- For most buyers in the UAE, a home symbolises stability, security, and comfort, with many prepared to make short-term sacrifices for long-term benefits.
- Emiratis dominate home ownership, with 75% owning their properties, while almost 90% of expatriates remain renters.
- First-time buyers account for 75% of the current rental market preparing for their first purchase, while 25% are existing homeowners aiming to expand their portfolios.
ORA Developers has unveiled new research highlighting evolving trends among home buyers in the UAE, shedding light on differences in budgets, motivations, and decision-making drivers across various nationalities.
The study reveals that Emiratis and Western buyers typically show above-average budgets when purchasing properties. Across all groups, the idea of “home” remains tied to stability, security, and comfort, with many respondents willing to compromise in the short term to secure long-term gains.
Home ownership is most prevalent among Emiratis, with around three-quarters already owning their homes. Among expatriates, the trend is reversed, with nearly 90% still renting. Overall, first-time buyers make up roughly 75% of the market, with a quarter of them planning to buy within the next year. The remaining 25% are existing homeowners seeking to diversify their holdings with additional residential properties for various purposes.
While financial and personal stability remains a common goal, the research shows that priorities differ. Some buyers focus on lifestyle and convenience, others on investment value over time, and many on creating a secure family environment. Financial factors such as payment plans, return on investment, and the overall cost of ownership, together with confidence in a developer’s reputation, consistently stand out as decisive influences at the point of purchase.
The report further reveals that although trust and quality are essential for all buyers, different nationalities place emphasis on specific aspects. For example, some prioritise after-sales service and a hassle-free purchase process, while others look for community living, proximity to healthcare, or access to retail and leisure amenities. These findings highlight the need for developers to understand and respond to the unique expectations shaping buyer choices.
Eng. Naguib Sawiris, Chairman and CEO of ORA Developers, emphasised: “The UAE market is witnessing strong demand from consumers who are actively looking to own homes that reflect their aspirations. This research shows a clear appetite for properties that provide stability, lifestyle, and long-term value. At ORA, we are focused on meeting and exceeding this demand with communities that people can trust, places designed to combine quality living with future growth. Bayn is a prime example of how we are meeting this appetite with a destination that is both exclusive and enduring.”
In keeping with these changing priorities, emerging areas such as Ghantoot are seeing increased attention from both buyers and investors. Strategically situated between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, Ghantoot benefits from its proximity to Al Maktoum International Airport – soon to be the world’s largest passenger hub – and the renewed development of Palm Jebel Ali, one of Dubai’s most ambitious waterfront projects. These factors position Ghantoot as a highly desirable community offering exclusivity, waterfront living, and long-term investment value.
With developments like Bayn, the area reflects the growing preference for properties that balance lifestyle, accessibility, and investment potential, illustrating how new destinations are shaping the future of the UAE’s real estate landscape.
The findings align with ORA Developers’ broader strategy and vision. The company plans to share further insights with industry stakeholders in the coming months to help inform strategies that respond to the aspirations of today’s home buyers.