Buying Off-Plan Property in Dubai: Primary Market Guide
- Stephen James Mitchell MBA
- Apr 16
- 5 min read
Why Buying Off-Plan Property in Dubai Is a Strategic Move
Dubai’s off-plan (primary market) property sector offers investors a rare combination of flexibility, security, and capital appreciation potential. By buying off-plan property in Dubai, you’re not just purchasing a home or asset—you’re entering at the earliest stage of the real estate value curve.
With flexible payment plans, favorable developer incentives, mortgage options, and the ability to resell during construction, it’s no surprise that off-plan sales now account for more than 50% of all property transactions in Dubai.
This guide walks you through every step of the process and includes all the FAQs, risks, and legal protections you need to make an informed investment.
Key Terms You Need to Know
Term | Definition |
EOI (Expression of Interest) | A refundable deposit submitted before launch to reserve unit selection priority. |
Booking Fee | A non-refundable deposit (usually 5–20%) paid to secure a specific unit. |
SPA (Sales and Purchase Agreement) | A legally binding contract outlining the purchase price, payment plan, penalties, and handover terms. |
Oqood | Interim property registration issued by the Dubai Land Department (DLD) for off-plan purchases. |
Escrow Account | Government-supervised account that protects buyer payments and ensures funds are only used for that specific project. |
Resale NOC | A No Objection Certificate issued by the developer, allowing the buyer to legally resell the property before handover. |
Step-by-Step Guide to Buying Off-Plan Property in Dubai
1. Expression of Interest (EOI)
Before launch, developers may require an EOI—a refundable deposit (AED 20,000–AED 1,000,000 depending on the unit value and expected demand for the project) submitted to reserve early unit selection.
Why it matters:
Puts you at the front of the queue on launch day
No obligation to proceed if units don’t suit your goals
You are not choosing a unit yet—only securing access.
2. Booking a Unit
Once the project launches:
You select your unit
Pay a booking fee (usually 5–20% of the property value)
Submit required documents:
Passport
Emirates ID (if resident)
Proof of address
The booking fee is credited towards your first installment but is non-refundable.
3. Signing the SPA (Sales and Purchase Agreement)
Within 7–30 days of booking, you must sign the SPA, the official legal contract between you and the developer.
It includes:
Project and unit details
Total price and payment plan
Construction timeline
Default clauses
Resale and transfer rights
Once signed, your agreement is registered with the DLD, and the unit is considered legally under your name.
4. Understanding Payment Plans
The norm when buying off-plan property in Dubai is either a milestone-linked or date-based payment plan.
A. Construction Milestone-Based Plan
Payments are tied to build stages:
10% on booking
10% on completion of foundation
10% at 30% completion
10% at 50%
Balance on handover
Developers only access escrow funds after meeting construction certification.
B. Date-Based Payment Plan
You pay fixed installments (e.g., every 6 months), regardless of construction pace. This model is used by major developers with strong cash reserves.
C. Post-Handover Plans
Some developers offer 2–5 year post-handover plans:
60% during construction
40% after you receive the keys
This allows you to generate rental income before clearing your final payments.
Escrow Accounts: Built-in Investor Protection
All off-plan projects must use a RERA-approved escrow account, meaning:
Developer cannot access your money until construction milestones are verified
Payments are tied to your exact project (not used for other developments)
If a developer defaults, RERA can freeze the account, assign another contractor, or refund you from escrow
More info: Dubai Real Estate Regulation Guide
Oqood Registration
After SPA signing, the developer registers your ownership through the DLD via Oqood. This confirms interim ownership and enables resale.
Required for all off-plan transactions
4% DLD fee applies (sometimes covered by the developer during promotions)
Replaced by your official title deed at handover
You can resell your unit after SPA even if Oqood hasn't yet been issued—most developers will register it alongside the resale.
Mortgage Availability on Off-Plan Properties
Banks in Dubai offer off-plan mortgages, but only when:
The project is at least 50% completed
You’ve cleared all payments due before the mortgage stage
Typical terms:
LTV: Up to 50% of original price (not current market value)
Purpose: Final handover or post-handover payments
Ideal for investors who want to preserve liquidity upfront.
Reselling Your Off-Plan Unit Before Handover
Yes, you can resell before handover and profit from market appreciation. To do so:
The SPA must be signed
You must pay the minimum threshold (30–50%)
The developer must issue a Resale NOC
You must work through a RERA-licensed broker
Even if Oqood is not yet issued, most developers allow resale once SPA terms are met.
Handover & Title Registration
At project completion:
Developer notifies you for snagging
You pay any final amounts due (via cash or mortgage)
You receive your keys, access cards, and title deed
From this point, you can:
Move in or lease
Refinance
Resell in the secondary market
Investor Bonus: What Are Cancellation Units?
When investors default, developers repossess and relist those units at original pricing—these are cancellation units.
Investor benefits:
Below-market pricing
Often better payment terms
Access to sold-out layouts or floors
View current opportunities: https://www.globalinvestments.net/cancellation-units
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I resell before Oqood is issued?
Yes. As long as the SPA is signed and payments meet the developer’s threshold, they can issue Oqood during the resale process.
Q: What if the developer delays handover?
If delays exceed the SPA’s grace period (usually 6–12 months), RERA can:
Freeze the escrow
Penalize the developer
Allow buyers to cancel and get refunded
Award the project to another developer to complete in return for the funds held in the escrow account
You are not obligated to pay beyond actual construction progress.
Q: Can I finance an off-plan property with a mortgage?
Yes, after 50% construction. certain UAE banks can finance the outstanding payment plan balance, although this varies from developer to developer and project to project. LTV is typically capped at 50% of the original purchase price, NOT the value at the time.
Q: What happens if I default on the payment plan?
Dubai Law No. (19) of 2017 applies:
If <30% paid: Developer may cancel and retain up to 30%
If 30–60%: Up to 60% retention allowed
If >60%: Developer may auction or require full payment
You will receive a 30-day notice first. Contact your broker or developer to renegotiate or resell before termination.
Q: How do post-handover payment plans work?
You pay part of the property price after taking possession. For example:
60% paid during construction
40% paid over 3 years post-handover
You can rent out the unit and use the income to cover installments, providing investors with an alternative to mortgage finance.
Q: When am I eligible for the UAE Golden Visa?
As of 2024, eligibility is based on:
Property value: AED 2 million+
Type: Completed or off-plan
Ownership proof: Oqood or title deed
No minimum payment required—even 20% paid qualifies
✔ Mortgaged units are allowed ✔ The visa is valid for 10 years and covers your spouse, children, and domestic staff
More info: Golden Visa Application Guide
Q: Do I need to live in the UAE to buy off-plan?
No. The entire process—EOI, booking, SPA signing—can be done remotely with:
Digital forms
Couriered PoA
Online payment links
Speak With Me Directly – Let’s Maximise Your Dubai Property Investment
I'm Stephen James Mitchell, Managing Director of Global Investments and a licensed real estate broker with The Luxury Real Estate Brokers LLC.
With over 25 years in global finance and 18 years living in the UAE, I specialize in helping investors:
✔ Secure exclusive launch allocations
✔ Source under-market cancellation units
✔ Navigate SPA, escrow, Oqood, and mortgage procedures
✔ Resell under-construction units for a premium
✔ Apply for the UAE Golden Visa through real estate
As an MBA graduate with a specialism in Negotiation, I provide independent, ROI-focused advice—not sales scripts.
🟢Visit the Off-Plan Investment Hub:
📞 Or message me directly to plan your next investment.
No pressure—just smart, informed decisions.
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