Why Satish Sanpal Says Developer Credibility Is Becoming More Important

Dubai’s property market is still attracting buyers at scale, but the questions they are asking are changing.

Price and location remain important, of course. But as the market becomes more established, buyers are paying closer attention to who is actually delivering the project, what they have built before, and whether the finished property is likely to match what was promised at launch.

Satish Sanpal, Founder and Chairperson of ANAX Holding, believes that shift is already visible.

Speaking to Entrepreneur Middle East in 2026, he said buyers were becoming more deliberate, with “greater scrutiny on pricing, product quality, and developer credibility.”

That is an important change for Dubai’s development market.

Buyers Are Looking Beyond the Brochure

For years, Dubai has been one of the world’s fastest-moving off-plan property markets. Strong population growth, international investment and a steady pipeline of new communities have created enormous demand.

That demand remains strong. Dubai Land Department reported AED252 billion in real estate transactions during the first quarter of 2026, up 31 percent year on year. Investment value reached AED173 billion during the same period, while the number of investors also increased.

But a strong market does not necessarily mean an unquestioning one.

Sanpal’s view is that investors are taking longer to commit and looking more carefully at the substance behind a project. In practical terms, that means buyers may increasingly compare developers on construction progress, specifications, design quality, payment structures and previous delivery rather than relying on marketing alone.

For newer developers, credibility therefore becomes part of the product.

Trust Has to Be Built Through Delivery

That is particularly relevant for ANAX Developments.

The company is still building its track record in Dubai, with projects including V-Suites in Business Bay, Evora Residences in Al Furjan and ELLE Residences on Dubai Islands.

Each serves a different part of the market, but the challenge is the same: converting a sales proposition into a completed building that meets buyers’ expectations.

A high-profile launch can generate attention. A strong location can support demand. An international brand can help a project stand out. None of those things, however, replace execution.

For a developer, credibility is ultimately accumulated through less glamorous milestones such as construction progress, contractor performance, handover, build quality and after-sales service.

Dubai’s regulatory framework is moving in the same direction. The Dubai Land Department has increasingly emphasised transparency, professional standards and market efficiency, and now provides buyers with tools to verify licensed developers, permits and project information.

That gives purchasers more information with which to judge the companies asking for their capital.

A More Mature Market Rewards Stronger Developers

Sanpal does not view greater scrutiny as a negative development.

In the same interview, he argued that demand is becoming more disciplined and more genuine as buyers take longer to make decisions. He also said ANAX continues to see activity in projects that offer clear value to the buyer.

That distinction matters.

When a market is moving extremely quickly, developers can benefit from momentum. As buyers become more selective, weaker propositions are harder to disguise. Projects need clearer positioning, sensible pricing and a product that can stand up to comparison.

For ANAX, that means its reputation will increasingly depend on what happens after the launch event.

ELLE Residences may attract attention because of its brand partnership. V-Suites may appeal because of its Business Bay location. Evora may resonate with buyers looking for a more residential proposition.

But the long-term value of all three will ultimately depend on delivery.

That is why developer credibility is becoming such an important part of Dubai real estate. In a more mature market, buyers are not simply choosing a property. Increasingly, they are choosing who they trust to build it.