Buying a Property in Dubai
Dubai has been a global hub for foreigners, offering a unique combination of luxury, opportunity, and a smart lifestyle. In 2025, the city’s real estate market continues to grow, presenting unique opportunities for expatriates looking to invest in Dubai property. Whether you’re planning to move to Dubai, expand your investment portfolio, or secure a second home, AMCA Properties will guide you through everything you need to know about buying a property in Dubai.
Factors to Consider Before Buying a property
Before buying a property in Dubai, here are few factors to consider:
Freehold or Leasehold Property
- Freehold: Owner can buy the property forever.
- Leasehold: Buyer can hold property ownership for 99 years.
Market Research
It is always important to do market research in Dubai and note the current market trends and conditions. Benefits of market research are:
- You can gain insight into current property prices.
- Market research will tell you where to invest and which area is more profitable and convenient for you. If you are planning to live there, invest in an area where all the facilities are closer to you.
- Proper market research will likely give you a higher ROI and will tell you about the area’s future potential.
- Help you manage all your finances related to property like taxes, legal fees, mortgage fees and maintenance costs.
Property Services
Owning or renting a property in Dubai can be more challenging and time-consuming. From usual maintenance, tenant requests to cleaning, urgent repairs, and other administrative tasks require more time and effort than expected. Our team in AMCA Properties offers professional services, always prioritizing the landlord’s best interests. Upholding European standards, we deliver brokerage and Property Services that will meet the most expectations of our clients.
Real estate investment advisory services
Our strategic real estate investment advisory services are custom-built to make you informed about the insights and strategies required to make informed, future-focused decisions about your real estate portfolio. As a leading real estate consulting firm in Dubai, we work with clients across the region, offering customized guidance on acquisitions, disposals, development planning, and portfolio optimization. Through a data-driven and market-informed approach, we aim to simplify the complexities of the real estate market and achieve your long-term goals.
FAQs
The steps to buying property in Dubai include defining your budget, applying for pre-approval, finding the best agent, preparing documents, making an offer, signing the MOU, and transferring the property.
Required documents for a mortgage may include
- Passport
- Visa
- Emirates ID (if a resident)
- Pre-approval of a mortgage
- Financial documents
The emirate’s law allows non-resident foreign property ownership in Dubai. Residents and non-residents from foreign countries can buy properties only in the designated freehold areas in Dubai. Some designated freehold areas in Dubai are listed below:
- Dubai Marina
- Palm Jumeirah
- Downtown Dubai
- Arabian Ranches
- Jumeirah Village Circle
The process of buying a property in Dubai can take 30-60 days, depending on factors like financing and legal procedures. The process will be quick and can be completed within a few weeks, if you are a cash seller and cash buyer, whereas a mortgage buyer or mortgage seller will lead to the process taking slightly longer.
There are a few additional costs with the sales price that every buyer must know when buying a property in Dubai. Additional costs include:
- DLD Transfer Fee: 4% of the purchase price
- Agency commission: 2% of the purchase price
- Mortgage registration fee: 0.25% of the loan amount
- Loan establishment fee varies by bank
- Conveyancing fee: varies based on provider and property type