Prices to rise by 1.1% this year and 2.8% in 2022, analysts say
 
Dubai house prices will rise for the first time in six years this year, supported by a swift vaccine roll out that has lifted hopes for overall economic recovery, according to a Reuters poll of property analysts.

The city’s real estate sector has been weak for years due to oversupply coupled with low economic growth.

But on Monday Dubai eased Covid-19 restrictions and allowed hotels in the hub to operate at full capacity, raising hopes for a region heavily dependent on tourism.

Seven of 10 real estate analysts who responded to an additional question said an acceleration in Dubai housing market activity this year was more likely. The remaining three forecast a slowdown.

"We can already see improved investor confidence and a boost in demand as prices have been on the lower side for the last few years and supply has been significantly curtailed," said Anuj Puri of Anarock Property Consultants.

"The vaccination drive here also has been going well, and the economy has been gradually recovering amid government measures to spur growth."

The May 11-19 Reuters poll of 10 analysts forecast Dubai house prices would rise 1.1 per cent this year and 2.8 per cent next, marking a complete U-turn in expectations from a January survey when prices were forecast to decline 2.0 per cent in both years.

Eight of 10 property analysts said the risks to those forecasts were skewed more to the upside.

Prime Dubai properties have been snapped up in the past few months as buyers take advantage of low prices, easy credit, and an economy open for business despite the Covid-19 pandemic.

Still, eight of 10 analysts who responded to another question said a sharp turn in the economy or an increase in demand was the biggest upside risks to housing market activity this year.

Dubai's economy was projected to grow 4.0 per cent this year after an estimated 6.2 per cent contraction last year, according to Dubai Statistics Centre data.

Contributing about 8 per cent to economic output, the real estate sector has shown an uptick recently, data from Dubai Land Department showed.

"The real estate market has been very buoyant since H2 2020 and continues to flourish. As more government incentives come into fruition to stimulate the economy, this will have an effect on the housing market," said Lynnette Abad Sacchetto, director of Research & Data at Property Finder.

When asked what was the biggest downside risk to housing market activity this year, five of 10 analysts said an economic slowdown. The others said lack of demand or a lack of affordable homes.

"The only potential risk I see at the current period is that Covid-19 lingers longer than expected and further affects economic growth and tourism to the emirates," said Simon Baker of Haus and Haus.