Realtor Harry Tregoning has had a busy week, with more phone calls and show-arounds than has been the norm this year. “Fair to say we’ve had increased interest in apartments in Dubai over the past weeks,” he says. “The villa market, in particular, is pretty busy, and it’s difficult to find villas in some areas, but apartments are also seeing some traction.”

The managing partner of Tregoning Property has seen first-hand the ups and downs in the emirate’s real estate market. “Certainly, in the wake of COVID-19, Dubai is seen as a very safe place at the moment, and many people would rather be here than in their home country,” he said. “The city remains attractive for people to come and live and work here.” Dubai real estate has been hit by softening prices and an oversupply of new units for some time now, but the impact of the coronavirus, coupled with a swathe of new laws appears to be sparking a market uptrend.