From marketing to bad purchase

Anyone who's ever been to Dubai will recognize it immediately: dozens of real estate brochures are already being handed to you at the airport. But who are the developers behind these properties, and are they really as good as their marketing suggests?

Below, we discuss several developers who repeatedly fail to deliver on their promises. At the bottom of the blog, you'll find a few developers who are actually worth investing in.

Big doesn't automatically mean good

The figures show that DAMAC will have sold billions of dollars in real estate again by 2025. With Dubai's largest marketing budget, they're everywhere: billboards, influencers, and even campaigns in Europe. But why do we advise against investing in DAMAC projects?

• Quality and finish : There are many complaints about deliveries that do not match the promises.

• Mass approach : thousands of units at a time, resulting in the loss of exclusivity and added value.

• Failure to meet delivery dates: Projects are often significantly delayed, forcing buyers to wait much longer than promised.

Then a project can still be in Dubai Marina or be on fire with Chelsea FC, but if you have to wait extra years for your money, you will ultimately not be happy.

Grote brand in Dubai Marina's Tiger Tower, Juni 2025

Cheap is often expensive

Besides the mega-players, there are also players like Tiger and Danube . Their reputations have been under pressure for years: poor workmanship, delays, and even multiple fires in their buildings due to cheap materials. Yet they continue to sell. Why?

• Low entry prices: this attracts many first-time buyers, especially from Southeast Asia.

• High commissions: Real estate agents often push these projects because the developer simply pays the highest commission.

  
  

The developers you can rely on

The combination of population growth, tourism expansion, and significant infrastructure investments makes Dubai attractive to investors. But to invest wisely, you shouldn't rely on the loudest voice, but rather consider the developer's background and reputation.

These are, among others, the parties we do have confidence in:

• Government developers: such as Nakheel and Meraas : reliable, innovative and always focused on high-quality areas.

  
  

• Strong established names: such as Palma Holding , Ellington and Emaar : proven quality and strong ties with the government.

  
  

• Mid-range players: such as Imtiaz : excellent value for money and projects that cleverly respond to the rental market.

  
  

• Boutique developers: these companies are often relatively new to the Dubai market and bring a breath of fresh air from Europe, such as Maaia (France) and DHG Group (Switzerland). Because they still need to establish their reputations, they can't afford to make any mistakes. Therefore, they consciously choose the best contractors and go above and beyond to achieve an impressive final result.

They are the hidden gems of the market, only found by those who really do their research and don't blindly follow the crowd.

Would you like a comprehensive report on the various developers in Dubai? Or would you prefer a one-on-one meeting where we can discuss together what you really need to consider when investing?

Please send an email to daan@mijnhuisindubai.com and I will be happy to help you.