01 / THE PROCESS
From shortlist to ownership.
- Set your total budget. Allow for the initial payment, later instalments, purchase costs and an ongoing reserve.
- Compare the right properties. Match the location, property type and expected timing to your plans.
- Check the project and documents. Review the developer, project status, payment instructions and sale agreement before paying.
- Arrange finance early. Ask your lender to assess your eligibility before relying on a mortgage to complete the purchase.
- Complete registration and handover. Confirm the applicable registration process, inspect the home and retain your signed documents.
For an off-plan home, use the Dubai Land Department’s project enquiry service to check project details and reported completion progress.
DLD: Project Status Enquiry ↗02 / BEYOND THE PRICE
Budget for the whole purchase.
For its completed-property sale registration service, DLD lists a 2% seller fee and a 2% buyer fee, plus additional charges. Confirm the allocation in your contract and ask for an itemised estimate for your specific transaction.
- Registration, title and trustee charges where applicable
- Agreed brokerage fees and applicable VAT
- Mortgage arrangement, valuation and registration costs if financing
- Service charges, insurance, maintenance and furnishing
Your purchase budget
Enter your own quotes. This calculation does not include fees you leave out.
- Initial payment plus entered costs
- Remaining property price
An illustration using your inputs, not a payment offer or financing approval.
03 / FINANCING
Get clarity before committing.
Ask the lender for a written assessment covering your eligible loan amount, cash contribution, rate structure, term and fees. Eligibility depends on the buyer and property; a developer payment plan does not itself guarantee bank financing.
Check whether the rate changes after an introductory period, what happens if completion is delayed, and the conditions for early settlement. Get current written terms from your bank.
Discuss my purchase plans04 / HOLDING THE PROPERTY
Look beyond gross rent.
Compare expected rent with service charges, management fees, maintenance, vacancy and financing costs. Use conservative assumptions and allow a reserve for unexpected costs. Rental income, occupancy and resale values can change.
Use DLD’s service charge index to check approved charges where available. For a new development, request the current estimate and understand what it covers.
DLD: Service Charge Index ↗