Dubai homebuyers are finding more properties to choose from and greater scope to negotiate as newly completed homes reach the market. The opportunities are particularly apparent in recently handed-over communities, where some investors are weighing final payments, service charges and the challenge of finding tenants.

Gaurav Aidasani, founder and CEO of Union Square House, told Arabian Business that buyers who can complete a purchase quickly may secure better terms from owners seeking to sell around handover. He said mortgage pre-approval or proof of funds, along with a clear completion timetable, can strengthen a buyer’s position. Some off-plan investors face several costs at once when taking possession, including a final payment to the developer, the start of service charges, furnishing expenses and competition from neighbours seeking tenants. Aidasani said owners facing an imminent payment or carrying a vacant property may value a quick and certain sale over a slightly higher offer.

The increased choice comes as Dubai’s residential market moderates, although demand for completed homes remains firm. Ready-property sales reached AED 25.1 billion in the third quarter of 2026, up from AED 21.3 billion in the previous quarter, according to Savills.
Dubai recorded around 34,500 residential transactions worth AED 70.8 billion during the quarter. Transaction volumes fell 4 per cent from the preceding quarter, with Savills linking much of the slowdown to reduced off-plan launch activity and a change in the mix of properties sold. The consultancy said buyers were becoming more selective, with greater attention to price, location, quality and long-term value.
Nearly 12,900 homes were completed in Dubai in the third quarter, taking deliveries in the first nine months of the year to approximately 40,400, according to Cushman & Wakefield Core. The consultancy expects around 50,900 homes to be completed during 2026, about 9 per cent more than in 2025.

The future supply pipeline is also growing. Nakheel recently announced around 360 homes at Bay Estate on Dubai Islands, following the September launch of Kempinski Residences The Creek, a 279-apartment project by Swiss Property.
Aidasani said some owners would keep their homes and rent them out, while others would sell, making it important for buyers to understand each seller’s circumstances.

In newly completed buildings, several owners may offer similar units at the same time, giving buyers an opportunity to compare asking prices and conditions. He advised buyers to compare units with the same layout across different floors and views, and to check completed transactions in the building before judging whether an asking price is realistic. Investors buying to rent should also account for competition from other landlords in newly completed communities. Aidasani recommended allowing for a longer initial vacancy period, budgeting for service charges and furnishing, and setting a realistic rent. He said sensible furnishing and good presentation can help a property stand out.
Buyers were also advised to weigh any discount against the building’s quality and the availability of surrounding infrastructure, including roads, schools, retail and transport links. Aidasani said recently completed homes should undergo professional snagging inspections, with defects recorded and addressed under the developer’s warranty. Buyers should also verify the title deed and confirm approved service charges before completing a purchase.

Tokyo | ReNews Global Desk


Japan's residential construction sector showed signs of slowing in September 2026, with new housing starts declining 2.7 percent from a year earlier, while construction orders fell 11.1 percent, according to the latest industry statistics. Data released by Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism on October 30, 2026, showed that construction began on 61,826 new residential units during September, marking the first year-on-year decline in six months.

The decline reversed the 6.1 percent annual increase recorded in August, highlighting renewed weakness in the country's residential construction activity. According to the ministry, housing starts decreased across all three major residential categories. Construction of owner-occupied homes fell 3.4 percent from the corresponding month last year, while rental housing starts declined 1.6 percent. Housing built for sale recorded a larger contraction of 4.5 percent. Within the built-for-sale segment, apartment and condominium construction dropped sharply by 21.2 percent. However, construction of detached homes intended for sale increased 6.1 percent, demonstrating contrasting trends within the residential property market.

On a seasonally adjusted annualised basis, housing starts declined to approximately 714,000 units in September from 753,000 units in August, representing a monthly decrease of 5.2 percent. Separate construction industry data showed that construction orders fell 11.1 percent year-on-year in September, following a 3.6 percent decline in August. The figures suggest that weakness extended beyond residential construction, raising concerns about the near-term outlook for construction companies and related industries. The ministry also reported a decline in private non-residential building construction. Although factory construction increased, fewer office buildings, retail properties and warehouses were started, resulting in an overall contraction in the segment.Japanese media reports indicated that elevated construction expenses, rising prices and higher borrowing costs have affected housing affordability and purchasing decisions.

The latest figures are particularly significant because housing starts serve as an important indicator of residential property demand, private investment and broader construction activity. A sustained slowdown in new housing projects could also affect demand for building materials, including steel, cement, timber and other construction-related products. The decline comes after several months of growth in residential construction, suggesting that Japan's housing market is facing renewed pressure. However, the September figures alone do not establish a prolonged downturn. Further monthly data will be needed to determine whether the contraction represents a temporary adjustment or a more persistent slowdown in residential development and construction activity.

Hong Kong | ReNews Global Desk


The Hong Kong government has announced sweeping reforms to the building maintenance and construction sectors following the release of an independent inquiry report into a deadly residential fire that killed 168 people.The proposed measures include criminalising bid-rigging in building renovation contracts, with penalties of up to 10 years in prison and fines of HK$10 million.The independent committee's report, released on October 29, 2026, identified serious deficiencies in construction supervision, fire safety compliance, contractor oversight and the performance of several government departments.

The investigation followed the November 26, 2025 fire at Wang Fuk Court, a residential estate in Hong Kong's Tai Po district. The blaze spread through seven residential towers undergoing major renovation work, killing 168 people and displacing thousands of residents.According to the inquiry, the fire was most likely triggered by a smouldering source, possibly a cigarette. However, combustible construction materials, inadequate safety precautions and failures in renovation supervision contributed to the rapid spread of the flames.Investigators identified serious shortcomings involving external scaffolding nets, flammable foam boards, fire safety arrangements and the supervision of renovation activities.

The inquiry raised major concerns about the conduct of Prestige Construction & Engineering, the main renovation contractor, and Will Power Architects, the project's consulting firm. The committee found that the companies had failed to adequately address safety risks and respond effectively to complaints raised by residents before the disaster. The report also highlighted regulatory failures across four government bodies: the Housing Bureau's Independent Checking Unit, the Buildings Department, the Fire Services Department and the Labour Department.Following the release of the findings, Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee issued a public apology and announced a comprehensive programme of reforms aimed at strengthening building safety and regulatory accountability.

Housing Secretary Winnie Ho resigned in the wake of the inquiry, accepting political responsibility for shortcomings in the oversight system.Under the proposed legal framework, collusive tendering and bid-rigging in building maintenance and renovation projects would become specific criminal offences. The government plans to amend legislation, including the Competition Ordinance and the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance. The proposed maximum penalties include imprisonment of up to 10 years and a fine of HK$10 million, with alternative penalty calculations linked to unlawful gains or business turnover. Authorities also plan to establish a joint task force involving the Hong Kong Police Force, the Independent Commission Against Corruption and the Competition Commission to investigate organised bid-rigging and related corruption.

The proposed enforcement framework would strengthen investigative powers, including provisions relating to questioning suspects, freezing assets and recovering proceeds linked to criminal activity. In addition, the government plans to establish a Building Maintenance Support and Services Council to assist property owners in selecting contractors, managing renovation procedures and obtaining professional guidance during building maintenance projects. An initial allocation of HK$300 million has been reserved for establishing the council and supporting property owners who use its services. The proposed reforms also include a centralised information-sharing system covering building maintenance projects, regulatory violations and enforcement records to improve coordination among government departments.

Separately, Hong Kong's Buildings Department has initiated prosecutions involving 259 alleged offences against two companies and four individuals in connection with renovation work at Wang Fuk Court. The allegations include the use of defective or non-compliant construction materials and failures to properly supervise building maintenance activities. The government says the reform programme is intended to improve construction safety, strengthen the integrity of renovation contracts and restore public confidence in building maintenance regulation. However, the proposed new criminal penalties and legislative changes will require formal enactment before they become enforceable law.

Karachi : ReNews District Correspondent

Residents of Clifton and Defence, together with Jamaat-e-Islami, plan to approach the Sindh High Court to challenge the Nehr-e-Khayyam project, citing concerns about its impact on drainage and the canal’s natural waterway. The petition is expected to seek measures to preserve the canal’s natural flow and ensure proper drainage arrangements.

Residents fear that concrete structures and changes to the canal’s natural width could restrict the movement of rainwater and tidal water, increasing the risk of urban flooding during heavy rainfall. The legal challenge comes as construction is reportedly nearly 80% complete. Residents have also questioned the timing of the project’s environmental review. The Local Government Department sought guidance from the Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA), even though construction was already well underway.

Rasha Tariq of the Clifton Residents Committee said workers were continuing construction around the clock. She claimed that three drains built along the canal could worsen flooding, citing homes that were flooded last year after one of the drains was constructed. Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi Deputy Chief Saifuddin Advocate said the government sought an environmental impact assessment only after residents protested. He argued that authorities should have completed the mandatory assessment before approving the project and beginning construction. Residents’ concerns centre on whether changes to the canal and its adjoining drainage system could affect nearby neighbourhoods during heavy rain. The petition is expected to ask the court to protect the waterway and ensure that drainage arrangements are sufficient to manage rainwater and tidal flows.

Islamabad | ReNews District Correspondent

A government-run girls’ school in Islamabad’s Kurri area is facing safety concerns after excavation work nearby left the building exposed on three sides, according to the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE).
In a letter sent to the Federal Government Employees Housing Authority (FGEHA) on October 26, the FDE said the removal of soil around Islamabad Model School for Girls (IMSG) had weakened the building’s foundation and left it close to a steep, vertical drop. The directorate warned that hundreds of students, teachers and support staff could be at risk.

The FDE said an on-site inspection found that excavation linked to the Margalla Orchard Scheme had removed soil from three sides of the school. The housing project is being developed by FGEHA in partnership with the Defence Housing Authority (DHA). Describing the excavation as unscientific and unchecked, the directorate said the loss of surrounding ground support had placed the building in a critical condition. It urged FGEHA to stop excavation near the school and carry out structural rehabilitation, including building retaining walls and installing other reinforcements.

FGEHA spokesperson Faiz Ahmed Sial denied the authority’s involvement. He said an inspection carried out after the complaint found that the school was outside the boundaries of the Margalla Orchard Scheme. Another FGEHA official suggested that the school might instead be within the adjacent Margalla Enclave project, developed by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) in partnership with DHA. The official said the site did not fall within FGEHA’s scheme. The FDE’s letter identifies excavation associated with Margalla Orchard as the source of the concern, while FGEHA disputes that the work falls within its project.The available statements do not establish which project boundary covers the school or which authority is responsible for the excavation.