By Ebenezer Martey, Kin & Key Properties · Published 1 Jul 2026 · Updated 23 Jul 202610–20%
Off-plan entry discount
50% / 80%
Max LTV: off-plan / ready
~65%
Of 2025/26 sales were off-plan
Looking for a quick answer instead? Read Is Buying Off-Plan Worth It in Dubai?.
Off-Plan: Best for Capital Growth
Lower entry pricing and staged payment plans ease cash flow, and well-located launches can appreciate meaningfully before handover. Trade-offs: no rental income until completion, construction-delay risk, and a lower loan-to-value cap (typically 50%) if financing.
Ready: Best for Immediate Income
You can inspect the exact unit, secure higher-LTV financing (up to 80%), and start earning rent within weeks of transfer. Trade-offs: higher upfront cost, and returns depend more on negotiating a fair purchase price than on pre-handover appreciation.
Costs to Budget For (Both Types)
4% DLD transfer fee, ~2% agency commission, and a AED 4,000 registration trustee fee are standard regardless of property type. Off-plan buyers should also check the payment milestone schedule against the developer's actual construction progress.
Data from Bayut market reports & DLD records (Jul 2026) — indicative averages; confirm current figures with our team.
