Frequently Asked Questions

BUYING · SELLING ·
INVESTING IN DUBAI

Buying in Dubai

Yes. Foreign nationals can buy freehold property in Dubai’s designated areas, including Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah, Business Bay, Dubai Hills Estate and Dubai Creek Harbour. You don’t need to be a UAE resident, and the property is registered in your name with the Dubai Land Department (DLD).

Plan for roughly 6–8% on top of the purchase price. The main items are the DLD transfer fee (4%), the trustee office registration fee (AED 2,000–4,000 + VAT) and the agency commission (usually 2% + VAT). With a mortgage, add the mortgage registration fee (0.25% of the loan) plus the bank’s arrangement and valuation fees.

Yes. Several UAE banks lend to non-residents, usually up to 50–60% of the property value. UAE residents can typically borrow more, up to 80% for a first home under AED 5 million. Approval depends on your income, credit history and the property itself, and we can connect you with trusted mortgage advisors.

Property worth AED 2 million or more can qualify you for the 10-year Golden Visa, and under certain conditions this includes off-plan and mortgaged property. Smaller investments may qualify for a shorter property investor visa. Requirements change from time to time, so we confirm the current rules for your situation.

There is no annual property tax and no capital gains tax for individual owners. You do pay annual service charges for the maintenance of the building and community. These vary by project and are regulated by the DLD.

Off-plan property

Off-plan means buying directly from a developer before the project is completed. It usually offers a lower entry price than ready property, a staged payment plan and potential value growth by handover.

Your payments go into a RERA-regulated escrow account linked to the project, and the developer receives the money only as construction progresses. Your purchase is also registered with the DLD. We work with established developers such as Emaar, Sobha, Nakheel and Meraas, and we check each project’s track record before recommending it.

A typical plan is a 10–20% down payment, instalments during construction and the balance at handover. Some developers also offer post-handover plans. The 4% DLD fee is usually paid at booking.

Often, yes. This is called an assignment or resale. Most developers allow it once you have paid a set percentage of the price, and they charge an NOC fee. We check the developer’s terms before you buy, so you know your exit options from day one.

Selling & leasing

We start with a valuation and a listing agreement (Form A), then market your property to qualified buyers. Once a buyer is found, both parties sign a sale agreement (Form F), the developer issues an NOC, and the transfer is completed at a DLD trustee office. A cash sale often completes in around 30 days.

In most Dubai sales the buyer pays the agency commission. The seller covers the developer’s NOC fee and, if applicable, the costs of settling an existing mortgage. We agree all terms in writing before listing, so there are no surprises.

Yes. We market your property, find and screen tenants, prepare the tenancy contract and register it with Ejari, the official tenancy registration system.

Rent increases in Dubai are governed by the RERA rental index, which sets the maximum increase based on how your current rent compares to the market. Either party must give at least 90 days’ notice of any change before the contract renews.

Working with Stradom

Yes. STRADOM REAL ESTATE L.L.C is registered with RERA under ORN 44825, and each of our brokers holds an official DLD broker card. You’ll find each broker’s BRN on their profile.

Yes. We arrange video viewings, handle documents digitally and guide you through signing remotely, either by e-signature where the developer allows it or through a power of attorney. Many of our international clients complete their purchase this way.

For most off-plan purchases the developer pays our commission, so it costs you nothing extra. For ready (secondary) property the standard agency commission is 2% + VAT, agreed upfront.

We focus on premium and investment property in Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Hills Estate, Dubai Creek Harbour, Downtown Dubai, Business Bay and Dubai Marina, and we advise on other communities depending on your goals.

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