The Duhok Governorate Administration has introduced a new policy that reduces residential property transfer fees. Officials expect the measure to make home transactions more affordable. They also believe it will increase activity across the local real estate market.
The new regulation sets a fixed transfer fee of $100 for every residential property transaction. Buyers will pay $50, while sellers will pay the remaining $50. In addition, authorities have banned companies from charging higher fees. Therefore, all housing projects must now follow the same pricing system.
Previously, transfer costs ranged from $500 to $3,000. These high fees increased the cost of buying and selling homes. As a result, many property deals failed before completion. Real estate professionals say the new system will reduce financial pressure on both buyers and sellers.
Industry representatives welcomed the decision immediately. They believe lower costs will increase confidence in the housing market. Moreover, they expect more homeowners to list their properties for sale. At the same time, buyers may find it easier to complete transactions.
The policy comes as investment activity continues to expand across Duhok Governorate. The General Directorate of Investment expects to issue more than 50 investment licenses before the end of the year. Last year, authorities approved 40 new investment projects.
Investment Director General Dr. Haval Sadiq Akreyi said officials have licensed 365 investment projects since the Investment Law took effect in 2006. Among them, 159 projects received licenses during the ninth cabinet of the Kurdistan Regional Government. These investments cover housing, agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, and several other sectors.
Since 2006, Duhok has attracted more than $10 billion in licensed investments. These projects have strengthened infrastructure and supported economic growth. They have also created employment opportunities across the province. Looking ahead, officials expect lower property transfer fees and investment incentives to encourage more private investment and support long-term development.