FAQS

An off-plan property refers to a property whose construction is yet to begin or is in its preliminary stages of construction

• Leasehold ownership: If you buy a property on a leasehold basis, you will get property rights for a fixed term, which is a maximum of 99 years. However, you will not own the property’s land. The ultimate ownership of the land goes back to the freeholder.
• Freehold ownership: Those who buy property on a freehold basis enjoy absolute ownership of the property and the land it’s built on. The property can then be sold, leased or occupied at the owner’s will.

You can buy properties from estate agents or from property developers.

For Individual, tenant should have a valid passport and Residence Visa copy (Original copies of these documents should be shown by the tenant to the Property Broker).

For Corporate Tenant, a valid Trade License, General Manager’s Passport Copy (if he is signing the Agreement) and valid passport of the Occupant.

Yes! Article (4) of Law No. 7 of 2006 outlines who can buy and own property in Dubai. According to the law, you can purchase real estate anywhere in Dubai if you are:

• A UAE citizen
• A GCC citizen

Under the same law, foreigners can also buy properties, but only in the areas designated for foreign property ownership. There are different types of property ownership for foreigners in Dubai, including freehold and leasehold. The basic difference between freehold and leasehold property ownership in Dubai is buyer rights.

When you buy a house on a leasehold basis, you will have property rights for a set period of time. However, when you buy a property on a freehold basis, you will have complete ownership of the property and the land on which it is built.

1. Once you’ve found the right property, the first step is to negotiate and outline the terms of sale with the seller.
2. The second legal step of buying property in Dubai is signing the sale agreement, also known as the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). 
3. Next up, you and the seller, along with the real estate agent, need to meet at the developer’s office. Bottom of Form

The objective of this meeting is to apply and pay for a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to transfer the ownership. The developer will issue the NOC only if there are no outstanding service charges on the property. 

Off-plan properties in Dubai can be sold by the investor, before and after the completion of the project. However, if an investor wants to re-sell their off-plan property before it’s completed, they must meet the conditions and criteria set by the developer.

The maximum loan during construction period is 50% and off-plan properties are typically cheaper than ready properties. When you pay 50% of the purchase price, it is preapproved at the application time and is guaranteed to be paid off at completion, regardless of the individual’s financial situation.

After paying 50% for an off-plan property, you can take 25% to 30% cash out. If the property during construction has increased in value, you can borrow 75% to 80% of the property value and withdraw more cash out. This process requires property revaluation and mortgage reapplication. However, if you’re content with the numbers and you’d like to receive cash at a low mortgage rate, it’s also another option. It is recommended to choose a plan that you’re comfortable and committed with and will give you the freedom to save up or explore other investments when the property is completed.

There are lots of areas in Dubai that are suitable for living and buying a property and you can choose the best one based on your preferences and budget.

Strong return on investment (ROI) is the ultimate goal when investing in property. Securing a property which delivers healthy rates of return requires proper due diligence from the outset. Here are some of the factors that can influence ROI:

• Location
• Facilities and amenities available in the community, including proximity to transport, education, childcare etc.
• Size
• Quality
• Market conditions and timing of purchase
• Interest rates
• Maintenance costs (RERA Service Charge and Maintenance Index)

Why invest in Dubai?

• The city offers higher rental yields than many other mature real estate markets. On average, investors can achieve gross rental yields of between 5-9%.
• Property prices per square foot are lower than many other cities globally, making Dubai an affordable location to own prime real estate. 
• New visa laws linked to property investment enable investors to gain a residence visa subject to certain conditions. 
• Highly favourable tax conditions in particular, the absence of property taxes and stamp duties, that are applicable in other global real estate markets, also paints the city as a highly attractive investment environment.

Investors can purchase property in the emirate of Dubai with cash. There are actually some advantages of buying a property with cash, for example, the possibility to negotiate a real estate deal and bargain at a preferable price. Buying real estate in Dubai for cash will not take that much time to close, and will not require lengthy processes.

The UAE’s ‘Golden visa’ is a long- term residency visa which enables foreign talents to live and work or study in the UAE while enjoying exclusive benefits

Please visit Golden visa – The Official Portal of the UAE Government for more details