Qatar: Mortgage activity surges by 168% in Q4 2024
Faisal Durrani, Partner – Head of Research, MENA, said: 'Qatar's housing market has experienced a prolonged period of softening prices over the past year, driven by a combination of interrelated factors. The extensive construction activity leading up to the FIFA 2022 World Cup significantly increased the housing supply. As a result, property values and rental rates have faced downward pressure, albeit some high-end neighbourhoods have continued to enjoy steady demand.'
'Despite this market dynamic, mortgage activity has increased, with Q4 2024 recording 294 transactions valued at QR24.8bn, a 168% jump year-on-year, signalling perhaps opportunistic refinancing activity, with purchasers capitalising on falling interest rates, which last year declined from 6.25% in January to 5.1% in December,' he added.
Among villa locations, Abu Hamour recorded the highest sale prices at QR8,587 per square metre, thanks to its smaller unit sizes and strong community appeal. Mid-tier villa locations such as Al Thumama (QR7,500 psm) and Al Kheesa (QR7,000 psm) offer competitive pricing, while Al Wakair (QR5,600 psm) and Al Kharaitiyat (QR5,807 psm) present more affordable options.
Apartment sale prices also declined 5% year-on-year, averaging QR12,625 psm. Luxury waterfront developments continue to see high demand, with Qanat Quartier (QR13,977 psm) and The Waterfront (QR14,300 psm) leading the market. Marina District (QR13,600 psm) remains a prime location, while Porto Arabia on The Pearl Island (QR11,834 psm) offers a more affordable alternative within The Pearl.
In Qatar's apartment market, luxury residences continue to command stable rental rates, supported by sustained demand for premium living spaces. However, a two-tier market has emerged, with mid-range and budget-friendly apartments facing challenges stemming from oversaturation. The abundance of available units in more affordable locations has intensified competition among landlords, ultimately driving down rental prices, says Knight Frank.
Adam Stewart, Partner – Head of Qatar, explained: 'Looking ahead, villa rental rates are expected to stabilise in prime areas, while secondary locations may see further adjustments due to softer demand. Apartment rentals in luxury developments such as The Pearl and West Bay are expected to remain stable, supported by steady occupancy levels.'
© Dar Al Sharq Press, Printing and Distribution. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
The Peninsula Newspaper
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
2 hours ago
- Zawya
Flat6Labs Grows Bigger: Introducing F6 Group to launch F6 Ventures, the new venture capital arm
F6 Group, a newly formed entity integrating venture capital and entrepreneurial support, announces its official launch, anchored by two powerful arms: F6 Ventures, a newly launched seed-stage investment firm, and Flat6Labs ( the region's most recognized startup accelerator platform. Together, they represent a bold evolution of the company's 14-year journey, bringing sharper focus, expanded reach, and deeper capabilities to support founders and ecosystems across the Middle East and Africa. At the core of this transformation is F6 Ventures, the Group's dedicated venture capital arm to be managing six funds with over $90 million in assets under management (AUM) and a track record of 300+ companies invested into by the Partners. Focused on seed and early-stage investments across the Middle East and Africa, F6 Ventures is positioned to become a market leader in seed-stage investing across emerging ecosystems, as it addresses a pressing funding gap at the most critical phase of startup development: the pre-seed and seed stages. Co-Founded by Dina el-Shenoufy and Ramez El-Serafy, the firm leverages F6 Group's extensive regional presence and legacy of empowering entrepreneurial talent, through the long-standing work of Flat6Labs, previously under the leadership of el-Shenoufy and El-Serafy, to back visionary founders, scale tech-driven innovation, and create lasting value for stakeholders. 'F6 Ventures marks a new era in our journey, bringing focused capital and sharper execution to support the region's boldest founders.' said Dina el-Shenoufy, Co-Founder and General Partner at F6 Ventures. 'We are extending our commitment to early-stage startups to help them scale from idea to impact.' Backed by the extensive regional footprint and entrepreneurial legacy of F6 Group and headquartered in Cairo, with offices in Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, Amman Tunis, and Nairobi, F6 Ventures is also led by the regional partners, namely Eyad Albayouk, Ryaan Sharif, Rasha Manna, Walid Triki, and Christine Namara. Together, this seasoned leadership team brings decades of experience in venture capital, entrepreneurship, and market development across the Middle East and Africa. 'Over more than a decade, we've empowered thousands of founders and helped bold ideas grow into market-leading startups. I'm excited to begin this new chapter with F6 Ventures helping founders scale faster and drive the next wave of innovation,' said Ramez El-Serafy, Co-Founder and General Partner at F6 Ventures. Meanwhile, maintaining the regionally renowned brand name, and with the leadership of newly appointed CEO, Yehia Houry, Flat6Labs sharpens its focus on founder support, innovation, and ecosystem growth across emerging markets. Building on more than 14 years of proven impact, it remains the region's leading platform for world-class startup programs and ecosystem-building initiatives, deepening its mission to empower entrepreneurs and drive regional innovation . Both entities operate under the unified structure of F6 Group led by Dina el-Shenoufy as CEO and Hany Al Sonbaty, Founder and Chairman, ensuring a unified strategy that combines venture capital and entrepreneurial support programs to advance innovation across emerging markets. Looking ahead, F6 Ventures plans to launch multiple new regional funds across Africa, the GCC, and Levant, with a goal of expanding its AUMs to $200 million and investing in over 200 companies within the next five years. F6 Group brings together venture capital and founder support under one platform, purpose-built to serve startups across emerging markets. By aligning investment and programmatic expertise, F6 Group delivers unmatched access to capital, programs, and expertise - turning visionary founders into market leaders. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Flat6Labs. For press inquiries, contact info@
Khaleej Times
6 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
UAE leads youth-driven startup surge in the Middle East
Entrepreneurial ambition among young people in the Mena region is on a sharp rise, with 46 per cent of workers expressing interest in starting their own business. Nowhere is this intent more visible than in the UAE, where a dynamic ecosystem of startups and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) is enabling youth to turn vision into reality. A new PwC Middle East report, Future Ready Mena, highlights the urgent need to strengthen entrepreneurial capabilities across the region. It notes that the survival rate of small businesses doubles when guided by experienced mentors, and that mastery of emerging technologies — from artificial intelligence to digital commerce platforms — has become critical as the global workforce braces for the disruption of more than a billion jobs by 2030. The UAE's record in fostering entrepreneurship is already world‑leading. According to the 2024–2025 Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM), the nation ranks first globally for the fourth consecutive year as the best destination for startups and SMEs, surpassing 55 other economies. It leads in 11 out of 13 indicators that measure institutional support for entrepreneurship, including access to financing, regulatory ease, integration of entrepreneurship in education, and supportive cultural attitudes toward enterprise creation. SMEs are a cornerstone of the UAE's non‑oil economy, numbering around 557,000 and contributing an estimated 63.5 per cent of non‑oil GDP. That share is expected to rise as the nation pushes towards its target of one million SMEs by 2030, driven by an expanding digital economy, government funding programmes, and improved access to financial services. The third edition of the Mastercard SME Confidence Index shows that 91 per cent of SMEs in the UAE are optimistic about their business prospects this year, while 90 per cent expect revenue to match or exceed 2024 levels. The country's startup scene is equally vibrant. More than 5,600 active startups operate in the UAE, the highest number in the GCC. In May 2025 alone, these ventures attracted nearly $87 million in funding across 14 deals. Abu Dhabi's Hub71 has become a key catalyst, hosting over 260 startups as of mid‑2023 and offering equity‑free incentives, investor introductions, and global market access. In Sharjah, the Sheraa entrepreneurship centre has helped over 450 startups raise $297 million in capital and generate $372 million in revenue, with more than half being women‑led. This growth in entrepreneurial activity is supported by evolving education and cultural attitudes. Surveys among Emirati university students show a strong correlation between self‑confidence, institutional support, and entrepreneurial intention. While public sector careers remain attractive, a growing share of youth see business ownership as a viable, even preferred, career path. PwC's report recommends that governments, educators, and the private sector collaborate to expand structured entrepreneurship education, develop mentorship networks, empower women entrepreneurs, and promote technological proficiency. Programmes such as university incubators, government‑backed accelerators, and industry‑linked training are critical in translating youth ambition into scalable enterprises. The UAE already has a track record of producing high‑growth, tech‑driven ventures. Success stories like Talabat, Tabby, Swvl, and Tamara demonstrate how digitally native business models can rapidly scale when built on a foundation of entrepreneurial agility and strong market understanding. The World Economic Forum notes that Gulf states benefit from a maturing startup environment, strong investment flows from sovereign wealth funds, and regulatory innovation that reduces barriers for new businesses. Nearly 49 per cent of GEM's global respondents cite fear of failure as a barrier to launching a business, a sentiment shared by many in the region. But policymakers and investors in the UAE are addressing these concerns with simplified licensing processes, early‑stage funding opportunities, and structured mentoring support designed to build resilience among young founders. The convergence of strong youth ambition, robust ecosystem frameworks, and institutional backing positions the UAE as a model for inclusive, sustainable entrepreneurial growth in the Mena region. Yet experts stress that maintaining this momentum will require deeper mentorship engagement, embedding entrepreneurship across all levels of education, and ensuring equal opportunities for women and underrepresented groups. As PwC Middle East's education lead Roland Hancock points out, entrepreneurial capabilities extend far beyond traditional business knowledge. 'It's about adaptability, creativity, problem‑solving, and digital fluency. By investing in these capabilities now, the region can unlock the full potential of its youth and establish itself as a global hub for innovation and industry leadership.'
Zawya
7 hours ago
- Zawya
ODEUM repositions as the modern content studio of Augustus Media's network
Dubai, UAE - Augustus Media, the modern media company behind Lovin Dubai and Smashi, has officially rebranded its content production house ODEUM – The Modern Content Studio, reinforcing its mission to lead in creative storytelling for the digital age. ODEUM is where bold ideas meet the way people consume content today. Built for brands that want to stand out, ODEUM blends creativity, strategy and execution to deliver cinematic video, dynamic animation, immersive audio, and original IP - all under one roof. As audiences shift to short-form, vertical, and platform-native content, the studio helps brands stay ahead of the curve with tailored content services and regional distribution at scale. Operating from eight fully equipped production studios across Dubai, Riyadh, and Cairo, ODEUM offers end-to-end services: from quick-turn social content to full-scale campaigns, live event coverage, podcasts, and CGI production. As part of the Augustus Media network, it benefits from a built-in ecosystem reaching over 3.3 billion impressions annually across the MENA region. Key Capabilities of ODEUM: Video: High-impact production including verticals, CGI, branded stories, and live events. Animation: Scroll-stopping motion graphics, 2D/3D visuals, and explainers designed for clarity and impact. Audio: Podcast creation, voiceovers, and audio branding that elevate storytelling across platforms. Originals: Bold in-house IP including short films, episodic shows, documentaries, and AI-powered formats. Studios: Plug-and-play production facilities for creators, agencies, and brands ready for shoots, streams, and more. As Augustus Media continues expanding across the region, ODEUM stands as the creative studio driving brand storytelling, original productions, and next-gen content experiences. 'We built this to be more than a production house. It's where modern storytelling happens, where brands become media, and where creators have the tools to move faster, think bigger, and reach farther. The rebrand represents our commitment to what's next.' Richard Fitzgerald, CEO & Founder Augustus Media 'In a world where attention is the most valuable currency, Odeum exists to create content that doesn't just fill space, it builds meaning, drives emotion, and delivers impact. We're here to help brands move from being seen to being remembered.' Abdallah Adaweh, Head of Odeum | Commercial Director Augustus Media About ODEUM ODEUM is the content production powerhouse of Augustus Media, specializing in high-quality video production, branded content, animation, audio production, and studio services. About Augustus Media Augustus Media is an award-winning Middle Eastern digital media company based in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Qatar. The modern media company has been designed to adapt and evolve to this perpetually changing media environment. Augustus Media network includes; Lovin', Smashi & ODEUM as its media brands. Lovin, a local news and entertainment platform present in 22+ cities, known for bitesize news, viral content and community stories. Smashi, a regional content platform with 13 verticals including Business, Gaming, Sports, and Entertainment, and home to live-streamed UAE League matches. Odeum, the company's content production powerhouse specializing in high-quality video, branded content, animation, and audio.
