Dubai Property Demand Is Rising in 2025 | ROI, Golden Visa & Smart Investments

We love Dubai. You will never find whatever is being offered in Dubai anywhere else. What's it like being one of the women that's helping shape Dubai's skyline from the inside out? Welcome to Season 6 of The Dubai Connect podcast, a top-ranked Dubai real estate show. I'm your host of The Dubai Connect, GG Benitez, a certified international property specialist and a licensed realtor connecting global investors with prime real estate opportunities in Dubai's thriving market. Welcome to The Dubai Connect podcast. I have a very special episode today with a powerful woman in real estate, a leader who's been in the real estate world here for over 20 years. Has seen it all. Welcome to The Dubai Connect, Palug. I'm so excited you're here. Thank you, Gigi. Thanks for having me today. 20 years. Yes, you said it right. I'm still young. You are very young. 20 years. Mashallah. And you know, I remember meeting you when I first started on this journey. And I remember I guess I can get right into this. I remember thinking myself, you know, just to back it up a little bit, why I'm doing what I'm doing is because I'm trying to break misconceptions in the United States and really help demystify Dubai through my eyes as a first-generation Arab American. Interesting. Okay. When I came here, you were one of the first women in real estate I met. For me, that was already breaking a misconception that I had. And it's interesting that even some of my family and friends are saying, "Wait, I see that you're bringing women on the podcast." As you know, Dubai real estate is an open market. I'm learning. Yes, yes. And when you would see different nationalities, they all live in peace. Dubai is a great city, you know. And personally, I started really young in real estate. And you do have a lot of women that are into leadership positions. And they are preserving, you know, they are continuing to present their culture. You know, it's a personal belief. Nobody is going to come and judge you. How do you, you know, where you're coming from or what is your nationality and all of this. The most important thing is the service you provide. Why do clients come back to me? I mean, I sell many in the day. And during all my journey, I met a lot of people, different nationalities. And I met all the high-end, medium, and clients. At the end, you would be surprised, some of them are my friends by now, you know? Why? Because I advise them. I tell them where to spend their money. They make money, you know? They believe me. They come back to me. They have the trust in me. I'm going back to thinking about what Americans may think that have never been to Dubai, that not only are women empowered here, thanks to the directive of the Sheikh from the highest level himself. It's a great leadership. Absolutely. And you have initiatives in place such as Women on Board initiative to make sure there are women on each board. And I would love for you to share actually statistics about women in real estate. But to go through it, I never thought you were not because I remember from day one when I was introduced to you and I sat down and I took notes about everything and you were educating me and I learned so much. And I've been watching your own progression. And by the way, the other thing that's so unique, which I wanted to also bring you on here, is that you've been here for 20 years. Yes. You have seen everything with Dubai real estate before it was on the global map, when it was more regional. You see a lot of new real estate agents here. Yes. A lot that have, let's say, podcasts, social media. For me, I'm dealing, which we're going to get into this as well, with the American mindset that only just started to really come here. Okay, I understand. Right. And so now I'm dealing with going back to them and educating them, breaking misconceptions about different nationalities, the tolerance, the diversity, the safety, women, etc. on a social level, on a business level. Then making them feel comfortable with the safety of investing, the transparency of the real estate market, the DLD. Yes. And then we go into what are the best opportunities for you to invest in. So with you having been here 20 years, what have you seen change a lot? What is some of the advice and expertise you can provide to our viewers about Dubai real estate, especially for North Americans? See, if you have never visited Dubai, you wouldn't see how Dubai started. I mean, I'm not sure how long you've been in Dubai. It's been about two and a half, almost three years. Okay, fine. I'm sure if you drive to any other community in Dubai, you wouldn't really feel the same. If you go away for 6 months, do you agree with me? I agree. Why? Because Dubai is just unique. It's unique. And to me, I already see it as very futuristic. I see it as incredible. What was it like 20 years ago? Well, it was a different market, I must say. Now it's more of an open real estate market. You will find a lot of agencies, a lot of new developers entering the market. And we are building the city. We are building Dubai. And Dubai is a great city. You will never find Dubai anywhere in the entire world. Give me some examples of how you mean that. Okay, let's start with a very simple example. When you step into any hotel in Dubai, what is the first experience you have? For me personally, it's the smells. It's the feeling. Oh my gosh. But how about if I even want to take it back? How about even the airport or the airplane? And then you come to the hotel. And then of course, everyone's serving you, right? With a smile. Yes. You know, you will never forget this. You would want always to come back to Dubai. Even when you go into a vacation mode, you would want to come fast. Why is that? Why do you think this is happening for everybody who lives in Dubai? Everybody says that. Yes. Because we love Dubai. You will never find whatever is being offered in Dubai anywhere else. You know, the service, the privacy. It's very safe everywhere. You wouldn't find this anywhere. Believe me, Gigi. I believe you. Because you know, I used to think I was well-traveled, okay? Because in America, I'd go to Europe often, and I thought I was so well-traveled. And I love Europe. I love, in fact, I'm setting up an office on the coast of Dubai. But there's nothing like when you step into Dubai. The cleanliness, as you said, the service, the diversity, diversity via food, restaurants, entertainment, cultural, new, modern. The competition is also high to serve you the best wherever you go. Yes, you see. Which is why Dubai is constantly ranked as one of the top tourist destinations in the world. And what I say to people: you don't come to Dubai as you just said and then say, okay, checked off my bucket list. I came, I saw, and I'm not coming back. When you come to Dubai, you know you're going to come back. You will. Sooner or later, you will. You will. And what does that mean for us as women in real estate? It's opportunity. Yes. For real estate investors. Exactly. So you having so much experience and being one of the highest roles in the entire market and one of the most highly respected women in Dubai real estate, I really want and value your opinion for my investors to understand: what are some of the trends that you are seeing? What are, even if there are different, let's say, if it's apartments, if it's a villa, is a certain style? What is it that you are suggesting and seeing that the future opportunity is for investors? Well, if you're an investor, you would want to increase your margin when it comes to ROI. Definitely. So you would look for the best location, best layout, you know. And to do that, you, the first thing you would look at is beachfront property. Okay. Am I right? Yes. In I believe, well, I, it's not even what I believe, right? Knight Frank did an entire report on a global level and found that seafront property does secure higher capital appreciation and rental returns. It does. And I believe even more, even on the global, there's a high average. And then Dubai even more so. Yes, definitely. Okay, so we know beachfront. Yes, beachfront. Okay. And to be honest, I meet with a lot of investors and they look at three main elements. Okay? First of all, location. And I said again, location, location, location. It makes all the difference. Yes, it does. Yeah. Yes, it does. And the layout. You would need to capitalize on your layout. It's the way the entrance is made. If there is a basement to the villa, if there is a built-in elevator, you would need to put yourself in their shoes to understand what a family would need when they come and, you know, rent or buy from you. They would look for the best layout because they're spending all their savings, you know, at the end of the day. So all it has to tick all the boxes. So location, layout, and what's the third? The third would be being within a completed community. Yeah. So it's not about only living inside a nice villa. It's about the lifestyle itself. What this community has to offer me. It has to be with ready facilities around, like close to main highways, schools, community centers, you know. It is in the center of all the other facilities around. And it's so competitive here. And you see so many developers compete because Dubai really is about the amenities and the lifestyle and the experience. How you feel. Well, it's uplifting your lifestyle. You wouldn't be able to live the same lifestyle anywhere. So again, we're again the same. It's like, you know, I want to explain this. And I try to show so much on my Instagram, the videos. Lifestyle. Okay. Location, location, location. You say, and I'm going to say on a broader level, lifestyle, lifestyle, lifestyle. Exactly. And that means many things. It means the safety. It means the power of being a woman. It means me, I would allow my daughters to travel here because I feel like they would be embraced, tolerant, diverse, safe, and so impressed with the luxury and the fancy and the restaurants and, you know, for them the clubs. Let's say, or for me it would be the Al Wasl heritage area and looking and walking by the water. And I notice, you know, especially for the top brands, the top developers, they outdo each other with regards to amenities. Yes, yes. And so and this is the best thing that you don't only build a couple of villas or a couple of apartments or a couple of clusters. You build a community with all the facilities around. So for the investors that are looking to now finally get into the real estate market in Dubai, or actually, for the seasoned ones, what type of units are you suggesting and seeing the need for, demand for, and that is a good investment? Well, Dubai has a great mix. You will find whatever you need. You know, you just need to name it. You want to get a villa on the beach with the spacious layout, you will have it. Large land, you will have it. You would want to get the most luxurious penthouse in the middle of Dubai, you will like it and you will love it and you will never say no, I will go for another option. You see? Yes. So you have all the options open. Well, what are you seeing the need for and the demand for? Well, it depends. If you are an end-user, you know, and a growing family, you will go for a villa first. You see? Exactly. Because you would want that luxury of a land, of a spacious garden, being open to the beach. You know, you would want it sooner or later. Yes. If you are, I would say a young family, you would go for a spacious apartment, a high-end apartment, and lifted apartments. And you would go for a high view, you enjoy the beautiful view of Dubai from top. So both options are available, and it depends who's buying. For me, when a client is asking me for advice and they're saying, you know, what should I invest in? I will say the demographic has shifted over the past few years. Maybe a few years ago, you saw a lot of single people coming here and they were living for a few years, making a lot of money and going back. But now, let's say we have the Golden Visa, we have all these other opportunities and residency is being provided, and people are wanting to bring their families and stay here. Yes, they will. And so have you seen that? That means the need for more obviously housing in general? Yes, of course, it has increased significantly because we hit, I believe, 5.8 million, maybe a little bit more than that. And according to the Master 2040 plan, strategically to hit, I believe, 7 million by 2040. Almost yes. And so where are those people going to live? Exactly. And believe me, it's not about only living here. Even if they want to come and enjoy Dubai, let's say during summer or during winter, they want a place to sit, to stay, to enjoy with their family, not only staying in a five-star hotel or a seven-star hotel. Yeah, absolutely. I agree with you. I'm looking there. I have two profiles that I have seen, and I'm sure you can talk about this. A lot of Americans I'm not sure why, recently, wanting to move here. Yes. And I have, of course, the other profile of just investors, many who purchased, by the way, from there and probably are never going to come, but they should come, but are probably never going to come. All this is to say that because of the population expansion, because of the scarcity of villas, for example, high-end apartments, is that an opportunity for investors? Definitely. Price per square foot, we are still significantly less in Dubai. Yes. Than major cities around the world: London, New York, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, Vancouver, Toronto. Exactly. Long-term rental returns were significantly higher in Dubai than these major cities. The ease, by the way, this is another important factor. The ease of being able to do business and transactions from across the world, from wherever you are, because everything is digitized and online. Everything is online. The ability to then take your U number and go onto the DLD and download the REST app and watch in real time the progression and progress of your off-plan project being built. Yes. The ability if you're renting out to be able to do property management from wherever you are across the world and watch it all online. It's such an easy place to be able to make money for an investor. And of course, we're also seeing people coming and moving here to take advantage of the opportunity of economic stability. Exactly. Which we know the volatility that's happening around the world, opportunity, diversity, safety, education, constant initiatives about the education system, etc. here. Yes. Have you seen more Americans coming here? Have you seen a difference in the American mindset when they come here? Are there questions that Americans typically have for you as an investor that are different from others? Because that will help me also understand. Yes, of course. I mean, we have seen, I would say, a shift that in general people are coming more to Dubai real estate market. And especially Americans, they started investing more with us. Why? Because they understand the value, you know? They understand how the Dubai market is being, I would say, globally positioned. You see, it's very important to understand when you buy a property you always would want to compare the price per square feet. Yes. And as you said, it's really attractive and it's very competitive. People think that you have to be a millionaire to buy property in Dubai. Not at all. Not at all. And especially with off-plan. Not at all. You have easy payment terms. You know, you can pay easily through 3 years, four years. You know, you can always keep investing in several locations in Dubai. Exactly. Diversify. And then, but I do, what I will say, and I don't know if this is something you can advise since you are more experienced than I, there was a time where it was a flipper market. And now when people come to me, I say please don't have that mentality. This is a long game. It's not a stock market. Yeah. As my partner Ahmed always says, getting into Dubai and real estate is a longer play. Even though the sweet spot for selling a property is right before handover if you're looking just for capital appreciation. Yeah. The smarter strategy is looking at it as holding it even longer to benefit from the income stream as well, for renting it out. Would you agree with that statement? Or how do you advise investors? Personally, if I'm an owner, okay, I would buy more than one property in Dubai. I'll flip a property where I can generate a really high ROI and I keep investing on that money. And on the other hand, I'll keep one property where I can rent it out. You know, there is short term and there's long term. And both ways you're winning. Exactly. And both way you're winning because it's real estate. I love that because Dubai is about winning. Yes, exactly. Absolutely. When Americans come to buy, do you find them asking different questions? Of course. What? They would be surprised to know that there is no property taxation on any residential property. So it's, again, it's a great investment opportunity for everybody to come and buy a property in Dubai. So you see so many real estate agents entering the market. Actually, and going back to even women in real estate, we've seen a huge shift of women come into real estate Dubai. What were the numbers before and what are they now about women in real estate? According to statistics, in 2022 it was 34% of real estate agents made of women. Now it seems like everyone is. What now? Now it's 53. I feel like everyone is. So we're half the market. Oh my goodness. And I saw an article recently about women investors. Yes. That is incredible. I love. 20% of them are investors. Yes. That is fantastic. Since you've seen a lot of real estate agents come and go, what do you think makes the best ones that last? Being honest and giving the right advice. To be honest, I mean, during my journey, people would realize what are you trying to sell them? For example, if you would want to close a deal only for the sake of getting paid commission and you know, forget about your client, you're not doing it right. They're not going to come back. You need to keep the relationship. And you would need to, you know, always put yourself in their shoes. Because sooner or later, I mean, you can sell what, two units, three units, ten villas? But when the market really needs good salespeople or an excellent salesperson, they would look for the outstanding. They would still come back to you because at a certain point in time, you allow them to make money. You see. Cha-ching, cha-ching, cha-ching. Magic words. You allowed them to make money. Yes. You know, coming, I talk so much about being, I don't know if you know that it's Arab Heritage Month in the United States, and I talk so much about being a proud Arab. And I don't feel like I have necessarily given enough credit to the American part of me. So I would like to say that for me, and I don't know if you're comfortable talking about this, but I'm going to ask you. I see a lot of transactional-based real estate agents. And I don't know if because it seems so shiny and glamorous to come here and make money. Everyone from around the world's like, "Oh, let's go and become a real estate agent in Dubai. We'll make a ton of money." And it's transactional-based. Whereas I come, first of all, I was from pharmaceutical sales for several years and then I owned a PR firm. And in real estate in the United States, every single thing is relationship-based. Yes. So do you notice that distinction here as well? Do you see that as an issue here? Someone has commented that everyone is becoming an agent in Dubai, you know. But the reality is because Dubai is expanding. Yes. We do have a lot of developments coming up. Yes. And as I said, it's an open market. So everybody is competing to deliver the best service, the best layout, the best of the best, you know? But how would you really feel that from the first day you step into an office or you step with your trusted agent and he would advise you where to buy? You know, it's the relationship. It's not only selling for the sake of making money, getting paid commission out of it and disappear. You would really need to be with him from day one he enters the office until he receives his key, you know? And that journey we're talking about three years, three to four years. And in between, a lot of things will happen, a lot of incidents, a lot of, you know, I wouldn't say problems, but a lot of things can come up. It's just the way transactions happen globally for any business. Might be having an issue with the payment. He doesn't know how to transfer. He doesn't know whom to talk, you know? You would need to advise him, how to do it. So you would need to do your exercise right. But let me ask you a question since we are opening this topic. How would you differentiate yourself from other brokers in the market? Thank you for asking me that question because actually I don't even define myself as a broker. I mean, I know that's my title. I know that's my education. So how do you want people to know about you and your service? What different do you provide them? So my mission and my goal is so much bigger than selling real estate. That is not my passion. Okay? My passion is to demystify Dubai through my eyes as a first-generation Arab American who is here, born, raised, educated, lifelong resident of San Diego, California, but came here a couple years ago. And as we started at the beginning of the episode, so many misconceptions that I had were broken. And now I said I feel a calling. I feel a need for me to now break these misconceptions for other Americans and create a connection, a bridge, for more Americans to come to Dubai to enjoy the lifestyle. And so when I started to research myself, I've owned a public relations firm for 17 years, very successful business. No desire to do real estate, none. That was not even on my radar. But when I started researching to say, what could I do that would give me the ability to continue to come here and explore Dubai and the greater UAE in this region? What value can I bring to Americans that would allow me to even have the vehicle to open their eyes on a greater level? And of course, real estate was one of those industries. So I educated myself. I got a license in California and started selling in the United States so I could fully understand the American system and the American mindset. I came here and spent months at a time, left my family staying here for months, immersing myself in every single avenue of Dubai, top to bottom, to understand it inside of me so I could relate it. And then I secured additional education as a certified international property specialist, which is the only internationally recognized designation by the National Association of Realtors. And then I said, "Okay, now I'm ready to start talking about Dubai real estate." So then I said, "But what do Americans, and what are they missing?" It's the knowledge. Yes. What you just said, remember how you were saying the questions they ask are about the SBA, the transactions, the legalities, the transparency, this and that? I said, "Okay, how can I do this?" So I said, "Let me start The Dubai Connect podcast." Yes. And through that, I'm interviewing experts such as yourself, top-tier experts, to help educate not just Americans, but yes, that's where I'm from, but I have Canadians, I have UK, I have Spanish, etc. About everything A through Z of why to buy in Dubai, how to buy in Dubai, and where to Dubai in Dubai. And so my fulfillment really comes from when people say, "We want a piece of it, but we weren't, everybody that calls me, we wanted a piece of it. We heard about it. We saw these shows. We saw this, but we didn't have somebody we trusted." Yes. And so I said, "Wow, that makes me feel good." So what I want to be known is that trustworthy connection, The Dubai Connect, that's helping break misconceptions, demystify Dubai, and help them make money. As you said, they will remember you. Yes. If they make money. Yes, of course, definitely. And people tell me, you know, you're always on social media. I said, but how am I going to share with Americans what's happening if they don't know? Yes. Exactly. Right. Exactly. And can I tell you one of my proudest moments? So I have, and I've shared this on a couple of interviews, but I have billboards in conjunction with an international tax attorney, Ronson Shamun, in San Diego. We've done some seminars together to educate Americans about the whole process of saving taxes, the whole situation. And I have a reel on my social media Instagram account where it shows my billboard in America that says invest in Dubai. And then I place that reel with the voice of His Highness Sheikh Muhammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum. And this voice in the background saying on my reel, I want this to be the greatest city in the world. And that's interesting. Walking in Atlantis and I saw the Sheikh and I was able to go up to him and show him that I have these billboards in the United States. And he said, "This is amazing, America." And I said, "Yes," and he patted me on the back. And that was just such a proud moment for me. And actually, I was at the International Property Show this past week. I was speaking all three days. And I even saw the head of the Dubai Land Department, His Excellence Marwan Bengalita, and he was walking by me and he said, "San Diego." The pride I feel that I'm making a mark, right? I can feel you, Gigi. I'm making a mark as a woman and I'm opening another door for so many people I feel in the United States. And I'm showing my daughters to be proud of their Arab heritage because Dubai is doing it right. Dubai is a utopia. Dubai allows opportunity for us as women. No matter what our cultures, religions, no matter where we come from, we can come here and we can create impact and be something bigger. So no, I don't consider myself a real estate agent. I know I, it's very important that people understand how different you are from others, you know, because at the end of the day, you are educating them, you know? And this is not an easy part, to be honest. And I'm not, I don't consider myself a salesperson, because for me, I'm not. When you were talking about the commission, doing it for a commission? That's not. If I was just in it for the money, I would have stayed with my other career because I invested a lot to do what I'm doing. Yes. It wasn't like I'm not being paid a salary like just outright come and do this. It was me investing in the time, the away from my family, getting on a 16-hour flight. But it is Emirates. So that's a whole other experience. Yeah. I shouldn't even say that because Emirates business class. Oh my goodness, that's part of the experience. But coming here and really investing time, money, energy because I'm trying to build something so much bigger, and I think I'm doing it. And you know, when I first came, I have to tell you, I feel like I went around to a lot of developers' offices and I tried to introduce myself. I don't know if a lot of people were really that interested because at that time the Russians were coming at exponential numbers, different cultures. So when I said Americans, Americans, Americans, everyone's like, "Okay, like we're doing so well. Nobody was really paying attention. I had to push my way through and say, "No, no, no, no, trust me." And now everybody wants to sell to the Americans. You know, that's like a huge. I see now people are doing road shows. You know, all these brands are now coming. Shifted. Yes. It shifted. And so I have been proudly ahead of that. And luckily I'm seeing, you know, thank God, I don't want to jinx it, the rewards of being ahead of that and doing that education and really providing. And by the way, there's something else that you had said from a developer standpoint: the real estate agent is, the best ones are the ones that are going to walk you through all the way till you receive your keys. Yes. I don't stop there. Why? Because that investor is going to trust me and my team for when it's time to sell it, when it's time to rent it out. Of course. Of course. He will get the Golden Visa, when it's time to get a mortgage, if he needs financing, when he needs a financial concierge, if he's looking to open and shift his business here. So that's where I'm building something so much bigger than just, let me sell you a property, get a commission, I'm finished. You will be surprised. Most of my contact list are my customers and they are my friends by now. So you see, because you're trustworthy. Because you're trustworthy. And that's the thing when I first met you. And that's why I was saying like any misconception, I knew you were very smart and very strong. Thank you. And I've seen you and I've seen your journey and what you have proved, what you have positioned yourself as a strong woman leader here in Dubai real estate and made your mark. And I admire that. And that's why I've been after you for so long to come on to my podcast to share your story as an example, your expertise for being here for 20 years, your own journey. And I'm proud to say I believe I'm your first podcast. Right? Yes. I'm very proud because right when I met you, I said I want her. Yeah. I want to share your story. For believing in me. I mean, thank you for honoring me to come on here and share part of your journey. And I'm continuing to watch your success and be a part of that story and help continue to bring Americans and Canadians. Yes, definitely. To, you know, what you have and to continue to learn from you. We are all learning from each other. Come on. Yes. I mean, see, during my journey, there have been a lot of challenges. I mean, watching whatever we've been through, all the ups and downs, we made it. Why? Because we believe in Dubai. This is the most important thing. You believe in it. I believe in it 1000%. Were you born here? Yes. But have so have you lived here your whole life? Did you ever leave? No. You're staying. Will you? My home country, it's your home. It's my home country. I love Dubai. Whatever you find in Dubai, you cannot compare to anywhere around the world. You were saying to me off camera when you travel, you wouldn't be able to compare even, you know, the service, the lifestyle, the luxury. Even you enjoy small things. You don't feel it now, but when you travel, when you go for vacations, oh my god, you want to come back. You want to come back. Everybody that lives here says that, by the way. Yeah, they all say that, that they feel a relief when they arrive back in Dubai. There is a different connection with Dubai. I must say. I think you feel it too, don't you? I feel it. I mean, I told the story that the first day that I arrived, by the second day I started crying. I started crying because I couldn't believe I'd gone 50 years of my life not being here. And I couldn't believe how close-minded I was, that I didn't want to come to the Middle East. And I couldn't believe what I saw and what I felt and what I heard and the languages and everything around me and what's happening. And I just felt called to be here. And I'm so grateful. Even though this industry is not easy, I don't think it's an easy industry to be in at all. And it's a lot of sacrifice. And it's endless hours. Yes. Endless. And I had already really positioned myself for so many years in another thing. So I had to reinvent myself again at a later stage in life. I feel honored. And you know what I feel most honored about? Meeting and connecting with people like you that I never would have had if I had not come. Yeah. I know what you're saying. You know what I'm saying? So I was really in a bubble in my world, and now I feel like my world has expanded. It's very interesting to understand how perception can change your mindset. You see. It does. And it's important. It's very important, even for our children, to be open. You have to. And the only way you can do it is by getting out of your bubble. Yes. And coming. Because that feeling that you and I talk about, it we can try to express it as much as we can. Well, first of all, you can't smell the delicious scents here unless you walk here. But that feeling is something that everyone feels once they come here. Yes. And we're, I think we're doing a good job of helping share the story. And I can't wait for my kids also to continue that legacy of being a part of Dubai's future. And I think you and I have a lot more podcasts and discussions to do in the future about what's happening. Definitely. We'll meet again. I thank you for your time. Thanks. I thank you for your support since day one since I've been here and always being such a pleasant, wise, educated, classy, sophisticated, intelligent, and strong woman that I respect. Thank you so much, Gigi. Thank you. I'm so proud of you. Thank you. So with that, I hope you enjoyed hearing the story of Alak. And I hope you will like, subscribe, follow, and stay tuned for the next episode of The Dubai Connect podcast. Thank you.