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ARTICLES AND INSIGHTS
Stay informed with expert commentary, in-depth reports, and timely updates on Dubai’s dynamic commercial property market. This section features curated articles, investor insights, market news, and analysis covering trends, valuations, regulations, and economic developments.
Backed by 18 years of hands-on experience in Dubai, every piece is designed to give investors real-world context and strategic clarity—helping you stay ahead of the curve.
Check back regularly for fresh insights or subscribe to receive updates automatically via email and WhatsApp.
Weekly Insights for Dubai Property Investors: September 19, 2025
This is the first edition of my Weekly Insights for Dubai Property Investors. Each week, I’ll be sharing a clear and data-driven review of the latest economic, financial, and real estate developments that matter most to investors.
Stephen James Mitchell MBA
Sep 196 min read
UAE Economy Grows to AED 455B in Q1 as Non-Oil Sectors Rise
The UAE’s economy is moving into a new phase of growth. In the first quarter of 2025, gross domestic product (GDP) reached AED 455 billion, according to preliminary data from the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre. That represents a 3.9% expansion in real terms compared with the same period last year.
What stands out even more is the role of the non-oil economy. Non-oil activities contributed 77.3% of total output, their highest share in the nation’s history.
Stephen James Mitchell MBA
Sep 177 min read
Saudi and Indian Investors Are Fueling Dubai’s Real Estate Boom
Dubai’s property market is in the middle of a powerful cycle, and the driving force behind it is clear: high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) from Saudi Arabia and India. According to Knight Frank’s Destination Dubai 2025 report, an overwhelming 96% of surveyed Saudi investors and 86% of Indian investors intend to acquire property in Dubai.
Stephen James Mitchell MBA
Sep 176 min read
4 Million and Rising: Why Dubai Population Growth Counters Oversupply
Dubai’s population has now officially crossed 4 million residents. It stood at 4,000,387 as of August 28, 2025. According to the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, the population is expected to rise to 7.8 million residents by 2040.
Stephen James Mitchell MBA
Sep 117 min read
UAE Secures 2nd Spot in the Kearney FDI Confidence Index 2025
The United Arab Emirates is consolidating its position as one of the world’s most attractive destinations for investment and corporate expansion. Supported by economic dynamism, investor-friendly policies, and cutting-edge infrastructure, the country — and particularly Dubai — has emerged as a strategic base for multinational corporations (MNCs) seeking global and regional headquarters. This momentum is not anecdotal; it’s validated by globally recognized benchmarks. Kearney
Stephen James Mitchell MBA
Sep 47 min read
UAE Loans and Mortgages Set to Become Cheaper Amid US Rate Cut Forecast
Borrowing costs in the UAE are poised to decline in the coming weeks as the US Federal Reserve prepares for its first rate cut in 2025. Because the UAE dirham is pegged to the US dollar, local interest rates closely follow US monetary policy.
Stephen James Mitchell MBA
Sep 36 min read
Dubai Ranked Among Top 3 in Savills World Cities Prime Residential Index
Dubai has once again reaffirmed its status as a global powerhouse in luxury real estate. In the first half of 2025, the emirate ranked among the top three prime residential markets worldwide for capital value growth, alongside Tokyo and Berlin.
Stephen James Mitchell MBA
Aug 287 min read
Key Takeaways from the July 2025 Property Monitor Report
Dubai’s property market remains red-hot in July 2025, with fresh records being set across sales volumes, prices, and mortgage activity. Yet beneath the surface, signs of cooling momentum and buyer selectivity are becoming more visible.
For investors, the July 2024 Property Monitor Report offers valuable insights into both risks and opportunities shaping the market’s next phase.
Stephen James Mitchell MBA
Aug 286 min read
DMCC Free Zone Records 1,100+ New Business Registrations in H1 2025
Image Credit: DMCC In the first half of 2025 , Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC)—one of the largest free zones in the world—welcomed...
Stephen James Mitchell MBA
Aug 206 min read
Key Takeaways from the June 2025 Property Monitor Report
In June 2025, Dubai’s real estate market continued its upward march, with property prices climbing 1.71% month-on-month to reach AED 1,609 per square foot—now 30.5% above the 2014 market peak. While this headline growth signals sustained momentum, a closer look at the June 2025 Property Monitor Report reveals emerging signs of a more measured phase of expansion.
Stephen James Mitchell MBA
Aug 66 min read
Dubai Commercial Real Estate Hits $8.44 Billion in Q2 2025
Dubai's commercial property market is making headlines once again, posting a stellar performance in the second quarter of 2025. According...
Stephen James Mitchell MBA
Jul 309 min read
Why investors and businesses are flocking to Dubai
Dubai’s real estate sector has always been a major force in the Gulf region, but 2025 has brought a convergence of market conditions unlike anything in its history. Investors and businesses flocking to Dubai are not simply participating in an already active market—they are rewriting the playbook on commercial property investment in the emirate.
Stephen James Mitchell MBA
Jul 287 min read
Dubai Commercial Real Estate Supply Now At All-Time Low
Dubai’s real estate market is entering a period of transition. As residential supply increases and price growth moderates, many investors are beginning to reassess their allocation strategies, with a measured shift toward commercial real estate.
Stephen James Mitchell MBA
Jul 239 min read
Dubai Record Foreign Direct Investment Creates Urgent Opportunity for Commercial Property Investors
Dubai’s commercial property market is entering a new phase—backed by a wave of international capital inflows. According to the 2025 UNCTAD World Investment Report, the UAE attracted a record AED 167 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2024, marking a 48% year-on-year surge.
According to the 2025 UNCTAD World Investment Report, the UAE attracted a record AED 167 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2024, marking a 48% year-on-year surge.
Stephen James Mitchell MBA
Jul 174 min read
UAE Commercial Property Investment Outlook Strengthened by World Bank Growth Forecast
The World Bank’s June 2025 Gulf Economic Update (GEU) has reaffirmed the UAE’s position as one of the most resilient and attractive real estate markets globally. With projected GDP growth reaching 4.9% by 2026, the stage is set for a robust cycle of UAE commercial property investment, especially in cities like Dubai where business activity and infrastructure spending are accelerating.
Stephen James Mitchell MBA
Jul 174 min read
Commercial Mortgages in Dubai: How to Finance Offices, Retail, and Investment Properties
Whether you're acquiring a warehouse for your logistics business, investing in a retail space, or financing an office tower—commercial mortgages in Dubai provide a powerful way to scale your portfolio or expand your operations.
Stephen James Mitchell MBA
Jul 175 min read
Dubai Retail Property Investment: How to Maximize Your ROI
Retail real estate is one of the most dynamic—and potentially lucrative—segments of the Dubai property market. From high-street fashion and convenience retail to premium F&B concepts, Dubai’s maturing master-planned communities and tourist-driven hotspots provide compelling opportunities for retail-focused investors.
Stephen James Mitchell MBA
Jul 175 min read
UAE Tourism Hit $70B in 2024, Now Ranks Among Top 7 Globally
The UAE has emerged as one of the world’s most dynamic tourism markets. According to a recent report by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), the country’s travel and tourism sector contributed AED 257.3 billion ($70.1 billion) to the national GDP in 2024, accounting for 13% of the economy. This reflects a 3.2% increase from 2023 and a significant 26% growth compared to 2019.
Stephen James Mitchell MBA
Jul 78 min read
What to Do When Facing Delayed Dubai Off-Plan Property Handovers
Dubai’s off-plan property market continues to attract savvy investors with its competitive pricing and high growth potential. But when project delays occur, knowing what to expect—and how to respond—can make all the difference.
Stephen James Mitchell MBA
Jul 26 min read
Dubai First-Time Home Buyer (FTHB) Programme: Helping Residents Step Into Ownership
The Dubai First-Time Home Buyer (FTHB) Programme offers residents priority access to new property launches, preferential pricing, and exclusive mortgage benefits.
Stephen James Mitchell MBA
Jul 13 min read
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