Build an asset or live comfortably? This is a burning question many residents ask as Dubai’s real estate sector continues to open opportunities for a broader cross-section of the population. For a growing number of young professionals coming to live and work in Dubai, the answer seems to be a no-brainer as small-ticket units are gaining interest in this demographic.
Living in a studio apartment is a logical choice for residents who want to build an asset but do not have the means to buy larger-size apartments.
On the other hand, the strong demand for studios in the rental market has also led to higher yields and encouraged more investors in this segment. With the current market trends, a large number of studios and one-bedroom apartments have therefore been launched by developers.
“If you were to calculate the cost of acquisition based on size, then studios come at the highest price per square foot. However, since a significant portion of the population comprises working bachelors and couples without kids in the mid-segment category, the demand remains strong.”
Studio Apartment – Demand all over
Industry insiders say demand for studios is strong in all locations and across all income brackets in Dubai. However, expectations will vary depending on a buyer’s preferred area, says Mustafa Pooya, CCO of Select Group, a real estate development and investment company. In Dubai Marina, a premier community, studio buyers expect superior finish and amenities in line with the lifestyle of the area, says Pooya. It will have to be priced differently from studios in International City, Jumeirah Village Triangle or Dubai Sports City.
“In a market that people considered soft, we sold about 65 per cent of the Studio One units in a span of less than a week from our sales launch in October, which includes the sale of all studios, the majority of one-bedders and a fair number of two-bedders,”