Villas & houses for sale in Dubai, UAE

Searching for the best Villas for sale in Dubai

There is no better time than now to buy your dream home in Dubai. Villas for sale provide owners with the option of living in serene residential communities that are surrounded by lush greenery or by the seaside. The many different styles of villa developments include the ability to have everything from a mall to a shopping center, schools, health facilities, gyms, and eclectic restaurants and cafés only a stone’s throw away. If you’re thinking of joining the property ladder, here is some information and some things to consider to help you make your decision.

Who can buy a villa in Dubai?

Closing a deal on a property anywhere in the world is definitely one of the most important investment decisions you will make in your life. This step will place a roof over your head for the foreseeable future or make you a landlord if you’re buying the property for investment purposes. 

The Dubai real estate market is open to people from all nationalities and walks of life, including locals and international investors. However, there is one thing to keep in mind when looking for a home and that is whether the area that you are interested in purchasing a home in will offer you a leasehold or freehold property. This won’t apply to you if you are Emirati or a GCC national but it is something to consider if you are an expatriate or international investor not based in the UAE. 

In 2000, a law was passed to make it accessible for foreigners to buy properties within its bounds but only in certain areas known as freehold areas.  Dubai freehold property areas are found in Umm Hurair, Al Barsha, Emirates Hills, Jebel Ali, Al Gouz, Ras Al Khour, Nad Al Shiba, and many others. 

To buy a villa in Dubai is quite simple and needs only a valid passport of the buyer in order to establish your identity. You do not necessarily need to have a residency permit in order to attain eligibility.  In case you need to stay in the country to complete the buying process, you can opt for a six-month visa called the Property Holders Visa, which has been introduced by the government of UAE especially for property buyers. In order to qualify for the visa, the property being bought should be of a minimum value of 1 million dirhams. 

What are the best areas in Dubai to buy a villa?

The Palm Jumeirah is one of the most popular neighborhoods with villas for sale in Dubai. The luxury destination is known for its dazzling beachfront views and state-of-the-art facilities. It is home to some of Dubai's best luxury resorts and more than 80 restaurants, lounges and other attractions, making it a hotspot for many locals and expatriates.

The second-most popular area is Arabian Ranches. It is a premium gated villa community in Dubai and is located on Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Road. The community also includes the Arabian Ranches Golf Club, Dubai Equestrian & Polo Club. 

Emirates Hills also provides a great option for families. It is the flagship community of Emirates Living – consisting of exclusive made-to-order mansions, on plot sizes ranging between 12,000 and 45,000 square feet. The community comes with wide, quiet streets lined with trees and plush landscaping, with most properties overlooking the championship standard fairways and greens of the Montgomerie at Emirates Hills Golf Course. There are 17 lakes and three large beautifully landscaped parks, perfect for strolling or enjoying playtime with the family.

What are the new villa communities I can invest in?

With developments that are under construction nearing completion and more properties being announced, it is evident that the UAE real estate market is growing at a brisk pace. Arabian Ranches 2 and 3, Dubai Hills, Akoya by Damac and Emaar South are just a few of the exciting new neighborhoods that are coming up, which provide property seekers with more choice. 

Set on prime land spanning over 11 million square meters, Dubai Hills Estate is a premium, lifestyle-focused master development by Emaar Properties and Meraas Holding. Along with golf course views, Dubai Hills Estate will feature an iconic commercial center, high-end retail centers, as well as low-rise and mid-rise residences, hotels, and serviced hotel apartments.

Akoya which is Damac’s largest development is a completely self-contained community highlighting a calm lifestyle and green living, away from the busy city but with easy access to its business and leisure hubs. Set around an international golf course, there are community swimming pools and playgrounds in each cluster of homes, with beautifully landscaped streets and parks.

As off-plan projects, these come with great offers to invest in now, to enjoy for years to come. Look for ready-to-move luxury villas when browsing through your options to choose your dream house. 

What is the process of buying a house in Dubai?

Buying real estate in Dubai falls under the Dubai Land Department (DLD). You will have to pay your real estate agency 2% of the property value as fees for their services. DLD charges transfer fees at 4%, in which 2% is to be paid by the buyer and 2% is paid by the seller. 

On the day of the transfer, AED 250 has to be paid as title deed issuance fees. To complete the registration of the property with the DLD, you need to pay a registration fee of AED 4,000 if the villa property price equals or exceeds AED500,000, or pay AED 2,000 if the house price is less than AED500,000. This is done after all the money is transferred to the seller.

In case you have a mortgage on the property, you also have to pay a fee for mortgage registration to the DLD, calculated at a rate of 0.25% of the registered loan amount.

For mortgaged buyers of completed properties in Dubai, a down payment of 25% for expats and 20% for UAE nationals is required to be paid in cash to the seller. The rest of the amount can be financed by the bank. The 25% down payment is the minimum requirement for expat buyers, so you will have to save or raise this amount before starting the process.

Before you start your search for your new home, it is important to study your finances and affordability. Make your family a part of the decision-making process. Take the time to think about why you are buying and whether it is right for your circumstances – financially and otherwise. 

Can I make modifications to the house? 
When it comes to buying a villa, one of the main benefits of an apartment is being able to make major modifications to the property. If there are changes that you are interested in making, then is a good idea to check what is allowed and what isn’t. Don’t proceed with a purchase if you have plans to make major changes, such as knocking down walls or installing a pool, without confirming with the master developer to see if the modifications will be accepted and whether there will be any extra charges.

While it may seem daunting, once it is all over and you receive the keys to your house, it is a celebration of a lifetime!