Frequently asked questions

Yes. Anyone, resident or not, can buy freehold property in Dubai's designated freehold areas — including Dubai Marina, Downtown, Business Bay, Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC), Dubai Hills and Dubai South. You own the property outright, can rent it out or sell it, and it is registered in your name with the Dubai Land Department (DLD).

Freehold or leasehold? Freehold gives you permanent, 100% ownership of the property and the land it stands on. Leasehold gives you the right to use the property for a fixed term, usually 30 to 99 years, and is less common for foreign buyers. Nearly all the projects and homes we offer are freehold.

No. Many of our clients buy from abroad. Off-plan purchases can be signed digitally, and for ready properties you can sign through a power of attorney or attend the transfer by video with a registration trustee. We guide you through each step.

With cash, usually around 30 days from signing the sale agreement (Form F) to the transfer at a DLD registration trustee office. With a mortgage, allow a few more weeks for the bank's approval and valuation.

Yes, property is one of the main routes to UAE residency:

• 2-year property investor visa: since 2026 there is no minimum price when you own a ready (completed) property in Dubai on your own. If you own it jointly, each owner's share must be worth at least AED 400,000. An off-plan home qualifies once it is handed over and has its title deed.
• 10-year Golden Visa: property (or properties) worth at least AED 2 million. Off-plan and mortgaged properties can qualify under conditions set by the authorities.

The rules change from time to time, so we confirm the current conditions with the Dubai Land Department for your case. Ask us which homes in your budget qualify.

You pay in stages instead of all at once: typically a 5–20% down payment at booking, instalments during construction, and the balance at handover. Some developers offer post-handover plans, so you keep paying for 1–5 years after you get the keys. You can compare plans and monthly instalments for every project in our Off-Plan Finder.

Dubai law requires every off-plan project to be registered with the DLD and to have its own escrow account (Law No. 8 of 2007). Your payments go into that account, and the developer can only draw from it as construction progresses. Your purchase is registered in the DLD's Oqood system. We only offer registered projects and show you how to verify them yourself.

Usually yes. Most developers allow a resale once you have paid a set share of the price, often 30–40%, and charge a transfer fee for their approval (NOC). The rules differ by developer, so we check them before you book.

Handover dates are estimates, and delays of a few months are common. Your sale contract (SPA) sets out the developer's obligations and any grace period. Because payments sit in escrow and the project is regulated by RERA, your money stays tied to the project. We favour developers with a strong delivery record.

• DLD transfer fee: 4% of the price.
• Registration trustee fee: AED 4,000 + VAT (AED 2,000 + VAT for properties under AED 500,000).
• Title deed fee: about AED 580 (off-plan: a small Oqood registration fee instead).
• Agency fee on ready properties: usually 2% + VAT. On new off-plan projects the developer usually pays the agency.
• With a mortgage: mortgage registration 0.25% of the loan plus bank fees and valuation.

Every project and listing on our site shows these costs worked out for that property.

Yes. UAE residents can usually borrow up to 80% of the price for a first home under AED 5 million (70% above that). Non-residents can also get a mortgage, typically for 50–60% of the price. Off-plan purchases are mostly paid through the developer's payment plan rather than a bank loan. Try the numbers in our mortgage calculator.

An annual fee per square foot that owners pay for the building's maintenance, security, landscaping and shared facilities such as pools and gyms. It commonly ranges from about AED 12 to AED 28 per sq ft a year, differs by building and is approved by RERA. Ask us for the current figure of any building before you buy, so you can include it in your returns.

Gross rental yields in Dubai commonly range from about 6% to 9% a year, depending on the community, the building and the type of home. Studios and one-bedroom apartments usually give the highest yields. Short-term holiday rentals can earn more, but they need a holiday-home permit and bring higher running costs.

These are market averages, not a promise: service charges, vacancy and furnishing reduce the net return. We work out the expected rent and costs for any property you are considering.

Rent is agreed per year and usually paid with post-dated cheques: 1 to 4 cheques is common, and fewer cheques often gets you a better price. Expect a refundable security deposit of about 5% of the annual rent (10% for furnished homes) and an agency fee of usually 5% of the annual rent.

Ejari is the official registration of your tenancy contract with RERA. It is required in Dubai: you need it to connect electricity and water (DEWA), and for visa and family sponsorship applications. It takes minutes and we handle it with you.

Only within the limits of the RERA rental index, and the landlord must give you written notice at least 90 days before the contract ends. If your rent is already in line with the market, no increase is allowed.

Yes. Book a free 30-minute consultation — at our office in JVC, by video or by phone — and we will shortlist options for your budget and goals, off-plan or ready, with all the costs worked out. There is no obligation.

218 Binghatti Emerald, JVC District 15, Dubai. We are open Monday to Friday, 10:00–18:00 (Dubai time). Call +971 4 572 7547 or WhatsApp +971 50 275 7603.