Opalz by Danube

Danube Properties is the developer that made the 1 per cent monthly payment plan famous in Dubai. It is a mid market, high volume business, and the payment structure is not a marketing detail: it is the product, and it is the reason most of their buyers buy.

What do they build?

Mid rise apartment buildings, heavy on studios and one bedrooms, in the secondary districts. Fitted kitchens and convertible layouts are common, aimed at making a small unit workable.

Where do they build?

The mid market apartment corridors: Al Furjan, Arjan, Jumeirah Village Circle, Dubai Sports City, Dubailand and their neighbours. Locations are chosen for price rather than prestige.

What should you check before buying?

• What the payment plan actually costs. A long instalment plan is not free. Compare the total price against a comparable unit bought conventionally, because the convenience is usually priced in.
• Whether you can carry the schedule. Ask what happens if you miss a payment: the grace period, the penalty, and the point at which the developer can cancel.
• Service charges, which on a small unit determine your return more than the purchase price.
• Incoming supply in the district. High volume developers in high volume areas means a lot of near identical units competing with yours.
• The usable area, not the stated area. Convertible layouts look generous on a plan and can feel tight in person. View one.

Are they a safe developer to buy from?

They have handed over a substantial number of buildings in Dubai and the delivery record is reasonable. The thing to be clear eyed about is the trade: an easy payment plan on a small unit in a district with a lot of competing supply. That can work well, but only if you have checked the total cost and the service charge rather than the monthly figure in the advertisement.