Soaring housing prices in Dubai are likely to peak in 2009 before falling at least 15% as the Gulf emirate takes measures to weed out short-term speculators, according to forecasts from a group of banks, investment firms and research institutions.

Dubai developer Damac properties is closing four offices in the UK and Ireland and unveiling a new corporate identity as the firm repositions itself within the world property market.

The registration of all off-plan property sales in Dubai is the latest new regulation for the Emirate's real estate industry.

Pessimists may worry about the property market in Dubai but the latest figures show the place is booming with 25,000 people taking up residence every month.

A property index that will recommend rents for different types of homes in areas across Dubai has moved a step closer.

Three new degrees relating to the real estate sector have been announced in Dubai in a move that is seen as positive for the industry.

An art historian is the first of a number of experts appointed by a Dubai developer to ensure that Venetian themed architecture is authentic.

Property prices in Dubai are likely to fall 10% by 2010 as the supply of real estate outpaces demand, according to a new report.

Developers in Dubai are taking a warning about rampant speculative activity across the Emirates' property market so seriously that there are moves to discourage and even prevent selling on the secondary market.

Villas and apartments nearing completion in Dubai are generating premiums of as much as 70 to 200% a year, according to property market experts.

The design competition for the new 450 metre bridge connecting Dubai's largest Palm Island has been won by engineers Royal Haskoning, the firm behind London's futuristic Canary Wharf station.

Dubai's new £2 billion Metro Railway will be officially launched in September next year with full completion expected in 2012, it has been confirmed.

Serviced hotel apartments are the most profitable investment in Dubai right now as tourism levels continue to rise, it is claimed.

Americans and Brits are showing most interest in investing in the world's first pre-fabricated revolving tower in Dubai.

The world's biggest shopping mall opens in Dubai next month amid predictions that it will create new investment in the high growth retail sector.

The usual summer break in property transactions in Dubai is showing no signs of emerging this year as demand and prices stay high.

Worries that the real estate market in Dubai is a bubble waiting to burst are dismissed by the major developers who claim that population growth alone will be enough to sustain demand.

As India is tipped to become the world's second biggest economy after China, more and more Indians are investing in international property.

Developers who fail to invest in professional property maintenance suffer in the same way as motorists who take their cars to cheap back street garages, it is claimed.

They call it the battle of the towers; two of the world's most prestigious high rise buildings are fighting it out over record prices.

Green building is increasing in busy areas like the United Arab Emirates as property developers realise the benefits of saving energy.

Dubai needs to keep attracting foreign property investors if it is to avoid oversupply which could lead to prices dropping, according to research by an international group of property consultants.

Owners of rental property in Dubai are seeing a surge at the luxury end of the market as the desert state attracts more and more visitors from around the world with money to spend.

The Scandanavians are the newest entrants to the international property market, buying investment properties around the world, particularly off-plan developments.

World champion boxer Joe Calzaghe still reckons property is a good investment and has added a fifth to his growing international portfolio.

Two environmentally friendly multi billion pound projects are set to create even more interest in the United Arab Emirates from foreign property investors.

The start of two new international airlines services to Dubai and Abu Dhabi are set to increase the Emirates' attractiveness as an international destination for businesspeople, holiday travellers and international real estate investors.

According to a report from real estate experts Profile Europe (UK) Ltd an increasing number of UK property investors are attempting to run away from the effects of the credit crunch by purchasing properties abroad.

A series of projects have been planned for Dubai expansion this year, totalling UAD 3 billion for the fiscal year in the budget.

Dubai Properties has recently been spotlighted as being a company that plans to invest internationally and create a total market presence of nearly $200 billion at the end of the period of time stretching three years from now.

Nakheel has plans to build a new Waterfront City in Dubai which will form the springing off point for a waterfront of 1.4 billion square feet. When completed, the city will be home to 92,000 people with another 310,000 people coming into the city to work.

The Palm Jumeirah has been developed into a high end real estate island, with over 2,000 families on the island and 2,500 apartment units already available for purchase. Nakheel has further expansion planned for the island, which is why getting the final Shoreline Apartments out of the way was a priority.

An announcement from the Dubai government yesterday has resulted in the earmarking of $7 million for development of Port Saeed Plaza. The plaza will include recreational facilities for the inhabitants and visitors to the Emirate.

Limitless, a Dubai-owned developer, has received a $1.2 billion loan under Sharia law from 18 different international banks. This loan allows them to go forward with many different projects including work on the Arabian Canal and homes for 1.5 million people in Dubai.

Dheeraj and East Cost LLC has decided to invest UAD 700 million in Jumeirah Village to be spread over two different projects. This will add to their current investment in Dubai and bring it over the UAD 4 billion mark.

The costs of construction in the Middle East are lower than in North America and Europe and even than in some places in Asia. Primarily, this has to do with lower costs of importing raw materials as well as lower costs for labour.

Dubai World, a state owned property company in the UAE, has decided to extend investment into Africa further. They have announced $70 million will be allocated to a project in the Comoros Islands.

The Dubai property market is continuing to explode as more high profile developers look to increase their presence with state of the art offerings.

Compared to London and New York, Dubai is able to offer luxury accommodations at a fraction of the price.

According to Moody’s Investors Service, analysis of real estate in the Gulf Coast is difficult. This is mostly result of the lack of consistent information on the real estate sector in this area. However, despite this, it is easy to see that the outlook for real estate in this area is still strong even with the global economic crisis.

As the GCC contemplates the use of a single currency, the debate over removing the peg to the US dollar continues. Rakaa Properties, a Saudi Arabian firm, is one of the companies that have added their voice to the call.

A combination of increasing wage amounts and a higher cost for raw materials will continue to send UAE prices shooting through the roof this year.

In accordance with their launch a few days ago, Azizi Investment has revealed their initial investment portfolio, which includes a massive 15 million square foot piece of property. At the same time, a South Korean contractor has entered the Dubai property market through the construction of The Cube.

Investors watching the market in the Middle East may be pleased to note that Arabtec has some great projects in the works.

Nakheel has brought another developer on board to help turn The World into one of the most iconic destinations on the planet.

Nakheel is developing Port Rashid in Dubai. They have been negotiating with many local companies for a marine works package.

The Emaar Board of Directors currently have a proposal on the table for a 20% dividend to be distributed at the upcoming Annual General Meeting. Furthermore, they are set to expand their influence through purchases of land in many nearby places, including a large plot in Istanbul. Finally, the company has also been declared 'overweight' by HSBC Holdings.

The UAE is still exploding as the premier property investment destination worldwide. Along with the Middle East and Asia, places in Eastern Europe (i.e. Sofia, Bulgaria) are starting to emerge as well.

Dubai property developer Nakheel has had their Nova Island purchased by a Singapore based firm. At the same time, they have big plans for addressing the problem of a lack of supply in Dubai for low-cost housing.

With prices in Dubai going through the roof, at least one group of people are going to benefit from increased government regulation.