UAE residents have full confidence both in the property market as well as infrastructure developments taking place in the emirates, according to a survey conducted by DSL Exhibitions.

The survey was conducted to gauge consumer concerns and satisfaction levels in the wake of the UAE property boom, said an official spokesman.

“We believe that UAE is at an important turning point in its journey of development,” said marketing director, DSL Exhibitions, Tessa Morris.

DSL are the organisers of the Local Property Show – the nation’s oldest and only real estate exhibition solely focused on UAE’s property offerings.

“We designed this survey to understand consumer opinion at the grass roots level, on how they feel about the UAE’s success on the infrastructure development front - something that impacts residents’ daily lives,” added Morris.

The survey was conducted among 368 UAE residents, who have lived in the country for at least three years, with or without a break in their stay. The survey took into account the demographic makeup of UAE.

With that in mind, the proportion of the respondents was as follows:  Emirati nationals 19 per cent, other expats (Arab and Iranian) 23 per cent, South Asian (Pakistani, Indian, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan) 50 per cent, other expatriates (includes Westerners and East Asians) eight per cent.

Emirate-wise residence split of respondents: Dubai 34.5 per cent, Abu Dhabi 30 per cent, Sharjah 18.5 per cent, Ajman seven per cent, Ras Al Khaimah seven per cent and Fujairah three per cent.

Over 52 per cent of those polled believed that the UAE property market has improved or remained the same in terms of availability of property. On the other hand, only three per cent believed that prices have improved over the last two years – a clear indication that while more property is available for purchase, inflation is keeping most of the property out of reach of the majority.

Similarly, both quality of offering and choice received a vote of confidence, with most respondents agreeing that these elements have improved or remained the same over the recent past.

Consumers also felt that the property industry now has a more credible offering (73 per cent) and is better regulated (62 per cent). Professionalism and transparency were also on the rise, the residents said, with the advent of organisations such as RERA designed to protect consumer interests.

The Local Property Show Dubai, featuring properties on offer from all over the UAE,  will take place on March 14 and 15 at the Crowne Plaza Dubai from 10am to 10pm. Admission is free. – TradeArabia News Service