Plutos, please don't make more complicated as it is. It's straight forward you get all the allowances whether you rent a place or you buy it. The only case you don't get anything is if you take company accommodation. That's it. Now the risk/reward ratio when it comes to the mortgage is entirely up to an individual only.
Again if you have the lump sum it's, in my opinion a GO. The potential risk of property devaluing in the next 10 years is relatively low unless the Yanks hit Iran, of course. I doubt it very much though. After 10 years we might see a reflection of DXB situation namely the property prices drop due to oversupply.
One more thing is to be said as well. It's not a question of price/value when you buy a property it's a question of an investment only unless you plan to retire in Qatar. Basically the same scheme like anywhere else in the world.
Make up your mind, mate.
Cheers.
