Buying property in Dubai
Six considered steps from a first conversation to the keys, arranged by our team in Dubai and completed, for the most part, without travel.
The whole market, your choice
Our catalogue holds what every leading developer in Dubai is building, and a first conversation establishes which of it serves what you want the property to do. The 2,366 projects within it are the starting point.
The property remains your choice throughout. We give a candid view of every option. Everything that follows, the reservation, the developer, the Dubai Land Department and the letting that comes after, is arranged by our RERA-licensed team on the ground in Dubai, with relationships already established at every leading developer in the city.
Six steps to the keys
- 01Introduction
A first conversation by video, covering budget, timing and what you want the property to do.
- 02Requirements
That conversation becomes a brief: area, property type, handover window, payment plan and any condition you would not accept.
- 03Selection
A shortlist prepared against that brief, with the payment plan and the handover date set out for each option.
- 04Viewings
In person if you are in Dubai, by video if you are not. For off-plan, the show unit and the site as it stands.
- 05Reservation
The reservation form, the deposit and the sales agreement, each reviewed with you before signature.
- 06Handover
Snagging, transfer at the Dubai Land Department, and the title deed issued in your name.
Beyond the keys, the same team lets and manages the property, and conducts its eventual sale. The record of what was paid, and of the building’s performance since, remains with us throughout.
Buying before it is built
Off-plan property is shown first in most cases: it forms the larger part of the Dubai market, and the reason many buyers choose it. Payment is staged in instalments as the building rises, often with a share still due after the keys are handed over. Escrow protection and a considered view of each developer’s delivery record accompany every off-plan purchase we arrange.
- Payments are staged against construction, held in an escrow account the developer cannot draw upon freely
- Each developer’s delivery record, project by project, is set out before you reserve
- 13% of the plans in our catalogue continue payments after handover, which shapes the cash required at that point
Completed property, ready now
A completed home can be let from the month it is taken, which is why buyers seeking income within the first year choose ready property. The actual unit, the actual view and the actual condition of the common areas are seen before a decision is made.
It costs more per square foot than the same address bought off-plan, and the full price is due at transfer. Our catalogue holds 540 completed projects.
The money beyond the price
The Dubai Land Department charges 4% of the purchase price, plus an administration fee. It is the principal cost of a purchase, and it is not negotiable.
On an off-plan purchase, our commission is paid by the developer. On a resale, it is paid by the buyer, and the amount is confirmed in writing before commitment.
Paid yearly, per square foot, and set by the building. It is the figure most often overlooked in a yield calculation.
Dubai charges no annual property tax, and no income tax on rent. Any liability in your own country is a matter for your tax adviser there.
Questions from prospective buyers
Can I buy if I do not live in the UAE?
Yes. Freehold property in Dubai carries no residency requirement and no nationality restriction within the designated freehold areas. Completion does not require your presence in the country, provided you travel for it or grant a power of attorney.
Do I need to be here for the purchase?
No. The process is conducted remotely in full. Documents are signed digitally or through a power of attorney, and the Land Department transfer is handled on your behalf.
What deposit will I need?
For off-plan property, the booking payment is typically around 20% of the price, with the remainder staged against construction. For a completed property, the full amount is due at transfer, unless financing is arranged.
Can I get a mortgage as a non-resident?
Yes. Several UAE banks lend to non-residents, typically at a lower loan-to-value than for residents, with the rate and term set by your profile. We introduce you to the mortgage brokers who place this kind of lending.
Does buying give me residency?
It can. A property investment of AED 2 million or more qualifies for the ten-year Golden Visa, subject to the current rules, and smaller purchases can qualify for shorter visas. We set out what a given purchase would qualify for before you buy.
How are off-plan payments protected?
Off-plan payments are held in an escrow account regulated by RERA, from which a developer may draw only as construction milestones are met. Each developer’s delivery record is presented to you before you reserve.
Your shortlist, considered
Share the property or the outcome you have in mind, and our team in Dubai will respond, usually the same working day.