Questions to ask your property adviser before signing in Dubai

Prepared questions change the quality of the answer

The difference between a rushed off-plan purchase and a well-informed one is often just a list of questions written down before the first call, not during it. An adviser who is asked precise questions gives precise, written answers. An adviser who is asked nothing specific gives a general pitch. This guide groups the questions worth preparing into four areas, drawing on the five questions investors ask before signing in Dubai as a starting reference.

Questions about the developer and the project

Is this specific project registered with RERA and the DLD, not just the developer as a company?
What is the escrow account reference tied to this project, and how do I verify it independently?
Who manages construction updates, and how often are they shared with buyers?

Read how to verify a developer and a project with the DLD before your call, so you can follow the adviser's answer rather than take it on faith.

Questions about money and the payment plan

What is the full payment schedule, month by month or milestone by milestone, not just the headline percentage split?
What is the total cost including DLD registration fees, Oqood registration, and any developer administrative charges?
Is financing available for non-residents on this project, and if so, whose approval is it subject to?

None of these questions should get a vague answer. A serious adviser puts the full schedule and cost breakdown in writing before you reserve.

Questions about resale and exit

After what point in the payment schedule can I resell this unit before handover?
What does the developer's no-objection certificate process involve, and how long does it typically take?
Are DLD fees due again on a resale, and who typically pays them?

Read the NOC from the developer to resell an off-plan property for the underlying process behind these questions.

Questions about handover and life after

What happens at handover: who inspects the unit, and what if defects are found?
When does the title deed get registered in my name, and who confirms it has happened?
If I plan to rent the unit out, what are my realistic options for managing that from abroad?

Question area	What a good written answer includes
Developer and project	Registration status, escrow reference, update frequency
Money and payment plan	Full schedule, total cost, financing conditions
Resale and exit	Resale threshold, NOC process, fee implications
Handover and after	Snagging process, title deed timeline, management options

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Questions specific to buying from your own country

A handful of questions are worth adding if you are buying from a country with its own currency controls, tax rules, or banking habits that differ from the UAE: how your bank typically handles a large international transfer, whether your country's tax authority treats foreign real estate income differently from domestic income, and whether any documentation from Orven or the developer is required to support your own bank's compliance checks. These answers depend on your country of residence, so ask a local adviser or your bank directly rather than expecting Orven to confirm foreign tax treatment.

Building your own written record as you go

Keep every written answer you receive in one place, whether an email folder or a shared document, organised by the four areas above. This becomes useful well beyond the reservation stage: during construction, at handover, and if you ever decide to resell, having a dated record of what was confirmed and when avoids relying on memory for details that mattered enough to ask about in the first place.

What a good adviser answers in writing, every time

Any answer involving money, a date, or a legal process should come to you in writing, not only spoken on a call. If an adviser hesitates to put an answer in an email or a message, treat that hesitation as information in itself.

Bringing your own list to a call with Orven

Send your questions ahead of a call on WhatsApp at +971 52 776 1939, or write to sales@orvenproperties.com, and an adviser will prepare written answers before you speak, so the conversation itself can focus on your specific goals rather than repeating general information.

FAQ

Should I ask these questions even if I already trust the developer's brand? Yes. Brand recognition does not replace verifying the specific project's registration, escrow account and payment schedule.

What if my adviser cannot answer a question with a specific figure? That is expected for figures not yet confirmed, such as an unpublished service charge rate. A good adviser says so directly rather than estimating.

Can I ask these questions by message instead of a call? Yes. Sending your questions on WhatsApp or by email gets you written answers you can keep and refer back to.

Is it normal to ask about resale before I have even bought the unit? Yes. Thinking about your exit before you buy is a sign of a well-planned purchase, not a lack of commitment.