Eastern Province Real Estate: Villas and Apartments

The Eastern Province includes Dammam, Al Khobar and Dhahran, and the energy industry draws professionals and families. Al Khobar has the corniche and malls, Dammam hosts the port and King Fahd International Airport, and the King Fahd Causeway links the area to Bahrain.

Buyers are mostly Saudi families and employees of large employers. For more detail compare Dammam and Al Khobar, or see larger markets in Riyadh and Jeddah.

Saudi Arabia has been liberalising foreign property ownership, with a new regime that opens designated zones to non-Saudis, and special rules around Makkah and Madinah. Details and start dates have changed, so confirm which areas are open and what registration is required before paying a deposit.

Make sure you check the title deed (sakk), any financing against the property and the developer's licence if buying off plan. The Saudi Arabia buying guide outlines the process, Saudi financing covers lenders, and the country overview gives more regions.