It’s been a month since the government announced some significant changes to residency visas and company ownership rules. Read more here

Since then, there have been more announcements from the UAE government who continue with their stated mission to increase competitiveness, openness and to create an economy which is non-reliant on fossil fuels.

- Read about the 6-month job seeker visas and amnesty for overstayers

- Read about the new Freelancer Permits for those in Education and Media

- Read about the Dh 14 billion that will be returned to private sector companies

Everyone is speculating on the details and on how quickly these law changes will take affect on the economy once they come into force in a few months time. 

Suffice to say that it's all very positive for business and for residents plus those planning to relocate or to invest in the country. 

This week’s property discussions have included the following:- 

No new launches have happened over the past week and the market has been fairly slow due to the Holy Month of Ramadan.

On the other hand, I have been kept busy researching investment options for a number of overseas clients who want entry level off-plan "Buy to Lets" expected to yield between 7% to 10% net.

Here is a very brief summary 

Under AED 1m - £80k to £200k

Dubai's approval of a low-income housing policy was an important moment. But questions remain about what constitutes affordable housing and how the policy will be implemented.

For well over a decade now, Dubai has been synonymous with luxury villas, upmarket apartments and property prices comparable to the most expensive cities in Europe, Asia and North America – a playground, essentially, for the conspicuously wealthy and the unapologetically aspirational. But now, the emirate is embracing the concept of affordable housing.