Abu Dhabi’s real estate market witnessed marginal declines in both values and rents during the first quarter. This was buoyed however by a 22 per cent increase in transactions and mortgage values which surged to hit Dh19.2 billion ($5.2 billion), according to leading international property consultancy Chestertons.

 

Off-plan sales in some of the capitals most sought after locations, including Al Reem Island, Saadiyat Island and Al Reef collectively accounted for over half of the total transaction value, stated Chestertons in its special Abu Dhabi Market Report Q1 2020. 

 

A range of favourable developer-led off-plan payment options, and the more recent revival of rent-to-own schemes, have piqued the interest of potential buyers, according to Chesterton.

 

Overall, the capital’s real estate market continued to see declines in both values and rents, although at a slower pace. Average apartment sales prices declined by 1.2% and villas by 1.8% Q-on-Q. In the rental market, apartments witnessed decline of 1%, while villas fell by just 0.6% in Q1, it added. 

 

Chris Hobden, Head of Strategic Consultancy, Chestertons Mena, said: "Government reforms introduced over 2019, such as the Golden Card residency scheme and the granting of foreign ownership rights across investment zones, have undoubtedly had a positive impact on the capital’s real estate market in Q1."

 

“While we expect recent support packages from both UAE and Abu Dhabi authorities, coupled with landlord relief measures, to go some way to support the real estate market, Covid-19’s impact is set to create headwinds, especially for the rental sector, near-term,” observed Hobden.

 

In the sales market, apartment prices continued their legacy of decline although at a much slower rate of 1.2%. Al Reef and Al Reem Island were the standout performers showing little to no price change at Dh765 per sq ft and Dh950 per sq ft respectively. 

 

In contrast, Al Raha Beach Area witnessed the highest declines, with average apartment prices falling quarter-on-quarter by 1.6% to Dh 1,230 per sqft. Al Ghadeer and Saadiyat also witnessed declines to Dh715 per sqft and Dh1,380 per sqft, respectively, stated the report by Chesterton.

 

In the villa market, similarly to apartments, Al Raha Beach Area recorded the highest declines and was also the only community to fall by more than the quarterly average of 2%, to reach Dh1,070 per sqft. More positively, the decrease was less than half of that experienced in Q4 when the area witnessed sales price declines of 5%.

 

The strongest performing locations were Al Ghadeer and Al Raha Gardens, which both witnessed Q-on-Q declines of just 1.4%, with average prices of Dh685 and Dh690 per sqft, respectively. Average prices at Khalifa City stood at Dh845 per sqft, down from Dh860 per sqft the previous quarter, with average prices at Al Raha Gardens falling from Dh700 to Dh690 per sqft, it added. 

 

Chesterton said from a rental perspective, apartment rate declines slowed significantly, with average rates down by just 1% Q-on-Q. Saadiyat Island rents fell, on average, for a second consecutive quarter however rates varied by unit type, with the fluctuation in average rents largely a result of the new supply delivered in H2 2019. 

 

Due to a fall in rents for smaller units, Mohammed bin Zayed City saw the second-highest quarterly declines, with average rents declining by 2.3%. Rents for studio units fell by 4% and one-bedroom units by 5%, reaching Dh 24,000 and Dh 38,000 per annum, respectively. 

 

Corniche Road witnessed no change in rental rates in Q1, neither did Al Ghadeer, for a second consecutive quarter. Other communities witnessing average rental decreases of less than 1% included Al Raha Beach Area, Al Reef, Al Khalidiya, and Muroor Area.

 

Villa rental rates remained more stable, declining by just 0.6%. Al Raha Gardens put a halt to falling Q-on-Q rental rates with a 2.3% increase, following a 6% decrease over the previous quarter.