How to Choose an Off-Plan Project: 7 Checks Before You Pay the Booking Fee
Off-plan property can be one of the best ways to buy in Dubai: a lower entry price, payments spread over several years and a brand-new home at the end. It also asks you to trust a building that does not exist yet. These seven checks are the ones we go through with every client before they pay a booking fee.
1. Is the project registered?
Every off-plan project in Dubai must be registered with the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) before it is sold. Ask for the project number and check it in the Dubai Land Department's channels. If a seller cannot give you one, stop there.
2. Is there an escrow account?
By law, your payments should go into the project's own escrow account at a bank, not to the developer's general account. Money is released to the developer as construction progresses. Make sure the payment instructions you receive name the escrow account.
3. What has this developer delivered before?
A brochure shows what a developer promises; completed buildings show what it delivers. Look at its finished projects: were they handed over roughly on time, and how do they look and rent today? We cover this in more detail in our guide to judging a developer.
4. Does the payment plan fit your cash flow?
Typical plans ask for a 5% to 20% down payment, instalments during construction and a larger amount at handover. Some offer post-handover plans that spread the last part over one to five years. Write down every payment with its date and make sure you can meet them even if your income changes. Our Off-Plan Finder shows the cash needed now and the monthly equivalent for each project.
5. What does the contract really say?
Read the Sale and Purchase Agreement before signing, especially the handover date, the grace period for delays, what happens if you miss a payment, and the finishing specification. If something matters to you, it should be in writing.
6. Can you resell before handover?
Many buyers plan to sell before completion. Most developers allow it only after a set share of the price has been paid, often 30% to 40%, and charge a fee for their approval. Know these rules before you buy, not when you want to sell.
7. What is the full cost?
Beyond the price, budget for the 4% Dubai Land Department fee, the Oqood registration, and later the annual service charges once the building is complete. A good project at the wrong total cost is still the wrong purchase.
A note on launch-day pressure
New launches often come with deadlines: limited units, a special price for the first week, a booking slot that expires tonight. Some of these offers are real. But a good project will still be a good project after a weekend of careful checking, and a developer who will not give you time to read the contract is telling you something.
Before you sign
None of these checks takes long, and together they remove most of the risk people associate with off-plan. If you would like us to go through them for a project you are considering, book a free consultation and bring the brochure with you.