Category: Blog

Luxury villa with a private pool, ideal for property buyers in Dubai

Dubai’s property market is booming, and this fast-growing city is becoming one of the most desirable places to live in the world. Offering premium quality accommodation at a reasonable price, along with brand new facilities that have been carefully planned and designed to provide the best of everything, it’s particularly popular with young professionals and young families. Here’s our quick guide to buying property in Dubai.

Where to start looking

A villa or apartment in Dubai is a big investment, so you’ll need to choose carefully. Looking at developer’s websites can give you a good idea of what’s available, but nothing beats being ‘on the ground’ and looking at villas and apartments in person.

Ask yourself what kind of property you want – do you want to be in the very heart of the city (for example, at the stunning Emaar Property’s Grande complex in downtown Dubai), or are you looking for a more family-friendly property in a suburban setting such as the ever-popular Ranches development? Is a beachfront property with an uninterrupted sea view an absolute must? If that’s the case, a look at Emaar Beachfront should tick all the right boxes. Or does the thought of being surrounded by green open spaces and the friendly neighbourhoods of Dubai Hills Estate feel more homely?

Dubai’s property boom has been extraordinary and since foreign nationals were given the right to buy property in Dubai, the building bonanza has resulted in some exceptional properties for sale in the UAE.

Take a look at websites, book viewing appointments, and make sure you thoroughly research what’s on offer before you think about putting in an offer.

The legalities of buying a house in Dubai

Having a realtor you can trust is absolutely paramount when you’re buying property in Dubai. They’ll take you through the process step by step, whether you’re buying off-plan, or putting in an offer for an existing villa or apartment.

Anyone of any nationality can buy property in Dubai, as long as those properties are in designated areas as authorised by the Ruler of the Emirate of Dubai. You don’t have to be a fully-fledged resident to buy property, so if you live abroad you can still buy property to rent out or use as a private residence when you’re in the UAE.

Should you consider freehold or leasehold when buying property in Dubai?

As with many other cities around the world, there are two main types of property available – freehold (where you own the property outright) and leasehold (where you buy the lease of a property for a set period of between 30-99 years).

Bear in mind that if you do go for a leasehold (which may be slightly less expensive than freehold properties, especially in the heart of Downtown Dubai), you will have to factor in additional costs such as ground rent, service fees, and maintenance charges.

How long does it take?

Once the Agreement of Sale has been signed, it usually takes around 30 days to complete the transaction, so timeframes are very similar to buying property in other countries such as the UK.

Once you’ve found a property or villa in Dubai that you like, a Memorandum of Understanding is signed, and a deposit is paid (usually around 10%). That gets things moving, and the next stage is for the buyer and seller to meet and apply for a No Objection Certificate so that the property can be sold. The developer will be happy to issue this on payment of a fee, and if they are certain that the buyer has the correct funds to buy the property. So if you do need finance to buy a property in Dubai, make sure you have it in place before you start the process. Otherwise, you may be refused the NOC and the sale will fall through.

Once you’ve obtained the NOC, you can then go to the Dubai Land Department and transfer ownership of the property. You will need to pay the purchase price in the form of a manager’s cheque payable to the seller on the transfer date.

Once all that is completed, you’ll be issued a land deed in your name for the property.

Buying property with a mortgage in Dubai

If you’re buying property in Dubai with a mortgage, then the NOC won’t be issued unless your bank or lender has sufficient funds set aside to pay for the property. If you’re buying with a mortgage, the timeline may be slightly longer and more protracted than if you’re doing a straight cash buy.

The cost and fees when buying a house in Dubai

As well as the cost of the property you’re buying, you’ll need to budget for a raft of other fees and charges.

• NOC fees – the cost of the No Objection Certificate is between AED 500-5,000, depending on the value of the property. These are usually paid by the seller to the developer. You may also be subject to an additional charge from the developer, but this is a refundable deposit which is repaid once you present the new title deeds, and they update their records.

• Estate Agent’s commission – this is usually around 2% of the purchase price

• Transfer fees – approximately 4% of the purchase price, and an additional fee of not more than AED5,000 payable to the Dubai Land Department.

• Mortgage Registration Fees – If you are buying with a mortgage then you may be subject to mortgage registration fees at a rate of 0.25% of the loan amount, again, paid to the Dubai Land Department.

You’ll also have to pay your annual service charge to the developer in advance.

Where are the top spots for buying property in Dubai?

Downtown Dubai has countless developments offering high-quality apartments just minutes from the very centre of the city. Apartments in the Emaar Forte block are highly sought after, and command a premium price, while the Harbour Views tower development at Dubai Creek Harbour offers real luxury and the very best in modern city living.

The Emaar Ranches development has large family homes in safe, comfortable communities with plenty of amenities and wide open spaces, perfect for young families who want a more secluded and peaceful environment.

Apartments at BLVD Heights in Downtown Dubai offer larger city apartments, or the low-rise Park Point at Dubai Hills Estates is an interesting alternative to high-rise living in the centre of Dubai.

To view all properties available within our communities section, click here.

Aerial view of Arabian Ranches, showcasing green spaces, sports courts, and elegant villas

ARABIAN RANCHES IS ONE OF DUBAI’S MOST ESTABLISHED GATED COMMUNITIES AND HAS A REPUTATION AS A HAVEN FOR PROFESSIONAL FAMILIES WHO WANT AN EXCEPTIONAL LIFESTYLE WITH ALL THE BENEFITS OF A PURPOSE-BUILT COMMUNITY. LET US TAKE YOU ON A BEHIND THE SCENES LOOK.

At the Arabian Ranches Gated Community in Dubai, you’ll find desirable homes, perfectly maintained gardens and a warm, communal welcome. You’ll discover a community that lives together, plays together, and enjoys some of the very best luxuries in the heart of Dubai. This oasis of tranquillity is a unique location where absolutely no compromise has been made on the quality of the homes, the surroundings or the facilities.

The homes

Set in over 1,650 acres, the luxury properties range from smart, modern townhouses that take their architectural cue from traditional Arabic and Spanish themes. Every property is unique, built to high specifications and is surrounded by beautifully designed gardens, giving each resident their own space. The inside generous living space is ideal for families, while balconies and private terraces overlook a golf course with stunning views.

Why choose a gated community?

Life in a gated community offers a high degree of privacy and protection for your family and your home. It also creates a unique and very intimate atmosphere, where everyone gets to know their neighbour, whilst still enjoying their personal space. You’ll never feel isolated in a gated community – it’s a warm and welcoming environment where everyone works together to build an extraordinary location.

A true community feel

Within the confines of the community is its very own town centre with elegant retail outlets, premium quality restaurants and all the infrastructure families could want, including healthcare and schooling.

A haven for golf lovers

Arabian Ranch isn’t just a living community – it also offers one of the best golf courses in the Emirate. Arabian Ranches Golf Club has a challenging, 18-hole course designed by Ian Baker-Finch in association with Nicklaus Design. The course makes the most of the desert terrain. The result is a difficult but playable course that will stretch seasoned golfers’ abilities and allow those new to the sport to learn their game at one of the most innovative and beautifully designed courses in the world.

The Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club, situated just next to the Arabian Ranches, offers a premium experience for horse lovers. This purpose-built establishment set in 68 acres of spectacular desert landscape holds top-level polo matches as well as equestrian events, showjumping and dressage. Ride outs take you into the heart of the desert for an unforgettable experience.

The Hacienda-style clubhouse is the epitome of luxury, offering banqueting facilities for personal or business use, making it a unique location for a conference or wedding.

Cycle and run in peace

Criss-crossing Arabian Ranches is a network of cycle routes and pathways that are perfect for runners, joggers and those who want to take a little time out to relax. Communal open spaces and parkland give the entire community somewhere to come together and enjoy being out in the fresh air. There are plenty of social events and gatherings all year round to enhance that community spirit.

New developments

Arabian Ranches has proved to be so popular that new developments like Arabian Ranches II are being planned, presenting an ideal investment opportunity.

Elegant dining area in a modern home with luxury interiors

WHEN DESIGNING A NEW EMAAR DEVELOPMENT, WE THINK OF THE ‘BIG PICTURE’, THE OVERALL EFFECT, THE ‘WOW’ FACTOR. WHETHER IT WAS FOR ONE OF OUR SERVICED FURNISHED APARTMENTS OR A PROPERTY THAT NEW OWNERS WILL BE DECORATING ON THEIR OWN, WE SHARE FIVE INNOVATIVE WAYS TO MAKE USE OF CORNERS WITHOUT IMPACTING ON YOUR OVERALL DÉCOR.

A reader’s retreat

A corner sofa with plenty of plump cushions, a small side table and a stack of cleverly-designed shelves above with a reading light on the underside of the bottom shelf, and you’ve instantly turned a dull, boring corner into a gloriously snug bookworm’s retreat. If you love curling up with the latest bestseller (or if you’re a tech lover, an e-reader), then why not designate a quiet corner as your library away from the distractions of the TV?

A green oasis

Indoor plants can make a room feel more alive, more vibrant and improve your sense of well-being. As long as it’s not too dark, a corner can make a great place to create a small green oasis, even in a contemporary or minimalist design. Strong architectural plants or something a little more unusual such as a large cactus or a single elegant orchid, can transform an internal space.

A miniature art gallery

You don’t need a huge expanse of blank wall to display art. A corner can act as a show-stopping point to position a striking piece of art – art that stops the passer-by in their tracks. Corners are also ideal for three-dimensional art such as porcelain or small sculptures (and they also act as a haven for fragile pieces, offering solid protection on two sides!). Lighting is vital if you want to present fine art in a corner space, so be aware of how shadows are thrown from different angles to achieve the best result with the minimum amount of intrusive lighting to ensure the focus stays on the artwork.

A quirky conversation piece

A 1960s jukebox, a Victorian letterbox… quirky conversation pieces gravitate to corners. They’re unexpected, they’re cheeky, they’re fun, and they show your personality, your individuality and your lighter side.

They’re usually large, imposing pieces that would dominate the room if you positioned them in the centre of the living space. While this may be the effect you’re after, a corner space makes more practical sense, especially if your conversation piece is something that would end up breaking toes or tripping up guests if placed in the heart of your room!

Give it its own space – create the corner around the conversation piece, again using clever lighting and decorative wall art that draws attention to the main feature.

A practical storage area

Corners don’t need to be ‘wasted space’. A tallboy is a perfect corner piece, as are clean, no-fuss, minimalist shelves. If you want to use it as a coat storage area, then don’t go for boring, straight lines of hooks – space them randomly so that even when the coats have gone, the patterns and shapes created by the hooks add interest to an otherwise blank wall.

If you have a 3BR apartment, a townhouse, or a villa, you can increase each room’s storage. Make more space for your tasteful furniture and avoid interrupting the stunning views of our beautiful Emaar locations. Opt for subtly fitted closets, and storage enabled ottomans and bedroom benches.