Buy Apartment in Dubailand
Investing in Dubai can often be overwhelming and somewhat daunting as there are so many areas, locations and projects to choose from. There are also numerous developers operating in Dubailand and not all of them are reputable. It is important to choose an established and reputable developer with solid credentials and a proven track record in delivering high quality communities on time.
Prime locations don’t always mean they are the best investments as properties in the most sought after districts come with a higher price tag, higher service charges and running costs and inevitably it will take longer for an investor to reap his rewards from the financial investment of buying property in a prime location.
Short-term versus long-term investing. Investors should assess the kind of investment which they are looking for. For short-term investing, buying off-plan and then selling on before completion or on completion provides the highest potential financial gains in the short-term. Typically a developer in the UAE will take two to three years to build and handover a residential project, for large master plan developments, this can take longer. If an investor buys in the early stages when when a project is just released into the market, he or she will secure the best prices and hope to achieve appreciation of around 20 – 40% during construction.
If the objective is mid to long term capital appreciation and annual rental yields, buying an investment property for long term rental yields would be the most suitable option to choose.
Dubailand as an investment destination provides numerous opportunities for savvy off-plan and buy-to-let investors and offers good capital appreciation and consistent annual rental yields ensuring attractive return on investment.
What does Dubailand offer?
Dubailand offers a strategic location with excellent connectivity to all areas of the city via major highways, including Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, Emirates Road and Al Ain Road.
Affordability
Dubailand projects may not offer the glitz and glamour of Downtown Dubai or Dubai Marina, but what Dubailand properties do offer is affordability which includes property prices, service charges and running costs.
less traffic congestion
Another benefit of investing in Dubailand is less traffic congestion than the central city locations in Dubai. This means commuting is easier and getting around the city is less problematic than when you live in the city.
With no sign of prices stabilizing or reducing, this means investing in prime out-of-town real estate projects will continue to attract more residents, and demand will increase, meaning investors and property owners will see consistent rental yields and ROI in the years to come.
International investors
All Dubailand projects and Dubailand properties fall under the master plan developer, Dubai Properties. Projects vary in type and size and predominantly comprise apartment communities and townhouse and villa developments.
Recently a British-born international developer, LEOS Developments, operating in Dubai since 2022, has acquired strategic land banks across the city, including in Dubailand.
Called Weybridge Gardens, LEOS Developments launched its first residential and lifestyle community in Dubailand in October 2023. Weybridge Gardens is in fact one of the most contemporary residential communities in Dubailand which comprises spacious studio apartments and one-bedroom apartments and offers world-class leisure and sports facilities.
Weybridge Gardens in Dubailand aims to set a new benchmark in the area for excellence through design and European quality standards throughout.
Weybridge Gardens is one of Dubailand’s newest residential projects as it offers modern day living at its best and will be a great investment product for high capital appreciation and excellent annual rental yields post-handover. The developer has an aggressive approach to construction with completion anticipated during Q2 of 2025.
Today, Dubailand spans more than three million square feet and is divided into different districts.
Established Dubailand projects which have been completed in recent years include Mira, Remraam, Al Habtoor Polo Resort & Club, The Villas, Mudon, Layan, Majan, Falcon City of Wonders, Living Legenda, Rukan, Villanova, Damac Hills, Dubailand Oasis and Al Waha.
Dubailand is one of Dubai’s most established entertainment hubs, which continues to grow year upon year. Some of the biggest entertainment attractions in The Middle East are located in Dubailand. These include Global Village, IMG Worlds of Adventure, Sports City Sports Stadium, Dubai Autodrome at Motor City and Miracle Garden.
Recommendations before investing in Dubailand
Before investing in Dubailand, it is recommended that you do your homework.
- Research all developers in Dubai who have built Dubailand projects and have a strong presence in the area. Visit their communities and get a feel for their developments and the quality which they deliver. If you can see actual properties built, this will mean you can compare products from developer to developer and assess the best option for you.
- Don’t rush into making a decision. Real estate agents will hound you to make a decision quickly and often bombard you with too many different products to choose from. Ask for advice from real estate brokers, but it is advisable that you research the developers first and decide on your top three developers and then narrow down the portfolio of products which they have available and these most probably will include key ready communities and off-plan developments which will be under construction or close to handover / completion.
- Visit developer’s show apartments and show homes, check property websites for estimated annual rental yields for each community which you might be interested in.
- Keep expectations realistic. Any real estate professional who tells you its easy to achieve more than 10% ROI per annum can’t be trusted. It is always better to have realistic expectations which are more conservative than aggressive.
- Dubailand is a long term investment opportunity, not a short term quick win. People who live in Dubailand are not renting short term or booking AirBNB accommodation, residents choose long term properties in this particular area of the city.
- When investing in off-plan property in Dubailand projects always check the different payment plans available as some developers offer attractive options which can include post-handover payment plans for up to three years. Others offer 50/50 and 60/40 payment plans.
- Do your homework before you decide on the Dubailand project which you want to invest in.
- If you’re buying direct from a developer in Dubailand you can negotiate on payment plans and even request a DLD waiver during special promotional periods which can save you 2% on your property purchase fees.
- If you’re buying a key ready property in Dubailand, it is recommended that you look online at various portals to see average rental and sales prices for properties in various communities. Dubizzle, Bayut and Property Finder are good references for research purposes and prices are readily available for all different types of properties (for rent and for sale).
