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Real Estate
Dubai Real Estate Investment
Cash-generating real assets in a market with no property holding tax, no capital gains tax, and rental yields that have long outperformed major developed cities.
- 60+ Freehold Zones Open to Foreign Buyers
- 10-Year Golden Visa from AED 2M
- Rental Income and Resale Gains Untaxed
01 / Market
Market Fundamentals
Understand the return and cost structure of this market before looking at individual properties.
- 6.8%
- Average Residential Rental Yield
- Apartments around 7.1%; International City and Dubai Silicon Oasis above 8%
- 60+
- Freehold Zones for Foreign Buyers
- Including Downtown, Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah and Business Bay
- 4%
- Dubai Land Department Transfer Fee
- On the purchase price; split 50/50 by law, in practice paid by the buyer
- 0
- Holding Tax and Capital Gains Tax
- No UAE personal income tax; rental income is untaxed
Sources: Dubai Land Department published rates and 2025 public market reports. For reference only; not a guarantee of returns.
02 / Segments
Residential and Commercial
Owner-occupation, rental income and capital growth call for completely different sourcing logic.
Residential Property
For living in, letting out or holding for growth — the variables that matter are community maturity, handover date and tenant profile.
- Ready units in mature communities: income from day one
- Off-plan in core districts: staged payments, assignable before handover
- Along the Metro Blue Line: infrastructure due in 2029
- School catchments and family communities: stable tenants, low vacancy
Commercial Property
For own use or for letting — the link between registered address and trade licence is the thing to get right.
- Offices and business towers, whole or part floors
- Retail and F&B units, driven by footfall and lease structure
- Warehousing, logistics and light industrial land
- Free zone offices tied to the trade licence
03 / Process
The Buying Process
From brief to title deed, a ready property typically completes in two to four weeks.
Brief and Budget
Define the objective — living, letting or growth — model total holding cost against target return, and narrow down the areas.
Sourcing and Viewings
Shortlist against the brief, arrange viewings in person or by video, and verify developer track record.
Sale Agreement and Deposit
Sign the MOU or SPA — typically with a 10% deposit — with terms and payment plan checked line by line.
Developer NOC
For resale properties, the developer issues a No Objection Certificate confirming no outstanding dues.
Transfer at the Land Department
Both parties attend a DLD trustee office; the 4% transfer fee and registration charges are paid on the spot.
Title Deed and Aftercare
The title deed is issued, and can be followed straight through to tenancy management, utility accounts and a Golden Visa application.
04 / Costs
Cost Breakdown
The one-off and recurring costs beyond the price itself — worth modelling at the sourcing stage.
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| DLD Transfer Fee | 4% of the price | Split 50/50 by law; in practice paid in full by the buyer |
| Trustee Office Fee | AED 4,000 – 5,250 | Banded by property value, paid at transfer |
| Title Deed and Knowledge Fees | Around AED 580 | Administrative cost of issuing the new title deed |
| Agency Fee | Typically 2% of the price | Market convention; as agreed in the contract |
| Service and Community Charges | Annual, per built-up area | Varies widely by community and directly affects net yield |
Figures follow Dubai Land Department published rates. This table is for budgeting only and is not a quotation.
05 / FAQ
Property FAQ
The six questions clients ask most in a first conversation.
Want a Shortlist and a Modelled Return?
Tell us your budget and objective — living, letting or growth — and we will prepare a matching sourcing proposal.