Dubai real estate — calm, with no surprises

Foreigners can buy property outright (freehold) in Dubai’s designated freehold zones. Outside these zones, foreign ownership is restricted, so the first step is always to confirm that the unit genuinely sits within a freehold zone.

The main cost beyond the price is the Dubai Land Department (DLD) transfer fee: 4% of the value. It is nominally shared between the parties, but in practice the buyer usually pays the full 4%. With agency commission, registration and related charges, total transaction costs typically come to around 7–10%.

Off-plan (buying during construction) and ready homes carry different risk profiles. Off-plan is protected by RERA escrow accounts under Law No. 8 of 2007: buyers’ funds are held in a dedicated project account, and the interim registration of title is recorded as Oqood. A ready home earns from day one but needs a more careful condition check.

If a mortgage is involved, the financing limit matters. For non-residents the LTV (loan-to-value) is roughly 50–65%, meaning you must cover a substantial share with your own funds. We help you compare options, vet the developer and escrow terms, and soberly assess exactly what you are buying.

For renting, we find the unit, review the contract and register it through Ejari — the mandatory registration of tenancy contracts in Dubai, without which a lease is not fully enforceable. For new purchases, we accompany snagging and handover, logging defects and getting them fixed before you sign off.

After that we take on management: vetted partners, an honest independent assessment of condition and end-to-end support — from the first viewing to calm, everyday ownership. We do not profit from you overpaying; our job is to give you one person you can trust.