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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.
World Bank 4.9% UAE Growth Forecast Provides Reassurance for Real Estate Investors
The Gulf region is entering a phase of robust economic recovery, as highlighted in the World Bank’s June 2025 Gulf Economic Update (GEU). With projected GCC growth at 4.5% for 2026, anchored in strong non-oil sector expansion, the UAE—and especially Dubai—has become a magnet for real estate investors.
Stephen James Mitchell MBA
Jun 295 min read
UAE Credit Rating 2025: What Fitch’s AA– Rating Means for Investors
Fitch Ratings has affirmed the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) long-term foreign-currency issuer default rating at AA− with a stable outlook—placing it in the same credit tier as major global economies like the United Kingdom and France. This high-grade rating reflects the UAE's exceptional financial resilience, robust net foreign assets, and disciplined fiscal management, even amid elevated geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
Stephen James Mitchell MBA
Jun 298 min read
Dubai Real Estate Price Correction: Fitch Forecasts 15% Decline
After 4 years of strong growth, Dubai’s property market is expected to enter a correction in the second half of 2025. According to Fitch Ratings, this isn’t a crash, but a measured pullback of up to 15%, driven by a surge in new housing supply.
Stephen James Mitchell MBA
Jun 236 min read
Dubai Super Prime Real Estate: A Global Magnet
In the first quarter of 2025, global real estate transactions over $10 million—classified as super-prime—hit $9.43 billion across 527 deals. At the top of this activity was Dubai, leading all global markets both in number of transactions and total deal volume.
Stephen James Mitchell MBA
Jun 214 min read
UAE Foreign Direct Investment Boom Hits Record High
In an increasingly competitive global economy, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has firmly positioned itself as a magnet for foreign capital. According to the 2025 edition of the UNCTAD World Investment Report, the country witnessed an unprecedented 48% surge in foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2024—totaling a massive AED 167 billion.
Stephen James Mitchell MBA
Jun 208 min read
How to Buy a Cancellation Unit in Dubai: Strategic Guide
Cancellation units are typically sold at original launch prices, often after the project has proven itself in the marketplace. For investors, this creates an ideal mix of certainty and upside potential, without the frenzy of a public launch.
Stephen James Mitchell MBA
Jun 36 min read
Waterfront Properties in Dubai: 2025 Market Insights
In Dubai, waterfront properties have transcended the concept of mere homes—they represent prestige, tranquility, and elevated living. Blending natural beauty with architectural excellence, they offer a lifestyle that is both indulgent and restorative.
Stephen James Mitchell MBA
May 2710 min read
Dubai Luxury Real Estate Market 2025 vs Global Markets
In 2025, Dubai’s luxury real estate market is not just holding its ground—it’s dominating the global landscape with bold, record-breaking strides. As traditional markets like London, New York, and Hong Kong witness modest rebounds and stabilization, Dubai continues to accelerate, delivering standout performance across nearly every key metric.
Stephen James Mitchell MBA
May 208 min read
90K Newcomers in Q1 2025 Push Dubai Property Prices Higher
The latest insights from the ValuStrat report have brought to the forefront how Dubai's residential sector is undergoing a remarkable transformation. Within the first quarter of 2025, the city saw a dramatic shift in housing dynamics, propelled by a sharp population increase and a strong economic backdrop.
Stephen James Mitchell MBA
May 137 min read
How Commercial Properties Are Valued in Dubai: A Guide for Investors
Learn how commercial property is valued in Dubai using cap rates, NOI, and RICS standards. Get 2025 cap rate ranges for top investment areas.
Stephen James Mitchell MBA
May 86 min read
Why Emaar Property Investment in Dubai Offers Capitalist Gains and Long-Term Value
Discover why Emaar property investment in Dubai offers repeatable capital growth, high rental yields, and long-term value through master-planned communities.
Stephen James Mitchell MBA
May 47 min read
Dubai Real Estate Regulation: How Dubai Became a Global Safe Haven for Investors
Dubai’s real estate market is often described as a marvel of modern urban development—but what truly sets it apart today is not just the skyline, the lifestyle, or even the returns. It’s the regulation. In just over two decades, Dubai has gone from a market with minimal oversight to one of the most transparent, structured, and investor-safe environments in the world.
Stephen James Mitchell MBA
May 49 min read
Dubai Real Estate Market Q1 2025 – Investor Update and Strategic Outlook
Property Monitor did not release their monthly reports for February or March 2025. As such, I am writing my own commentary — one that not only presents the latest market numbers but also delves deeper into the broader economic factors influencing the UAE economy and the Dubai Real Estate Market Q1 2025.
Stephen James Mitchell MBA
Apr 289 min read
Oil Price and Dubai Real Estate: Unveiling 20+ Years of Transformation
Dubai’s rise from a quiet port city to a global megacity is nothing short of remarkable. At the heart of this transformation lies a key interplay: Oil Price and Dubai Real Estate. For over two decades, shifts in oil prices have directly and indirectly sculpted Dubai's property landscape, influencing investor behavior, development trends, and economic stability.
Stephen James Mitchell MBA
Apr 284 min read
Transferring Property Ownership Between Companies via Corporate Restructuring in Dubai
This guide explains how to transfer real estate assets between two companies under the same ultimate beneficial ownership (UBO) as part of a corporate restructuring, and how to approach the Dubai Land Department (DLD) to seek approval—potentially reducing or avoiding the full 4% transfer fee.
Stephen James Mitchell MBA
Apr 274 min read
Short Term Rentals in Dubai: The Investor's Strategy Guide
Dubai’s booming tourism sector and business-friendly regulations have made it one of the most attractive global destinations for short-term rental investment. With over 17 million visitors in 2023 and average hotel occupancy above 80%, the market for holiday homes and Airbnb-style rentals has surged.
Stephen James Mitchell MBA
Apr 244 min read
Residential Mortgages in Dubai: Guide for Expats and Investors
In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know: eligibility, rates, documentation, loan types, fees, and the step-by-step process of securing residential mortgages in Dubai. Plus, you can use my free mortgage calculator to estimate your monthly payments instantly.
Stephen James Mitchell MBA
Apr 215 min read
Buying Off-Plan Property in Dubai: Primary Market Guide
Dubai’s off-plan (primary market) property sector offers investors a rare combination of flexibility, security, and capital appreciation potential. By buying off-plan property in Dubai, you’re not just purchasing a home or asset—you’re entering at the earliest stage of the real estate value curve.
Stephen James Mitchell MBA
Apr 165 min read
The Benefits of Family Foundation for Real Estate Investors
Real estate investors in the UAE are increasingly turning to family foundations as a sophisticated, tax-efficient vehicle for holding property portfolios. This guide explores how family foundations can be utilized to legally reduce or eliminate corporate tax exposure, preserve generational wealth, and enhance estate planning—all while remaining compliant with UAE law.
Stephen James Mitchell MBA
Apr 95 min read
Dubai’s Megaprojects: 8 Developments Set to Redefine the City by 2035
Dubai is no stranger to reinvention. From a modest desert outpost to one of the most futuristic skylines in the world, the emirate has spent just over five decades building what many cities couldn’t in a century. Now, as the city moves into its next growth cycle, a series of visionary megaprojects are poised to once again reshape its identity—only this time, the focus is not just on architectural spectacle, but on sustainability, community living, and global leadership.
Stephen James Mitchell MBA
Apr 811 min read
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