Are You Looking to Invest in Qatar Real Estate?

There are plenty of investment opportunities when it comes to real estate in Qatar, thanks largely due to the booming construction sector there. If you are interested in knowing more about owning property in Qatar, read on:

Freehold or leasehold?

There are different rules for Qataris and outsiders when it comes to owning real estate. For non-Qataris, there are specific areas where they can buy freehold property. West Bay Lagoon, and The Pearl-Qatar and Barwa – Al Khor City are among the properties that foreigners can invest in. Resident visas are given to foreigners if they buy freehold real estate.

Apart from freehold properties, there are leasehold properties that expats can buy. Non-Qataris are allowed to rent, sub-let or even transfer property lease to someone else. Among leasehold properties that expats are allowed to buy when it comes to real estate in Qatar include Doha international airport, Old Al Ghanim, Fariq Abdul Aziz, and Rawdat Al Khail.

Visit the property and do your homework

Whether you are a Qatari or a non-Qatari, you would first have to look up properties for sale. You would need to ascertain whether the neighbourhood is a good one to invest in and if it is easily accessible. Check the amenities and infrastructure available there, apart from the specifications of the property.

Also, the options are varied when you are buying real estate in Qatar – you could buy a studio apartment if you are single, or a large flat with a magnificent view of the shore if you are a big family. There are also large premium villas you could buy. You could choose between the suburbs or the business districts. For instance, Duhail is an area that is far from the city centre and has many villas, while West Bay has diplomat homes and high-income family spaces. The Pearl is upmarket and has many high-end flats.

Whatever your choice, check the veracity of the titles and documents of the said property. You would need the identity cards of both the seller and buyer.

Once you are convinced that you do want to invest in real estate in Qatar, you could go about the process of buying and registration.

How to find property

You should seek the opinion and testimonials of friends, family members or someone you trust before investing in property. Often, word-of-mouth reviews are more honest and well-meaning rather than online discussion threads. Your best bet would still be to zero in on a list of real estate agents you have culled from an online directory or yellow pages. Make sure you opt for an agent who is reputed and credible.

Check the various other costs involved in buying property in Qatar. If it is an apartment, there could be a fixed maintenance charge. There could be other services too for which you may have to pay. Clarify all doubts before you get the property registered.

Qatar is among the most sought-after countries in the Middle East when it comes to real estate. If you happen to be working in Doha, obviously you would like to invest in the capital city. Otherwise, you could opt for other regions as well.

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