Dubai is expected to welcome 17 million visitors in 2017 making it the 6th most visited city on the planet. 

Over a million of those visitors will come from the UK

I am amazed that Dubai receives more visitors than places like Paris, New York, Tokyo and Rome.

The rate of growth is up there with Mumbai and Delhi, read more here

More visitors meansmore business for Dubai and higher numbers of people choosing to stay for longer and hopefully settle

This week's property discussions and site visits have included the following:
 

• Marina Gate at the north end of the Marina is close to handing over the first of its three towers, and it's a winner for sure. The high level of quality combined with location, size, design, features, the developer, the constructor and the concept will surely mean that this will become one of the most in-demand homes in the Marina, not to mention the rest of Dubai – They have a few two bedroom apartments at AED 2.3m in Tower 1 and if you are prepared to wait another 9 months then we have a few one beds at AED 1.5m in Tower 2 

• Wilton Terraces 1 has seen some impressive demand for their beautifully designed one and two bedroom apartments within a mid-rise apartment building located close to Downtown and the DIFC – they are now about to release the 2nd tower on Tuesday and one should expect similar prices and payment plan and of course the same delivery date of 2019 - One beds for under AED 1m and 2 beds starting at AED 1.4m make these some of the best value for money "Buy to Let" properties with the lowest rates per sq. ft in the area.

• Next week, Emaar will release their Club Villas alongside the 18-hole championship golf course in the Dubai Hills Estate. We don't have details for the three and four bedroom villas but if you want to know more then email me and I will update you on Sunday after the agents briefing. 

• Coincidentally, Damac has also announced a new release of Park Villas in Damac Hills starting from AED 2.5m with sales starting on the 18th. 

• I made another trip to RAK this week, I revisited the three main development areas of Mina Al Arab, Al Hamra and Al Marjan Island. Pacific on Al Marjan is still my favourite and I checked out some beautiful two bedroom apartments overlooking the beach with an asking price of between AED 1.3m and AED 1.8m. They still have a few studios at AED 355k and a good selection of one beds starting as low as AED 565k and two beds starting at AED 760k. I am planning to make more regular trips to Ras Al Khaimah and will keep you updated on any new projects.

• I had two separate European clients in town this week who were both keen for me to help them source high yielding studios and one-bed apartments either off-plan or completed. Both clients came to similar conclusions on their preferred investments out of the many projects we visited

1. The next release in JVC from the developers of Belgravia 1, 2 & 3 which is expected to happen in a few weeks will have smallish studios, one and two beds at keen prices
2. UNA with studios starting at AED 420k and one bed at AED 520k.
3. One of the tallest towers in JVT consisting of only studios starting as low as AED 456,000 on a 4-year payment plan with handover in 2019.

Looking for more information?  - Ask Steven and stay informed about what is happening in the Dubai property market. You ask, we answer.

For a more detailed discussion or to meet me in Dubai, please call or email and I will be sure to respond as soon possible.

Have a great weekend