For many investors, Dubai property feels like a stock

In the United Arab Emirates, and particularly in Dubai, many investors view property as a long-term investment, comparable to stocks. Instead of leaving their capital in a bank account, they choose to park it in real estate. Not necessarily to live in it, but because they believe in the asset's appreciation.

A major advantage of property in Dubai is the speed of the transaction. With major project developers, a property can be purchased and registered under the new owner's name within 48 to 72 hours. This is incredibly fast compared to other countries where a sale can take weeks to complete. Consequently, many investors see Dubai as an attractive place to enter and exit an investment quickly.

The market's liquidity makes real estate unique in the region

It is precisely because of this speed that property in Dubai remains popular, even though many units remain vacant for a large part of the year. They form part of an individual's investment portfolio, much like stocks. If the value rises and funds are suddenly needed, the property in Dubai can be sold relatively quickly.

That liquidity is rare. In Europe, it can take months to dispose of a property. In the UAE, the process is far more efficient. This sometimes leads to so-called 'distress deals' in Dubai, where investors sell their asset at cost price or even less, simply because they need to access funds quickly. This is particularly seen with off-plan projects, where buyers purchased early and some are now trying to exit their position because they took on too much risk.

This makes the summer period an interesting time. Some smaller investors feel the pressure to sell, while larger entities are waiting to strike at the right moment.