Buying in Dubai is simple once you know the steps, and confusing until then. We sit with you from the first shortlist to the day the title deed carries your name, and we tell you plainly when a property is not worth the price.
What Would You Like To Buy?
- Apartments for sale in Dubai
- Villas for sale in Dubai
- Townhouses for sale in Dubai
- Commercial property for sale in Dubai
- Off plan projects from trusted developers
How Buying Works With Us
- Tell us your brief. Budget, area, size and whether you will live in it or rent it out.
- Get a shortlist. Only homes we have checked, with the service charges and the real asking price.
- View in person or on video. Many of our clients buy from abroad, so we walk you through on a video call.
- Agree the price and sign. We negotiate for you and prepare the sale agreement with the seller.
- Transfer at the Dubai Land Department. We arrange the NOC, the bank cheques and the transfer appointment.
Costs To Plan For
Most buyers forget the costs on top of the price. Here is what a typical ready property purchase involves, so you can budget properly from the start.
- Transfer fee: 4% of the purchase price, paid to the Dubai Land Department.
- Trustee office fee: AED 4,000 plus VAT for properties of AED 500,000 and above, or AED 2,000 plus VAT below that.
- Title deed and admin fees: a few hundred dirhams.
- Agency fee: usually 2% of the price plus VAT.
- If you take a mortgage: a registration fee of 0.25% of the loan, plus the bank’s valuation and processing fees.
As a rough guide, set aside about 7% of the price for fees on a cash purchase. We give you the exact figure in writing before you commit, so nothing comes as a surprise on transfer day.
Cash Or Mortgage?
Paying cash is faster and gives you more room to negotiate, because sellers like a buyer who can move quickly. A mortgage keeps more of your money free, but it needs a bank valuation, salary or income documents and a little more patience. If you plan to borrow, speak to a bank or broker before you start viewing, so you know your real budget and can make an offer the same week you find the right home.
Buying For A Golden Visa
A property worth AED 2 million or more can qualify you for UAE long term residence through the Golden Visa. Mortgaged and off plan homes can also count, subject to conditions. The rules are set by the government and do change, so check the UAE Golden Visa page and tell us at the start. We will then only show you homes that meet the current rules.
Why Clients Buy With Us
We do not push the listing we earn the most on. We compare service charges, building age, rental demand and resale history, and we tell you when a price is too high. If a deal does not make sense for you, we say so, even if it means waiting longer for the right one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can foreigners buy property in Dubai?
Yes. Foreign buyers can own property outright in Dubai’s freehold areas, which include Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah, Business Bay and many more. You do not need a UAE residence visa to buy.
How much deposit do I need for a mortgage?
Under the UAE Central Bank rules, an expat buying a first home under AED 5 million can borrow up to 80% of the value, so you need at least 20% plus fees. Above AED 5 million the cap drops to 65%, and a second home is capped at 60%.
How long does a transfer take?
For a cash purchase of a ready property, transfer at the Dubai Land Department often happens within a few weeks of signing, once the developer NOC is issued. A mortgage adds time for the bank valuation and approval.
Can I buy without visiting Dubai?
Yes. Many of our clients buy from abroad. We do the viewings on video, and the transfer can be completed through a power of attorney if you cannot travel.
Ready To Start Your Search?
Send us your budget and preferred area on WhatsApp. A real person from our team replies the same day.