You have probably heard it time and time again, that when it comes to investing money, real estate is the most assured and most promising avenue. We will adjust the saying to make it “wise real estate investing” is the most assured and promising avenue. From famous celebrities to your average Joe, the success stories of real estate investing are plastered all across the halls of history. In this blog, we delve into the numbers from recent real estate success stories that took place in Abu Dhabi and end with a few investment tips for new and seasoned investors alike.
10 Real Estate Success Stories from Abu Dhabi
From high-end villa investments to cozy lower-budget apartments, we are going to disclose a range of examples from different investors, what they invested in, how much it made them, and the ROI of each investment.
Please note that a majority of these investments were off-plan properties, meaning that the projects that were invested in were yet to be embarked on or were being built when the investor bought the property.
As we are including monetary figures in this blog, we are going to withhold the names of the investors in order to maintain their privacy.
The investments are arranged in order of decreasing purchase price, meaning we start from the most expensive investment and work our way down to the most affordable one. It is also important to note that the majority of these projects were launched for sale with a down payment of either 5% or 10%. Without further ado, here are the real estate success stories.
1) 4 Bedroom Apartment in Mamsha Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island
Mamsha Saadiyat is a one-of-a-kind project, and it’s no wonder that this investor made so much off of it. Founded on the stunning Soul Beach in the cultural capital of the UAE, Saadiyat Island, Mamsha Saadiyat is a holistic seafront complex of apartment blocks with cafes, restaurants, and retail areas. This stunning off-plan investment that made its owner more than double his initial investment was a result of the correct decision at the correct time. Anyone who saw the plans for Mamsha Al Saadiyat knew it was going to be a hit.
Property Purchase Price: AED 7.3 Million
Purchase Year: 2020
Current Value: AED 17 Million
ROI: 133%
2) 3 Bedroom Apartment with Sea-View in Mamsha Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island
Located in the same stunning complex as the one from the previous success story, this 3-bedroom apartment enjoys breathtaking sea views. But what’s more important is the flip the owner made on this one. Look at these numbers.
Property Purchase Price: AED 6 Million
Purchase Year: 2020
Current Value: AED 12 Million
ROI: 100%
3) 4 Bedroom Townhouse in Jawahir Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island
Jawahir Saadiyat is a premium gated community of villas and townhouses located in the Cultural District of Saadiyat Island, and an arms throw away from the expansive Saadiyat Beach Golf Club. With beautifully landscaped gardens and the beach only a five-minute stroll away, this is the ideal place to forget all the woes of a fast-paced life. This investor purchased the property before it was built, and has been thanking himself for doing so ever since.
Property Purchase Price: AED 4.85 Million
Purchase Year: 2019
Current Value: AED 8.6 Million
ROI: 77%
4) 4 Bedroom Villa in West Yas, Yas Island
West Yas is a deluxe waterfront project of waterfront villas and plots of land. This serene complex enjoys an abundance of parks, its own retail center known as Yas Plaza, some fantastic amenities, and is located only a short five-minute drive from Yas Island’s major entertainment attractions such as Ferrari World, Yas Waterworld, and the Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi.
This investor purchased this off-plan property all the way back in 2018 but knew that there was no wrong that can come out of investing in a prime area like this on Yas Island.
Property Purchase Price: AED 4.2 Million
Purchase Year: 2018
Current Value: 6 Million
ROI: 43%
5) 4 Bedroom Stand-Alone Villa in Al Jurf
If you want to talk about fast flips, then you are going to love this one.
Located in Ghantoot at the center of a wildlife reserve, this community is frequented by gazelles and rare turtles that call these beaches home. Housing its very own wellness center, this is exactly the place to unwind, heal, and reconnect with nature.
This investor got lucky and sold the rights to this property before construction reached completion. Properties with rapidly increasing values like this one will have you doing that! This was a no-brainer investment opportunity that sold out quickly, and this lucky investor got on — and off at the right time!
Property Purchase Price: AED 4.2 Million
Purchase Year: 2023
Current Value: AED 5 Million
ROI: 19%
6) 3 Bedroom Townhouse in Yas Acres, Yas Island
Yas Acres is another golf-side community located in the northern part of Yas Island. Comprised of villas and townhouses, this community caters to all its resident’s needs within its own territory. From schools, nurseries, clinics, and even a petrol station, there are also no shortages of F&B and community centers in this complex. The owner of this off-plan property had to do some waiting, but it was definitely well worth it in the end.
Property Purchase Price: AED 3.2 Million
Purchase Year: 2018
Current Value: AED 4.6 Million
ROI: 44%
7) A Plot of Land in Saadiyat Reserve, Saadiyat Island
Located between the prestigious New York University Abu Dhabi and the up-and-coming residential masterpiece of Saadiyat Lagoons, this 612 sqm plot of land’s value increased for obvious reasons: The continued development of high-importance facilities and projects within its close vicinity. This investor was made aware of such an opportunity and quickly moved to capitalize on it! An ROI of 80%? Incredible!
Property Purchase Price: AED 1.67 Million
Purchase Year: 2020
Current Value: 3 Million
ROI: 80%
8) A Plot of Land in Yas Acres – Lea, Yas Island
The abovementioned Yas Acres community also boasts promising plots of land towards the northern end of the complex, which is a waterfront territory facing a canal.
Due to the continued development of surrounding areas, this 510 sqm plot’s value increased in price and is expected to rapidly increase soon once newer phases of Yas Acres are completed.
Plots of land with strategic locations are always the right play. This investor had to wait one year longer than the previous investor on this list, but for an ROI as high as 93%, we’d say wait some more!
Property Purchase Price: AED 1.35 Million
Purchase Year: 2017
Current Value: AED 2.6 Million
ROI: 93%
9) 1 Bedroom Apartment in Reem Hills, Reem Island
Reem Hills is the famous Abu Dhabi project that sold out before it was even officially launched. It was the project that projected the new real estate developer Q Properties into the stars. From villas planted on miniature islands to hilltop villas and scenic apartment blocks, Reem Hills is set to be a world of its own. Situated on the island of Reem Island, an island that permits non-UAE nationals to own properties, it really doesn’t get better than this in the realm of real estate in Abu Dhabi.
This investor was lucky for two reasons. For one they were able to secure a property in Reem Hills. If you knew about the mayhem that went into acquiring one of these properties you would applaud this feat. Secondly, they were able to sell it at a profit only TWO MONTHS LATER! Who said real estate investing has to be slow?
Property Purchase Price: AED 800,000
Purchase Year: 2023
Current Value: AED 900,000
ROI: 13%
10) Studio Apartment in Yas Waters Edge, Yas Island
Water’s Edge is one of Aldar’s flagship projects on Yas Island. It is a massive complex of apartment towers that include all the necessities of a holistic life. From the sheer number of cafes, restaurants, and retail areas, to the stunning promenade on which the complex’s towers are lined across, to the fact that it is only a five-minute walk away from the center of Yas Island and Yas Mall, and not to forget the pharmacy, mosque, and supermarkets found within the complex. There is really little else to desire in Water’s Edge.
This investor was able to secure a low-cost investment that not only helped him secure his money but generated a decent amount of profit along the way.
Property Purchase Price: AED 570,000
Purchase Year: 2017
Current Value: AED 650,000
ROI: 14%
What is the most profitable real estate venture?
Investing in off-plan projects is the quickest and most efficient way of making large sums of money. This is because property prices are cheapest right before construction begins. Whenever a construction milestone is complete, the off-plan property’s price naturally increases. That’s why stories of individuals making a profit only two months after investing in an off-plan property are not unheard of.
Which city has the highest rental yield?
Saadiyat Island has the best rental yield in Abu Dhabi, and that is thanks to the luxury properties that dominate the area and the high rental charges that accompany these properties.
Successful real estate investors
Unbeknownst to most, many of today’s popular celebrities amassed massive wealth from investing in real estate. Here’s a list of some of the most prominent names:
- Oprah Winfrey
- Arnorld Schwarzenegger
- Leonardo DiCaprio
- Kylie Jenner
- Brad Pitt
- Tom Ford
- Robert De Niro
Gravity Real Estate and real estate success stories
Gravity Real Estate is a leading real estate consultancy in Abu Dhabi that has been around for over a decade. With expert agents spread across every corner of Abu Dhabi and tight connections with the leading developers, there isn’t a better team to aid with your real estate endeavors in Abu Dhabi.
Our diverse range of services includes everything from the sale and leasing of all kinds of properties, property management, off-plan property investment, consultation services, and property marketing. Call us now to find out how we can help move your real estate needs forward.
