How to Invest
Off-plan vs on-plan purchases, escrow protection, payment plans, and the 5-step buying process.
Off-Plan vs. On-Plan — Which to Choose?
There are two main types of property purchase in the Dubai real estate market:
Off-Plan (Pre-Construction)
You purchase the property before or during construction, directly from the developer, at a discounted starting price.
On-Plan (Ready Property)
You purchase a completed, move-in ready property — immediately rentable or livable.
| Aspect | Off-Plan | On-Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Lower (up to 20-40% off) | Market price |
| Payment | Installments over 2-4 years | One-time or mortgage |
| Yield | Capital appreciation + rental | Immediate rental income |
| Risk | Possible delay | Minimal |
| Rental | After handover | Immediate |
| Selection | Best units available | Limited choice |
| Market Share | 64% | 36% |
Escrow Protection — Your Money is Safe
Dubai operates one of the strictest investor protection systems in the world:
Under Law No. 8 of 2007, every off-plan project must:
Escrow Account: Your payments go to a separate bank account supervised by the Dubai Land Department (DLD)
Milestone-based Payments: The developer only accesses funds when construction milestones are completed
DLD Supervision: Government authorities continuously monitor project progress
RERA Approval: All off-plan projects receive regulatory approval before sales begin
Your Benefits
- ✓ Your money is NOT in the developer's account
- ✓ If the developer fails, your investment is protected
- ✓ Payments only after verified construction progress
- ✓ The system is guaranteed by the Dubai government
Payment Plans — Installments, Interest-Free
One of the biggest advantages of Dubai off-plan purchases is interest-free installment payments directly from the developer:
Example: ~£431K Property
| Booking (SPA) | ~£43K |
| During Construction (24 months) | ~£216K (~£9K/month) |
| At Handover | ~£172K |
Developer Offers
- → 80/20 plan: 20% during construction, 80% after handover
- → 1% monthly plan: Fixed monthly amount until handover
- → Post-handover installments: 30-50% over 2-5 years after handover
5 Steps — The Buying Process
1. Property Selection
Our advisors present options that match your goals — rental yield, capital appreciation, or personal use.
2. Booking & SPA Signature
After selecting, you sign the Sales and Purchase Agreement (SPA) and pay the 10% booking fee. Required: passport copy, transfer to escrow account.
3. Installment Payments
You make payments according to the schedule in the SPA. These go directly to the escrow account.
4. Handover & Keys
When construction is complete: developer invites you (or your representative), you pay the remaining amount, receive keys and Title Deed, 4% DLD fee is due here.
5. Rental or Personal Use
After key handover: you can rent (long or short-term) — we help find tenants, use personally, or combine both.
Cost Summary
| Cost | Amount | When Due |
|---|---|---|
| Property Price | 100% | Per payment plan |
| DLD Fee | 4% | At handover |
| DLD Admin Fee | ~1,050 AED | At handover |
| Agent Fee | 0% | When buying from developer |
| Annual Service Charge | ~£32-£97/m²/year | Annually |
Important: When buying off-plan directly from the developer, there is no agent fee. The 4% DLD fee is the only significant one-time cost.
Start Your Investment
Our experienced advisors will guide you through the entire process — from property selection to handover and rental.
First Step: Free Consultation