MorifarPrivate Client

Countries/UAE/UAE Property Investment

UAE · Property Investment

UAE Property Investment.
Real estate as a long-term family asset, not a speculative trade.

Dubai and Abu Dhabi remain two of the most liquid prime residential markets globally. We approach property the way a family office would — sourcing, structuring, financing and long-term oversight — not the way a brokerage sells units.

Private consultationSee the process

What it is

The full picture, in plain language.

UAE property investment covers residential and commercial real estate in designated freehold zones — Palm Jumeirah, Downtown, Dubai Hills, Emirates Hills, Saadiyat Island and more — where foreign nationals can own freehold title.

We coordinate sourcing (off-plan and ready), legal due diligence, holding-structure design (personal, UAE company, offshore holding), mortgage introductions and post-completion lettings.

Who it's for

Designed for these situations.

Families relocating to the UAE

Principal residence acquisition coordinated with school catchments and lifestyle.

International investors

Yield-focused buyers building a UAE rental portfolio.

Golden Visa applicants

Qualifying AED 2m+ acquisitions structured to support 10-year residence.

Family offices

Larger allocations across multiple assets, including commercial and hospitality.

Benefits

What the right structure delivers.

Freehold ownership

Full registered title in designated zones, recorded with Dubai Land Department.

Strong rental yields

5-8% gross yields typical in prime residential — materially above London or New York.

No property tax

No annual property tax, no capital gains tax on disposal for individuals.

Golden Visa eligibility

AED 2m+ qualifying property supports 10-year residence for the principal and family.

USD-pegged currency

AED denomination removes local currency risk for USD-base investors.

Transparent registry

DLD title registry is fully digital, fast and reliable.

The process

Step by step — nothing hidden, nothing skipped.

  1. 01

    Brief & strategy

    Week 1

    Use case, budget, hold period, financing, holding-structure preference, Golden Visa intent.

  2. 02

    Sourcing

    2-4 weeks

    Curated shortlist from primary developers and resale market; we attend viewings with the client.

  3. 03

    Legal & technical due diligence

    1-2 weeks

    Title check, service-charge history, snagging, encumbrances, SPA review.

  4. 04

    Offer & SPA

    1 week

    Offer negotiation, SPA execution, 10% deposit, Form F registration.

  5. 05

    Financing

    3-6 weeks

    Bank mortgage introduction (up to 50-80% LTV depending on residency status).

  6. 06

    Transfer

    Closing day

    DLD transfer, title deed issuance, 4% transfer fee, NOC from developer.

  7. 07

    Handover & snagging

    1-2 weeks post-completion

    Inspection, snag list, defect rectification, utilities activation.

  8. 08

    Lettings or occupation

    Ongoing

    Tenant sourcing, Ejari registration, ongoing management or principal occupation.

Timeline

What a typical engagement looks like.

  • Weeks 1-2

    Brief, sourcing shortlist, viewings.

  • Weeks 3-5

    Offer, SPA, due diligence, deposit.

  • Weeks 5-10

    Financing, NOC, DLD transfer.

  • Weeks 10-12

    Handover, snagging, tenant sourcing or move-in.

Documents required

The evidence pack we will ask for.

  • Passport copy

    Buyer and any co-owners.

  • Proof of address

    Recent utility bill or bank statement.

  • Source of funds

    Bank statements, sale proceeds, salary, dividend records.

  • UAE residency visa or Emirates ID

    Required for resident mortgage rates; non-residents accepted.

  • Existing entity documents

    Where the buyer is a UAE or offshore company.

Costs & fees

What you should budget for.

Acquisition costs in the UAE are predictable and front-loaded. The figures below are typical on a freehold residential purchase in Dubai.

  • DLD transfer fee

    4% of purchase price

  • Registration trustee fee

    AED 4,000 + VAT

  • Agency fee

    2% of purchase price + VAT

  • Mortgage registration (if financed)

    0.25% of loan + AED 290

  • Morifar advisory fee

    From AED 25,000

    Sourcing, due diligence, transaction management.

Off-plan purchases often incur a developer-paid DLD fee in marketing campaigns; always confirm in the SPA.

FAQs

Questions we are asked, and the honest answers.

Can foreigners own property in Dubai?+

Yes — in designated freehold zones. The vast majority of marketed prime developments sit within freehold areas.

Do I need to be in Dubai to buy?+

No. The transaction can be completed remotely under POA. We do recommend at least one in-person viewing trip.

Is off-plan or ready-property better?+

Off-plan offers payment plans and capital appreciation; ready offers immediate yield and visibility. We pick by use case.

How much can I borrow?+

Residents typically up to 80% LTV on a first property; non-residents 50-65% LTV depending on the bank.

Does my property qualify for Golden Visa?+

Properties with current market value of AED 2m+, ready and free of mortgage above 50%, generally qualify.

What are ongoing costs?+

Annual service charges (AED 10-30 per sq ft typically), DEWA utilities, and chiller fees in some buildings.

Common mistakes

What we see go wrong — so it doesn't happen to you.

Buying off-plan from an unproven developer

Escrow protects deposits but does not protect against multi-year delays. Track record matters more than glossy renders.

Ignoring service charges

Two identical units in two buildings can have wildly different ongoing costs. Always check the service-charge history before signing.

No holding-structure analysis

Personal vs. UAE company vs. offshore holding has tax and succession consequences. Decide before transfer, not after.

Assuming AED 2m means Golden Visa

The asset must meet specific conditions — ready, current value, mortgage caps. Not every AED 2m purchase qualifies.

Explain like I'm 10

The simplest version of the whole thing.

Buying a flat in Dubai is like buying a flat anywhere — but a few rules are different. The government keeps a digital record of who owns what, you usually pay a one-off fee of about 4%, and if your flat is worth enough money, you can get a special ten-year permission to live in the country.

Related services

Private consultation

Discuss uae property investment with the team.

A confidential first conversation — no obligation, no sales pitch. We listen, map your situation, and tell you honestly whether and how we can help.

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