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Buying in Dubai

Buy a Dubai property that fits your life—not just your filters.

Tell me what matters to you, and I’ll help you focus on the homes worth seeing.

Tell Me What You Need

In short

How do you buy property in Dubai?

To buy property in Dubai, set your budget and funding first, choose the community and home type that suit how you will live, then compare specific homes on plot, layout, condition and occupancy. Once you agree a price on a ready home, buyer and seller sign Form F, usually with a 10% deposit, and the transfer completes at a Dubai Land Department trustee office. Budget roughly 7% on top of the price for the 4% DLD transfer fee, the trustee fee, agency commission and mortgage costs, as the transfer costs guide explains. Foreign buyers can hold freehold title in Dubai’s designated freehold areas. Joshua works one to one with buyers from the first brief to the title deed.

Last updated · Joshua Khoury

How it works

A clearer way to find your next home.

You get a focused search, straightforward comparisons and help at every important step.

Define

Tell me what matters

Your budget, timing, preferred areas and the things you are—and are not—willing to compromise on.

Compare

See the trade-offs clearly

Understand the differences in location, layout, condition, privacy and future potential.

Secure

Move with confidence

Get practical help with viewings, your offer, negotiation and the steps through to handover.

Ownership and eligibility

Confirm the current ownership rules for your circumstances and the exact property before you commit. Specialist legal or tax advice may be appropriate.

Property type and area

Choose between villas, townhouses and apartments by the way you will use the home, then compare communities through your real weekly routine.

Cash, finance and costs

Set the funding route early and leave room for purchase, finance, transfer and ownership costs. The exact amount must be confirmed for your transaction.

Secondary-market checks

Review condition, alterations, occupancy, service obligations and the seller’s timing. An inspection should test the individual home, not just the listing.

Offer and negotiation

Base the offer on the property, relevant alternatives and your own limits. Keep the price, included items, timing and dependencies clear in writing.

Transfer and handover

Coordinate documents, finance, any required no-objection certificate and the formal transfer. The sequence can vary, so confirm responsibilities at the start.

Compare the difference

Two homes. Same budget. Very different fit.

A useful shortlist shows you what you gain, what you give up and which home suits you best.

A renovated villa with a large irregular garden and shaded terrace

Home A

  • Larger garden with an unusual shape
  • Backs onto a road
  • Renovated and ready to move into
An original-condition villa with a compact garden and open green outlook

Home B

  • Smaller, easier-to-use garden
  • No home directly behind it
  • Needs updating, with room to make it your own

At a glance

Buying a ready home: the steps and the costs.

The usual sequence on a Dubai resale and the charges that come with each stage. Who pays is agreed in Form F; the figures are as at October 2026.

Main stages and costs when buying a ready Dubai home
StageWhat happensTypical cost to the buyer
Brief and fundingBudget, cash or mortgage, and a bank pre-approval if borrowingBank fees vary by lender
Search and viewingsShortlist, compare and inspect specific homesNone
Offer and Form FAgree price and terms; sign the standard RERA resale contractDeposit, commonly 10% of the price
Developer NOCThe seller clears dues and obtains the no-objection certificateUsually paid by the seller
TransferCompletion at a DLD registration trustee office; title deed issued to you4% DLD transfer fee, plus a trustee fee of AED 4,000 + VAT at AED 500,000 and above
Mortgage registrationIf borrowing, the bank’s mortgage is registered with DLD0.25% of the loan + AED 270 in fixed DLD fees, plus a trustee service fee of AED 4,000 + VAT

Dubai community map

Explore Dubai by community.

Each pin is a community Joshua covers, with a short guide to the homes there. Not every home that could change hands is advertised, so ask about off-market options in the communities that suit you.

Palm JumeirahPalm Jebel Ali E11 Sheikh Zayed RoadE311 Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed RoadE44 Dubai–Hatta RoadE66 Dubai–Al Ain RoadAl Khail Road Arabian Gulf DeiraBur DubaiJumeirahAl QuozAl BarshaJebel AliDubailand E11E311E44E66Dubai International AirportDXBAl Maktoum International AirportDWC Arabian RanchesArabian Ranches IIArabian Ranches IIIDubai Hills EstateEmirates HillsJumeirah Golf EstatesJumeirah ParkThe MeadowsThe SpringsThe LakesTilal Al GhafAl BarariDAMAC HillsMudonThe VillaVictory HeightsDistrict OneNad Al Sheba GardensThe ValleyEmaar SouthTown SquareDAMAC LagoonsPalm JumeirahDubai MarinaJumeirah Beach ResidenceBluewaters IslandEmaar BeachfrontDubai HarbourDubai Creek HarbourRashid Yachts & MarinaPalm Jebel AliDubai Maritime CityPort de La MerDowntown DubaiBusiness BayDIFCCity WalkMadinat Jumeirah LivingJumeirah Lake TowersThe Greens and ViewsDubai Design DistrictMeydanMohammed Bin Rashid CityDubai Silicon OasisJumeirah Village CircleJumeirah Village TriangleArjanMotor CityDubai Sports CityDubai Production CityDubai SouthExpo City DubaiDubailand Residence ComplexMirdif

Drag or use the arrow keys to move. Pinch, the buttons or + and − to zoom.

  • Community

Indicative locations. These are not listings or offers; details are shared privately on enquiry.

Compare Dubai’s villa communities on the full map

Communities on the map

Villa and townhouse communities

22 communities

Waterfront and coastal

11 communities

Central and urban

11 communities

Wider Dubai

10 communities
Private Buying BriefStep 1 of 5

01 / Your goal

What do you need from this home?

Start with how you plan to use it and the one thing you do not want to compromise on.

Intended use

For example: a private garden, an easy school run, move-in readiness or room to renovate.

Questions

Common questions.

Can foreigners buy property in Dubai?

Yes. Foreign buyers can hold freehold title in Dubai’s designated freehold areas, which include the main villa and apartment communities, and the Dubai Land Department issues the title deed in the buyer’s own name. The guide for Australian buyers covers buying from overseas.

What does it cost to buy a home in Dubai?

On a typical ready resale, plan for roughly 7% on top of the price: the 4% DLD transfer fee, the registration trustee fee, agency commission and mortgage registration if you borrow. The transfer costs guide works through an example.

How much deposit do I need for a Dubai mortgage?

UAE Central Bank rules cap loan-to-value for expatriate first-home buyers at 80% up to AED 5 million and 70% above, so expect a deposit of at least 20% plus costs. Off-plan homes are capped at 50%, and banks set tighter terms for non-residents.

Should I buy off-plan or a ready home?

A ready home can be inspected and used straight away; off-plan spreads payments but carries completion risk and a lower borrowing cap. The off-plan versus ready guide compares them.

Does buying property in Dubai give me a visa?

Property ownership can support a UAE residence application in some cases, including the Golden Visa route. Eligibility is date-sensitive and subject to authority approval, so read the Golden Visa property guide before setting a budget around it.

Related guides How a Dubai resale works Buying guides Dubai areas Private search