its astonishing diversity and life enhancing city planning.
Source: Safura Abbas


Safura Abbas is General Manager, Aston Pearl Real Estate

Wednesday 17 September 2014

Dubai Marina Mall, a perfect mix of retail and leisure

Dubai is recognized as a shopping destination and the city has massive shopping malls that have endless stores and take an entire day to go from one end of the mall to another. Dubai Mall which is so far the largest in the world. The Ibn- Battuta mall which is a humongous development and many other malls keep bustling every week of the day and over the weekends. Dubai Marina Mall is one of Dubai's prominent shopping destinations and is preferred by inhabitants living in nearby areas.
The Dubai Marina Mall offers some of the best brands in retail, al fresco waterfront dining and entertainment. The Dubai Marina Mall is located in the heart of Dubai Marina having a total area of 390,000 square feet featuring shops, restaurants, cafes and a hotel. Dubai Marina Mall has access through a tunnel past exit 32 on Sheikh Zayed Road and from the Dubai Metro, the Mall has 2000 parking spaces on 4 levels making it a convenient option to shop over weekends when it’s usually difficult to get a parking space in shopping malls. The Mall offers visitors and residents of Dubai Marina a convenient option to shop at some of the leading brands in fashion, jewelry and accessories. The Mall offers entertainment options like the six screen Reel Cinemas, SEGA republic game zone for kids and a big food court having the best of fast food.


The Dubai Marina Mall reflects the true spirit of Dubai Marina, the largest waterfront community which serves as a model for similar projects across the region.  Dubai Marina is a meticulously planned waterfront development offering the best of residential, commercial and hospitality projects.



Thursday 4 September 2014

Dubai's top locations for buying property

Dubai's Real Estate market has significantly recovered and property prices have grown since 2013, even in 2014 the price is up by 20%, as per property market experts. While Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah are at the top of the buyers list, there are other areas that are gaining popularity.
Most popular areas in Dubai for buying property:
Dubai Marina: This vibrant waterfront community has topped the list for last 2 years. Dubai Marina's free spirited atmosphere, luxurious apartments and the world's largest marina and the world class facilities make it the first choice among expatriates. 

Palm Jumeirah: This true marvel of engineering has been able to retain its place as a preferred destination for home buyers and investors. This man-made Island has been in the spotlight globally for its uniqueness and the luxury it offers to its residents.

Downtown Dubai: Has been a favorite for home buyers and investors and continues to be among the top locations in Dubai. Downtown Dubai is considered to be the most visited destination for its world class assets like the world's tallest building, the Dubai Mall, Dubai fountain and the vibrancy this "new heart of the city" has to offer.

Jumeirah lake Towers: Continues to hold its spot as a preferred area to buy for people who prefer its strategic location and proximity to other important areas in Dubai. Jumeirah lake towers has superior connectivity with Dubai Metro.

Dubailand: Has slowly been able to step the ladder of popularity and has become an area to consider for buyers who are not looking at elite facilities. Home to the famous Global Village, Miracle Garden Dubailand is expected to become a regional and international tourism hub in the coming years.

Jumeirah Village Circle: This development has gained popularity among those who want to live in a community which offers generous living spaces at an affordable budget. The area still under development enjoys a strategic location and is well connected with other important areas of Dubai.

Arabian Ranches: Dubai's most popular villa community offering Arabic, Spanish, Portuguese and Moroccan styled villas, this quiet and peaceful community is well connected with the city and residents enjoy the modern lifestyle of this Desert paradise.

Dubai Sports City: The affordable community is fast becoming popular for the price difference when compared to other hot spots. Dubai sports city has a lot to offer to live a good life. Conceptualized as a city within a city, this project is envisioned to become the world's premier sporting destination. Dubai sports city also offers schools, medical facilities, hotels and community centers.

Jumeirah Beach Residence: While the apartment prices are still less than Palm Jumeirah and Downtown Dubai, JBR has all the charm to attract buyers and investors. This prime waterfront community offers up market apartments with spectacular views of the sea. JBR is home to the walk , Dubai's most happening outdoor destination offering exclusive shopping, dining and entertainment options. 

Business Bay: is rapidly gaining momentum to become the Business Hub of the Middle East, with most of the projects now completed Business Bay is all set to compete with New York's Manhattan and Ginza district of Tokyo.