Buying in Qatar is risky. Very. THere is no property market history or laws, other than an ammendment that the Emir recently made to a law. And yes, laws can change any time. The market is very much driven by especulation and it appears to me, somehow, artificial.

As someone mentioned before, you buy directly from the developer which makes the whole process very straight forward, and yes, you do have in writing your permanent residency status... but then again,having things in writing in this country hardly makes any difference at all, should the laws change in the future. Yes, the Emir could "bring in a certain law tomorrow whcih would be detrimental to expats owners", but that will shy away all the foreigner investors that Qatar is desperately seeking to attract in the long term future.

I bought an apartment in the Lagoon Plaza development. I believe this was the right time for buying and will sell it when the time is right. Yes... risky and uncertain... ask me in a few years if it was a good investment!