Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Foreign nationals can buy freehold property in designated areas — which include almost all of the communities international buyers know: Downtown, Marina, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Hills, JVC and many more. Ownership is full and registered with the Dubai Land Department.

No. Purchases can be completed remotely through a power of attorney, and viewings can be done by video. A large share of my clients buy from abroad and visit only after handover — or not at all for pure investments.

A ready, cash purchase typically completes in two to four weeks. With a mortgage, allow six to eight weeks for valuation and bank processing. Off-plan bookings can be done in a day.

Far safer than its reputation — when basics are checked. Developer payments go into RERA-supervised escrow accounts released against construction progress. The real risks are developer delays and overpaying at launch, which is exactly what proper due diligence screens for.

Yes — assignment sales are common, usually after paying 30–40% of the price (varies by developer). Off-plan resale premiums in good projects are a recognised strategy, but the developer’s assignment rules must be checked before booking.

The split between what you pay during construction and at (or after) handover. In a 20/40/40 plan you pay 20% on booking, 40% during construction and 40% on handover. Post-handover plans extend payments for years after you receive the keys.

Budget roughly 7–8% on top: 4% Dubai Land Department transfer fee, trustee office fee, agency fee (typically 2%), and minor registration charges. With a mortgage, add bank arrangement and valuation fees of about 1–1.5%.

Service charges fund the building’s maintenance, security and facilities, billed per square foot annually. They range roughly from AED 10–15/sqft in value communities to AED 25+/sqft in premium towers. I review the building’s service-charge history before any purchase I advise on.

No annual property tax, no capital gains tax and no tax on rental income at the emirate level. The main recurring cost is the service charge, plus a housing fee for occupied units billed through utilities.

Own property (or properties) worth AED 2 million or more and you qualify for the 10-year renewable Golden Visa, covering your spouse and children. Off-plan and mortgaged properties can qualify under specific conditions — structuring matters.

No minimum stay is required to keep the visa valid — unlike many residency programmes. You can hold 10-year residency while living abroad, visiting whenever you choose.

Yes. Multiple properties can be combined to meet the AED 2 million threshold, provided the ownership structure meets the conditions. This opens efficient strategies — for example two high-yield units instead of one premium unit.

A broker is paid to close the listing in hand. My engagement starts from your side of the table: the brief is your goals, the search covers the whole market, and the advice includes “don’t buy this” whenever the numbers say so.

The first consultation is free — a focused call to understand your goals and tell you honestly whether and how I can help. Engagement fees after that depend on the scope and are agreed in writing before any work starts.

Yes — fully bilingual advisory. Calls, documents, negotiations and reporting in whichever language you are most comfortable with, or both.