Why Americans are buying Dubai Real Estate: Ghada 'GG' Benitez saw the shift coming

With The Dubai Connect Podcast entering its eighth season, California REALTOR and Dubai RERA-licensed broker Ghada 'GG' Benitez helps American and global investors understand the UAE property market.

Four years ago, before American buyers became a visible force in UAE real estate, Ghada “GG” Benitez began building an educational bridge between the United States and Dubai.

At the time, many Americans knew Dubai as an international destination, but few understood that they could own freehold property, purchase remotely or use the UAE as a base for their families, businesses and global investments.

A first-generation Arab American and University of California San Diego economics graduate, Benitez is a California Licensed REALTOR, Dubai RERA Licensed Broker and Certified International Property Specialist. She works between San Diego and Dubai, representing investors across both markets.

Benitez created The Dubai Connect and the GG Benitez International YouTube channel to answer questions American and global investors were not finding clearly explained.

“When I started, Americans were asking whether they could legally own property in Dubai,” Benitez said. “Now they are asking about communities, developers, net rental returns, property management and exit strategies.”

 The data reflects that shift. Dubai Land Department’s 2024 annual report recorded approximately AED 41 billion in investment from North America. Gulf Today subsequently reported that Americans accounted for 8.99 per cent of purchases during a period measured by DXB Interact, placing them fourth among international buyer nationalities.

Interest is also being driven by wider signals from the UAE economy. Citadel has secured approval for a Dubai office, Microsoft has announced a $15.2 billion UAE investment and OpenAI is participating in Stargate UAE in Abu Dhabi. Disney is planning a resort on Yas Island, while Wynn is developing an integrated resort in Ras Al Khaimah.

These commitments do not guarantee real estate returns, but they demonstrate how major international organisations view the UAE’s long-term direction.

For American property buyers, Dubai offers designated freehold ownership, no annual property tax, a dirham pegged to the US dollar and regulated escrow accounts for registered off-plan developments. Dubai’s local tax advantages do not eliminate an American investor’s US obligations, but they can materially change the economics of property ownership.

Benitez emphasises that regulation is not a substitute for due diligence. Investors must still examine the developer, community, future supply, complete costs, management plan and potential exit.

As The Dubai Connect enters its eighth season, Benitez believes the biggest change is the seriousness of the American audience.

“Dubai has not suddenly become global,” she said. “Americans are finally beginning to understand how global it has always been.”

For more property enquiries, please refer to: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbj2rl9Iddu169OPoCPmQ9ysStcpbok8T&si=X7pz0z8wkDd2dTK1