Successful Dubai realtor Andrew Cummings prides himself on being a trusted advisor and partner to his clients. His skilled approach to marketing properties, negotiating and market expertise have awarded him some of the most exclusive properties in Dubai. Cummings sat down with Haute Residence to discuss Dubai's luxury real estate market for the new year.

What are the current real estate market trends and conditions in your market?

The Dubai Real Estate Market generally is still proving to be uncertain at the moment. Rental values continue to decline across most sectors and this has a knock on effect with sales values. As such it is definitively a buyers' market with some great deals around at the moment. Despite the soft market, we continue to see strong activity in the luxury end with nearly $20m of business written last month alone.

What are the top 3 things luxury homebuyers look for? 

Quality over quantity - We are finding that buyers are looking for high-end finishing and turnkey properties rather than overly large properties.

Location - still the same adage: Location Location Location. Many buyers are currently waiting for the right property to come on the market in their chosen area, which is helping to keep demand strong for prime locations.

Services - Whether it's an apartment or a villa, the quality of services provided by the community or building can dictate a buyer's choice of purchase.

Where do you foresee the real estate market heading in the new year?

Property markets worldwide are cyclical with highs and lows. The Dubai property market is at a low ebb at the moment but it will change. Gone are the days of quick returns, investors and owner occupiers need to take a 5-year view on purchases which will put them in a good future position.

Is there a push for vertical living in your market or is it still horizontal based?

Dubai has long been home to mega skyscrapers including the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa. That said, demand for low-rise remains strong and a number of new communities are coming online over the next 18 months to help meet this demand.

What do you recommend to homebuyers looking to invest in your market?

Take the advice of a professional agent who has experience in the area you are looking at. LuxuryProperty.com only employ experienced brokers who understand the market and can offer advice on all aspects. By building strong relationships you are more likely to get the very best deal.

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The Beachgoers

It goes without saying that Dubai is one of the world’s hottest beach destinations, no pun intended. Head over to the Instagram feed of anyone who recently visited Dubai, and there will be at least one picture with sun, sand and sea featured prominently.

Two of the oldest beaches are Kite Beach and Jumeirah Beach, populated by swimmers, jet skiers and amateur shutterbugs taking pictures of the sailboat-shaped Burj Al Arab. Though if you really want the best beach experiences Dubai has to offer, you’ll have to head a bit further west, where you will find the Jumeirah Beach Residence and the iconic man-made island, Palm Jumeirah, home to luxury beachfront villas.

The Sporty

Would you like to live a few steps away from your next tee time? With a selection of premium golf estate, which includes the very exclusive gated community of Emirates Hills, Dubai offers the perfect mix of luxury living and leisurely pursuits. All of these lovely estates feature golf courses designed by veterans of the sport, including Ernie Els, Greg Norman and Colin Montgomerie. Dubai is also the host of the Dubai Desert Classic and the season ending DP World Championship and Race to Dubai at Jumeirah Golf Estates, cementing Dubai’s global status as a golfing destination.

If equestrian sports are more your preference, you can seek out one of the lovely villa communities located near either of Dubai’s championship polo clubs, or a home close to the immense Meydan Racecourse, where annual Dubai World Cup racing event is held every March. And of course, there’s the World 7s Rugby in December, ATP Tour Tennis in February and a stellar sports lineup throughout the year.

The Urbanites

For many, life in the midst of a teeming metropolis is what luxury is all about. Nothing could be more relaxing than lounging in the spacious living room of a duplex penthouse in the evening while watching the glittering lights of the city spread out below. For those die-hard urbanites, there is Downtown Dubai.

The busiest commercial and retail center in the city, Downtown is the home of the world-famous Burj Khalifa as well as the world’s largest shopping mall, Dubai Mall, and the stunning Dubai Opera. It is also the site of many a skyscraper enjoying panoramic views of the city’s skyline.

Alternatively, you could head to Downtown’s neighboring district, Business Bay. Bisected by the Dubai Canal – the world’s longest man-made canal, of course – this has become one of the city’s most exciting waterfront destinations over the past year. You can get a home right by the water, or one with a view of the Burj Khalifa looming on the horizon.

The Families

What was once a tourist hub and a big draw for young singles has, over the years, transformed itself into one of the best cities in the world to raise a family. Dubai is dotted with a number of beautiful and tranquil residential communities featuring large houses with spacious yards, located a few minutes from the city’s top schools and hospitals.

Emirates Hills, as we’ve already mentioned, is pretty high up on the list. Also popular are Arabian Ranches, Jumeirah Golf Estates and the upcoming mega communities of Mohammed Bin Rashid City and Dubai Hills, which is split into several residential enclaves designed to appeal to the whole family.

The Music Lovers

What do Sting, Tom Jones, Drake, Chris Brown, Santana, John Legend, Mariah Carey, Duran Duran, Backstreet Boys, and Bebe Rexha have in common? They have all been part of the lineup at music festivals in Dubai. The two main events are the Dubai Jazz Festival in the spring and Red Fest DXB in the winter, which are weekend-long events. Other than that, there is always a major concert or two happening in the city that attracts top musical talent.

If your tastes run to the more classical, perhaps a night out at the Dubai Opera is what you need. The innovative opera house hosted one of the legendary Three Tenors on its grand opening, and regularly brings in the very best opera singers from around the world.

The Sailors

Since we started off on the beach, it’s only fair that we end in the water. Dubai is a haven for lovers of all things nautical. Dubai Marina, perhaps the most popular district in the city, is named for the large man-made yacht marina at its heart. There are boating and jet skiing races to enjoy off the city’s coastline, or you could simply enjoy a lovely dinner aboard a ‘dhow’, which is a traditional Arabian sailing vessel.

A major upcoming attraction is Dubai Harbour, which will house two massive cruise terminals and add to Dubai’s waterfront charm.

Andrew Cummings is the exclusive agent representing the Dubai, United Arab Emirates market as a part of the Haute Residence real estate network. View all his listings here. 

Images courtesy of Andrew Cummings

The post Andrew Cummings: Dubai Is A Destination For Every Lifestyle appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.