Buying Your Home
Qatar's IQ sells 34% held in local property firm
Industries Qatar sells stake for $44m amid low demand, growing supply in property sector
High land prices crimp plans for low-cost homes
Plot prices that are rising faster than house prices seen hurting GCC drive for affordable housing
Nakheel eyes pool fees for Discovery Gardens tenants
Pools in Nakheel project are three years overdue and tenants may now be charged for access
Emaar's Q3 apartment sales drop 86% on lower demand
Dubai-based developer posts AED183.3m income from apartment sales; villa revenues rise
Analysts warn of 30% fall in UAE house prices on supply
Dwindling buyers for Gulf state's housing glut to spur further correction in real estate prices
Renting a home
Dubai residents fume over hike in cooling fees
Tenants in The Gardens development argue that 50% jump in charges is unfair, unjustified
Dubai rents holding steady in sign of uptick
But Asteco warns release of fresh supply in 2012 could spur new fall in rents, prices
Emaar sees niche for low-cost housing in Dubai
Mohamed Alabbar says Dubai has gap for homes from AED500,000, despite glutted market
Tenants relieved as Abu Dhabi extends rent cap
Landlords in emirate barred from raising rents more than 5% until 2012, under new ruling
Group buying website to offer cut-price property
Grosper hopes to grow its membership to 50,000 through deals on rented apartments in Dubai
Mortgages and loans
Drowning in debt
Debt is a fact of life for tens of thousands of expatriates living in the UAE. The lifestyle makes it virtually impossible to start up a life in the Emirates without borrowing money from the bank - be it through a credit card or a loan. Diana Milne analyses the repercussions and the possible solutions.
Borrowers beware
Personal loans can provide a quick fix in times of need, but if you don't read the small print you could find yourself paying more than you ever bargained for.
Money clinic
Every month we provide a step-by-step guide to a different financial product. In this month's Money Clinic - we examine personal loans.
Sharia success
Islamic products are big business with local and international banks keen to get onboard.
Bahrain proposes mortgage curbs
Central bank proposes capping value of mortgages to limit banks' exposure to real estate market.
Legal
EU crisis likely to hit UAE mortgage recovery in 2012
Mortgage market though down 60% since 2008, is currently showing slight signs of recovery
Kuwait's KFH seals first Canadian real estate investment
Kuwait Finance House signs up for apartment block in Ontario as part of JV agreement
Tameer says legal fight won’t speed up handover
Dubai developer is facing lawsuit from investors over delay of Abu Dhabi project
Palm tenants get reprieve in Nakheel beach spat
Shoreline owners told to pay service fees to Land Department, not Nakheel, as row drags on
Abu Dhabi sees service fee rows as handovers begin
Lack of property laws means developers hold the upper hand in disputes, say analysts
Market Trends
Price conscious residents prefer Sharjah over Dubai
Occupancy levels in northern emirate to remain high despite drop in Dubai rates, Cluttons says
Arab buyers told to look past luxury London real estate
Wealthy investors should diversify from ‘golden postcodes' to bump up returns, says agency
MidEast investors now own 6% of City of London offices
New report shows foreign investors own 52% of Square Mile, more than ever before
Arab buyers seek haven in luxury London homes
Wealthy foreign buyers seeking safe haven assets in city’s prime real estate spots
Abu Dhabi’s vision dims amid Dubai-like property slump
UAE capital's development blueprint may face overhaul amid new economic realities
Home Design and Style
Relationship SOS
Not having much luck in love lately? Relationship falling apart? Maybe it's those upside down dried flowers hanging in your hallway.
Let's go outside
The glorious weather has arrived so it's time to spruce up your outdoor space. We're here to inspire you with the most stylish al-fresco furniture around.
French connection
By filling her Jumeirah villa with pieces from her native France, Julie Renaudie feels much closer to home.
Club tropicana
In need of some time out? Pack up some colourful picnic ware in strong hues and take to the outdoors - in style.
Urban flow
Feng shui uses the natural flow of energy to create a happier and more successful environment.
Latest Property News
Dubai gifts nearly $550m worth of land to Emiratis in 2011
Gulf state sees value of gifted land tumble 71% on the year amid sliding property values
- Nakheel names homeowners who haven't paid service fees
- Abu Dhabi rents to fall amid surge of new homes
- Developers drag their heels in handover to owners