The Straightforward Guide to Off-Plan Buying in Dubai

First, be clear on your reason for buying. Will you move in yourself, or is this an investment? Consider how much you can spend, the areas you would like to live in, and which developer you prefer. With that settled you get better prices and pick the right unit. As an investor, you also keep the option to resell before handover and take a good profit.

We know buyers have doubts about off-plan, from building delays to the risk of fraud. With Augusta Properties you deal with established developers and with registered agents whose job is to act for you. Our engineering department checks every detail so your home is handed over as agreed.

Take your time over the choice, looking at size, layout, views and what comes with the unit, such as appliances. To protect your money, read up on escrow accounts. An escrow account holds your payments safely, so the developer can spend them only on the project and cannot misuse them. It gives your purchase one more layer of protection.

Once you have picked a unit, you reserve it by signing the SPA (sales and purchase agreement) and paying a first deposit; your passport, the DLD fee and the Oqood fee follow within 30 days. Go through the SPA carefully so you know what you and the developer each owe. Get legal advice if anything is unclear. Learn how off-plan payments are split into stages and look at your ways to finance with us so the process runs without trouble and you are ready for what you are signing up to.

With off-plan, you pay in stages as construction reaches each milestone. The developer sends an invoice 30 days ahead of each due date. That leaves plenty of time to have the money ready. Follow the payment schedule in your contract until the property is legally yours. In most cases you may resell along the way if you need to. If anything about your payment plan is unclear, our agent will explain it.

When handover comes, you inspect the new home closely for snags so faults are fixed before you move in. Our snagging services can help you with this inspection. When you are happy, you pay the last instalment and collect the keys and access cards, and our agents walk you through every detail of the move.