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Buying a Property in Dubai

If you are reading this, chances are you are already toying with the idea of buying a property in Dubai. Currently, there are over 542,000 residential units on the market and that number is expected to reach 664,000 by 2021 according to JLL, so the chances of finding the right property for you are high. However, we know that browsing through properties can be both exhilarating and exhausting, particularly when there are so many options to choose from. As veterans of Dubai real estate, we’re here to help – whether you’re a first-time buyer looking for an affordable home, or an investor looking to buy your next property to grow your portfolio, you’ve come to the right place.  

Is it the right time to buy a property in Dubai?

The term buyers-market has been used in abundance over the past two years, and rightly so. With property prices softening across the UAE, the array of choices and accessible home loan offers, the Dubai real estate market has provided residents with the opportunity to join the property ladder. Those who used to dream of owning an apartment or villa in a prime area in the city can now make this a reality. In fact, October 2019 set a record for the most Dubai property sales since 2008 with close to 5,000 real estate transactions, according to the Dubai Land Department. The softening price trend is likely to continue in the lead up to the EXPO 2020, so if you’re looking to buy, the current market conditions are offering the best prices and it’s the perfect time to tick purchasing a property off your bucket list.

Who can buy a property in Dubai?

The Dubai property market is open to all types of investors – both local and international. If you are currently living in the UAE as a tenant and are thinking of investing in your own home, now would be the best time to do so given the current market conditions. By considering all the relevant factors, the cost of property ownership may just be more attractive than the cost of rent and that monthly fee you’re paying each month to your landlord can go towards paying off your own mortgage. If you’re an investor and looking for your next investment, there are many options available in new and existing communities.

What are the best areas to buy in and how do I know that I am getting the best price?

As property across the city has become more affordable, home seekers are spoilt for choice. Residents looking to live in new, trendy communities can find plenty of options in Dubai. From beach-themed locations to homes closer to the anticipated EXPO 2020 site, Dubai’s housing landscape is loaded with a host of new neighborhoods to invest in like Dubai Hills, Bluewaters Island and Nshama Townsquare. However, choosing the right area really depends on what kind of property you are looking for. If you are an investor, then you’d probably want to consider a unit in an up and coming area that will provide you with high rental yields in the future. If you’re a tenant looking for a home to live in, then a prime area that is close to your work or your kids’ school might be for you. From our recent reports, we know that prime locations such as Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah and Business Bay that may have been previously unattainable, are popular options for home seekers.  Whichever area you decide to go for, the first thing you should do before making an offer is to research. Thoroughly study the market and look at recent sales in and around the area you’re interested in and use these figures as your bargaining tool. 

Deciding between off-plan or ready to move options

A mortgage is a popular means of owning a property in the UAE, particularly for properties in the secondary market (otherwise known as properties that are ready to move into). However, mortgaging a property requires a substantial amount of capital, with at least 30% of the property’s value required for the down payment, transfer and agent fees. Depending on the value of the property you are going for, this may not be a possibility for you, but never fear, as there are many alternative options on the off-plan market that could work.

If you’re not familiar with the term ‘off-plan’, this is when you can purchase a property before it is built with only the plans available for you to see. Investors often opt for off-plan units as they provide a high return on investment. For those who do not have the capital to invest the full amount, many developers offer accessible payment plans that make the path to purchasing a property more affordable. If you check out our New Projects section, you will find a list of properties there, including upcoming luxury projects that come with easy payment terms. Some projects offer fully furnished units on handover, which can save you more in the long run. 

Freehold vs. leasehold – what is the difference?

When you’ve found your property of choice, it’s important to check whether it is a freehold or leasehold property. Freehold ownership enables expat buyers to purchase both the property and the land it stands on, which in turn allows the owners to sell, lease or occupy the property and land freely. Purchasing a leasehold property means that the buyer has the right to occupy directly from the freeholder for a term of 99 years or less. Essentially, this type of ownership only grants the buyer rights to the property itself and not to the land, which is owned by the freeholder.  

In Dubai, freehold areas for expats span across more than 23 neighborhoods. The most popular freehold areas in 2018 as per the number of searches on dubizzle per month included Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Hills Estates, Downtown Dubai, JBR, Dubai Marina, The Greens, and Emirates Living. 

While Jumeirah has historically been owned by GCC residents only, Port La Mer by Meraas is the first freehold master community available in the area, providing more investment opportunities for expats in popular areas. 

Whether you go for a freehold or leasehold property, it is important to read up on the pros and cons of each before you make your decision.