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HOW TO BUY PROPERTY IN DUBAI

Where to start looking ?

A villa or apartment in Dubai is a significant investment, so select wisely. Looking at developer websites can give you a fair indication of what’s available, but nothing beats actually seeing the villas and apartments for yourself.

Consider your preferences: do you want to be in the center of the city (for example, at the spectacular Emaar Property’s Grande complex in downtown Dubai), or do you prefer a more family-friendly property in a suburban location, such as the ever-popular Ranches development? Is a beachfront house with an unobstructed sea view a must? If that’s the case, Emaar Beachfront should check all the boxes. Or does the idea of being surrounded by green open spaces and friendly neighbor’s in Dubai Hills Estate make you feel more at ease?

Dubai’s property boom has been amazing, and since foreign nationals have been granted the ability to own property in Dubai, the construction bonanza has resulted in some exceptional houses for sale in the UAE.

Look at websites, schedule viewing appointments, and make sure you properly investigate what’s on sale before making an offer. 

The legalities of buying a house in Dubai

When purchasing property in Dubai, having a realtor you can rely on is critical. Whether you’re purchasing off-plan or making an offer on an existing villa or apartment, they’ll walk you through the process step by step.

Anyone of any country can purchase property in Dubai, as long as it is in defined zones approved by the Ruler of the Emirate of Dubai. You don’t have to be a full-fledged resident to own property, so if you live elsewhere, you may still buy property in the UAE to rent out or use as a private house when you visit.

Should you consider freehold or leasehold when buying property in Dubai?

As in many other cities across the world, there are two primary types of property available: freehold (where you own the property altogether) and leasehold (where you rent the property) (where you buy the lease of a property for a set period of between 30-99 years).

Keep in mind that if you choose a leasehold property (which may be slightly less expensive than a freehold property, particularly in the heart of Downtown Dubai), you will have to account for additional expenditures such as ground rent, service fees, and maintenance charges.

How long does it take?

Once the Agreement of Sale is completed, the process normally takes roughly 30 days to complete, therefore timescales are relatively comparable to buying property in other nations such as the United Kingdom.

When you find a house or villa in Dubai that you like, you sign a Memorandum of Understanding and pay a deposit (usually around 10 percent ). That gets things started, and the next step is for the buyer and seller to meet and apply for a No Objection Certificate, which allows the property to be sold. The developer would gladly provide this for a charge if they are confident that the buyer has the necessary cash to purchase the property.

So, if you require financing to buy a home in Dubai, be sure you have it before you begin the process. Otherwise, you may be denied the NOC, and the sale will be canceled.

You may then travel to the Dubai Land Department and transfer ownership of the property once you have secured the NOC. On the transfer date, you must pay the purchase amount in the form of a manager’s cheque made payable to the seller.

After that, you’ll be given a land deed in your name for the property.

Buying property with a mortgage in Dubai

If you are purchasing a house in Dubai with a mortgage, the NOC will not be given unless your bank or lender has adequate cash put aside to cover the purchase price. If you’re purchasing with a mortgage, the process may be slightly lengthier and more time-consuming than if you’re completing a cash purchase.

The cost and fees when buying a house in Dubai

In addition to the cost of the property, you’ll need to account for a slew of extra fees and levies.

• NOC fees – 

The No Objection Certificate costs between AED 500 and AED 5,000, depending on the value of the property. These are often paid to the developer by the vendor. The developer may also charge you an extra fee, however this is a refundable deposit that is refunded after you provide the new title papers and they update their records.

• Estate Agent’s commission –

This is typically roughly 2% of the buying price.

• Transfer fees –

A charge of up to AED5,000 is due to the Dubai Land Department in addition to about 4% of the purchase price.

• Mortgage Registration Fees –

If you buy with a mortgage, you may be charged mortgage registration costs of 0.25 percent of the loan amount, which are paid to the Dubai Land Department.

You’ll also have to pay the developer’s yearly service fee in advance. 

Bonus:

LimesWood is a full-service Dubai real estate brokerage company is located in the heart of midtown Business Bay. LimesWood handles the full spectrum of real estate brokerage work, from residential a commercial rentals and sales to new developments. We are active in all Seven Emirates as well as GCC. LimesWood, reflects our dedication to the highest levels of integrity, Professionalism and customer service. From guiding you to finding the property that meets your needs, to financing, closing, ownership and to selling of your property, LimesWood is there to accompany you through each step of the way. 

Check out the link to own and invest properties in Dubai.

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