Apartments & flats for sale in Dubai, UAE

What you need to know about buying Apartments in Dubai

Over the last 48 years, Dubai has become one of the leading global cities and a strong business hub in the region. Its massive presence in the United Arab Emirates’ tourism, trade, financial, and real estate sectors has been recognized worldwide. The country has presented entrepreneurs with the land of opportunity, with many home-grown businesses standing out among the crowd. 

Dubai’s ever-growing real estate market has attracted international, regional and local investors due to the lifestyle offered by the vibrant city, its world-class architecture, and the high returns. For those looking for an apartment to buy in Dubai, there are many options to choose from, ranging from snazzy studio apartments in the heart of the city overlooking the Burj Khalifa, through to large four-bedroom flats in quieter communities for growing families. 

The current state of the real estate market makes it the right time to purchase an apartment - whether you’re looking for something new from the off-plan market where the building is under construction or an apartment that is ready-to-move into to, you are likely to secure the best price now with an easy payment plan to suit your budget.

Is Dubai a good place to live?

Dubai is home to some of the most amazing attractions in the world. From the world’s biggest shopping mall and tallest building, through to the first-ever museum of the future, there’s something for everyone to enjoy when they move to Dubai. 

If you like year-round sun, living in a safe city and have a work-hard-play-hard mentality, then Dubai is definitely a good place for you. A survey by HSBC ranked the UAE above the United States, United Kingdom, Hong Kong, and Australia, making it one of the best places in the world to live and work. Many people move to the city for career progression, to increase their earnings and for a general improvement in the quality of life. In fact, in 2016, it was estimated that 85% of the population in Dubai is composed of expatriates. 

With the introduction of five-year multiple-entry tourist visas for the UAE, you can also ensure to keep your family close when you move here - with many flats for sale, you can choose apartments with enough room to host the entire family!

Is it expensive to live in Dubai?

Two-thirds of expats say living in Dubai gives them access to more disposable income, with 85% paying off debts and building up savings. And seven in 10 people would recommend the country to someone looking for a new life abroad, which isn't a surprise considering how much there is to do here. Over the past 18-months, the property sale prices have softened, with apartments becoming more affordable. Some areas offer cheaper apartments than others, and you are likely to get the best prices if you buy off-plan. Many developers now offer easy payment plans such as rent-to-own schemes, which make owning a brand new flat a possibility for those who may not have the capital for a mortgage down payment, which usually amounts to around 30% of the value of the property.

What are the best neighbourhoods to buy flats in Dubai?

There are many great neighborhoods to choose from throughout the city – the best one would largely depend on your needs. Those who prefer beachfront living would likely search for flats for sale in Jumeirah Beach Residence and The Palm Jumeirah. Whereas, if you enjoy more of a community vibe, you can explore upcoming areas like Dubai Hills Estate, Damac Hills, and Townsquare. 

We encourage you to choose a neighborhood that suits your lifestyle in the best way when deciding where to buy a flat in Dubai. If you have children at school, it’s important to consider how far your new home will be. Similarly, if you work in a particular area, check out the public transport routes or general accessibility to the flat to help you make your decision. You can own a little or large corner of this city of the future and make it your home as long as it serves your core needs.

Who can buy an apartment in Dubai?

Any person of any nationality, whether based overseas or a resident of the UAE, can purchase in a flat in Dubai. An average property transaction in Dubai takes 30 days to complete from the date on which the Agreement for Sale is signed, and you can move in right away.

What are the miscellaneous fees involved in purchasing a flat in Dubai?

If you are planning to take out a mortgage to facilitate the apartment purchase, you need to account for a 30% down payment. The following fees will generally apply to the sale and purchase of apartments in Dubai:

NOC fees - these can range between AED 500 and AED 5,000 and are payable to the developer, usually by the seller. Certain developers also levy a refundable deposit upon the buyer, which is only refunded when the buyer presents the new title deed at the developer’s office and their records are updated.
Real Estate Agent’s commission is usually 2% of the purchase price
Transfer fees – these are calculated at 4% of the purchase price, with an additional amount paid towards admin fees which currently is not in excess of AED 5,000 and is paid to the Dubai Land Department.
Mortgage registration fees (if applicable) are calculated at a rate of 0.25% of the registered loan amount and paid to the Dubai Land Department.
Developers ask for their annual service charges to be paid in advance and buyers should, therefore, account for their pro-rata share upfront.
A Registration Trustee Appointment fee must be paid in cash and cost AED 4,000 through title deed and 5,000 through off-plan.

What is a rent-to-own option for buying flats in Dubai?

Today, the market is in favor of the buyer, and most developers have devised easy payment plans, so it’s important to make sure you choose a plan that works for you. A rent-to-own option is a deal in which you commit to renting a property for a specific period of time, with the option of buying it before the lease runs out. You pay rent throughout the lease, and in some cases, a percentage of the payment is applied to the purchase price.

With some rent-to-own contracts, you may have to maintain the property and pay for repairs. Currently, only a handful of developers offer RTO schemes in Dubai, however, there are schemes being advertised in areas such as Dubailand, Motor City and Jumeirah Village Circle for periods of up to 20 years, but many other developers are opening up to such schemes.

Whatever you decide, this is the right time to buy apartments in Dubai at the cheapest rates possible; however, make sure you do your research first. When searching for a new home, it’s important to understand how much it’s going to cost to run once you’ve moved in.