2 homes · from AED 1.1MAED 1,100,000
2 homes · from AED 1.4MAED 1,400,000
2 homes · from AED 1.9MAED 1,900,000
2 homes · from AED 2.5MAED 2,500,000
2 homes · from AED 3.4MAED 3,400,000
Looking for a home to buy in Dubai? This guide helps you decide what to buy, where to look and what it will really cost. The listings above are the homes for sale we hold as of October 2026, 29 in all. Below, we explain how buying works and point you to the right filtered page for your budget.
Yes. Foreigners can buy freehold property in designated areas of Dubai, and have been able to since 2002. You do not need residency, a visa or a local partner. There is no minimum spend.
Freehold means you own the unit outright, together with a share of the common parts of the building. Your name goes on a title deed issued by the Dubai Land Department. You can sell, let, mortgage or leave the property to your heirs. Most areas an overseas buyer would consider are designated freehold areas, including Dubai Marina, Downtown Dubai, Business Bay and Jumeirah Village Circle. Always confirm the status of the specific unit. Our guide to buying property in Dubai as a foreigner covers eligibility in full.
A resale purchase of a ready home follows the same path each time.
A straightforward cash purchase takes about four weeks from Form F to title deed. A mortgage adds two to four weeks. Most delays come from the bank and the clearances, not the property. Our guide on how long it takes to buy a property in Dubai shows how to avoid them.
The listed price is not the whole bill. Budget 6 to 7 percent above the price if you are buying in cash, and 7 to 8 percent with a mortgage. Banks lend against the price only, so these costs must be paid in cash.
| Charge | Amount | Who pays |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai Land Department transfer fee | 4% of the price | Buyer, in practice |
| Trustee office fee | AED 4,200 including VAT (AED 2,100 under AED 500,000) | Buyer |
| Title deed issuance | AED 250, plus small fees (about AED 500 in total) | Buyer |
| Agency commission | 2% plus VAT on resale | Buyer |
| Developer NOC | AED 500 to AED 5,000 | Seller, usually |
| Mortgage registration | 0.25% of the loan plus AED 290 | Buyer, if borrowing |
On a AED 2 million ready apartment bought in cash, the charges come to roughly AED 127,200 to AED 131,700, or about 6.4 to 6.6 percent. The percentage falls as prices rise, because several charges are flat. See our full breakdown of Dubai Land Department fees in 2026 before you commit.
Dubai charges no annual property tax and no capital gains tax. You do pay service charges to the building or community, and they vary widely. Check them before you buy.
A ready home is finished. You can see it, check the service charge, and often move in or let it within weeks. An off-plan home is bought from plans during construction, usually through a developer payment plan.
| Ready (resale) | Off-plan | |
|---|---|---|
| What you buy | A finished home you can inspect | A unit still being built |
| Proof of ownership | Title deed | Oqood registration, then title deed at handover |
| How you pay | Cash or mortgage on transfer | Instalments set by the developer |
| Agency commission | 2% plus VAT, paid by the buyer | Not charged to you when buying direct from the developer |
| Main risk | Hidden costs and condition | Handover date and developer track record |
With off-plan, you still pay the 4 percent transfer fee, normally at booking. Payments should go into the project escrow account, not to the developer directly. Read how off-plan payment plans work, then browse our off-plan projects.
Apartments suit most first-time buyers. Prices start lower, the building handles maintenance, and the range runs from studios to penthouses. Browse all apartments for sale, or go straight to 2-bedroom apartments for sale.
Villas give you private space, a garden and often a maid's room. They suit families who plan to stay. See villas for sale. Our villa buying guide goes deeper.
Townhouses sit between the two. You get more space than an apartment, usually in a gated community, at a lower price than a detached villa. Browse townhouses for sale.
Price per area depends on lifestyle as much as budget. Follow the links in the table to see what we have listed in each area today.
| Area | Lifestyle | Browse |
|---|---|---|
| Jumeirah Village Circle | Family-friendly suburb, easy road access | Apartments in JVC |
| Al Jaddaf | Creekside, close to Downtown and the airport | Apartments in Al Jaddaf |
| Mohammed Bin Rashid City | Green, modern, central | Apartments in MBR City |
| Business Bay | Canal views, city living | 1-bedrooms in Business Bay |
| Downtown Dubai | Burj Khalifa district, premium | 2-bedrooms in Downtown |
| Dubai Marina | Waterfront towers, walkable, lively | Apartments in Dubai Marina |
For a house rather than a flat, start with these communities:
| Community | Home type | Browse |
|---|---|---|
| Damac Lagoons | Townhouse | Townhouses in Damac Lagoons |
| The Valley | 3-bedroom villa | Villas in The Valley |
| Mudon | 4-bedroom villa | Villas in Mudon |
Yes, residents and non-residents can both borrow, on different terms. UAE residents can typically borrow up to 80 percent of the value of a first home up to AED 5 million. Non-residents are usually limited to 50 to 60 percent, so they need a deposit of 40 to 50 percent. Most banks look for a minimum monthly salary of AED 15,000 to AED 25,000, and your total debt repayments must stay within half your income.
Extra mortgage costs include registration of 0.25 percent of the loan plus about AED 290, a bank arrangement fee, and a valuation of AED 2,500 to AED 3,500. Get pre-approval before you view. Read our guide to getting a mortgage in Dubai as an expat.
If you would rather not borrow, off-plan instalments spread the cost over construction. See buying property in Dubai on instalments.
It can. The Dubai Land Department states that the property value must be AED 2 million or more at the time of purchase, and the permit is a renewable 10-year residence. A mortgaged property can qualify with a no-objection letter from the bank. Check the current conditions on the official Dubai Land Department Golden Visa page before you buy.
Start with your total budget, including 6 to 8 percent in costs. Decide between ready and off-plan. Then pick a type and an area from the tables above, and open the filtered page. Our listings change often, so check the page again before you decide. Prefer to rent first? See our homes for rent.
Yes. Foreigners can buy freehold property in designated areas, with no residency, visa or local partner needed. There is no minimum spend. Buyers can complete on a visit visa or by power of attorney.
Budget 6 to 7 percent above the price if you pay cash, and 7 to 8 percent with a mortgage. The biggest item is the 4 percent Dubai Land Department transfer fee. Trustee fees, commission and title deed charges make up the rest.
The fee is split equally between buyer and seller on paper. In practice the buyer pays all of it unless the contract says otherwise. Agree this in writing before you sign.
Buy ready if you want to see the home, move in or let it quickly. Buy off-plan if you prefer instalments and can wait for handover. Check the developer's handover record and confirm payments go to the project escrow account.
A cash purchase of a ready home takes about four weeks from Form F to title deed. A mortgage adds two to four weeks. Reserving an off-plan unit can happen in a day, but handover takes years.
Yes, though on tighter terms. Non-residents are usually limited to 50 to 60 percent of the value, so you need a deposit of 40 to 50 percent. Not every bank lends to non-residents, so ask before you agree a price.
No. There is no annual property tax and no capital gains tax. You do pay service charges to your building or community, so check the rate before buying. See is there property tax in Dubai.
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Contact
+971 50 523 2712info@trpe.aeQuick links to the most-searched combinations across Dubai.
TRPE Real Estate is a company registered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Trade License No. 999314 · RERA ORN 28357 · Office 1201, Ascott Park Place, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai. Regulated by the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA).
