Projects in Ras Al Khaimah

Area Overview

Ras Al Khaimah is the northernmost emirate in the UAE, and it is known for its growing real estate market, natural scenery, and calm lifestyle. It offers a quite environment while still at the same time providing modern communities, mountains, and beaches.

Recently, Ras Al Khaimah has seen a lot of growth in the tourism and real estate market; it attracts both residents and investors from all over the world, with its new residential developments, luxury resorts, and major projects. Interest in Ras Al Khaimah significantly increased after the announcement of the Wynn Al Marjan Island, which will include resort-type living and the first licensed casino in the GCC. Due to this, it has brought significant international attention to the emirate and has been the main contribution to the increase in demand for property, especially for waterfront communities.

Location

Ras Al Khaimah is located in the northern part of the UAE and is bordered by Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah, and Oman. Since it has a long coastline along the Arabian Gulf, it is able to provide a wide variety of beachfront communities.

Some of the main areas/ communities in Ras Al Khaimah include:
• Al Hamra Village: An established community with residential buildings, villas, a marina, golf course and retail shops.
• Mina Al Arab: A waterfront community with residential buildings, villas and parks.
• Al Marjan Island: A very popular waterfront community known for its luxury apartments, hotels and beaches.
• Al Dhait: A residential area known for its villas and family-friendly environment
• Al Nakheel: A commercial center with shops, restaurants and offices.

Ras Al Khaimah has good connections to the rest of the Emirates in the UAE through roads; for example, Dubai is around 60 – 90 minutes away by car, which is a good option for those who want a relaxed lifestyle while at the same time not being too far from the rest of the UAE.

Property Types

Ras Al Khaimah has a variety of property types, from normal residential apartments to luxury waterfront villas. The property market in Ras Al Khaimah is still developing, which gives investors a wider range of options based on their budget and overall goals for the property.

Main property types
• Studio: Are most common among people who live alone or as a couple and for investors who are looking for a more affordable entry into the Ras Al Khaimah property market; they are most commonly found in waterfront communities like Marjan Islands and are used for both long-term and short-term rentals.
• 1 bedroom: They have a strong rental demand and are popular with couples and investors who are looking for a lower purchase price. They are most commonly found in communities that are near the waterfront and offer amenities like pools and gyms.
• 2 and 3 bedrooms: These properties are usually found in newer developments and waterfront communities; they are suitable for families and those looking for extra space.
• Townhouses: Popular among families looking for modern homes, privacy, and within communities that have shared amenities.
• Villas: One of the most popular property types for families in Ras Al Khaima. They can be found in communities like Al Hamra Village and Mina Al Arab, they usually have private gardens, pools, and access to beaches.
• Hotel apartments/ luxury properties: They are becoming more popular, especially on Al Marjan Island. They offer serviced apartments providing a hotel-type lifestyle and premium amenities. Are popular among wealthy buyers and investors looking for luxury-type homes.

Entertainment and Leisure

Ras Al Khaimah offers a range of leisure activities and entertainment options; it combines natural attractions with a modern lifestyle, shopping, and luxurious resorts. It has entertainment options for everyone, from those who just enjoy relaxing on the beach to thrill-seekers.

The most popular attractions include:
• Jebel Jais: The highest mountain in the UAE, it is known for its beautiful views, hiking trails, and the world’s longest zipline called Jais Flight.
• National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah: Showcases the history and culture of Ras Al Khaimah.
• Al Hamra Village: Has a private beach, golf course, restaurants, cafes, and a marina that visitors can walk along.
• Al Marjan Islands: A waterfront community with beaches, luxury hotels, restaurants, and cafes
• Al Hamra Mall and Manar Mall: Most popular malls in Ras Al Khaimah, with retail stores, cinemas, cafes, and restaurants.

Ras Al Khaimah also offers a wide range of outdoor activities, such as hiking, camping, jet skiing, kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing, and desert safaris. It also has public beaches, beach clubs, and golf courses throughout the emirate.

There are also many well-known resorts and hotels that offer day passes that allow visitors to use and enjoy their beaches, pools, restaurants, and amenities without having to spend the night. These resorts and hotels include: The Ritz–Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah, and Movenpick Resort Al Marjan Island.

Schools, Educational and Medical Facilities
Ras Al Khaimah offers a good variety of nurseries, schools, universities, and medical facilities, making it a good option for families.

For younger children, there are a couple of nurseries in Ras Al Khaimah, these nurseries include Chubby Cheeks Nursery Ras Al Khaimah, Little Oxford Nursery RAK and Little Treasures Nursery.

For school-age children, there are a few well-known schools in Ras Al Khaimah; these schools include The WellSpring School, which offers the American curriculum, GEMS Westminster School Ras Al Khaimah, which offers the British curriculum, and RAK Academy, which offers both the British and International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum.

For higher education, Ras Al Khaimah has some universities and institutions that provide undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in different fields; these universities and institutes include American University of Ras Al Khaimah, University of Bolton (RAK), and Higher Colleges of Technology.

There are also medical facilities in Ras Al Khaimah; these medical facilities include RAK Hospital, Saqr Hospital, and Sheikh Khalifa Specialty Hospital. Along with the large hospitals, there are many clinics and pharmacies located throughout Ras Al Khaimah.

With access to nurseries, schools, universities, and medical facilities, Ras Al Khaimah can provide a comfortable environment for families while at the same time offering a quieter and calmer lifestyle when compared to larger cities in the UAE.

Transport and Accessibility
Ras Al Khaimah is well connected by road, which makes it very easy and convenient for residents who travel within the emirate. Since Ras Al Khaimah does not have a metro or a tram system, residents have to rely on cars, taxis, and public buses for transportation.

Transport Options
• RAKTA buses: A local bus network that connects residential/ commercial areas and key destinations in the emirate, with routes also going to other emirates.
• Taxis: They are widely available, which makes it convenient for daily trips to nearby areas.
• Ras Al Khaimah International Airport: Located in the emirate, it provides access to regional and international destinations.

Approximate driving times:
• Dubai: Around 1 hour – 1 hour 30 minutes
• Sharjah: Around 45 – 1 hour 15 minutes
• Abu Dhabi: Around 2 hours
• Fujairah: Around 1 hour 30 minutes – 1 hour 45 minutes

Investment Insights
Areas like Al Marjan Island, Mina Al Arab and Al Hamra Village continue to attract buyers who are looking for waterfront properties and long-term property growth opportunities. Its new major tourism projects and new residential developments attract investors from all over the world.

Why investors choose Ras Al Khaimah
Some of the main reasons why investors buy properties in Ras Al Khaimah include:
• Good potential for long-term appreciation
• Growing demand for waterfront communities and properties
• Increasing number of luxury communities and developments
• Freehold in designated areas so foreign buyers can have full ownership
• Modern and luxurious communities with beaches, resorts, and different amenities

Rental Yield and prices
The rental yields in Ras Al Khaimah range between 6% – 8% depending on the property type, community, and location. Waterfront communities like Al Marjan Island and Mina Al Arab are the strongest performing areas in terms of rental returns.

Average prices based on location:
• Lower market properties: Around 700 – 1,000 AED per square foot
• Mid-market properties: Around 1,100 – 1,500 AED per square foot
• Waterfront properties: Around 2,000 – 2,400 AED per square foot

Average prices of newer properties:
• Studio: 700,000 – 900,000 AED
• 1 bedroom: 1,100,000 – 1,500,000 AED
• 2 bedrooms: 1,600,000 – 2,000,000 AED
• 3 bedrooms: 2,000,000 – 3,000,000 AED
• Townhouses: 2,200,000 – 3,200,000 AED
• Villas: 3,000,000 – 5,500,000 AED

Average annual rent:
• Studio: 45,000 – 60,000 AED
• 1 bedroom: 70,000 – 105,000 AED
• 2 bedrooms: 105,000 – 130,000 AED
• 3 bedrooms: 135,000 – 170,000 AED
• Townhouses: 140,000 – 180,000 AED
• Villas: 170,000 – 300,000 AED

All these prices depend on the exact location, whether it is right on the beach, the view, and how new the property is. Generally, the newer the property and the closer it is to Al Marjan Island (on the beachfront), the more expensive those properties are. Older and further away from the beachfront properties have significantly lower prices and, at the same time, lower rent. Also, larger and more expensive properties usually do generate higher rental income, but the percentage yield is slightly lower than for less expensive and smaller properties because of the higher purchase price.

Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
• Affordable property prices: Ras Al Khaimah offers a wide range of properties at different price points; this makes it easier for buyers with lower budgets to choose a property that suits their requirements.
• Growing real estate market: Ras Al Khaimah is continuing to grow and constantly has new residential communities, hotels, and different projects; this creates an opportunity for long-term property growth.
• Natural surroundings: Has a lot of natural attractions for people with an active lifestyle; there are mountains, hiking trails, outdoor activities, and a lot of beaches.

Disadvantages
• Some communities are still developing: Since there are constantly new communities being developed, some of them might still be adding general infrastructure like schools, malls, and amenities for everyday use.
• Limited public transport: There are not a lot of public transport options, which makes it difficult for those who don’t drive and forces people to rely on cars and taxis for daily travel.
• Seasonal tourism: Properties that are used as holiday homes or for short-term rentals struggle with occupancy during lower tourism seasons.

Things to consider before buying
Before buying any property in Ras Al Khaimah, it is very important to research the developer and location and consider the overall purpose and goal of the property. Different communities offer different lifestyles; for example, Al Marjan Island offers a beachfront and active lifestyle, while Al Hamra Village offers a calmer and family-focused lifestyle.

For investors looking for rental yield, it is really important to understand the rental market and to know factors like rental demand, potential rental income, and any future developments, as all of them can affect the long-term performance of the property.

It is also very important to know the budget and consider any additional costs that might arise, such as service charges, utility payments, and furnishing. Taking all of these factors into account will help buyers choose a property that suits their needs and their long-term investment goals.