Interview with Duke, Senior Investment Consultant at I Buy Real Estate

Meet Duke: Inside the Market with a Local Expert

For this article, we sat down with Duke, Senior Investment Consultant at I Buy Real Estate, who has lived in Abu Dhabi for over five years.
During this time, he has witnessed the city’s transformation first-hand - from quiet coastal districts to global investment hotspots.
Specializing in off-plan and high-end properties, Duke helps clients navigate market trends, identify growth areas and build long-term portfolios across Yas Island, Saadiyat, Reem and emerging destinations like Fahid Island. His insights reveal what’s really shaping Abu Dhabi’s property market in 2025 - and how the arrival of Disneyland Abu Dhabi became one of the biggest turning points for the capital’s real estate sector.

Abu Dhabi Market in 2025

Abu Dhabi has become one of the most stable and fast-growing real estate markets in the region. According to Duke, Senior Investment Consultant at I Buy Real Estate, the city is now in a pro-landlord phase - low supply, high rental demand and strong yields. Tenants usually pay rent in one or two cheques and landlords enjoy 0% tax on rental income.

At the same time, the population is growing by 3% per year, while housing supply remains limited - around 300,000 units total. This gap keeps both rental and sales prices rising year by year.

How Disneyland Changed the Market

The 2024 announcement of Disneyland Abu Dhabi created what Duke calls the “Disneyland Effect.” Prices on Yas Island jumped up to AED 300,000 overnight, especially in projects like Yas Park Views and Water’s Edge. Even nearby areas such as Saadiyat Island and Al Reem Island saw growth in resale prices. For investors, this showed how new infrastructure and entertainment projects can directly impact real estate value.

Top Areas for Investment

Duke highlights three main districts shaping Abu Dhabi’s future:

• Saadiyat Island - the luxury and cultural heart of Abu Dhabi. Prices stay strong even during market corrections.
• Yas Island - entertainment hub and rental-yield champion, with 7-9% ROI for ready units in Water’s Edge.
• Fahid Island - the newest master-planned “wellness island,” offering beachfront living between Saadiyat and Yas. Aldar’s 65/35 payment plan targets serious long-term investors.

Upcoming projects like Sphere Entertainment Complex and King’s College School are expected to push prices even higher over the next three years.

Off-Plan vs Ready Property

Duke explains that both strategies can work - it depends on your goal.

• Off-plan is ideal for capital growth. Many projects give 20-30% appreciation before handover.
• Ready property is better for cash flow through rent, especially with current yields between 5-9%.

He warns that not every off-plan is suitable for flipping - you must check developer reputation, resale policy and payment structure.

Family Lifestyle and Long-Term Vision

Abu Dhabi is not just building towers - it is building communities for families. From international schools like King’s College and Repton to entertainment venues like SeaWorld, Louvre and soon Sphere, the city attracts long-term residents, not just investors. “Abu Dhabi is home,” says Duke, who lives here with his family. “It’s safe, clean and focused on education and quality of life.”

Rental Market Insights

Rental demand is high across the city - especially for villas and townhouses, which can rent out within two weeks.
Average yields:

• Yas Island: 7-9%
• Reem Island: 6-7%
• Saadiyat Island: 4-6% (luxury segment)

Duke calls Abu Dhabi “a landlord’s market”: most tenants pay yearly in advance and renewals allow up to 5% increase per year.

Golden Visa & Remote Ownership

Investors can get a 10-year Golden Visa when buying property worth AED 2 million or more. Even investors living abroad can manage their property remotely through online government apps like TAM and DARI.
“I have clients from London, Moscow, Singapore and Manila,” Duke says. “They run businesses abroad but keep properties here - because it’s safe, tax-free and fully digital.”

Advice for New Investors

Duke’s top advice:

• Work with a professional agent who knows resale timelines and payment plans.
• Diversify - combine apartments, townhouses and villas.
• Upgrade and add value - small renovations can add big resale premiums.
• Think long-term - “If you believe in Abu Dhabi, you will believe in your investment.”

In Short

• 3% yearly population growth, limited housing supply
• Prices on Yas Island rose AED 300K after Disneyland announcement
• Rental yields up to 9% in Yas Water’s Edge
• Golden Visa from AED 2 million property value
• Fahid Island – next big opportunity between Saadiyat and Yas
• Abu Dhabi: 0% tax, full foreign ownership, digital property management

Watch the full podcast: Disneyland Abu Dhabi Impact on Real Estate in 2025

Contact us:

Explore Listings | Book Your Viewing Now | Contact for Consultation | 

+971 504494150

info@ibuyrealestate.ae

Visit our office on Saadiyat Island - Soho Square B, G09

YouTube:

Ready to Move $1.5 M Abu Dhabi’s 3-Bedroom Townhouse in Jubail

Is Abu Dhabi the NEW Disneyland of Real Estate Investing? Madhmoun, Yas Living and Airbnb Potential

Beachfront FURNISHED Townhouse at Mamsha Saadiyat. in Abu Dhabi