Buying or selling property in Dubai often comes down to a series of practical decisions. These ten quick answers cover some of the choices owners and investors face most often.
The rule to remember
Do not make a Dubai property decision from the headline alone. Check the property, the professional involved, the transaction data and the documents before committing money.
1. Off-plan or secondary for a first purchase? Secondary. You see the unit, the area and the real yield today — not a developer’s promise three years out.
2. Exclusive or open listing when selling? Exclusive for 60 days. An agent only invests in marketing when confident the commission is theirs.
3. Verify the agent’s licence or trust the business card? Verify the broker’s BRN and RERA card. Without a broker licence, the transaction carries unnecessary risk.
4. What’s a normal agent commission? Around 2% of the property price plus 5% VAT on the commission is common in Dubai residential sales. If the quote is materially higher, ask what additional service justifies it.
5. One agent or several to search? Several to buy, one exclusive to sell. Buying gives you a wider property pool; selling gives the appointed agent a stronger incentive to market the property properly.
6. View the unit in person or by video? In person or through a trusted representative. Photos and videos can hide noise, poor views, common-area condition and other details that affect resale and rental demand.
7. Vet the developer or just the project? The developer first. An attractive project means less if the developer has a weak delivery history or poor post-handover performance.
8. Pay the deposit before due diligence or after? After checking the title deed, ownership details and relevant property restrictions. Understand the deposit terms before transferring money.
9. Negotiate or pay the asking price? Negotiate on secondary property. Completed transaction evidence gives you more leverage than relying only on the seller’s asking price.
10. Get the developer NOC yourself or via the agent? Let the agent coordinate it, but track the process yourself. The NOC, service-charge position and transfer documents can directly affect the DLD completion timeline.
Quick takeaway
- For a first purchase, a ready secondary property gives you more information about the actual unit and current market performance.
- Verify the individual broker instead of relying only on the agency brand.
- Use real transaction evidence when negotiating price.
- Complete property and document checks before transferring a significant deposit.
- Track the NOC and transfer process even when your broker is coordinating it.
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