Last year saw a 25% dent in deal flows from 2016 to total $9.1b. : DubaiMiddle East investors took some time off buying overseas commercial property in 2017, with estimates putting a value of $9.1 billion (Dh33.4 billion) compared with $12.2 billion a year before that. Obviously, the low oil prices during the better part of 2017 was a factor in curbing buyer appetite.Plus, there was increased competition from other buyers who chase exposures in “global gateway cities which for long have been a preferred target location”, according to JLL, the real estate consultancy.