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Buying guides

Dubai property buying guides for the decisions that matter.

Start with your purpose and budget, then understand the property, costs, papers and timing before making an offer.

Plan Your Purchase

Last updated October 3, 2026 · Written by Joshua Khoury

Editorial villa garden with a calm open outlook

In short

What should you know before buying property in Dubai?

Before you make an offer on a Dubai home, settle how you will fund it, what it will cost beyond the price and which kind of property suits you. On a typical ready resale, budget roughly 7% on top of the price for the 4% DLD transfer fee, the trustee fee, agency commission and mortgage costs. These guides cover transfer costs, off-plan versus ready homes, funding from Australia and custom-villa due diligence. Each one lists its sources and the date they were checked.

Last updated · Joshua Khoury

Read before an offer

Buying guides.

Practical guides for the decisions that come before a viewing turns into an offer.

  • Buying guides · Updated

    Funding a Dubai purchase from Australia

    Cash, Australian equity and a UAE non-resident mortgage compared on deposit, timing, documents, currency risk and Australian tax.

  • Buying guides · Updated

    Off-plan vs ready property in Dubai

    Payment plans, Oqood and the title deed, escrow, handover risk, rental timing and mortgage limits compared, with who each route suits.

  • Buying guides · Updated

    Dubai property transfer costs

    Every cost on a Dubai resale purchase, from the 4% DLD fee to mortgage registration, with a cash-versus-mortgage worked example on a hypothetical AED 3,000,000 home.

  • Buying guides · Updated

    Emirates Hills custom villa due diligence

    What to check on an individually built Emirates Hills villa, from the title deed and completion certificates to the engineer’s survey, community fees and thin sales evidence.

Six useful questions

Prepare before the right home appears.

These are starting points, not legal, tax or financial advice. Confirm the exact requirements and costs for your property and circumstances.

What does buying cost?

Budget beyond the price for transfer and administration, professional advice, finance where relevant and immediate work. Ask for a transaction-specific cost schedule before committing.

Can a non-resident buy?

Eligibility depends on the location, property and buyer. Prepare identity and source-of-funds documents early, and obtain legal, tax and finance advice suited to your country and plans.

Read the Dubai Golden Visa property guide

Villa or apartment?

Villas place more weight on land, external maintenance and garden use. Apartments add building management, service charges and exact unit position to the comparison.

Cash or mortgage?

Cash and finance change preparation and timing. A financed buyer should understand borrowing capacity and lender requirements before treating an offer as ready.

Vacant or tenanted?

Occupancy affects access, possession, income and timing. Review the tenancy and notice position for the exact home rather than assuming a label tells the whole story.

What should I inspect?

Look at structure and systems, alterations, maintenance, room flow, noise, light, privacy and the area immediately around the property. Bring specialist help where appropriate.

A practical path

Define, compare and verify.

The right order makes it easier to move when a suitable home appears.

Define

Write the brief

Set intended use, budget, timing, preferred areas, must-haves and the points where you can stay flexible.

Verify

Check before the offer

Confirm condition, documents, occupancy, costs, finance and the transfer path for the individual property.

Questions

Frequently asked questions.

Short answers to the questions readers ask most. The guides above give the detail and sources.

What does it cost to buy a property 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 each one.

Can foreigners buy property in Dubai?

Yes. Foreign buyers can hold freehold title in Dubai’s designated freehold areas, and the Dubai Land Department issues the title deed in the buyer’s own name.

Is it better to buy off-plan or ready?

It depends on your timing, funding and appetite for risk. A ready home can be inspected and lived in or let straight away; off-plan spreads payments but carries completion risk. The off-plan versus ready guide compares them.

Do I need to be in Dubai to buy?

No. You can shortlist and make offers from abroad, and an attorney can complete the transfer under a power of attorney that meets UAE requirements. The guide for Australian buyers covers buying from a distance.

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